don't tell anyone, but in the past two weeks I have NOT been doing my deal of the week or anything super nit picky to save $$. It was nice to have a break, and now I think I'm enjoying it too much.
Someone said (I think it was Trent of The Simple Dollar) in a book review that nickel-and-diming your way to riches doesn't work. Grand lifestyle changes will, however, I think the article went on to say.
So I find myself slowing giving into that line of thought...for now. I have all the toothpaste, body wash, and toiletry products I could possibly need from CVS and other drugstores. But I will keep an eye on the ads to make sure I don't miss out on any great deals!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
$250 gift card!
In the same vein as having every penny accounted for in my budget (not that I follow it all the time), I've already spent the money from my American Express Gold Business card in my head.
One of the gift cards is for Banana Republic. I need to peruse the gift card offers a little more closely, but if Target or another store like that aren't on the list, I may use the BR gift card for the purchase of a nice interview suit. I'll be 29 in July, and I still don't have any nice clothes for work/interviews/business meetings/etc. That fact is a little ludicrous.
If you don't have a place for your money, it may disappear. For example, my $50 reward from my Chase credit card--I have no idea where I want to spend it. Therefore, I won't cash it in when I deposit it; it'll disappear in the vast pool of my checking account. I should either make a $50 deposit into my HSBC account or my credit card, or cash it in right away to 'reward' myself as the name implies. Now, what to reward myself with?? I could use a break from my moving supply runs.
One of the gift cards is for Banana Republic. I need to peruse the gift card offers a little more closely, but if Target or another store like that aren't on the list, I may use the BR gift card for the purchase of a nice interview suit. I'll be 29 in July, and I still don't have any nice clothes for work/interviews/business meetings/etc. That fact is a little ludicrous.
If you don't have a place for your money, it may disappear. For example, my $50 reward from my Chase credit card--I have no idea where I want to spend it. Therefore, I won't cash it in when I deposit it; it'll disappear in the vast pool of my checking account. I should either make a $50 deposit into my HSBC account or my credit card, or cash it in right away to 'reward' myself as the name implies. Now, what to reward myself with?? I could use a break from my moving supply runs.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
one more.
check out single ma's post on how to get $250 for applying to a credit card. also kudos to her source, the author of HustlerMoneyBlog, who pointed this deal out originally.
I just applied. $250 here I come!
Enjoy!
I just applied. $250 here I come!
Enjoy!
The silver (platinum?) lining
My bf is going through a really rough time--his mother is in a hospice dying of cancer. It happened really quickly--just this time two months ago they thought she was in remission.
He has discussed the insurance terms with his mother, and apparently he and his sister will inherit a large sum of money from the life insurance policy.
This is the absolute worst way to get out of debt, EVER. I can't imagine the pain he's going through right now.
The only...and I mean only...positive thing about this is that he will have the financial freedom to pretty much do whatever he pleases for the next year. I haven't pushed him on this delicate topic, but he has discussed several goals with me regarding this windfall: getting out of debt, selling the car he's upside-down on, paying off his motorcycle, buying a new truck, taking some expensive math/computer science classes, not working for a while, and going on a whirlwind trip to Europe with me next summer.
As a financial guru, my head is spinning from these plans. It is so hard not to sit him down and lecture him on Roth IRA's and emergency funds! I want so badly to send him articles on using sudden windfalls wisely. Sigh. This is the stuff I KNOW. If this money were coming to me, I could have my plan for the $$ filled out in three minutes flat.
I do know that this really isn't the time for lectures, though. That isn't what he needs. My mouth will remain shut as far as finances go unless he begs me for some guidance.
The unfortunate origin aside, what would you do with a sudden windfall? From all of his plans, I'm guessing he has about $50,000 to $100,000 coming to him in the next 6 months. Let's make that tax-free for this example's purpose.
It really is enough to change your life, from my calculations.
He has discussed the insurance terms with his mother, and apparently he and his sister will inherit a large sum of money from the life insurance policy.
