It’s Per$onal is an anonymous blog series designed to shed light on the intricate details of the personal finances and lifestyles of women.
Name:
N/A
How old are you?
26
Where do you live? City and State (or Country if outside the U.S.)
Missouri
What is your highest level of education?
Master’s
Are you single or married?
Single (but engaged!)
If you are married, do you and your spouse have joint or separate finances?
Separate
Do you have any children or dependents? If yes, please explain.
No
What is your total monthly rent / mortgage for your household?
885
Has Covid-19 impacted you financially in any way?
N/A
What is your current occupation? If not currently employed, please say “Not Employed”
Astronomy Educator
What is your yearly salary (or approximate yearly compensation) for your current occupation?
$40,000-$50,000
If you are currently employed, do you like your job? Why or why not?
Absolutely love it. It’s my dream job.
Do you have a second job or side hustle? If Yes, please explain.
Since the pandemic started, I’ve been tutoring physics and astronomy online via a third party website. I also have every cash back and receipt scanning app you can think of.
If you have a second job or side hustle, about how much money do you make monthly from your second job / side hustle?
It really varies. Probably anywhere from $50 to $250 per month.
Do you budget on a consistent basis? If so, please explain how you currently budget:
Yes, I use a zero-based budget.
Are you debt-free?
No
If you are debt free, how much debt have you paid off and how long did it take you to pay it all off?
N/A
Do you have any student loan debt currently?
Yes
If yes, about how much student loan debt do you have?
$70,000
What is your monthly student loan payment amount?
443.39
Do you have any credit card debt?
No
If Yes, about how much credit card debt do you have currently?
N/A
Do you have any other kinds of debt? If Yes, please explain:
No, only student loan debt.
Do you know what your credit score is?
Yes
If Yes, what is your credit score?
750
Are you currently saving for retirement?
Yes
If yes, about how much do you have saved for retirement?
About $4000.
What does an ideal retirement look like for you?
I honestly have no idea. Is it bad to say I don’t want to stop working? Probably a lot of traveling and hopefully attending astronomy & space conferences.
What’s your biggest purchase of 2020 so far?
I had about $400 worth of car maintenance done in May.
Biggest purchase of your life?
My master’s degree in astrophysics.
What do you spend money on that brings you joy?
Definitely food. My fiancé worked as a line cook & chef for 10 years so I’ve had to turn into a food person.
What are your short term money goals, if any? ( < 1 year)
Increasing our emergency fund & saving for our wedding
What are your long term money goals, if any? ( > 1 year)
Pay off my two large graduate school loans, then really focus on saving a down payment for a home.
What is your #1 financial concern right now?
That my fiancé (and me by extension) will keep falling into debt due to medical bills.
What financial victory/success are you most proud of?
I paid off my first student loan before my post-grad deferment ended and only 3 months after I started REALLY budgeting.
Anything we didn’t ask about you that you want to include?
N/A
Other posts you might like:
- It’s Per$onal #31 – Age 23, Minneapolis, MN
- It’s Per$onal #6 – Age 26, Rapid City, South Dakota
- It’s Per$onal #26 – Age 24, Waltham, MA
- It’s Per$onal #17 – Age 30, Colorado Springs, CO
