One of my goals is to eventually be able to purchase a house. Many of my nursing colleagues are purchasing homes that are worth $450,000, $500,000 or even more. Sadly, my budget is about half of that or even less, which means the houses I have to choose from are not appealing. Most of them are small, old, or both.
I am just curious how other nurses manage to purchase decent houses? I've been looking through my income, and I just can't find a way to make it possible to incorporate such a house into my budget. I am salary, so there are no opportunities for overtime.
What are other nurses' experience with buying houses? How did you make it work? Did it require switching jobs? Inquiring minds want to know!
To say nothing of how the USA is superceded my multiple countries on the Happiness Index. We are not a happy people by any measurement. IMHO, M represents the kind of person who doesn't care for other people, and I'm not making a moral judgment here. I think it's a personality type that some are just born to. They just need more isolation and equate that with "freedom". But I prefer happiness as a measurement of a society's worthiness. I prefer to be free of mass murders, politicians who preach hatred, suppression of the middle class as a tax policy , etc. but no other country wants me:)
I would argue that is the beauty of the United States. If you have more of a "left of center" perspective you might be happier living in say Hawaii or San Francisco, or parts of maybe New York State. On the other hand if you are more "right of center" you may find yourself more at home in Wyoming, Montana, or parts of Texas or Alabama. There is a diversity not just of culture but of laws. For example owning a handgun in Hawaii is very difficult if not impossible for most people in Hawaii. In Florida it is easy to own one, but the permit process is sufficiently difficult (first you need a class, then you go to separate place for fingerprints, and a photo and somewhere else to mail or deliver the application) that even someone like me with multiple guns/rifles cannot bring himself to go though the process (thus my guns stay at home) in someplace like Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Arizona and other states they have what is called "constitutional carry" meaning that so long as you do not have a criminal record you can carry a gun (open or concealed). This same process also exists with things like state income taxes where you can pay upwards of 13% in California to 0 in states like Wyoming, Alaska, Tenn, Florida, South Dakota and elsewhere. You get a "choice" of both culture and laws at least until things get "over ridden" by the Federal government which is happening more and more. If someone wants to go to a nation more "left of center" they have a plethora of choices ranging from Canada to the UK. On the other hand if I want to move to a more "right of center" nation my choices are more limited.
Thanks, I will look in to those. To paying down the credit cards at 18% average is top priority. Then I will probably split putting money back and paying student debt 50/50% I am 1099 after all and could go from 25K per month to 0 with no unemployment instantly. Part of me feels like having 200K in the bank with a student loan payment of $800.00 might be preferable to eliminating the payment but having less than 10K in the bank. If I lost my job (with 200K in the bank) I could easily go a year without working (even paying the student loans). However, even without the student loan debt (and credit cards that I will pay off first) I could only survive for a few months without the money. Finding a new job as a PMHNP and builiding a practice can take a lot of time especially one where you can realistically earn upwards of 25K per month.
You should check into a credit card balance tx. Even with your credit that still might be an option esp given your income. The rate is around 4-5% balance tx fee from 12 mo to some as long as 18 months interest free. That would help you pay it down even faster.
I agree you need to keep more money in savings for emergency in your situation, not sure you need $200,000 though, but up to a year is a very good cushion. Worse case scenario you could probably get a travel job till you found a permanent one.
What is your interest rate on your student debt? I would apply more to the higher ones as I know grad school is at a higher rate.
You should check into a credit card balance tx. Even with your credit that still might be an option esp given your income. The rate is around 4-5% balance tx fee from 12 mo to some as long as 18 months interest free. That would help you pay it down even faster.
I agree you need to keep more money in savings for emergency in your situation, not sure you need $200,000 though, but up to a year is a very good cushion. Worse case scenario you could probably get a travel job till you found a permanent one.
What is your interest rate on your student debt? I would apply more to the higher ones as I know grad school is at a higher rate.
My student loan debt is fixed at 5% on about 160K Federal and currently not requiring payment due to Covid. Min payments would be $350.00 and will gradually increase to $1100 over the next 25 years. Honestly, I wasn't kidding when I joked (well not much) to my SO that in ten years thanks to hyperinflation I would use one month's paycheck to pay off my student loans and the next to buy a loaf of bread. Also, with the current administration it is conceivable that some might be written off. Also, If I carry this (not that I plan to) to retirement wouldn't my payments be limited to something like 10% of my SSI income? I am paying about 4K per month on my credit cards and will pay off using a modified "snowball" in about 18 months. I also just joined Zion health sharing at $800.00 per month so at least my family has "something" (like health insurance) to cover expenses (it has $1000.00 unshared amount per incident) and doesn't cover some things like mental health. The cheapest "Obama plan" was 2K per month with a 5K deductible. I also have a 550,000 life insurance policy that is level term until around age 65 (I'm 52). Also, I am about as controversial with my "employer" (1099) and clients as I am on this forum so imagine Donald Trump trying to keep a job with mostly Seattle area residents Thus, the need for me having a nest egg is important.