This is the absolute worst way to get out of debt, EVER. I can't imagine the pain he's going through right now.
The only...and I mean only...positive thing about this is that he will have the financial freedom to pretty much do whatever he pleases for the next year. I haven't pushed him on this delicate topic, but he has discussed several goals with me regarding this windfall: getting out of debt, selling the car he's upside-down on, paying off his motorcycle, buying a new truck, taking some expensive math/computer science classes, not working for a while, and going on a whirlwind trip to Europe with me next summer.
As a financial guru, my head is spinning from these plans. It is so hard not to sit him down and lecture him on Roth IRA's and emergency funds! I want so badly to send him articles on using sudden windfalls wisely. Sigh. This is the stuff I KNOW. If this money were coming to me, I could have my plan for the $$ filled out in three minutes flat.
I do know that this really isn't the time for lectures, though. That isn't what he needs. My mouth will remain shut as far as finances go unless he begs me for some guidance.
The unfortunate origin aside, what would you do with a sudden windfall? From all of his plans, I'm guessing he has about $50,000 to $100,000 coming to him in the next 6 months. Let's make that tax-free for this example's purpose.
It really is enough to change your life, from my calculations.
$5000 Love
My mom came through while I was at home--the $5000 I asked to borrow was sneakily given to me while my dad and sister were out of the house. She explained that my sister shouldn't know about the $$--I agree, since she is terrible with money, and is going through a phase of her bi-polar disorder where she is very difficult to handle. This would really make her flip and possibly demand $5000 from my mom, who cannot trust her to pay her back, even when she is not sick. It's nice to know that I have proven my trustworthiness and dependability to my mom. She knows I won't touch the money except in case of emergency, while my sister would use the money frivolously. She is also not charging me a penny of interest! Moms are awesome.
So. the money is now sitting in my HSBC account, gleefully gaining 5% interest. I plan on using it for emergencies only--I have already saved up $9000 for the school year ($1000 a month extra on top of my expected $500-$1000 in part-time income). If the end of the 9 months comes and I have an emergency, this way I have some cushion. If I don't have an emergency, my mom gets her full $5000 back, plus the interest that has accrued on it. I will pay her back when I am employed full-time again and can rebuild my emergency fund.
So, that's the plan, Stan. What do you think?
So. the money is now sitting in my HSBC account, gleefully gaining 5% interest. I plan on using it for emergencies only--I have already saved up $9000 for the school year ($1000 a month extra on top of my expected $500-$1000 in part-time income). If the end of the 9 months comes and I have an emergency, this way I have some cushion. If I don't have an emergency, my mom gets her full $5000 back, plus the interest that has accrued on it. I will pay her back when I am employed full-time again and can rebuild my emergency fund.
So, that's the plan, Stan. What do you think?
hey y'all!
So, I'm back from my home town and pretty much moved into my new place. It's been a hella crazy three weeks, though...make that three years.
Um.
My friends' wedding was beautiful, in an abandoned train station that the city converted into a banquet hall. It was great to see her old college friends again, we got to compare notes from her last wedding (shhh!) and catch up.
Anyway, I'm now living with my boyfriend, and boy...it's alot different than I thought it would be. I actually like it more than I thought I would...so far there are less adjustments and compromises than I predicted. There are a few lingering doubts here and there, but mostly it's good. He seems to need alot more attention than I do, but I knew that already. I just now snuck into my room (we each have our own 'bedrooms' and bathrooms and closets, which makes it nice) to have a few hours of me-time. I'm used to having alot more than I'm getting now, and he totally understands. OK. so that topic is covered.
Yesterday, we went to IKEA and found a coffee table As-is (nothing wrong) for $10! Love it. We have alot more shopping to do, though, as we still don't have a couch or dining room table or even dishes. I spent $200 at WalMart (i know, ugh) this week trying to get all the little stuff we were missing--like the spoon rest my bf says is so important. I personally can live without a spoon rest but hey, if i can make him happy with $3, I will.
