Category: Finance

My First 401(k) Match, An Updated Salary and Inching Closer to Early Retirement

by A Purple Life, posted in Finance, Investing, Jobs
Visiting the Oregon Coast for the first time on my 29th birthday. A great place to contemplate 401(k) matches!

It finally happened – 7 years out of college and I am finally getting my first 401k match! I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long (yes, I have weird dreams – deal with it). While working at all of my previous jobs, I never qualified for the 401(k) match (if they even had one). If they did have one, you were not eligible for it until you had been there 4 or so years, which is basically unheard of in ad agencies. Well played HR. Well played. Continue reading “My First 401(k) Match, An Updated Salary and Inching Closer to Early Retirement” →

That Time I Laughed In A Financial Advisor’s Face

by A Purple Life, posted in Finance, Investing, Jobs
It was an accident, I swear! As I mentioned in my post detailing my work history in advertising, I had a mentor that I was introduced to through my cousin. Despite us originally meeting to discuss if I should try a new career after the hell that was my first job, she referred me to two other positions later in my career – both of which I was offered and accepted. In the first position I didn’t work directly with this mentor (let’s call her Grace). In the second I did. It was during this job that I had the fateful encounter…And how this happened is also strange and convoluted. Buckle up.

Continue reading “That Time I Laughed In A Financial Advisor’s Face” →

Half A Million Together and Keeping Finances Separate

by A Purple Life, posted in Early Retirement, Finance, Net Worth Update, Relationships, Spending

We finally did it! After saving intentionally for almost 4 years we reached a new milestone: my partner and I have amassed half a million dollars together. I can hardly believe it. This is a special number for me because it’s the amount I need to retire. Now I know what you’re thinking: Why doesn’t he just give you his portion so you can retire now? I’ve wondered the same thing! 🙂 Continue reading “Half A Million Together and Keeping Finances Separate” →

I Pay More In Taxes Than I Spend Annually

by A Purple Life, posted in Musings, Spending, Taxes

I love reframing how I view the world. A tax reform bill passed near the end of last year so taxes have been in the public eye for a bit now. Though I don’t agree with exactly how my tax dollars are spent I do not mind paying taxes. Every time I’m on a public road or see one of our public transit lines expand I think about how my money helped build that for myself and the community. This feeling is heightened when I learned that a 4 lane highway costs over $1 million PER MILE to build. Wowza. That’s a lot of cheddar. Continue reading “I Pay More In Taxes Than I Spend Annually” →