$52.74 groceries.
budget update coming in the next few days...
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
What I Told A Beginning Investor
I peruse MSN Money message boards from time to time, and there was a woman on the Women in Red board, 41 years of age, asking how to start investing in a Roth IRA, preferably on a monthly basis. Apparently, she and her husband hadn't a dime saved for retirement yet! Although they had no debt and a healthy amount of equity in their home, they were going to be in big trouble if they didn't start saving soon. Here's what I wrote her:
Several companies allow you to make monthly investments--I'm with T. Rowe Price for my Roth IRA, and they allow you to deposit a minimum of $50 every month. I'm 29, so I'm invested in an aggressive mix of an International Equity index fund and an Equity Index 500 fund--they are no-load funds, have very low expense ratios (~.5%), but do have a quarterly fee of $2.50 for each fund (because they are index funds and therefore do not need to be managed). They also charge an annual fee of $10 per fund for maintaining the account, since my balance is below $5,000 in each fund. Notice that I can rattle these numbers off the top of my head--please be aware of where you are putting your money, and all the pitfalls of investing where you are investing.
Basically, since you are starting out with investing, the general advice is to start out in no-load mutual funds (this means that the fund doesn't charge you a fee for buying the shares of the fund, nor do they charge you to cash them in). The funds that are 'loaded' are also called "Class A," "Class B," or "Class C" load funds. For now, as a beginner, you should avoid these like the plague. I've read about instances where these funds are ok, but they aren't for you right now.
Go to a low cost brokerage like T. Rowe Price, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade, dozens of others...I'm sure other people on here have suggestions. I opened my Roth IRA online in about a half hour.
The important thing is to get started. Knowledge (and hopefully money!) will follow. You'll need a few years to play with your investments and figure out your game plan. You can't do this from the sidelines very easily.
Also, you should look for funds with low expense ratios (under ~1% or so). These are basically the 'operating costs' of managing the fund, and are taken out of any dividends or profit you would make for investing in the fund. You can see why the lower these are, the better for you.
I like index funds because they are no muss, no fuss for an early investor. You don't have to sit there and figure out which stocks are likely to go up or down--these funds follow the general trend of the market. I read somewhere (reputable) that the stock market has returned an average of 10-12% since the 1920's. The past performance is no guarantee of future performance, but I'd be happy with 12%! In contrast, several studies have shown that 95% of actively managed funds (the manager sells and buys stocks for the fund based on his market analysis) don't outperform index funds. Why pay more for something that probably won't net more money?
Watch the fees: management fees for funds, fees for index funds, low balance account fees--they all add up. However, just because a fund is no-load, has low expense ratios, and no fees, does NOT mean you should put your money in it. Make sure to research the fund and find something with a solid history of good performance, and funds that have been around a while and have a past--even index funds...they are made to mimic the market, but they aren't guaranteed to follow it exactly and there are bound to be adjustments as the fund gets older.
Anyway, you don't have to take my word for it. You should check out Morningstar.com for funds that fit you and your goals, and to check out their expense ratios, past performances, and overall morningstar rating. You'll also probably want a less aggressive mix of funds.
I know this is alot, but start looking these terms up, and it will start making sense.
***Disclaimer: I'm not a financial advisor, but this is what I have learned the past few years. Everybody, please feel free to dispute/correct my advice.****
Several companies allow you to make monthly investments--I'm with T. Rowe Price for my Roth IRA, and they allow you to deposit a minimum of $50 every month. I'm 29, so I'm invested in an aggressive mix of an International Equity index fund and an Equity Index 500 fund--they are no-load funds, have very low expense ratios (~.5%), but do have a quarterly fee of $2.50 for each fund (because they are index funds and therefore do not need to be managed). They also charge an annual fee of $10 per fund for maintaining the account, since my balance is below $5,000 in each fund. Notice that I can rattle these numbers off the top of my head--please be aware of where you are putting your money, and all the pitfalls of investing where you are investing.
Basically, since you are starting out with investing, the general advice is to start out in no-load mutual funds (this means that the fund doesn't charge you a fee for buying the shares of the fund, nor do they charge you to cash them in). The funds that are 'loaded' are also called "Class A," "Class B," or "Class C" load funds. For now, as a beginner, you should avoid these like the plague. I've read about instances where these funds are ok, but they aren't for you right now.
