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Random Questions...
Hello Ladies 
I have a few very random questions and I thought I would ask all of you.
1. Does anyone here use Amazon Prime? I've been looking into it but I can't decide if it is something that would be useful to me. How many books can you get per month with it? What are the pros and cons of having it?
2. Now that things have settled down from the wedding and such, I am really focusing on saving money. H recently opened a 401(k) through his work where they match a portion of what he puts into it monthly (it comes right from his paycheck). Where I work I am not offered any sort of retirement or IRA plans and I've seriously been considering opening one, however, I am completely confused by them 
I feel like as a 26 year old I should know more but I don't so I was hoping you gals could help me out. Should I just go to our bank to open one? Is a Roth IRA better than just an IRA? I'm sure it varies but is there a minimum required to be put in each month? I just know that we need to be prepared for our future and I'm hoping to get things set up so we don't have to worry later on in life.
3. I have no idea what color to paint our guest bedroom! This plain, white bedroom has been mocking me for weeks and I am sick of it So tell me ladies, if you were a guest at my home (or anyone's home for that matter), what color would you like (or not like) to see the room painted.
4. Since the end of September is coming, I need book suggestions for next months book club. What have you ladies been looking forward to reading?
5. Anyone have their Halloween customes picked out yet???
Well, those are all my random questions for now. If I think of any more I'll be sure to ask you ladies
Re: Random Questions...
1. I do not have Amazon Prime, but those I know who do have it and don't mind paying the fee really like it. One of my friends does a lot of online shopping and really enjoys the shipping perks.
2. H & I both have a 401k and I have a Roth IRA through my local credit union. Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia because I don't know how to explain this stuff: In contrast to a traditional IRA, contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax-deductible. Withdrawals are generally tax-free, but not always and not without certain stipulations (i.e., tax free for principal withdrawals and the owner's age must be at least 59? for tax free withdrawals on the growth portion above principal). An advantage of the Roth IRA over a traditional IRA is that there are fewer withdrawal restrictions and requirements. Transactions inside an account (including capital gains, dividends, and interest) do not incur a current tax liability.
3. I would go with a relaxing color like a slate blue, or grey.
4. I'm currently reading "In My Father's Country" by Saima Wahab and I'm really enjoying it.
5. Not in the slightest. I'd love to hear what other people are doing!
I don't have answers to the majority of your questions, but....
2. I work in a financial planning office, so I may be of some use to you. Since you do not have a retirment plan offered at your employement, I of course am going to say, open an account now and start saving for your future. Even if it is just a small amount, put something away. I know when I first opened my IRA I was putting $25/month. It was literally all I could afford, but it was something. Now with my job, I put away roughly $200/month and plan on increasing that the first of next year to hopefully $250-300. I would talk with a financial planner and figure out what is best for you. Roth's work a little differently than IRA's but also have different advantages for you. It really just depends on your income and what you are looking for right now and the future. The biggest differences of Roth vs. IRA is: with IRA you will get a tax deduction, growth of principal is tax deferred (you will eventually have to pay taxes on it when you withdraw it). Roth: growth of principal is tax -free since you contributed with post-tax dollars and you pay no further taxes on the money when withdrawn. It basically comes down to; do you think your tax rate will increase by the time you retire? My guess is yes, so that would probably lead you in the Roth direction. There are so many companies that you can start with that are mutual fund based which is what I would presonally recommend for you and you can start out with alot of times $10/month. But again I would start with setting up an appointment with an advisor in your area. I can't and won't recommend who, sorry!
Good luck and let me know if you need any more information or help.....
1. I have Amazon Prime specifically for the shipping perks, I love it and it definitely pays for itself. I live in a tiny town without any normal shopping what-so-ever so I do about 80% of my shopping online.
