Personal finance advice regarding a 100k inheritance
Hi Reddit, could some of you help me out about a financial decision? I hava an understanding of basic personal finances and I have read the linkies on the right. I am seeking opinions from you guys to confirm or challenge the financial decisions I am about to take.
I am about to receive a 100k inheritance from my grand mother and I am wondering how best to use this money to get ahead and honor her memory.
Here is my financial situation: 27yo and married with no kids. Wife is 26 yo and wants to start having kids in 1 to 2 years. I make 23k this year, next year I have a 50% raise. Wife makes 25k and has just started working a few months ago. We rent a 1bedroom apartment in Texas. Wife has 28k in student loans that she accumulated while we were married. No other debts. We have a 2001 Kia rio and $1000 in savings. We follow Dave Ramsey's financial advice and we have just been through 2 rough financial years (Lost my job, etc...). Now we are finally making progress.
Our plan without considering the heritage: Pay off student loans (currently paying 2k/month on it to get rid of it) Save 6-8 month of monthly expenses Save 15% of our gross income to a 401k and Roth IRA Save up to buy a house (100% down would be nice, 120k range) Save up to buy a 10-15k 2 year old car Complete my college education (20k) Save for kids college
So far we have been living frugally and we are making good progress on the student loans.
Now for the question: with all that in mind, How should we use my heritage of 100k? We want to get ahead but I feel bad paying my wife's loans with my grandmothers money. I also feel bad about buying a car with it. I think we should complete our emergency fund and save for our house, also put a nice chunk of it towards a 401k/roth IRA and go on a small vacation.
Thank you all :)
Posted Mar 24, 2012, 9:25 PM UTC