Dear Valued Users,
It's with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of StepTalk.org on August 31st, 2025.
This decision wasn't an easy one. For over twenty years, StepTalk has been a source of support for stepparents around the world! However, over the years, the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the site to remain secure, meet current standards and maintain availability have become unsustainable.
We are incredibly grateful for your support, contributions and the community you've helped us build. Your engagement has made StepTalk.org a special place and we cherish the memories and connections made here.
We would especially like to thank Aniki for volunteering to be a moderator and for caring so much.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and we wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Dawn and The StepTalk Team
Not me. Sigh. IT's always
Not me. Sigh. IT's always something. Now my home owner's insurance says I have to get a new hot water heater and of course they say I can't just buy a new one cause it won't fit in the closet. I have to get a home remodel or a $2000 instanteous hot water heater and gas permits and inspections and gas piping work.
and my 11 year old needs braces and I had to fork out $1000 for her class trip to Washington DC for safety patrol.
Bye bye savings.
But I have no debt. Just no savings. As soon as I get it, something happens. But if I want or need something, I have to save up for it. I have a mortgage too.
Your home owner's insurance
Your home owner's insurance company is telling you that? They just rando contacted you about it? How do they even know how old it is? I've never been contacted by my carrier to replace anything. Must be something they do in your state? They require you to have a gas one? You can't get electric?
Ish. I don't think I'd like if my carrier could decide such things for me.
Good job. The key word is
Good job. The key word is "goals" and sticking to them, which is easier said than accomplished. Two years prior to my retirement, my goals were to begin saving more and curb my spending habits.I was able to do both.
Our goals: we would not retire with any mortgage or major payments, would always pay our credit card each month, in full; would save at least 10% of our income and add extra anytime we could. We stayed true to our goals and ourselves; we are retired comfortable with a savings as well. It is difficult, because we don't take expensive vacations, go out to eat at expensive places, and we watch our pennies. We are on a fixed income and expenses go up every year; therefore, our spending habits play a very large part in being able to save.
Keep up the good work. You didn't say your age; but you are on the right track.
My DH and I decided when we
My DH and I decided when we got married that every penny we did not spend would go into savings. It was very fair since we had the same job and made the same money . He had a house he wanted to stay in and I wanted renovations so I paid for all the renovations and we put equal money into the house. Every penny we did not spend wound up in savings unless we were spending it on something that needed spending on. When we thought we had too much we would invest it. I'm in my 70s and all of the savings and investments are healthy. We carry no debt /or rather now I carry no debt.
We had one rule: if you can't pay it off the month you buy it don't spend it. Save for it and Then buy it. It worked very well. (I cannot say that our two daughters his BG my BD Are as frugal/when they see something they want they buy it and then they pay it off Over time no matter how many times we explain to them you're paying interest)
You got one thing wrong, Rags
You got one thing wrong, Rags.
Do not thank fellow tax payers for paying your son's college like it was charity. I firmly believe he EARNED every last cent of the cost. And then some.
I feel VERY fortunate that DH
I feel VERY fortunate that DH and I both survived a divorce from HC ex's without going into debt. So a big F U to the ex's for trying to destroy us. We're not rich but we have everything we need and are rebuilding for retirement. I am very grateful.