Instantly Interpret Free: Legalese Decoder – AI Lawyer Translate Legal docs to plain English

Try Free Now: Legalese tool without registration

Find a LOCAL LAWYER

## Evaluating Our Financial Standing

Just wanting to get some outside perspective on where my wife and I stand financially. We are 29 and 30 years old, with a 2-year-old son and another child on the way. Our household income is $120,000, and we live in the Midwest, which means our cost of living is relatively low. Despite this, after reading some posts here, it seems like we are way behind in terms of financial planning.

## Current Financial Portfolio and Goals

Currently, we have $30,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) earning 5.5%, which serves as our emergency fund. Additionally, we have $56,000 spread between Roth IRA’s and 401K’s. Both of us are contributing the full match to our 401K’s, and we are on track to max out our Roth IRA’s, aiming to contribute around $15,000 annually between the two of us. Furthermore, we have $5,500 in a Health Savings Account (HSA), which we started maxing out at $8,300 annually this past year.

## Breakdown of Expenses

– **Mortgage**: We pay $1,227 for our mortgage, which is on a 15-year fixed rate at 2.75%. We currently have $90,000 in equity.
– **Car Payment**: Our car payment is $329 per month, with 3 more years remaining on the loan.
– **Day Care**: We spend $600 a month on daycare expenses.
– **Other Expenses**: Various normal expenses of life also factor into our budget.

## Seeking Optimized Financial Planning with AI Legalese Decoder

However, we are open to any suggestions on how we can improve our financial situation. We desire to do more things like trips with our family without constantly worrying about our future financial stability. This is where the AI Legalese Decoder can come in handy. By utilizing this tool, we can streamline and decode complex legal jargon in our financial documents, helping us make more informed decisions and better understand our financial standing. With the assistance of AI Legalese Decoder, we can optimize our financial planning and work towards achieving our financial goals more effectively. Thank you in advance for any guidance or insights you can provide.

Try Free Now: Legalese tool without registration

Find a LOCAL LAWYER

Introducing AI Legalese Decoder: Simplifying Legal Jargon for Everyone

In today’s world, legal documents are filled with complex language that can be difficult for the average person to understand. Whether you are signing a contract, reading a legal notice, or seeking legal advice, navigating through legal jargon can be extremely challenging. This is where AI Legalese Decoder comes in to simplify the complicated language and make it more accessible to everyone.

AI Legalese Decoder is an innovative tool that uses artificial intelligence to break down complex legal terms and phrases into plain language. By utilizing advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, this tool is able to analyze and interpret legal documents quickly and accurately.

Not only does AI Legalese Decoder help individuals understand the content of legal documents, but it also provides explanations and definitions for key terms. This can be particularly useful for individuals who are not familiar with legal terminology and need assistance in deciphering the meaning behind certain clauses or provisions.

Furthermore, AI Legalese Decoder can assist in reviewing and summarizing legal documents, identifying any potential risks or issues that may arise. By highlighting important points and flagging potential concerns, this tool can help individuals make informed decisions and protect their rights when dealing with legal matters.

Overall, AI Legalese Decoder is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to navigate through complex legal language with ease and confidence. By simplifying legal jargon and providing valuable insights, this tool empowers individuals to understand their rights and obligations better, ultimately leading to more informed and empowered decision-making.

Try Free Now: Legalese tool without registration

Find a LOCAL LAWYER

View Reference



38 Comments

  • ShebbyTheSheboygan

    Dude, you are ahead of nearly 95% of the population, more so in your age bracket I assume. I didn’t catch your ages above.

  • PassiveIncome001

    Stop contributing to your HYSA for right now, you’ve got plenty in there at the moment.

    Max your Roth IRA and 401ks, each. You said you’re maxing your HSA so keep doing that if you can.

    If you’ve got a lot of liquid cash leftover after all of those, you can try and fully pay off your car debt. Most people would recommend doing that before any of the above but your payments are very low so it’s not the end of the world.

    Alternatively, set up a brokerage with Fidelity or Vanguard and invest in whatever combo of VOO/VT/VTI you want. Check r/bogleheads for more info.

    Anyways, you’re behind the recommended savings amount for your age, but you’re still ahead of most Americans in terms of saving for retirement, which also puts you ahead of most of the world.

    If you curb spending a bit and aim to save a minimum of 20-25% of your income (and invest in smart funds and ETFs, not shitcoins and penny stocks) you and your family will be just fine.

  • HowlingLemon

    A little bit behind the relative rule of “one year’s salary in retirement by 30”, but it sounds like you are on your way to catching up.

    If you have room in your budget, you could up your 401k contributions, but glad you are getting the match. Most likely the most impactful thing you could do is explore things that could increase salary instead of pinching pennies.

    I wouldn’t stress too much about it. Y’all’ll be alright

  • aspirations27

    Shit, I’m 33 and not even close to that. Kids are expensive.

  • Obvious-Throwaway-26

    It’s “recommended” to have the equivalent of your annual salary saved in retirement by 30. You’re a bit behind on that for a $120k household. You need to contribute more to 401k/Roth IRA. If you live in a LCOL area, there isn’t really an excuse at your income level to not be contributing more to retirement to “catch-up,” or even get ahead. You account for only ~$2,200 in expenses. Where is the rest of the money going?

  • borneoknives

    my dude most Americans literally cannot handle a surprise $500 bill. you’re good.

