Monday, April 16, 2007

Growing Up is Scary

There are going to be quite a few changes in my life in the very near future and it has me thinking about a lot of things.

Finances, 401k, Profit Sharing Plan, Mutual Funds, Dividends, Mortgages, Loans...ah! These are things that my Dad has always pushed me to further understand throughout my life. I'm so thankful he did because I do have somewhat of a grasp on each one of those...I don't know a whole lot but I'm on my way of becoming more educated as time goes by.

Ben and I went over to Katy and Renjy's new house this weekend to play Settlers. It is amazing how God has blessed them. Not quite yet married for a year and they already own a house. A real house. With a patio and a yard!

That's such a huge accomplishment in my mind. Owning a house is big to me. Almost overwhelming to think about all the stuff that comes with owning a house. All the money you have to put into it to keep it up makes my checking account cry. Don't get me wrong, I want to own a house. I'd LOVE to have my own place. I just feel overwhelmed sometimes with all the responsibilities that I have to take on soon and all the money that will be involved too.

Plus my life is full of unknowns right now. I don't know if I will still be in the same country in the next 5 years. I have to be smart about the decisions I make.

Where should my money go that will be more beneficial in the long run?
Living in India is a huge possibility in my future...should owning a house be on my mind now or should it wait until I'm for sure back to stay in the U.S.?
Should I rent an apartment?
Or should I rent a duplex or a house?
What are the pros and cons to each?
I want a dog so badly. But can I afford a dog right now?
Would it be fair to get one, then find out in the next few years I will be moving out of the country?
I probably won't be able to take it with me.
I want to go to so many places in the world...but when and how will that all fit into my life and budget?
When should I have kids? Kids are expensive.
Will I ever be financially stable enough to be responsible for another human being?...in the time-frame I have in mind.

These are things that have been creeping up in my mind recently. My poor head needs a break!

1 comment:

Eric Vogt said...

Congratulations Amber, to both you and Ben! I'm so happy for you both. You may have to adjust your rear view mirror and squint to see your worry free youth disappearing in the horizon. That's not a bad thing either.

If you want my opinion (hey, who doesn't?) don't get a dog, rather just have a baby. If you want a pet, get a goldfish. They're cheap. As for the money stuff, you probably just didn't bother putting it in your post, but don't forget about Roth IRA's, of which it has been said is a vehicle that allows middle class people to retire well off. It's tough to save for retirement, which is so far away, but with the Roth IRA and traditional IRA options that the government has given us, it would be foolish not to. Is there a date set yet?