Topics to post on run through my head every day but I don't ever seem to get the time, between work, bf, and setting everything up.
I'm working on that, I promise!
Um.
My friends' wedding was beautiful, in an abandoned train station that the city converted into a banquet hall. It was great to see her old college friends again, we got to compare notes from her last wedding (shhh!) and catch up.
Anyway, I'm now living with my boyfriend, and boy...it's alot different than I thought it would be. I actually like it more than I thought I would...so far there are less adjustments and compromises than I predicted. There are a few lingering doubts here and there, but mostly it's good. He seems to need alot more attention than I do, but I knew that already. I just now snuck into my room (we each have our own 'bedrooms' and bathrooms and closets, which makes it nice) to have a few hours of me-time. I'm used to having alot more than I'm getting now, and he totally understands. OK. so that topic is covered.
Yesterday, we went to IKEA and found a coffee table As-is (nothing wrong) for $10! Love it. We have alot more shopping to do, though, as we still don't have a couch or dining room table or even dishes. I spent $200 at WalMart (i know, ugh) this week trying to get all the little stuff we were missing--like the spoon rest my bf says is so important. I personally can live without a spoon rest but hey, if i can make him happy with $3, I will.
Topics to post on run through my head every day but I don't ever seem to get the time, between work, bf, and setting everything up.
I'm working on that, I promise!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Vacation!
I'm on vacation, I'm on vacation, I'm on vacation! I love it. Today I made the grand decision to not get out of my pajamas. For anything. the rest of the weekend is going to be alot of getting ready for my friends' wedding on Saturday, her brunch on Sunday, and flying out Sunday afternoon, so I'm taking this time to just. do. nothing.
Right now I'm at home, letting my mom and dad and sister cook for me and hug and love on me as much as I can handle. It's fabulous. Home is like a good shot in the arm sometimes--I need it.
I must be terribly sleep deprived, though--I've been sleeping 12+ hours every night!! This is a very good respite for my soul and body. I needed it pretty badly, what with moving and work and all the etceteras that are going on with me right now.
So this feeling is what I'm saving up for so desperately in my retirement--the freedom and joy to spend as much time as I need to feel healthy, happy, and whole. What can I say, except for "Ahhhhh!"?
Right now I'm at home, letting my mom and dad and sister cook for me and hug and love on me as much as I can handle. It's fabulous. Home is like a good shot in the arm sometimes--I need it.
I must be terribly sleep deprived, though--I've been sleeping 12+ hours every night!! This is a very good respite for my soul and body. I needed it pretty badly, what with moving and work and all the etceteras that are going on with me right now.
So this feeling is what I'm saving up for so desperately in my retirement--the freedom and joy to spend as much time as I need to feel healthy, happy, and whole. What can I say, except for "Ahhhhh!"?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
A mention...
I was listed as one of the 100 most inspirational personal finance stories! by credit card lowdown. See #71.
Sense to Dollars: The writer behind Sense to Dollars had $11,000 dollars in debt and remarks that “sadly, student loans only accounted for $3,500 of that.” She had no family safety net to fall back on. Nonetheless, she persevered and learned to enjoy the thrill of paying off her credit cards and has finally “vanquished the debt monster.” She’s investing in her retirement and has built up a substantial emergency savings.
Thank you, Budgeting Babe, for the tip.
Sense to Dollars: The writer behind Sense to Dollars had $11,000 dollars in debt and remarks that “sadly, student loans only accounted for $3,500 of that.” She had no family safety net to fall back on. Nonetheless, she persevered and learned to enjoy the thrill of paying off her credit cards and has finally “vanquished the debt monster.” She’s investing in her retirement and has built up a substantial emergency savings.
Thank you, Budgeting Babe, for the tip.
New York City!
