I've bought a few things that were on sale. probably not the best time in the world do so, but we should be good. the sales are crazy right now, but I think I'm done.

Otherwise, still saving my usual amount of money. only have one credit card bill with zero interest til later in the year. will continue taking advantage of that til its paid off.

seriously thinking about a refi on my student loan. I got 8 more years of it. thinking of doing a 5 year, but it'll cost me 200 more a month. not sure if I can swing that without pulling from somewhere else.

this epidemic has me spending more on groceries and such. but also has me not spending on gas, eating out for lunch, vacations, etc. this is birthday season for me. pretty much all of my immediate fam has April/May born days. Not to mention mother's day. very little money will be spent on that this year. but wife's not working or getting unemployment, so my gains have are eaten up because of that.

What will you do with your stimulus money? bills? me too. at least to put an extra payment on the car loan. might try to invest a few of those dollars. or put a chuck into these 529s.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

I don't feel as bad because we sold a lot of stock to buy it and I think the stock market will take a bigger beating this particular housing market.

But it still seems like the craziest time to make the biggest purchase of our lives.

**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

I think that was good timing, especially since the stock helped out.

how to you invest in stocks? investment firms? apps?

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

obviously that ain’t happening anytime soon but if my wife gets this new gig we may have to sell just so we can be closer to our jobs since both will be on the other side of town.

If she doesn’t get it we will probably add on to this house and just chill.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

right before this really hit i went ahead and started ordering quite a bit of records. im mostly chilling on that now. theres one or two i still want to get but im waiting on a good price to pop up.

still going to work so still spending on gas and take out. i keep buying groceries incase we actually get locked down. trying to lessen how much delivery i do.

i also made some smallish purchases of household items ive been wanting to.

its all kind of adding up though. so im now looking to pay off some cards. a bit unsure what to do with these fed student loans. supposedly no payments or interests for 6 months right? i think the smart thing would be to put that money into credit cards.

im trying to limit myself moving forward on orders to things i actually need, especially to get through this. i might buy some digital games if i actually get back into playing on the switch.

sounds like you are finding reasons to not pay on debt.

Just based on your post. Not trying to count your money for you.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

a couple of weeks back i was in "why not?" mode and just buying what i wanted to. now im just chill. going to make some payments on these cards.

the good thing is there really isnt much out there, records or just stuff, that i want anymore. i wanted to jump on ordering a replacement buhloone mindstate when i got the broken one but i looked at prices and said nope. ill just wait. the main reason i wanted to replace it is because it now became the ONE i was missing from their collection but who really cares about that lol i tried, got my money back and still have a copy on my phone so *shrug*

i might be able to get two more credit cards paid off since i wont need to make payments on the student loans.

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

turns out my "federal" student loans dont qualify. im still getting my regular pay, not really saving anything since im still coming in to work. oh well. i already had chilled on records but this seals that.

hopefully that check actually hits and more importantly i keep getting paid. i still have some fund to pay off some debt but i will need to be more disciplined and focused with it.

I got an alert to log in for an "important message" and it gives the whole rundown about interest and whatnot...but I was looking for that bottom line Next payment due: 11/28/2020

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

Either he has private loans or hasn’t done the research.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

shouldnt have been a surprise to me but it was. my loans were before 2010. so theyre federal loans but not DIRECT federal loans.

i definitely logged in hoping to see a no amount due or next due date of november or whatever. when it showed it was still due in april i clicked to read some more info and mine dont qualify.

https://www.marketplace.org/2020/04/09/do-i-still-need-to-pay-my-student-loans-what-the-cares-act-offers-for-covid-19-relief/
So which loans qualify?

— All direct loans — those taken out since 2010 — qualify. This includes direct Parent PLUS loans.

— Most Federal Family Education Loan Program or FFEL loans — those taken out before 2010 — do not qualify. There are some exceptions.

— Most Perkins loans — held by a college or university — do not qualify. There are some exceptions here too.

Those exceptions are for the 10 or so percent of FFEL loans — and the handful of Perkins loans — that the Department of Education bought back from other lenders during the recession. Those qualify.

“If you have a direct loan, you don’t have to ask any more questions. Your loans are eligible for these waivers,” Mayotte said. If you have a FFEL or Perkins loan, and “you’re in the lucky minority where your loans were purchased by the Department of Education at some point, then it’s possible that your FFEL or Perkins loans could also be eligible for these waivers.”

If you’re not sure what kind of loan you have, you can ask your servicer or log in to StudentAid.gov and look at your lender.