I would like us to build a "Mountain State" PMHNP primarily tele business that serves primarily Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Washington, and South Dakota (all IP and many of which I'm already licensed in). and eventually have other providers working with us (whom I would endeavor to give a 1099 80% option or a 50% "full benefit" option" my current company pays 70% and charges and additional $700 per month for office space, software and support services. I think we could do it for 20%).
It is the very definition of socialism:) I wonder if they would pay for a tubal ligation or a vasectomy?
The difference is you can quit anytime you want. Also the cheapest Affordable Health care plan is 2k per month with a 5 k deductible. Also it is a private group of people not the government.The health sharing does not cover things like mental health but at least if I get a lacerated spleen or liver or my son has a bike accident at college it is something. Also we don’t yet have socialized medicine for those earning 25k per month. I remember last month he got hit by a car while walking his bike across the road at an intersection. He just got bruises and scrapes but the prompt care wouldn’t even see him and I was afraid the local hospital (where I used to work) would activate a 20k trauma alert fee if we went to the ER. I did an eval and first aid but it was less than optimal.
The difference is you can quit anytime you want. Also the cheapest Affordable Health care plan is 2k per month with a 5 k deductible. Also it is a private group of people not the government.
It's still socialised healthcare!
17 minutes ago, myoglobin said:
...but at least if I get a lacerated spleen or liver or my son has a bike accident at college it is something. Also we don’t yet have socialized medicine for those earning 25k per month. I remember last month he got hit by a car while walking his bike across the road at an intersection. He just got bruises and scrapes but the prompt care wouldn’t even see him and I was afraid the local hospital (where I used to work) would activate a 20k trauma alert fee if we went to the ER. I did an eval and first aid but it was less than optimal.
And this is why most of the world has a socialised system.
And this is why most of the world has a socialised system.
There are positives and negatives to socialism, but right now I just want to try and make some better decisions for my family. Ends the end I believe the “Frankfurt “ school founded at Goethe is likely to triumph and America will go full blown socialism or dissolve into a Swiss style Canton system, but that is for another day.
There are positives and negatives to socialism, but right now I just want to try and make some better decisions for my family. Ends the end I believe the “Frankfurt “ school founded at Goethe is likely to triumph and America will go full blown socialism or dissolve into a Swiss style Canton system, but that is for another day.
Socialism is not Communism! They are two totally different things.
21 minutes ago, myoglobin said:
or dissolve into a Swiss style Canton system,.
You do understand that Swiss cantons and American states are similar?
I had a look at their site, it seems to be very like socialised healthcare. ??
Grumpy, you won't believe this but America spends more on public Healthcare than probably the UK does. It's that it is so broken, corrupt and inefficient that very little of that money actually gets to the patients!
They won't fix the system because too many pigs have their snouts in the trough. Take a look at the military. We spend more than the next ten countries combined behind us. Why? Just look at the latest fighter jet. Untold billions on development over how many years but it doesn't work. Why?
America is about spin! Almost everything is a lie because lobbyists and big business owns the politicians! After citizens united was enacted, the country of fake values went into overdrive! Just as you cannot believe a word a republican politician says, you also need to worry about the justice system here. Even that is bought and paid for by lobbyists (religious or political affiliations) from big business. Why should politicians worry?
Just consider that! Our justice system is corrupt! Just think Bill Barr! Or Trump? Imagine that! America is a country where women can't have control of their bodies because moronic old decrepit white men make the laws and idiotic women actually go along with it. How many women voted republican?
They assaulted and crippled the media making republicans even doubt the truth. It's a country that thrives on delusional thinking. White picket fence and we are the greatest country in the history of the world when a few short months ago, how many people were in FOOD LINES!
There's data stating that about a third of Americans couldn't cope with a bill of over $500. Think about that! $500 would bankrupt 1/3 of Americans! Just take a look at how many people will soon be evicted from their homes!
It's a country of lies, built on lies and sustained by lies! And people are so insecure that they actually get upset if that's revealed to them. They prefer to believe the lies while they line up in food lines and to vote and to give their money to the charlatan evangelicals and politicians!
They have even convinced Hispanics, Blacks, Women, Jews and Asians who are discriminated against and persecuted legally and physically to vote AGAINST THEIR BEST INTERESTS because they are so insecure and want to belong!
What's the motto here?
Fake it till you make it!
1 hour ago, myoglobin said:
The difference is you can quit anytime you want. Also the cheapest Affordable Health care plan is 2k per month with a 5 k deductible. Also it is a private group of people not the government.The health sharing does not cover things like mental health but at least if I get a lacerated spleen or liver or my son has a bike accident at college it is something. Also we don’t yet have socialized medicine for those earning 25k per month. I remember last month he got hit by a car while walking his bike across the road at an intersection. He just got bruises and scrapes but the prompt care wouldn’t even see him and I was afraid the local hospital (where I used to work) would activate a 20k trauma alert fee if we went to the ER. I did an eval and first aid but it was less than optimal.
