Schwab has tons of no-load, no-fee mutual funds that aren't Schwab, none of them are vanguard. The mutual fund screener can help find them if you're looking for a particular strategy.

Skate to where the puck is going, not where it is.

$29.5k also it’ll be a lease

Do you like buying things when they’re on sale or do you prefer paying full price?

Because if you like buying things when they’re on sale, as all reasonable people do, now is an excellent time to contribute to a 401k.

And stop taking financial advice from whoever told you not to.

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So? I'm pumping up contributions. Wealth is made coming out of recessions. By thing unequivocally turn, you are late.

Invest in stocks. Read the Wiki linked at the top of this page. You need the information badly. $70k invested for 30 years at the market average return of 8% would end up being worth a bit over $700k. You need to learn about future value.

Never mind the monthly payment. What’s the total cost of the car?

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Do you have to change anything on your W2 form if you want to file jointly? We’ve been filing as “married, filing separately” for the past 2 years, but would like to file jointly if we can? Or do we need to wait til next year and update our W2 now?

So what does the average American with average credit do when their family requires 2 cars and a home in the current economy? I see you've got it figured out so please do tell.

The car loan is likely 4-8%. I would pay cash for the car, myself. The market doesn’t tend to do well during times of active rate hikes which we’re going to go through over the next 1 year minimum.

Right it may make sense for OP to file "married filing separately," but the option is that or "married filing jointly." Do the math, just don't try and do "Single" unless want Uncle Sammy pounding your ass with his IRS boots

You aren't investing if all your money is in a HYSA. You're saving.

What are you investing your 457 in? Assuming you work for the State of Michigan, Vanguard isn't an option unless you're paying extra to invest in whatever you want.

This isn't accounting for how your state income tax might work, if applicable.

I use AMEX HYSA currently at 3.5%. Online and Mobile experience is integrated with my card online. Have had it for a while, never an issue, simple and easy.

Call the employers and ask to talk to HR. They may not be able to help you directly, but they can give you the correct phone number to call!

Okay so it really won't matter for either of you. The HoH brackets and Single brackets are the same above 24% or 89k. Him claiming kid saves an estimated $5,100, you claiming is roughly $4,300

Student Loan Repayment Plans definitely overdue for reform. Not the topic of this thread, just that folks need to read all the microscopic print carefully with them.

Like I said, a current normal American family. Adding consumer debt onto your pile of consumer debt so you can work until you are 70 since you will always be in debt.

Have you considered a doggie door? My ex boyfriend had a German Shepherd that used a doggie door. A fenced yard is a must, of course.

Thank you. So what I got from all of this is to not focus on both a house and retirement. One or the other.

Now I need to research the house + sell for retirement approach. If that is feasible, that would save us a lot of stress moving every few years. That alone might be worth the trade off of a few years of retirement. Gotta think about it more.

One more thing I was thinking of while changing my 401k contribution - if I put everything in my 401k, I won't be able to pull anything out until 59.5. In that situation wouldn't I want to have some in non-tax-advantaged investments if I wanted to retire early? Unless I just retire at 59.5+. Which might be the case due to income anyway.

This is the answer. Stop scrolling. OP CAN'T file as single, not eligible.

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