Go to a low cost brokerage like T. Rowe Price, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade, dozens of others...I'm sure other people on here have suggestions. I opened my Roth IRA online in about a half hour.
The important thing is to get started. Knowledge (and hopefully money!) will follow. You'll need a few years to play with your investments and figure out your game plan. You can't do this from the sidelines very easily.
Also, you should look for funds with low expense ratios (under ~1% or so). These are basically the 'operating costs' of managing the fund, and are taken out of any dividends or profit you would make for investing in the fund. You can see why the lower these are, the better for you.
I like index funds because they are no muss, no fuss for an early investor. You don't have to sit there and figure out which stocks are likely to go up or down--these funds follow the general trend of the market. I read somewhere (reputable) that the stock market has returned an average of 10-12% since the 1920's. The past performance is no guarantee of future performance, but I'd be happy with 12%! In contrast, several studies have shown that 95% of actively managed funds (the manager sells and buys stocks for the fund based on his market analysis) don't outperform index funds. Why pay more for something that probably won't net more money?
Watch the fees: management fees for funds, fees for index funds, low balance account fees--they all add up. However, just because a fund is no-load, has low expense ratios, and no fees, does NOT mean you should put your money in it. Make sure to research the fund and find something with a solid history of good performance, and funds that have been around a while and have a past--even index funds...they are made to mimic the market, but they aren't guaranteed to follow it exactly and there are bound to be adjustments as the fund gets older.
Anyway, you don't have to take my word for it. You should check out Morningstar.com for funds that fit you and your goals, and to check out their expense ratios, past performances, and overall morningstar rating. You'll also probably want a less aggressive mix of funds.
I know this is alot, but start looking these terms up, and it will start making sense.
***Disclaimer: I'm not a financial advisor, but this is what I have learned the past few years. Everybody, please feel free to dispute/correct my advice.****
You Decide My Money's Fate!
My poll is going to be up for 6 more days. I really want to know what you all think!
No spending today so far...and I think I'm going to be too tired to do any tonight.
(Wrong: I spent $6 on dinner, $15 on movies, and another $3 on snacks...ugh)
No spending today so far...and I think I'm going to be too tired to do any tonight.
(Wrong: I spent $6 on dinner, $15 on movies, and another $3 on snacks...ugh)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tell Me What To Do With My Money Poll!
As you may have noticed, I have some progress bars to the left of my page. I heart them, as they are B-E-A-yootiful. (thank you for the code template, Wanda!)
I had my 6 month emergency fund ($9000) and new car fund ($6000) funded a couple of months ago when I started school--all a big net to catch me and support me while I was in school. But as you may have noticed, I haven't had to dip into it yet--and I've had a big month this month, with anniversary presents, a brake job, and 3/4 of my Christmas shopping done. As I only have two more weeks of my fall semester, and I have more than a month off to work full-time between semesters, it's not likely that I will need to dip into it! What better news than that?!
I have been saving about $100/mo in my savings account, as well as earning interest. So now I'm faced with a dilemma--with my emergency fund well funded, new car fund well funded, what should I do with this overage of $700?
I have faithfully been contributing to my Roth IRA at $100/mo., but I'm not going to make the max before April 08, at this rate. Should I put all the extra money into my Roth?
It is almost Christmas time. Should I spend that money on something extra fabulous for myself or someone else?
Should I add that 'extra' money to my monthly budget?
Or should I do nothing and let that money gain interest in my savings account in case there is a bad month and I need the $$?
I'm too close to it, so I'm taking a poll-SEE TOP LEFT.
I had my 6 month emergency fund ($9000) and new car fund ($6000) funded a couple of months ago when I started school--all a big net to catch me and support me while I was in school. But as you may have noticed, I haven't had to dip into it yet--and I've had a big month this month, with anniversary presents, a brake job, and 3/4 of my Christmas shopping done. As I only have two more weeks of my fall semester, and I have more than a month off to work full-time between semesters, it's not likely that I will need to dip into it! What better news than that?!
I have been saving about $100/mo in my savings account, as well as earning interest. So now I'm faced with a dilemma--with my emergency fund well funded, new car fund well funded, what should I do with this overage of $700?