2. I have a 401k at work and love it. Mostly because it comes straight out of my paycheck and I don't have to think about it, and the company has a matching policy like your husband's. I also have a Roth IRA through Vanguard. I mostly chose them because I owned some of their ETFs and they did real well and I think they're a good solid company. Hubby has a Roth IRA through another provider that I can't think of right now. He maxes his out every year and we both contribute a bunch (20%+) of our salary to our 401k. From what I've heard, if you can qualify for a Roth IRA over a traditional IRA, you should go with the Roth. But whatever you choose you should start something NOW to take advantage of the compounding interest. Pretty much any stock exchange & investment website (etrade, scott trade, share builder, td ameritrade, schwab, etc) has an option for opening an IRA. You can probably also do it through your bank. Each place will be different as far as minimums, fees, etc, but if you do some research on each site they'll spell it out for you before you actually sign up for it.
3. I would suggest a nice cool color like blue or purple, or a light grey.
4. uhm... I'm no help with this one.. My sister is reading the Wrinkle in Time series again, so that's the only thing I can think of right now lol
5. DH and I are going to be a dia de los muertos couple. He's letting me do our makeup and he's putting together our outfits. We're totally stoked for it!!
My BFP Chart Danger Love Blog
I also don't have answers to most of the questions here's the ones I can answer for you.
3. Colors I would like to see: tan or beige, grey, blues, or just having an accent wall with a color and the rest be white. Colors I would not like to see: red, yellow, pink, purple, orange, and black.
4. I know everyone will hate me for this but I am seriously thinking about reading 50 Shades of Grey. Not that I think we all should read it but I'm thinking of adding it to my list.
5. I have no clue yet but I have been looking. I would love to do a couples thing with H but honestly I haven't found anything that isn't trashy and he would actually do.
1. No I don't
2. No idea...we will be looking into RRSP's in about a year as right now theres just too much debt to be setting anything aside. Being in canada we are forced to contribute to CCP though and its deducted off paychecks.
3. Something more or less nuetral, we have almond on our guest bedroom walls (well and a black chalkboard wall...), I also think that grays or blues would be alright...mostly I think guest bedrooms should be either very nuetral (calming to a majority of people) or very interesting...
4. I only really read non-fiction.
5. We have costumes from last year that we didn't end up using. I had a big paper due on Nov 1st. and we were busy on the weekend. So yes...a ninja and a giesha.
My Blog:Through My Eyes
I local radio station here did a "50 Shades of Grey" book burning. It. Was. Awesome.
1.) We have Amazon Prime, and we love it! Anytime we need something, we just go online, order it, and it is at our house 2 days later. We figured out we were out of water filters, and instead of making a separate trip to the store, the store comes to us =] It MORE than pays for itself, because everyone living at your address (your H and you) can take advantage of it. You can check out 1 book a month for free from the lending library, and have it for as long as you want. We went back and forth for a long time about getting it, but I'm glad we did. You can get a free 1 month trial if you want to try it!
So PROS? Everything =] CONS? none! (Besides the $70, but it is sooo worth it IMO).
2.) I'd meet with a financial advisor, either from your bank or from a private investment firm. Northwestern Mutual is a reputable company, and is who we go through for our disability insurance, life insurance, and we have the option to have other retirement savings there, too (401k, Roth IRA, etc.). I was pretty financially clueless on the different ways to save for retirement, but our advisor is great at explaining all the different options and what was best for us. Basically, the bottom line is to not put all your eggs into one boat (have multiple routes of savings) that have multiple tax protocols - some accounts you put in your after tax money (so when you take it out you aren't taxed), some accounts you put in money pre-tax (but are taxed when you take it out), and some accounts you only pay tax on capital gains (meaning if you put $50,000 in over your lifetime of your own money, but the account was worth $70,000 at the time of retirement or whenever you take your money out, you only pay tax on the gain, or $20,000). Basically it depends on your & your H's financial situation - what is a good idea for you guys isn't going to be a good idea for everyone.
3.) I also prefer cool, relaxing colors (blues, grays, purples)
4.) You could always browse my Goodreads "to read" list - I am currently on the 6th book of a 14 book epic fantasy series. After that, it'll all probably be reading related to learning how to run the business side of a practice...
5.) I am going to be Ariel from the Little Mermaid, and my H is going to be Prince Eric..because he is my real life Prince Eric =] I was obsessed with TLM when I was younger - my mom had to make me 3 different Ariel costumes because I outgrew them. What can I say, I was a bit OCD about it!