Yet you were talking a load of codswallop about Europe!
Mate, if you add up aside from federal taxes, our local taxes, toll roads, bridges, Healthcare costs, state taxes etc, I am pretty sure we pay more or as much as some European countries in taxes.
Grumpy, you won't believe this but America spends more on public Healthcare than probably the UK does. It's that it is so broken, corrupt and inefficient that very little of that money actually gets to the patients!
They won't fix the system because too many pigs have their snouts in the trough. Take a look at the military. We spend more than the next ten countries combined behind us. Why? Just look at the latest fighter jet. Untold billions on development over how many years but it doesn't work. Why?
America is about spin! Almost everything is a lie because lobbyists and big business owns the politicians! After citizens united was enacted, the country of fake values went into overdrive! Just as you cannot believe a word a republican politician says, you also need to worry about the justice system here. Even that is bought and paid for by lobbyists (religious or political affiliations) from big business. Why should politicians worry?
Just consider that! Our justice system is corrupt! Just think Bill Barr! Or Trump? Imagine that! America is a country where women can't have control of their bodies because moronic old decrepit white men make the laws and idiotic women actually go along with it. How many women voted republican?
They assaulted and crippled the media making republicans even doubt the truth. It's a country that thrives on delusional thinking. White picket fence and we are the greatest country in the history of the world when a few short months ago, how many people were in FOOD LINES!
There's data stating that about a third of Americans couldn't cope with a bill of over $500. Think about that! $500 would bankrupt 1/3 of Americans! Just take a look at how many people will soon be evicted from their homes!
It's a country of lies, built on lies and sustained by lies! And people are so insecure that they actually get upset if that's revealed to them. They prefer to believe the lies while they line up in food lines and to vote and to give their money to the charlatan evangelicals and politicians!
They have even convinced Hispanics, Blacks, Women, Jews and Asians who are discriminated against and persecuted legally and physically to vote AGAINST THEIR BEST INTERESTS because they are so insecure and want to belong!
What's the motto here?
Fake it till you make it!
Yet you were talking a load of codswallop about Europe!
Mate, if you add up aside from federal taxes, our local taxes, toll roads, bridges, Healthcare costs, state taxes etc, I am pretty sure we pay more or as much as some European countries in taxes.
My point was not hat European countries are "bad" merely that they are different. Different choices with advantages and disadvantages. In the United States you have more choice because of Federalism from one state to another (Cantons share some aspects but there are also important differences). I used to be a socialist activist in college and now I am equally "right of center". I haven't forgotten my previous perspectives and do not believe they were "wrong" rather I believe they represented a different value set . I aspire to a nation where those with a very left of center perspective can live to the fullest of their values (think California) and those with a more "right of center" approach (think Wyoming) can do the same. I will agree that health sharing has aspects of Socialism, but it is very much in the private sector an important distinction.
My point was not hat European countries are "bad" merely that they are different.
But you complained about Europe, specifically that you could not find a Walmart, that you could not get the kind of vehicle you always drive and that food was somehow not as filling.
22 minutes ago, myoglobin said:
I will agree that health sharing has aspects of Socialism, but it is very much in the private sector an important distinction.
Your "distinction" is not relevant. You put the money into a pot and it gets health care for the members. What do you think happens with socialised medicine? Even in the UK the NHS will use the private sector but the patient is never presented with a bill.
It is not "aspects of Socialism," it IS socialism. You can call it what you want, but if it looks like a chicken, walks like a chicken, sounds like a chicken, gives eggs like a chicken and tastes like a chicken - it is a chicken.
myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN
1,453 Posts
I would argue that is the beauty of the United States. If you have more of a "left of center" perspective you might be happier living in say Hawaii or San Francisco, or parts of maybe New York State. On the other hand if you are more "right of center" you may find yourself more at home in Wyoming, Montana, or parts of Texas or Alabama. There is a diversity not just of culture but of laws. For example owning a handgun in Hawaii is very difficult if not impossible for most people in Hawaii. In Florida it is easy to own one, but the permit process is sufficiently difficult (first you need a class, then you go to separate place for fingerprints, and a photo and somewhere else to mail or deliver the application) that even someone like me with multiple guns/rifles cannot bring himself to go though the process (thus my guns stay at home) in someplace like Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Arizona and other states they have what is called "constitutional carry" meaning that so long as you do not have a criminal record you can carry a gun (open or concealed). This same process also exists with things like state income taxes where you can pay upwards of 13% in California to 0 in states like Wyoming, Alaska, Tenn, Florida, South Dakota and elsewhere. You get a "choice" of both culture and laws at least until things get "over ridden" by the Federal government which is happening more and more. If someone wants to go to a nation more "left of center" they have a plethora of choices ranging from Canada to the UK. On the other hand if I want to move to a more "right of center" nation my choices are more limited.