Hey, I've been busy for the past week or so--my boyfriend's birthday was last week, i moved to a new apartment, I fell ill for a few days, and I was prepping for my vacation starting last Saturday.
There's always an excuse, but...yeah. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
The bf and I went to The Melting Pot for dinner last week, which, if you haven't gone yet, Go. it is really fun and really yummy! Fondue is just so much fun...but it is expensive (think $65-75 per person with drinks, cheese, salad, entree, and dessert courses). Luckily, I still had a health and safety reward from my company--$100 for dinner at the place of my choice, so I ended up paying $50 for an awesome birthday dinner for him. I got him two tix to Avenue Q, which is supposed to be really funny. I hope he takes me...
Unfortunately, his mom is really ill right now and her breast cancer has spread to her liver and spine. They just discovered an air pocket in her intestines, and they can't operate due to her poor condition. This is bad...really bad. I don't know when I'm going to see him again, since I left for vacation on Saturday.
I've been in NYC since Saturday!! I visited my two best friends from college who are living there as a doctor and lawyer. Needless to say, they are used to spending money freely, so I ended up going to the ATM a couple of times to get more cash.
The first night, we went clubbin'. totally fun, totally great. Another girl who I went to school with is in NYC for the summer, so we hooked up with her and danced and drank the night away. Tribe on St. Marks Place has a great DJ who mashes like, Tom Petty's freefallin' with Kelis' Milkshake. It is the perfect place to go for dancing. We then ended up at some gay bar nearby playing video poker. Not sure how that happened.
The next day, I was jet-lagged, hungover and tired from my travel and busy work-week, so I ended up sleeping for half of the day. Which was all-as-well because the Puerto Rican Day Parade took over the city. Apparently, it's a pretty scary thing, as my friend described being stuck in it and being threatened and called nasty names because he was white. We went to Tomkins Sq. Park and ate a yummy italian dinner in the East Village with one of my friends' friends ($50). Afterward, I went to a friends' tiny apt. ($2200/mo for a 400 sq ft studio!!) and sang some amazing American Idol karaoke. After making it to the semi-finals but eventually being cut by Simon, I hightailed it home ($20 cab ride to the Upper East Side).
The next day, I did the Statue of Liberty ferry thing (verdict: not worth it unless you can get those timed passes into the monument)--I'd recommend just taking a ferry around Manhattan instead of doing the Ellis Island/Liberty Island thing. It's just too touristy, even on weekdays now, which is when I went. Too many lines, too hot, too much time...and not worth it once you get to the islands. I was going to look up my ancestors, but apparently you can only look them up if they emigrated 1892-1924 at Ellis Island. Before 1890, immigrants came through Castle Clinton on the southern tip of Manhattan. Why do they only have searchable records from 1892 and beyond? A-nnoying ($10 for a 6-ride subway pass, $6 for water and a hot dog from a cart--ew--i know, but I hadn't eaten that day at all and faced a 2 hour wait in line).
I guess it was good to see, but I'm not a history buff (even when relatives are involved, apparently), so I was more annoyed with the lines and people and heat/sun than impressed or awed by the monuments.
but, the ferry rides were fun--and good views of Manhattan.
We ate dinner that night after watching some Sunset Tan and Little Beauty Pageant special. WTF are parents doing putting make-up on their 4 year old?! Fascinating and disgusting. Dinner was $30 for me, as I was feeling the pinch of the previous night.
Amazingly, in New York you are not allowed to take leftovers home from a restaurant. I had half my plate left, and my waiter took it, plonked another plate on my food, and went about his business. I was offended, shocked, and insulted as I asked my friends, "Why didn't he ask me if I wanted to take that home??" My friend replied that in NYC, people eat out for dinner every night, so waiters don't even think to ask. I can't hang in NYC, obviously--that meal would have lasted me two more dinners at home!!!