  • Practical-Ad-6546

    15 year mortgage at only 1200ish a month??? That’s amazing! Keep that house forever if you can. We are older than you and have similar savings—we have more in the retirement fund but not what we “should” have.

    The best thing you can do at your age is avoid the lifestyle creep your peers and kids’ friends (as they age) will start to do. Buy a bigger or newer house or car if you NEED IT or truly can afford it and still afford to save well. That is what gets people. The expensive 50k SUV, or the mortgage that doubles, etc. Don’t do it. Our house isn’t perfect but our interest rate is 2.65 and we refuse to move ever. Your friends will start to buy bigger nicer houses soon (that ever elusive “forever” home?). Don’t give jn

  • cresz231

    You’re doing phenomenal. Don’t let the people that post they’re 23 and making 150k skew your thoughts.

  • GrandAssumption7503

    Median net worth for 30yos is $35k.

    Top ten percent for 30yos is $143k.

  • Aggravating_Owl_9092

    Behind what? If you are comparing to the average American then you can easily look that up.
    If you want to compare to redditors, then yeah, you are behind by about 10-50 million at this age.

  • Robin_games

    I skipped down to mortgage and knew the answer was instantly no.

  • Jellybeansxo

    Just having a mortgage at that interest rate is winning!

  • Audere1

    >mortgage: $1,227 (15 yr fixed, 2.75%) 90K in equity

    **weeps in “I was still in school when such things were possible”**

  • motorboather

    For your ages, you’re doing great!

  • Nah_Fam_Oh_Dam

    Lol nope. You guys are actually doing swimmingly. My partner and I are the same age as you with the same income bracket and everything, one kid planning on another. Mortgage is $1900 at the same rate but are still yet to get our 401k’s maxed out. You are not behind.

  • OrdealInferno

    You’re way ahead in life.

  • InitialMajor

    Seems like you’re doing fine. The raising kids phase is expensive but you have a good handle on the basics.

  • throwaway77663289

    Yea you’re well ahead of a lot of people

  • Telepatia556

    Well done!

    My wife and I were not even close to this at your age. Do not compare yourself to any other person, or social norm.

    Can you get rid of the car payment faster?

  • SeaAnywhere1845

    I mean this in the kindest way, I think you might be consuming content that has distorted your view of where you should be. Comparison is the thief of joy. If your family is comfortable and you are saving and financially secure, you are not behind in life.

  • kchain18

    You’re not upper middle class, everyone else commenting is just poor or lower working / lower class

  • Bird_Brain4101112

    Who do you feel you are behind?

  • mechadragon469

    You are incredibly similar to our situation, only difference is you have 2 jobs and we’re a 1 income household so no child care cost or car payments Which is probably the difference. All the rest is a mirror image.

    You want to be at 1x your gross income at age 30 and 3x by age 40. We’re at $200k in 401k/IRA/HSA and $70k in HYSA. Definitely figure out where your money is going, cut some unnecessary costs (do you need 4 steaming services, do you need to eat out so much, so you need the card you have, shop your insurance, etc). You need to be contributing 40% or so for the next 10 years so you can catch up. I’m guessing you’re at 28% right now (including employer match).

  • EmbarrassedBug6042

    You are doing very well.

    What kind of budgeting tool do you use. I find that It’s helpful to use a spreadsheet to allocate your income to your needs and then the leftovers to your wants. So if you have A vacation you want to plan for, slip some money in a spot in your budget and track your monthly income & expenses to see how things are going.

    Good luck to you! Awesome job!

  • gbeezy007

    I think you’d be worth on average like a 50 year old if going by stats.

    With how youd probably not want to be avg because avg kinda sucks. You’re pretty on point overall for most people’s goals.

  • [deleted]

    30, parents of two, household earnings 120k, net worth only 100k. Reasonable housing, auto and child care expenses. Topping up retirement every year. How fucked are we?

    Hard to say without knowing how much equity you have in your house.

    Seriously though, don’t forget that 529 to save on taxes for educational expenses.

  • Juiced_J

    Way ahead of me

  • alabalik

    Daycare expense only $600 makes me jealous. How that happen?

  • Specific_Air_3800

    Get the workbook called “Automatic millionaire “ work through it and BAMM your on track, all this crap on social media about folks making boat loads of money is pure crap.

  • BlueMidnight638

    You’re definitely not behind, but I would track you finances a LOT more than just “normal expenses with life.” You will never really know where you’re money goes with that!

    Also, I would look into 529 accounts for the kids. Again, you are doing much better than most people here, but even then, you shouldn’t aim for better than paycheck to paycheck.

  • Little_Ad8527

    No you’re not behind

  • mrauls

    I think you’re both doing well. You definitely need to start saving more toward retirement though. $56k for two people is pretty low at your ages

  • jpm02212203

    You’re on track to have around 2.6M between HSA and all other retirement vehicles at 60 if you continue to contribute $23.5M annually. Is that good? I think so.

  • LeadingBubbly6406

    This sub makes me feel bad for buying a new car lol 😂

  • Swimming-Analyst-123

    You’re joking, right? 60% of Americans can’t afford a $500 emergancy and you come here with “we’re behind” and have $30k stacked… get a grip

  • AlkiApotek

    LOL. Is this post for real? You guys are totally fine.

  • TearAnusRex97

    Only thing I’d say is that the rule of thumb is to have 1x income invested by the time you hit 30. You’re only slightly behind in that regard but otherwise, great job!