“If the lender is showing as Department of Education, then it’s federally held and it would be eligible for the waivers,” Mayotte said. “But if it’s showing, say, AES or Chase Bank or Sallie Mae, then it’s not a federally held federal loan. It’s still a federal loan, but it’s not considered a loan that’s eligible for the CARES Act waivers.”

with my parents being elderly they haven’t been able to do the updates. I need to modernize everything...

I've been saving a lot of money , I figured I'd start buying things again soon.

This has kind of stopped that plan.

People will have to start selling stuff for CHEAP soon just to get by - it's not fun to think why there'll be lots of bargains out there soon.

------------


Gone: My Discogs collection for The Roots:
http://www.discogs.com/user/tomhayes-roots/collection

funds as if they were strippers at a strip club.

have rebalance my vanguard/USAA portfolio to take more risk cause i have time on my side.

and teaching my nieces/nephews how to take advantage of a bear market, especially when a bloodbath like this is akin to Hayley's Comet.

take a message

"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

how did you begin on this path?

what resources do you currently use?

how do you invest? as in apps, firms, or other options.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

>how did you begin on this path?

well i grew up surrounded by thieves, and my high school introduce a program/curriculum in learning (not investing) about the stock market. it was an elective course. the teacher, who was a coach, told me to take it.

>what resources do you currently use?

the books i mentioned below, morningstar, bloomberg, investopedia, CNBC as an app.

>how do you invest?

primary Vanguard. and I have USAA as a secondary. I recently have M1 Finance for mostly passive stocks.

youtubers I follow: Joseph Carlson (he's all about divdends), Ryan Scribner (his break down is simple to understand), Humbled Trader (she's funny to watch), Tommy Bryson and Our Rich Journey.

take a message

I've put those books in my cart.

this should help me figure more of this stuff out.

preciate it.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

is another good option.

take advantage of this market cause this doesnt happen too often as far as stocks being cheap. even with this stimulus package that suppose to soften the blow on the economy, yet 10 million ppl are unemployed, you got time to jump in.

and do not sell when you're in a panic<---you'll understand what this mean.

take a message

The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

and Common Sense in Investing by John Bogle.


if a ghetto black girl from Dade County surrounded by scammers and hustlers all her life can learn the stock market and live comfortably, shyt anybody can.

take a message

DIY approach with no hired financial advisors needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Teacher-Wealth-Should-Learned/dp/1119356296

Takes no thought at all to do a basic investment strategy (which is pretty much all I do).

0). If your job has a 401k or something similar, max that out before doing anything else.

1). Go to vanguard.com -> personal investors. and open an account online.

2). After you open an account, purchase stuff
If it's for retirement, the most straight forward are the target date funds. They change the investment risk as you age (riskier when you're younger, safer as you age).

https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/list#/mutual-funds/asset-class/month-end-returns

For vanguard, the minimum investment to get started is $1000. It might be a lower minimum for other companies (Fidelity, Schwab...).

3). Transfer money into it (i.e. buy shares of the mutual fund) on a regular basis (or whenever you have some extra cash lying around). I use the vanguard app, and it takes 1 minute to type in a dollar amount and click buy.

That's it. Do that and you are investigating. You don't need to research companies or read the wall Street journal.

While the stock investing looks crazy now, in the long run it is a much better path to wealth accumulation than just a savings account.

_______________________________________

like a foreign concept. a lot of people tend to look at the daily markets which makes them question the whole thing. or hear stories about somebody getting rich off a nobody stock that turns into Amazon.

neither seems real and may not offer incentive to look into it further. additionally, for some folks $1000 is about the same as saying $100k.

with that said, what you laid out is pretty simple. it may help some of us out. thank you.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

...instead of a short term lottery ticket, it becomes less foreign.

If you don't plan to use the money for the next 20 years, what happened yesterday or today doesn't matter at all.

And I feel you on that $1000. There are other options available like those apps like Acorn. But I'm just not familiar with how they work and what they provide.

But the main thing I want to get across is that it's not difficult at all. You don't need books or an advisor. If you can put money in the bank you can just as easily put money in investments

_______________________________________

So many people use crashes as the reason they won’t invest while ignoring the 20 and 30 year average.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

I put my whole bonus into that. I just want the psychological weight of that off me.

that shit feels great

--
the untold want by life and land ne'er granted
now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find

congrats. I'm sick of these zombie ass loans.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

congrats!

