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As I have posted in other threads, Verizon is the only carrier that offers decent coverage where I live, and there is no way to get a data plan with Verizon for cheap. Sounds like the consensus is that I should keep maxing out my 401K and keep my dumb phones.
Define cheap and what zip code?
How much are you presently paying including taxes? Includes what? I can't imagine it will be breaking the bank. At the end of the day you're talking what, maybe $200/yr more. I dunno, seems a little 'woe is me' to me, complaining about $17k saved but moaning over a couple bucks a month extra? Jeez man get a grip!
I have no interest in getting a second job and giving up the little free time that I have just to get a smart phone. I don't need or want a smart phone that badly.
How much are you presently paying including taxes? Includes what? I can't imagine it will be breaking the bank. At the end of the day you're talking what, maybe $200/yr more. I dunno, seems a little 'woe is me' to me, complaining about $17k saved but moaning over a couple bucks a month extra? Jeez man get a grip!
I am currently paying $45 per month for 2 dumb phones ($20 for my dumb phone, $20 for my wife's dumb phone, and $5 for the plan), plus taxes and fees. Since you asked for including taxes, that is $56.98 per month. It includes just talk and text, no data. They do not allow you to have this plan with a smart phone.
If my wife and I upgraded to smart phones, Verizon would charge us $40 per smart phone, and the cheapest plan (500 MB) is $20. That would mean $100 per month plus taxes and fees ($40 for my smart phone, $40 for my wife's smart phone, and $20 for the plan). Getting a plan that would actually be useful would cost even more. And this doesn't even take into account the cost of the phone. Even with that 500 MB plan, that is more than double what I am paying, plus the cost of the phone, and I would need to reduce my 401K contribution in order to afford it.
Not sure why my zip code is relevant. But I live an in extremely high cost of living area, if that is why you are asking.
It would be cool if there was a tax free fund you could contribute to so you can pay for retirement healthcare. I guess that is an HSA. I wonder if you could start your own independent of your employment?
I am currently paying $45 per month for 2 dumb phones ($20 for my dumb phone, $20 for my wife's dumb phone, and $5 for the plan), plus taxes and fees. Since you asked for including taxes, that is $56.98 per month. It includes just talk and text, no data. They do not allow you to have this plan with a smart phone.
If my wife and I upgraded to smart phones, Verizon would charge us $40 per smart phone, and the cheapest plan (500 MB) is $20. That would mean $100 per month plus taxes and fees ($40 for my smart phone, $40 for my wife's smart phone, and $20 for the plan). Getting a plan that would actually be useful would cost even more. And this doesn't even take into account the cost of the phone. Even with that 500 MB plan, that is more than double what I am paying, plus the cost of the phone, and I would need to reduce my 401K contribution in order to afford it.
Not sure why my zip code is relevant. But I live an in extremely high cost of living area, if that is why you are asking.
Just saw a Sprint commercial....two lines 20gb of data for $100. That is a good deal.
How many months or years of reserve savings do you have?
The no brainer part is you want to contribute whatever you need to get your company match. Above that if you are in a high income bracket, contribute heavily to lower tax but if you are already in a low income bracket, stop at company match would e my advice.
I've been lurking here long enough to know there is a group of people on here that claims it is normal to make $100k/year straight out of college and anything less is a failure. I've run across a few posts that claim everyone on their facebook make like $150k/year. Oh, and I'm guessing these same people wake up every morning to meet a whole row of servants.
Note that I'm not saying it's impossible to make $100k/year fresh out of college. I just doubt these people are so clueless as to think the rest of us lowly mortals made $100k/year fresh out of college as well or that all our friends on FB make at least 150k/year.
Since the median household income in the US hovers around $52-$55k/year and the average newly created job pays about $35-40k/year, I think that you're dead-on. Even in technology fields like engineering and IT, entry level salaries are well south of $100k; it's staff with experience and proven talent that make 6 figures, not newbies in their first professional jobs.
So, in other words, I should continue maxing out my 401K, and keep my dumb phone.
It doesn't have to be an either/or situation unless you make it so. Buy an iPhone4 or a previous generation Android without every bell and whistle, and then find a cheap service package. AT&T's "Go Phone" has plans for smart phones for as little as $40/month for talk/text/data. Verizon and Sprint have their own competitive plans. Contributing $100 less a month to your 401k when you're already putting away the max is not going to leave you broke 30 years down the line.
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