Age: 26
Job: I'm a client and field marketing coordinator for Securian Financial Group. I've been here for three years. My part-time job is working in the family business, Galaxy Food & Video. I work about 15 hours a week there.
Salary: $65,000 (combined)
Education: Major in management, minors in applied economics, minor in sociology from the University of Minnesota.
How'd you get the job? I took an internship [with Securian] ... and after I completed my second summer, they offered me a full-time job upon my graduation.
Last major purchase: It's not the most recent, but ... my car. I bought a BMW M3 [two years ago]. It cost around $40,000.
Next major purchase: I'm going to purchase a condo. I'm kind of in the middle of evaluating what I can afford for a monthly mortgage payment based on my current budget and the current expenses I have.
Spending/saving system? I think I'm a very aggressive saver. I would definitely say I have a very habitual and regimented plan. I am very consistent with the money I take out, and if there's no more money left to spend, then there's no more money left to spend.
Smart money advice: I would definitely say, I think the first thing is don't ever use your own money to buy anything. I try not to invest on my own money. There's a lot of opportunities to borrow at very, very good rates, that end up being more beneficial to you.
Stupid money choices: I think a lot of people will say that my car is a stupid money choice; it's just an opinion, but it is very obvious and economically proven that a car is a poor investment. There are times when sometimes I wish I didn't have this expense hanging over my head. The difference for me is that driving is a passion I find worth investing in.
Addictive purchases? It would probably be electronic toys. I'm an iPhone user, and I like watches, all that kind of quirky extra stuff that people will challenge you on whether or not it adds value to your life.
Does having predominantly older co-workers affect choices of how to purchase things? I think it does. I see what the men are wearing, it's nice shoes, it's nice suits, it's nice glasses, nicer watches. I'm not at the point to be able to buy clothes that expensive - but I know that it does drive me to buy some small complementary things: Maybe I will spend $150 on shoes, because I know they look good and they're an important part of the outfit.
Most stressful thing about money right now? Definitely, staying within your means. It's really just keeping control of greed and of the want and desire to have bigger and better things.
EMMA CAREW
