1 Down, 3 To Go (Redo)

I'm sorry I've been MIA, I am working fervently on my online courses so that I can complete them on time and not have to pay for an extension. But ......

As of 30 minutes ago my Master Card has been paid off!!!!!!!!!

1 credit card down, 3 to go. I feel so light and free.

Next on my agenda is my American Express. I hope to have it paid off within 6 months.

Also, my savings account is up to $500, that is a lot for me. I am still dropping water in the bucket.

Wish me luck.

How Many Accounts Do You Need

We all know that you need an Emergency account for emergencies.
We also know that you need a Savings account for sort or long term goals.
Then you need a Retirement account (IRA and/or 401k) for when you retire.

My question is how many accounts are to many accounts? How do you keep track of it all?

Is your Emergency account and your Savings account the same account or two separate accounts?

How do you fund these accounts? Is it done simultaneously or do you fully fund one then fund another?

If you want to save to buy a car do you save in your savings account or do you open a Car account?

My head is spinning, can someone simplify all of this for me?

401k Blues

Sorry that I have been MIA, I have been working 12 hour days and when I get home blogging is the last thing on my mind. Sometimes I really hate being salary, at least when I was hourly I never worked more than 40 hours per week.

Anyway, I have been working toward my goal of paying off my Master Card and I am glad to say I am $170 away from that goal. I also have $450 in my savings.

I have also been reading up on finance, and in the near future I plan to open a Roth IRA. But here is my dilemma.

The good news is - my new company has a 401k. The match up to 1% of my salary 100%. From 2% - 5% they will match $0.50 on the dollar. I will be eligible to join in 11 months.

The bad news is - there are no investment options. They take the money to purchase their own stock. I am told I can sell the stock whenever I want but that is a lot to go through.

The question is, should I sign up for the 401k?

I know free money is great, but only having the stock of one company in my portfolio seems dangerous to me.

Help.