I have faithfully been contributing to my Roth IRA at $100/mo., but I'm not going to make the max before April 08, at this rate. Should I put all the extra money into my Roth?
It is almost Christmas time. Should I spend that money on something extra fabulous for myself or someone else?
Should I add that 'extra' money to my monthly budget?
Or should I do nothing and let that money gain interest in my savings account in case there is a bad month and I need the $$?
I'm too close to it, so I'm taking a poll-SEE TOP LEFT.
Update on My Classmate
I found out today that my classmate that I posted about here is going to be fine. A couple of my other classmates are going to get a house with her, and one of the classmates' fathers is going to cover the first/last months rent and security deposit.
A) Must be nice to have a dad that can (and will) do that.
B) It's great to have friends like that.
C) I love happy endings, especially around Christmastime.
A) Must be nice to have a dad that can (and will) do that.
B) It's great to have friends like that.
C) I love happy endings, especially around Christmastime.
AghBlah
I woke up VERY late today for class, resulting in the titled feeling for the rest of the day. Not fun. It's all good, though--I borrowed notes from some people to catch up on the first half of class, and made it in plenty of time for the lab associated with the class.
I WILL be spending some $$ today if I find papaya seed dressing at Trader Joe's. I have some homemade from a mix kind, and it is the yummiest stuff I've ever tasted on a salad.
Looking at the raw data, I've blown my budget for the month, but I feel like I didn't do TOO badly, since $140 of it was a present, another $130 was fixing brakes, and another $140 was Christmas presents. The margin of error is about $125, which should be covered by the cushion in my checking account. It was all worth it in my world...I hope next month isn't the same, but it's ok if this month is a little off.
I just transferred $215 to my savings account today, too, so even though I'm off by $125, I still managed to save about $85 this month. Oh! and counting purchases made with gift cards and my mad money (coins and the stash of about $200 I have in my wallet that is not counted in my net worth/any accounts), I came UNDER what I earned by about $7. Boo-yah. My cushions are saving my budget.
I WILL be spending some $$ today if I find papaya seed dressing at Trader Joe's. I have some homemade from a mix kind, and it is the yummiest stuff I've ever tasted on a salad.
Looking at the raw data, I've blown my budget for the month, but I feel like I didn't do TOO badly, since $140 of it was a present, another $130 was fixing brakes, and another $140 was Christmas presents. The margin of error is about $125, which should be covered by the cushion in my checking account. It was all worth it in my world...I hope next month isn't the same, but it's ok if this month is a little off.
I just transferred $215 to my savings account today, too, so even though I'm off by $125, I still managed to save about $85 this month. Oh! and counting purchases made with gift cards and my mad money (coins and the stash of about $200 I have in my wallet that is not counted in my net worth/any accounts), I came UNDER what I earned by about $7. Boo-yah. My cushions are saving my budget.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
spending...
$21.62 Groceries for the week...
Returned $28.02, spent $28.19 (all on a gift card)...random items (socks, snacks, cards for secretaries at work, tape, etc...)
I could use an extra day to recover from my 5 days off. Luckily, Christmas break will be here in less than a month!
Two weeks of class left, then a week of finals, then a full week of work. It seems like there's always more stuff to hurry up.
Returned $28.02, spent $28.19 (all on a gift card)...random items (socks, snacks, cards for secretaries at work, tape, etc...)
I could use an extra day to recover from my 5 days off. Luckily, Christmas break will be here in less than a month!
Two weeks of class left, then a week of finals, then a full week of work. It seems like there's always more stuff to hurry up.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Xtreme Xmas
I, miraculously, did 3/4 of my holiday shopping last night on Amazon (i heart free super saver shipping!). I had budgeted $400 for 4 people--and I have presents on the way for 3 of those people, and came in under budget by about ten bucks. Here's how it breaks down:
Present money:
$150 AMEX award points
$50 cashback credit card points
$56.58 for a return causing a credit to a cc
~$18.80 from FSA
$115.87 from fatwallet
$10 bonus for referring boyfriend to ING DIRECT
That totals approximately $401.35. All of the $$ is in my hands, save the AMEX gift cards.