The next day was amazing--I met my friend in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. If you want to see some awesome post-ironic hipsters (and really, really cute shops), take the L train to Brooklyn and get off on the second stop. It is really cute, and a great break from the city. We ate at Planet Thailand, which is supposedly an uber-trendy restaurant. Cheap, too ($22 for two people, including drinks). It had amazing food, but not much to offer as far as hipster-viewing at lunch. Go at dinner and you're sure to see better stuff. You can spot hipsters by their shoes.
After, we were caught in a rainstorm and headed over to CBGB's so I could get a souvenir of Punk Rock's origins. Very cool--and the rest of the East Village is trendy, too.
Then, on to the Museum of Natural History and a stroll through Central Park. Both of these are must-do's. MNH's admission is "suggested" which means you flash whatever available cash you have and hand that to the cashier, getting some attitude if you are under the suggested $14 price, but whatever. The ticket looks the same whether you paid full-price or not.
Central Park is awesome, a bastion of quiet and peace in the middle of the bustling city. It's huge, green, and beautiful.
Last night we were exhuasted so we ordered pizza in--one of the best things about the city. There's always something open and cheap.
And today I caught exhibitions at the Whitney and the Met before I headed to La Guardia for my trip to Virginia for a wedding. The psychedelic art exhibition at the Whitney is awesome.
I didn't get to do half the stuff I wanted to do there...hmmm. I'll have to go back. Guess I'll have to start saving up again! That crap is expensive!!!
There's always an excuse, but...yeah. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
The bf and I went to The Melting Pot for dinner last week, which, if you haven't gone yet, Go. it is really fun and really yummy! Fondue is just so much fun...but it is expensive (think $65-75 per person with drinks, cheese, salad, entree, and dessert courses). Luckily, I still had a health and safety reward from my company--$100 for dinner at the place of my choice, so I ended up paying $50 for an awesome birthday dinner for him. I got him two tix to Avenue Q, which is supposed to be really funny. I hope he takes me...
Unfortunately, his mom is really ill right now and her breast cancer has spread to her liver and spine. They just discovered an air pocket in her intestines, and they can't operate due to her poor condition. This is bad...really bad. I don't know when I'm going to see him again, since I left for vacation on Saturday.
I've been in NYC since Saturday!! I visited my two best friends from college who are living there as a doctor and lawyer. Needless to say, they are used to spending money freely, so I ended up going to the ATM a couple of times to get more cash.
The first night, we went clubbin'. totally fun, totally great. Another girl who I went to school with is in NYC for the summer, so we hooked up with her and danced and drank the night away. Tribe on St. Marks Place has a great DJ who mashes like, Tom Petty's freefallin' with Kelis' Milkshake. It is the perfect place to go for dancing. We then ended up at some gay bar nearby playing video poker. Not sure how that happened.
The next day, I was jet-lagged, hungover and tired from my travel and busy work-week, so I ended up sleeping for half of the day. Which was all-as-well because the Puerto Rican Day Parade took over the city. Apparently, it's a pretty scary thing, as my friend described being stuck in it and being threatened and called nasty names because he was white. We went to Tomkins Sq. Park and ate a yummy italian dinner in the East Village with one of my friends' friends ($50). Afterward, I went to a friends' tiny apt. ($2200/mo for a 400 sq ft studio!!) and sang some amazing American Idol karaoke. After making it to the semi-finals but eventually being cut by Simon, I hightailed it home ($20 cab ride to the Upper East Side).
The next day, I did the Statue of Liberty ferry thing (verdict: not worth it unless you can get those timed passes into the monument)--I'd recommend just taking a ferry around Manhattan instead of doing the Ellis Island/Liberty Island thing. It's just too touristy, even on weekdays now, which is when I went. Too many lines, too hot, too much time...and not worth it once you get to the islands. I was going to look up my ancestors, but apparently you can only look them up if they emigrated 1892-1924 at Ellis Island. Before 1890, immigrants came through Castle Clinton on the southern tip of Manhattan. Why do they only have searchable records from 1892 and beyond? A-nnoying ($10 for a 6-ride subway pass, $6 for water and a hot dog from a cart--ew--i know, but I hadn't eaten that day at all and faced a 2 hour wait in line).