...it's a great feeling

< Live Mixshow - Thurs 11PM/EST >
https://twitch.tv/djchiefone

----Mixtape Archives-----
https://soundcloud.com/djchiefone

just terrible....
easily have spend a grip on stuff that while YES, we could use...but we honestly didn't NEED....



"Get ready....for your blessing....."
"Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"

besides that it’s all been groceries and alcohol.. lmao.

About to increase the 529 contribution.

About to cancel our vacation. It hurts. We only post $400 people on the deposit tho.

We are looking into a new deck for the house. Since we aren’t going on vacation and will spend more time at home might as well update the deck because it’s not safe to use right now.

Nothing else to purchase. Just saving on daycare and paying down debt. Prolly get a little more aggressive paying it down.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

>besides that it’s all been groceries and alcohol.. lmao.
>
>About to increase the 529 contribution.
>
>About to cancel our vacation. It hurts. We only post $400
>people on the deposit tho.
>
>We are looking into a new deck for the house. Since we
>aren’t going on vacation and will spend more time at home
>might as well update the deck because it’s not safe to use
>right now.


damn, that was the vacation you posted about right? i think i recommended a cruise too 🤦🏻‍♂️ ... We just cancelled our August vacation and our little June weekend getaway as well..

< Live Mixshow - Thurs 11PM/EST >
https://twitch.tv/djchiefone

----Mixtape Archives-----
https://soundcloud.com/djchiefone

Well, at least we have passports now.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

keeping my savings plump, but I'm keeping more single ($1) bills on me in case.

looking at making some investments.

The mrs. birthday is in a couple weeks, I'm definitely gonna buy her some things she doesn't NEED just so lighten up the atmosphere in the house.

IG: amadu_me

"...Whateva, man..." (c) Redman

Paying off as much debt as I can. Saving. That's it. Pretty-much stopped buying anything regularly other than food & things for the house.

with me working from home and my boys being home all day everyday...we've obviously gone harder on groceries. I am saving eating lunches and I spend virtually nothing on gas, now. I'm putting my same amounts into my 401k and Roth...even though they're obviously taking a beating. Wifey just got a new whip, but that was in the works way before Covid kicked in the door. Last years bonus...besides going on a cruise with a bunch of my peeps and all our families...I paid off my credit cards. Currently, I have not debt except for student loan, mortgage and a car note. I did boost our internet to the max, so that's a tiny bit extra a month. I would say the basics (gas, water, electric) will see a jump due to everyone constantly being home. My mom and dad both live alone. Moms is 70 and pops is 73. I tell them whatever they need to hit me up and I'll get it and deliver it to their doorstep. Hasn't cost me that much, for real, but it feels good to be able to do it. Other than that, I spend pretty much how I always did. My wife and I don't go out to eat on dates, like before, because we physically can't...so, that's going to Walmart and Costco. I'm still gettin at these shoes, like always and I'm about to buy a new bike (pedal), any minute now.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

to be a owner-occupant in one of the units and rent the other. been on this path for several years and my lane is opening up with this crash. this book among a couple others has been very helpful on how to move without paying an unneeded financial advisor.
https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Teacher-Wealth-Should-Learned/dp/1119356296
student loans finally paid, reliable used car with no payment for years now, no big splurges other than dope vacays which are now on hold, great credit, union job as a teacher with good benefits like a pension and healthcare paid. additionally these savings and moves may help give me a launch pad to bounce out of the US sooner rather than later and i'm keeping an open mind about that.

actually making more money during this pandemic which is crazy. Plus we aren’t spending on gas and rarely eat out.

We still have to file our taxes this year. If we get checks for this stimulus it will be butters.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

Ive never bought individual stocks before but Im mostly seizing the opportunity to buy good companies that aren't going away. Bought a little bit of United and Royal Caribbean as a gamble. Its been an interesting learning experience watching and reading about the market the past few weeks.

Mostly just continuing to put a little bit into ETFs on a regular basis. Also keeping a healthy emergency fund. This is the most important thing to have right now.

I actually have spent much less this last month just due to not going out. Im starting to feel the urge to buy more shit online just for something to do and look forward to though.

-------------------------------------------------
http://www.soundcloud.com/sectachrome

Rates are at or close to zero now, right?

