Hey there. This is my money situation and was wondering what you'd do. AD E6, 12 years, no personal debt, married w/ 2 kids (11 & 3), wife works but finances are separate (she's a spender, makes like $25-30k/yr).

    • Monthly net pay after taxes – $6438
    • Monthly net pay after bills, savings, retirement, etc (not including groceries or gas over $200) – $1700
    • Approximately $16k between 2 savings accounts

    Here is my retirement and savings breakdown:

    • Monthly Schwab retirement contribution – $500
    • Monthly main savings contribution – $560
    • Monthly secondary savings contribution – $180
    • Monthly tertiary savings contribution – $210

    Things to note:

    • I know roth ira limit is $7000 and that $500/mo is only $6000, I have already pulled $1000 from savings and put into my ira so it'll max out at the end of the year
    • The main and secondary savings contributions is the backup for bigger purchases after I expended all the the tertiary savings
    • I do not have a TSP and I'm in the high-3.
    • Plan to bump Monthly Schwab retirement from $500 -> $625 on Jan 1, 2025 (assuming they bump max to $7500)

    My thoughts:

    • Move the $16k I have to an Amex HYSA (at ~4.5%)
    • Take main savings, bump to $600/mo, and deposit into HYSA
    • Take secondary savings, bump to $200/mo and invest in roth tsp
    • Take tertiary savings, drop to $200/mo and keep in same spot

    This plan will increase my savings contribution $50/mo, open a 2nd retirement to cut frivolous spending and increase retirement payout, leave plenty of money for groceries, activities, etc. The HYSA will also allow my savings money to "work for me" and still gives me the flexibility to withdraw in a timely manner.

    I do transfer in 2025 so this may change again as we know how bah and state taxes change. TIA!

    What would you do?
    byu/cubicaces inMilitaryFinance



    Posted by cubicaces

    1 Comment

    1. I have no idea what these 3 different savings accounts are for. Can you explain? You’re also severely under-saving for retirement.

      Max out your IRA as well as your wife’s for every year. I’d recommend 10% TSP ontop of that.

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