Last night I bought for my family:
Mom--
-gold hoop earrings, $29.00
-a gold cross pendant, $47.21
-Hoyle 2008 card games for PC, $19.99
-Carol King CD, Tapestry, $4.99
Dad--
-Home Depot gift card, $50
-learn how to type CD for PC, $24.99
-computer basics for beginners book, $14.99
My sister--
-shopping spree at the place of her choice while I'm in town, $100
Total: $291.17. All has free shipping except for the gold cross (price includes shipping here).
So, now I have to get a present for boyfriend, for about $110. What in the world can I get him? we'll have to talk about ideas...I don't want to get him something he wouldn't want.
On another note, I'm thinking seriously about CD laddering, esp. in light of the crazy rate cutting going on...
Present money:
$150 AMEX award points
$50 cashback credit card points
$56.58 for a return causing a credit to a cc
~$18.80 from FSA
$115.87 from fatwallet
$10 bonus for referring boyfriend to ING DIRECT
That totals approximately $401.35. All of the $$ is in my hands, save the AMEX gift cards.
Last night I bought for my family:
Mom--
-gold hoop earrings, $29.00
-a gold cross pendant, $47.21
-Hoyle 2008 card games for PC, $19.99
-Carol King CD, Tapestry, $4.99
Dad--
-Home Depot gift card, $50
-learn how to type CD for PC, $24.99
-computer basics for beginners book, $14.99
My sister--
-shopping spree at the place of her choice while I'm in town, $100
Total: $291.17. All has free shipping except for the gold cross (price includes shipping here).
So, now I have to get a present for boyfriend, for about $110. What in the world can I get him? we'll have to talk about ideas...I don't want to get him something he wouldn't want.
On another note, I'm thinking seriously about CD laddering, esp. in light of the crazy rate cutting going on...
Friday, November 23, 2007
Giving Thanks.
I am thankful for:
my memories of my dear departed grandparents, and all the wonderful memories they gave me.
my mom, dad, sister, my crazy cousins, and the rest of my family who are still alive.
the touching friendships I've made through the years, especially the one that changed my life forever.
that I'm smart, motivated, funny, and talented enough to get the life that I want.
this blog and everyone who decides to read some of my self-centered obsessive rants.
all the other pf bloggers out there who make it possible to spend a half hour a day reading about their lives.
that even though I'm 3000 miles away from my family today, I spent the day with several other friends and families who kindly took me in.
This one's for you, my dear grandparents. Thank you for all the wonderful Thanksgivings you provided, and for being in my life.
my memories of my dear departed grandparents, and all the wonderful memories they gave me.
my mom, dad, sister, my crazy cousins, and the rest of my family who are still alive.
the touching friendships I've made through the years, especially the one that changed my life forever.
that I'm smart, motivated, funny, and talented enough to get the life that I want.
this blog and everyone who decides to read some of my self-centered obsessive rants.
all the other pf bloggers out there who make it possible to spend a half hour a day reading about their lives.
that even though I'm 3000 miles away from my family today, I spent the day with several other friends and families who kindly took me in.
This one's for you, my dear grandparents. Thank you for all the wonderful Thanksgivings you provided, and for being in my life.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Well, That Sucks.
I slept in today because my class was cancelled and work is very slow, after gloriously staying up late to re-read a Sedaris book I recently added to my collection. There are only a few books I bother to actually buy and own, and this book is one of them. I love staying up late, but that meant I had less time to do my errands today.
I went to my first stop of the day, the ONLY full serve gas station in a 200 mile radius. I miraculously discovered it unwittingly when I lived two blocks away in my first living situation here. I needed to get my tires filled with air pretty desperately, since I ran over a curb the other foggy night trying to avoid a car that braked suddenly to avoid another car. The plan was to get my fluids/tires checked/refilled for free (I knew a guy there from when I lived there), then go on to Midas to get my oil changed and tires rotated and balanced. However, at the service station, they said I had NO OIL and I couldn't drive any further without causing damage. So, I let them change the oil and rotate and balance the tires. It turned out to be 8 bucks more than what Midas would charge me. Plus, the guy I knew there doesn't work there anymore and I had to get gas to get them to check everything out in the first place.
So:
$29 gas
$69 Car maintenance--oil changed and tires balanced and rotated
While I was waiting for my car, I got plastic cups for my Thanksgiving hostess--
$6 misc.
