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Is It Too Late?
Hello Folks!
This is the Budgeteer Newsletter. The newsletter that teaches you more about money and travel hacks in 5 minutes per week than you learned in all 4 years of high school.

Today we are bringing you:
It’s Never Too Late
Southwest has something up their sleeve
Today's edition is brought to you by Refside. Fun referee apparel for refs by refs.


Are you sitting there worried about your retirement because you started investing late in the game? Guess what? It's time to stop worrying and start acting! It's always possible to take control of your financial future, whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or even beyond.
We are here to guide you through the process. Trust me, together; we've got this! So, let's rise and shine and make the most of compound interest.
Ready to dive in? Let's go!
Find out how much you need to save
Begin by using a simple savings chart to determine how much moolah you'll need for your dream retirement lifestyle. FYI, we plan on writing, in-depth, about that magical retirement number and how to figure it out soon! Sure, if you started later, you'll need to save more than someone who started in their early 20s, but remember, it's never too late.
Banish high-interest debt & boost your savings
Got credit card balances that are driving you up the wall? Those sky-high interest rates can seriously rain on your parade! Your first goal should be to kick that debt to the curb. However, if your company is kind enough to match your 401k contributions, it's wise to put in enough to snag that free cash. Once you've bid farewell to debt, it's time to save, save, save. Remember, every dollar you tuck away is like a stepping stone to your ideal retirement.
Retirement > Saving for your kiddos' college
I get it, you want the best for your kids. But think about it, they can get student loans. On the other hand, you can't get a retirement scholarship! Prioritize your retirement savings, just like they tell you on a plane to put your oxygen mask on first. Trust me, it's a tough but necessary decision.
Supercharge your savings
Time to play catch up! Slash spending on non-essentials, and take full advantage of any employer matches in retirement plans. Automate your savings, making the process easy-peasy. Explore side hustles or promotions to earn extra bucks. Then, straight to savings and investing they go!
Keep a balanced portfolio
Build a diversified portfolio that matches your risk tolerance and timeline. This could be a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. Interested in real estate? It could be a fab and quick way to build equity, generate passive income, and create serious wealth. Keep reading our newsletter, and we will dive into ways you can generate wealth with real estate.
Don't let your cash gather dust
Don't keep cash lying around because you're unsure what to do. Educate yourself and invest that cash to grow your wealth. But remember, inflation's a silent thief. Don't let it erode your buying power. And, oh, keep your emergency fund and short-term savings goals liquid and easily accessible.
Over 50? Catch-up contributions are your friend
If you're 50 or older, say hello to catch-up contributions! They allow you to contribute more to retirement accounts than younger folks. This is a fantastic tool to fast-track your retirement savings. So, take full advantage!
Finally, remember this: It's NEVER too late to start investing.
Stay focused on your goals, be consistent with your savings and investment plans, and closely monitor your progress. Make tweaks as needed. You're not just doing this for yourself now, but also for your future self. Let's make future you super proud!
Until next time, happy investing! 🌟


Big news is coming your way! Southwest Airlines is splashing out a whopping 20 million points with their brand new "Wanna Get Away Day Sweepstakes"! And you can join the fun right now till June 18, 2023.
And yes, I know we all have a love/hate relationship with Southwest, but who doesn't love free points?
So here's the scoop:
The whole thing is like a week-long festival with new deals and ways to score big each day. Let us give you a taste of what's to offer:
On June 12, for every dollar you used on Southwest purchases with a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, you earned 10 points. It's a bit late, but it was a tremendous opportunity to stack up those points!
Starting June 13, grab 40% off base fares with promo code 40OFF on select flights for travels between August 15, 2023, and December 14, 2023. Make sure you book by June 15, 2023.
From June 14 to June 18, watch for new deals popping up each day. Check in daily, and don't miss out!
But that's not all! You can join the daily game to win prizes, including those coveted Rapid Rewards points. Just make sure you're a U.S. or D.C. resident (sorry, folks in Alaska, Florida, New York, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico) and you're 19 or older.
Feeling lucky? Head over to wannagetawayday.com, click 'Play today's game', and enter your details - name, email address, Rapid Rewards number, state, and ZIP code. Remember, it's one entry per person per day.
So you have been racking up the Southwest points, but unsure how to use them?
They're super simple to use. You can redeem them for any flight on Southwest Airlines as long as there's a seat. The best bit is the points cost is tied to the price in dollars, so you'll always get around 1.3 cents per point in value.
If that wasn't enough, they've also got the Southwest Companion Pass. You get to choose a buddy to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees (that's just $5.60 on a one-way domestic flight) for up to 2 years. So, go ahead and get the most out of your Southwest points!
Oh, and did we mention they fly to dreamy spots like Hawaii and the Caribbean? Just saying...
We all know Southwest Airlines had a tough 2022 holiday season, and they're making a considerable effort to win back the love. The Wanna Get Away Day Sweepstakes, running through June 18, 2023, is a fun way to do just that. You can play games daily to win points and enjoy daily deals for extra goodies.
That's it from us. May the odds be in your favor!

Read. Those student loan payments are starting up again soon. Check out this article to get the lowdown on all the dates and details
Watch. This video shares the reassuring idea that it's never too late to start investing. Seriously, it's never too late. Give it a watch when you get a chance. You might find it really enlightening!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, we share daily actionable tips to improve your finances and travel game.
Nothing in this email is intended to serve as financial advice. Do your own research. Thanks for reading, if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc. about the email don’t hesitate to send us a reply.