@Ryan McHenry,
Hi Ryan and welcome to the BP community! 1st of all, congrats on being forward thinking! I'm a big proponent of education; but you have just proven what most of us (possibly more educated) already know...that a degree doesn't equate intelligence...nor does the lack thereof mean one is "not" intelligent. That said, your game plan is brilliant for a person your age. I thought my daughter was brilliant for buying her 1st flip @ 26, but you've got her by 4 years! Awesome!
2nd thing: There is something that has been coined as W4 Magic. You mentioned a tax return [where you basically make Uncle Sam an interest free loan]. Did you know you can go to your HR dept and file exempt until the end of the year? You can just go ahead and bank that money now, to use towards your plan. Don't wait for the government to use it, invest it, make money on it...and then give it back to you. You use it now! Basically, if you're getting a return, then your withholding amounts are off. This is a smart, perfectly legal way to keep your own money in your own pocket. Since its so late in the year, you will more than likely still get a return for this tax year; but do the math. If you're getting a tax refund of (I don't know, say) $1500; then you can look at your check stub to see how many pay periods are included in that dollar amount, and make the necessary adjustments. Hope this makes sense. I'm slammed with meetings today, and don't have time to touch on anything else; but I just felt that "I had to" touch on that little tid bit. If you want me to go deeper into that, or even help you figure it all out, I'll be glad to. I'm not a tax professional; and would strongly suggest that you consult competent tax professionals;but I'm financially educated and intelligent...and I teach others. I'll be glad to help all I can.
All the best to your bright future, because I truly believe you have a great one ahead. #ThankfulforJobLayoffs! #KissCorporateAmericaGoodbye!
