What should I do with my extra income?

Question

I have a great job and great opportunity to invest. I work at a college and bring home about $1450 a month. My housing is paid for by the school. I have an apartment on-campus and a meal plan during the year. Cable, internet, phone, electricty....all paid for. My car is paid for. My cc bills will be paid off this month. My only expenses are my cell phone bill and a $170/month payment for student loans (consolidated). I'm 30, working on my master's, and would like to buy a house and start a family within the next 5-10 years. I'm also worried about starting late in life saving for retirement. So, what should I do with the money? I have a savings account. I have about $500 in I-bonds. The school also puts in 4% of my salary into an retirement account and will match up to 7%. Should I do that? More bonds? Focus on the savings account? Roth or Traditional IRA (confused on which would be best for me)? Pay off my student loans first? Invest in gold? - dad's suggestion :)

Answer 1

take advantage of your schools 7% match, it is free money. Talk with a financial advisor. congrats on working toward your masters.

Answer 2

If the match is $1.00 for $1.00 then you should put the entire 7% in that account.

I suggest you to stay away from bonds and sell the bonds you already have.
I suggest you to close your savings account.

I suggest you to open a brokerage and margin acccount with TD Ameritrade and invest in Diamonds and Spiders for a while until you have at least $2,000.00

You can drop me a line when you have invested at least $1,000.00 in Spiders and $1,000.00 in Diamonds to tell you the next steps.

How much interest are you paying for your student loans?

You don't have any money to especulate with gold. Technically you are broke because the little money you have it's not really yours because you are still in debt.

Gold is a very risky investment and you should do it only with your own money and that means when you are totally debt free.

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Answer 3

I suggest an IRA in fairly conservative stocks or an ETF. That money is there for the long haul. And I think your dad is a smart cookie. Gold is a good bet no matter what the economy looks like, but I would spread it evenly between stocks and funds and actual gold coins. The neat thing about gold is that you don't have to keep it in an investment vehicle in order for it to appreciate in value. Burying the stuff in your backyard (or wherever) works as well.

Congrats on getting your master's.

Answer 4

I think you should pay off your school loan and then think about buying a house afterwords. just remember you worked hard to get where your at now, so you dont have to worry about starting a familoy late cause your never to old to start a family. I'm 35 years old and i just started my family. If you know what you want in life dont be afraid to take that chance. so go ahead pay off your loan and if you fell like you dont know wht to do with your money then go ahead get you your dream house that you always wanted. after all you do deserve what you got in life you worked hard for it remember that much. sinceraly navajonationlove

Answer 5

Ever heard of the words to a song that says...Put it in your pocket and save it for a rainy day" Best I can do at 2:03 am....wish I had your problem.......

Answer 6

Gold is a good investment. Also, real estate is good too!!

Answer 7

You should pay off your loan first.

Answer 8

Buy stocks

Answer 9

if you are a female you could rent my services.if not then i would invest in gold and pawn shops.

Answer 10

Invest in real estate...