I put the last nail in the coffin today. I'm officially an adult. I took all my Xmas money and opened an IRA. My little boat needs a motor, I'd like a new tv, and life would be considerably easier with a brand new rototiller, and I've had my eye on a new duck gun. Mrs. Rookie along with 3/5 of my daughters would be delighted to see me update my wardrobe. My car has some minor cosmetic damage. But no to all of that. A pack of cigarettes, a cup of coffee, and a retirement savings vehicle.
The first annoying part is that I waited so long. I've been working for almost 26 years and I'm just now starting. 2/3 of my life I could have-should have-been putting something away this whole time. I asked the guy there, if I had started from my first real job in 1994, a reasonable amount every week. I'm proud of myself for not breaking down emotionally or harmed myself with the answer.
The second annoying part is I realized I'm an adult. I've been ignoring the signs for as long as I could. My carefree (ha!) youth is officially behind me. I'm certainly not old, I realize that. But I'm not young anymore. It's been a weird day coming to grips with that.
But there's a good thing to come out of this. See the Anything Good Happen thread for that.