Comments on: Shifting Focus – Updated Goals For 2009 http://www.ncnblog.com/2009/01/22/shifting-focus-updated-goals-for-2009/ Debt Reduction Rocks - We Are Living Debt Free! Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:44:22 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Kym http://www.ncnblog.com/2009/01/22/shifting-focus-updated-goals-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-144429 Kym Sun, 25 Jan 2009 10:18:18 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/?p=2103#comment-144429 I'm curious why you want to buy a house and potentially take on a mortgage when you have free housing as part of your compensation? If you no longer live in the company-provided house, will they pay you more? If not I don't really see the point. I’m curious why you want to buy a house and potentially take on a mortgage when you have free housing as part of your compensation? If you no longer live in the company-provided house, will they pay you more? If not I don’t really see the point.

]]> By: Miss M http://www.ncnblog.com/2009/01/22/shifting-focus-updated-goals-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-144214 Miss M Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:29:48 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/?p=2103#comment-144214 I similarly split my long term and short term goals, I do save for retirement but not the maximum. I then save a lot of money outside of retirement, both straight savings and taxable investing. I have a lot of needs and goals that require cash before I'm old :) I similarly split my long term and short term goals, I do save for retirement but not the maximum. I then save a lot of money outside of retirement, both straight savings and taxable investing. I have a lot of needs and goals that require cash before I’m old :)

]]> By: The Happy Rock http://www.ncnblog.com/2009/01/22/shifting-focus-updated-goals-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-144195 The Happy Rock Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:14:37 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/?p=2103#comment-144195 Nice switch NCN. We are currently on a similar plan. 1. Fund 401k to get company match 2. Stuff the rest into a down payment fund. Recently we decided that we are going to sell our tiny condo and rent for a little while. It will remove the burden of having to sell and buy at the same time and let us get a great down payment ready. We would stay but our family of 4 has long since out grown our 900 sqft condo. Nice switch NCN. We are currently on a similar plan.

1. Fund 401k to get company match
2. Stuff the rest into a down payment fund.

Recently we decided that we are going to sell our tiny condo and rent for a little while. It will remove the burden of having to sell and buy at the same time and let us get a great down payment ready. We would stay but our family of 4 has long since out grown our 900 sqft condo.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.ncnblog.com/2009/01/22/shifting-focus-updated-goals-for-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-144145 Kevin Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:49:31 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/?p=2103#comment-144145 You might consider this further rearrangement: 1) Fund 403(b) just enough to get employer's match 2) Fund 2 Roth IRAs 3) home 4) auto 5) rest of 403(b) 6) 3 ESAs The reason is that Roth contributions are generally more valuable than non-matched 403(b)/401(k) contributions. I max out my Roth before I worry about maxing my 401(k). Do you know about the exception that lets you withdraw IRA funds early, without penalty, in the special case of buying a first home? You might consider this further rearrangement:

1) Fund 403(b) just enough to get employer’s match
2) Fund 2 Roth IRAs
3) home
4) auto
5) rest of 403(b)
6) 3 ESAs

The reason is that Roth contributions are generally more valuable than non-matched 403(b)/401(k) contributions. I max out my Roth before I worry about maxing my 401(k).

Do you know about the exception that lets you withdraw IRA funds early, without penalty, in the special case of buying a first home?

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