[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by rtc1184

well it is hard, i left home at 17 with the intentions of being able to take care of myself and have done so in many different ways. i have a degree in radiology, but i currently work in the oil field cause of the money. i make enough to get by and then a little here and there. i am just thrilled when i see other people my age trying to make for themselves instead of mommy and daddy's money. you will never appreciate what you have no matter how big or small if you dont have to work your tail off for it. i dont have alot but what i do have is all mine, bought and paid for by myself. once again that is what makes forums like this one a great thing is when people dont gripe or be biast to one thing or another and help fellow americans out so maybe they dont have to go through the same trials and tribulations that they went through. people can have different opinions and both of the opinions be right. like i have always heard and said myself, "different strokes for different fokes."

With that attitude, you'll be just fine. You sound like a smart guy who knows you have to work for what you have. It is hard, but it pays off in the end. I've always put 16% into my 401k and my company matches about half of that. DON'T TOUCH IT! I can retire within the next 5 years but probably won't yet because,,,heh, what the hell else am I gonna do....lol. But I can well afford to.