I guess it was good to see, but I'm not a history buff (even when relatives are involved, apparently), so I was more annoyed with the lines and people and heat/sun than impressed or awed by the monuments.
but, the ferry rides were fun--and good views of Manhattan.
We ate dinner that night after watching some Sunset Tan and Little Beauty Pageant special. WTF are parents doing putting make-up on their 4 year old?! Fascinating and disgusting. Dinner was $30 for me, as I was feeling the pinch of the previous night.
Amazingly, in New York you are not allowed to take leftovers home from a restaurant. I had half my plate left, and my waiter took it, plonked another plate on my food, and went about his business. I was offended, shocked, and insulted as I asked my friends, "Why didn't he ask me if I wanted to take that home??" My friend replied that in NYC, people eat out for dinner every night, so waiters don't even think to ask. I can't hang in NYC, obviously--that meal would have lasted me two more dinners at home!!!
The next day was amazing--I met my friend in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. If you want to see some awesome post-ironic hipsters (and really, really cute shops), take the L train to Brooklyn and get off on the second stop. It is really cute, and a great break from the city. We ate at Planet Thailand, which is supposedly an uber-trendy restaurant. Cheap, too ($22 for two people, including drinks). It had amazing food, but not much to offer as far as hipster-viewing at lunch. Go at dinner and you're sure to see better stuff. You can spot hipsters by their shoes.
After, we were caught in a rainstorm and headed over to CBGB's so I could get a souvenir of Punk Rock's origins. Very cool--and the rest of the East Village is trendy, too.
Then, on to the Museum of Natural History and a stroll through Central Park. Both of these are must-do's. MNH's admission is "suggested" which means you flash whatever available cash you have and hand that to the cashier, getting some attitude if you are under the suggested $14 price, but whatever. The ticket looks the same whether you paid full-price or not.
Central Park is awesome, a bastion of quiet and peace in the middle of the bustling city. It's huge, green, and beautiful.
Last night we were exhuasted so we ordered pizza in--one of the best things about the city. There's always something open and cheap.
And today I caught exhibitions at the Whitney and the Met before I headed to La Guardia for my trip to Virginia for a wedding. The psychedelic art exhibition at the Whitney is awesome.
I didn't get to do half the stuff I wanted to do there...hmmm. I'll have to go back. Guess I'll have to start saving up again! That crap is expensive!!!
Monday, June 04, 2007
State of the Moolah Address, June 07 Triptych
(greater than the sum of its parts)
Checking: $3154.16 (minus $830 rent; $120 electricity; $215 REI bill); must pay $1500 rent in July (paying my bf's rent to pay him back for paying my portion of the security deposit)
401(K): $6,128
Roth IRA: $837
Total Retirement Fun (12/22/06): $3,485.99
Total Retirement Fun (2/07): $4,479
Total Retirement Fun (3/07): $5,820
Total Retirement Fun: $ 6,965
Total Emergency Savings (09/09/06): $2,035
Checking: $3154.16 (minus $830 rent; $120 electricity; $215 REI bill); must pay $1500 rent in July (paying my bf's rent to pay him back for paying my portion of the security deposit)
401(K): $6,128
Roth IRA: $837
Total Retirement Fun (12/22/06): $3,485.99
Total Retirement Fun (2/07): $4,479
Total Retirement Fun (3/07): $5,820
Total Retirement Fun: $ 6,965
Total Emergency Savings (09/09/06): $2,035
Total Emergency Savings (10/14/06): $2,583
Total Emergency Savings (11/19/06): $2,977
Total Emergency Savings (12/22/06): $3,225.97
Total Emergency Savings (2/07): $4,260.16
Total Emergency Savings (3/07): $6,750
Total Emergency Savings (HSBC): $7,815
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