I called quicken yesterday to ask about today's situation. she basically said it wouldn't make sense for me based on potential savings of maybe $50.

so basically, it'll depend on your situation. rates aren't zero. they still need to make money on the loans, but you might be able to swing something in the low 3s by doing a 15 instead of a 30.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

Shortening my mortgage (less interest over the long run, right?) would be a win too. I'm ~5 years in so far.

your payment might go up though. but it may still be workable.

my monthly went up by a couple hundred. but I was already paying more than what it went up to.

not to advertise for anyone, but quicken has been gold with these mortgages.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

-------------------------------------------------
http://www.soundcloud.com/sectachrome

Essentially, trying to stretch every meal across two days.

Keeping a notebook of any booze I take home from work, paying for half now and half later.

Withholding $100 from this month's rent because I paid up front at the start of March for most of it (not anticipating this, at least not consciously) so I'm just kind of curious if/when she'll ask where that money is (I've held back small amounts in the past and not been asked about it so my fingers are crossed I guess).

Canceled Disney/ESPN+. Will probably cancel Hulu once Devs is done.

I'm calling in to reduce my internet service speeds in a week or two before my next bill comes due. My ISP boosted their baseline package by 20MBp/s and the difference between that package and my package is about $40/mo while the difference in speed is...well, it's still a difference of 50MBp/s but I don't know anyone that complains about their speeds on that plan even before the change so I think I'll be fine.

I WISH I hadn't bought DOOM Eternal impulsively after seeing some gameplay that looked good; I don't like that game nearly as much as the one from 2016 and would rather have that $70 back. I'll be skipping a bunch of upcoming video games I was looking forward to in the future (luckily, it seems like most of the bigger ones are just going to get delayed like blockbuster movies).

I did subscribe to the NY Times. I've been thinking about it off and on for the last three years and it's down to like $1 a week for the first 12 weeks or something, then $4 after that. I really feel like I should be informed, so.



~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

>I WISH I hadn't bought DOOM Eternal impulsively after seeing
>some gameplay that looked good; I don't like that game nearly
>as much as the one from 2016 and would rather have that $70
>back. I'll be skipping a bunch of upcoming video games I was
>looking forward to in the future (luckily, it seems like most
>of the bigger ones are just going to get delayed like
>blockbuster movies).

^^ I was considering buying that but there's really nothing like the old version. I think the fact that it was old was what made it fun. I was at Walmart scouring the games section for any of the marked-down 'greatest hits' joints to see if I could find a time-eater.

As far as movies, I was REALLY looking forward to seeing 'TENET' this summer...I hope upon hope that we get SOME kinda relief.

Peace.

IG: amadu_me

"...Whateva, man..." (c) Redman

I thought the reboot in 2016 was incredible, but this one is all about "play it our way" not "play it your way" and I just don't like the way they want me to play all that much, or more accurately how damn hard it is even if you do.


If you want some of that good nostalgia though I think the old OG DOOM games, both I and II, are on all three consoles' online shops for like $6.


~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

I have ZERO personal history with the DOOM franchise, so maybe it'll be ok for me. I need a new game and the commercial and subsequent youtube videos, make this joint look amazing.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

i had some purchases i was saving up for but those have been dismissed.

we do need to move out of this apt once the lease is up but neither of is sure about job security long term. Hers is non-essential, mine is essential but supported by ad revenue which has dried up being 99% local advertisers.

we may end up having to stay here another year.

I'll take the hit on tax fuggit
____________

DALLAS LAKERICKS LETS GO!!

you still working?

i just dont see it being a viable savings plan anymore

and i honestly think its going to be closed to wiped out with this upcoming economic collapse

and to be honest i dont trust it anymore

nor do i trust the government at this point not to fuk with it

they bout to get desperate




____________

DALLAS LAKERICKS LETS GO!!

but then again... shit might be gone soon so who the fuck knows.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*

I don't think money would matter anymore.

Savings accounts wouldn't be safe. Cash in the mattress would be worthless.

If you're preparing for that world, you're better off stocking up on prepper materials and items that can be bartered.


>i just dont see it being a viable savings plan anymore
>
>and i honestly think its going to be closed to wiped out with
>this upcoming economic collapse
>
>and to be honest i dont trust it anymore
>
>nor do i trust the government at this point not to fuk with
>it
>
>they bout to get desperate
>
>
>
>
>____________
>
>DALLAS LAKERICKS LETS GO!!

_______________________________________

but you don't get that time back on the money you take out. its a lose lose.

I thought about it when I was in big debt. never pulled the trigger. glad I didn't.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

hated that I had to do it tho

If possible the better option is borrowing against it and paying it back IF you have to do it.

****************
TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*