uber_deutsch

So I freaked out the day about saving money and freaked out Marla on the plane to Utah about it. Every now and then I panic about the future and how we're going to keep up our jet-setting lifestyle well into our fifties and beyond. Most of the time, I'm pretty even keeled, but money is always something that affects me emotionally. And I know it shouldn't, but it does. So, until we advance into a Star Trek universe where there is no monetary system, I will continue to freak out about it.

But, I started to buy into the company 401k from this point forward, which I haven't been, because, well, I'm stupid. Because I could have several thousand in there at this point, but I don't. Several thousand un-taxed dollars would be nice. But now I only have $156. $156 a paycheck will be pulled from this point on. Approximately 5% of my gross income. Even though I pull $156 from each paycheck, I technically earn only $88 less per paycheck.

The only downer from this is that my company is non-matching. Which blows. A matching 401k means to me that the company is investing in me as much as I am investing in them. "Hey, they pay you already!" you might say. Well, you're right. But in this extremely competitive tech world, benefits keep employees. Look at Disney. They have their own credit union, ferchrissakes. Starbucks has full benefits for part-time, plus, profit sharing. Google contributes to employees towards their purchase of green vehicles. I would be less likely to go to another company if the benefits were better here.

All in all, its positive for anyone to save. Pre-tax savings is optimal. Plus, I love giving the finger to the IRS. Even incrementally.