Anonymous
10/25/2025 10:50
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
Anonymous wrote:If you are responsible with credit cards (as in, you pay off the statement balance in full, every month without fail), consider getting the Fidelity Rewards Visa. It’s unlimited 2% back on all of your spending, and you can have the cash deposited to various Fidelity accounts, including a Roth IRA. This way, you would be contributing to your retirement, but not feel a pinch in your current budget.
https://www.fidelity.com/go/visa-signature-rewards-1502
Not the Op but this is a great idea!!!
Anonymous
10/25/2025 06:58
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
Anonymous wrote:How long were you married? Will your ex qualify for social security?Anonymous wrote:I have a state job with a pension, but won't be eligible to for social security. I always thought that would be enough, but now I am realizing that won't be the case.
The thing is I have child support obligations and being on one income finances are tight. Thankfully I end up in the green every month, but with only $250 to save. I have been keeping this $250 in my savings account for emergency expenses and they do arise. For example a few months ago $2k were wiped instantly when my son needed braces.
The problem is if I get a side gig, my child support obligations will go up I think. Or are revenues from side gigs such as Uber not included in child support calculations? I wouldn't mind making more and providing more for my kids, I just don't want it to be part of any legal obligations.
Now, should I perhaps put $100 into Roth and just save $150?
I am 46 today. In about 9 years my kids should be done with college. At that time, I will have more money.
I don't want to wait until I am 55 to start investing into Roth, but sadly that's the only time I will have more disposable income.
I don't even know if I am venting or just asking a question at this point lol. I'm grateful for a "safe" job, but I need more money.
This. If you were married at least 10 years you can still take a 50% spousal election of his social security.
You can also look for odd jobs that pay cash like babysitting.
Anonymous
10/25/2025 06:26
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
If you are responsible with credit cards (as in, you pay off the statement balance in full, every month without fail), consider getting the Fidelity Rewards Visa. It’s unlimited 2% back on all of your spending, and you can have the cash deposited to various Fidelity accounts, including a Roth IRA. This way, you would be contributing to your retirement, but not feel a pinch in your current budget.
https://www.fidelity.com/go/visa-signature-rewards-1502
https://www.fidelity.com/go/visa-signature-rewards-1502
Anonymous
10/24/2025 22:25
Subject: Re:Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
Anonymous wrote:Yes, if you make more you will likely pay a portion of that additional income towards child support, but you will still end up better off yourself (as will your child).
It’s like saying you don’t want to earn more money because you’ll pay higher taxes.
This 100%
Anonymous
10/24/2025 21:08
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
Anonymous wrote:when will you qualify for your pension? can you work another ten years somewhere else at that point to get some social security? did you work at all before going into state government (if so you may not actually need ten years)?
I would definitely try to cut costs and start by just putting a little bit into a Roth - even $50 a month would help and then each year when you get a raise you can add that amount to what you put in.
+1 Even if you can only put in a little it’s better than zero.
Anonymous
10/23/2025 21:27
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
Why are you not eligible for social security? If you have a state job you’re paying into it?
I’m relatively low income as well and put $5-$6k a year into a Roth.
I’m relatively low income as well and put $5-$6k a year into a Roth.
Anonymous
10/23/2025 21:25
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
How long were you married? Will your ex qualify for social security?Anonymous wrote:I have a state job with a pension, but won't be eligible to for social security. I always thought that would be enough, but now I am realizing that won't be the case.
The thing is I have child support obligations and being on one income finances are tight. Thankfully I end up in the green every month, but with only $250 to save. I have been keeping this $250 in my savings account for emergency expenses and they do arise. For example a few months ago $2k were wiped instantly when my son needed braces.
The problem is if I get a side gig, my child support obligations will go up I think. Or are revenues from side gigs such as Uber not included in child support calculations? I wouldn't mind making more and providing more for my kids, I just don't want it to be part of any legal obligations.
Now, should I perhaps put $100 into Roth and just save $150?
I am 46 today. In about 9 years my kids should be done with college. At that time, I will have more money.
I don't want to wait until I am 55 to start investing into Roth, but sadly that's the only time I will have more disposable income.
I don't even know if I am venting or just asking a question at this point lol. I'm grateful for a "safe" job, but I need more money.
Anonymous
10/23/2025 21:18
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
when will you qualify for your pension? can you work another ten years somewhere else at that point to get some social security? did you work at all before going into state government (if so you may not actually need ten years)?
I would definitely try to cut costs and start by just putting a little bit into a Roth - even $50 a month would help and then each year when you get a raise you can add that amount to what you put in.
I would definitely try to cut costs and start by just putting a little bit into a Roth - even $50 a month would help and then each year when you get a raise you can add that amount to what you put in.
Anonymous
10/23/2025 20:33
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
I bet there are things you could cut. Can you cut streaming, a gym membership, get a better phone plan. Get a cheaper car. You should definitely try to max out a Roth.
Anonymous
10/23/2025 20:22
Subject: Re:Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
Yes, if you make more you will likely pay a portion of that additional income towards child support, but you will still end up better off yourself (as will your child).
It’s like saying you don’t want to earn more money because you’ll pay higher taxes.
It’s like saying you don’t want to earn more money because you’ll pay higher taxes.
Anonymous
10/23/2025 19:33
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
Do you have a Roth now? It has a 5 year rule and you should have opened one long time ago be it with $20 in it.
Why can't you have a social security if you worked in a restaurant few shifts a week and paid into social security?
We make $200-$250 in 8-hour shift. Why not pay extra $200 a month for child support if required by courts. Do you have to report increase in income? Read your divorce documents.
Why can't you have a social security if you worked in a restaurant few shifts a week and paid into social security?
We make $200-$250 in 8-hour shift. Why not pay extra $200 a month for child support if required by courts. Do you have to report increase in income? Read your divorce documents.
Anonymous
10/23/2025 18:05
Subject: Don't make enough to invest in a Roth IRA
I have a state job with a pension, but won't be eligible to for social security. I always thought that would be enough, but now I am realizing that won't be the case.
The thing is I have child support obligations and being on one income finances are tight. Thankfully I end up in the green every month, but with only $250 to save. I have been keeping this $250 in my savings account for emergency expenses and they do arise. For example a few months ago $2k were wiped instantly when my son needed braces.
The problem is if I get a side gig, my child support obligations will go up I think. Or are revenues from side gigs such as Uber not included in child support calculations? I wouldn't mind making more and providing more for my kids, I just don't want it to be part of any legal obligations.
Now, should I perhaps put $100 into Roth and just save $150?
I am 46 today. In about 9 years my kids should be done with college. At that time, I will have more money.
I don't want to wait until I am 55 to start investing into Roth, but sadly that's the only time I will have more disposable income.
I don't even know if I am venting or just asking a question at this point lol. I'm grateful for a "safe" job, but I need more money.
The thing is I have child support obligations and being on one income finances are tight. Thankfully I end up in the green every month, but with only $250 to save. I have been keeping this $250 in my savings account for emergency expenses and they do arise. For example a few months ago $2k were wiped instantly when my son needed braces.
The problem is if I get a side gig, my child support obligations will go up I think. Or are revenues from side gigs such as Uber not included in child support calculations? I wouldn't mind making more and providing more for my kids, I just don't want it to be part of any legal obligations.
Now, should I perhaps put $100 into Roth and just save $150?
I am 46 today. In about 9 years my kids should be done with college. At that time, I will have more money.
I don't want to wait until I am 55 to start investing into Roth, but sadly that's the only time I will have more disposable income.
I don't even know if I am venting or just asking a question at this point lol. I'm grateful for a "safe" job, but I need more money.