Also, I now have more work to do on my car. They said my front brakes needed replacing. I have gotten the brakes replaced in the last three years at Midas, and they have a life-time warranty on them, so I decided to go to Midas on Friday to get them replaced. I'll also get my car cleaned out and vacuumed at a nearby place afterward. My car is getting gross and it desperately needs it. My family is coming mid-January, so hopefully the cleanliness will last until then.
You all have a great Thanksgiving!!
I went to my first stop of the day, the ONLY full serve gas station in a 200 mile radius. I miraculously discovered it unwittingly when I lived two blocks away in my first living situation here. I needed to get my tires filled with air pretty desperately, since I ran over a curb the other foggy night trying to avoid a car that braked suddenly to avoid another car. The plan was to get my fluids/tires checked/refilled for free (I knew a guy there from when I lived there), then go on to Midas to get my oil changed and tires rotated and balanced. However, at the service station, they said I had NO OIL and I couldn't drive any further without causing damage. So, I let them change the oil and rotate and balance the tires. It turned out to be 8 bucks more than what Midas would charge me. Plus, the guy I knew there doesn't work there anymore and I had to get gas to get them to check everything out in the first place.
So:
$29 gas
$69 Car maintenance--oil changed and tires balanced and rotated
While I was waiting for my car, I got plastic cups for my Thanksgiving hostess--
$6 misc.
Also, I now have more work to do on my car. They said my front brakes needed replacing. I have gotten the brakes replaced in the last three years at Midas, and they have a life-time warranty on them, so I decided to go to Midas on Friday to get them replaced. I'll also get my car cleaned out and vacuumed at a nearby place afterward. My car is getting gross and it desperately needs it. My family is coming mid-January, so hopefully the cleanliness will last until then.
You all have a great Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wanting to Give...
There is a girl in one of my classes: she's smart, she's outgoing, she's one of the nicest people I've met in a while, but she is having a really hard time. I can't say that I know the whole story, but I do know a few things--she's sleeping on her friend's floor, she's maxed out her student loans, she's a senior about to graduate next spring, she's taking a full load AND holding down a part time job making about $15/hr, working the one full day she has left over after classes every week. Working on the weekends is not an option because we have field trips every weekend for our class. The problem is, the friend who's floor she is sleeping on is keen on getting her out...and she doesn't have the money to do so.
She's bewildered as to what to do. She'll be fine after January, when her loans come in, but between now and then, what should she do?? Oh, and she's in her lower 30's, divorced, and spent the little money she had left after her husband left her paying her mom's medical bills...her mom died recently. Her dad lives ten states away and can't help her out financially. She doesn't have the money to come up with first/last month's rent and security deposit.
What in the world can a person do in this situation except for rely on the kindness of her friends?? I would totally offer her my couch for a few weeks if I thought my BF wouldn't go crazy--plus our place is tiny. I still may offer her our place, with BF's permission, if both of us go away for Christmas week. I need someone to water my plants. :)
Actually, she's pretty lucky: this situation is very temporary--she'll be fine once her loans come in in about two months, and then after that she'll have the time to get a full-time job. It's just sad that there's nowhere for her to go right now. I feel so horrible for her, I wished I were rich enough to do a random act of kindness and send some $$ to her to get her started, like this lady does with her lotto winnings.
She's bewildered as to what to do. She'll be fine after January, when her loans come in, but between now and then, what should she do?? Oh, and she's in her lower 30's, divorced, and spent the little money she had left after her husband left her paying her mom's medical bills...her mom died recently. Her dad lives ten states away and can't help her out financially. She doesn't have the money to come up with first/last month's rent and security deposit.
What in the world can a person do in this situation except for rely on the kindness of her friends?? I would totally offer her my couch for a few weeks if I thought my BF wouldn't go crazy--plus our place is tiny. I still may offer her our place, with BF's permission, if both of us go away for Christmas week. I need someone to water my plants. :)
Actually, she's pretty lucky: this situation is very temporary--she'll be fine once her loans come in in about two months, and then after that she'll have the time to get a full-time job. It's just sad that there's nowhere for her to go right now. I feel so horrible for her, I wished I were rich enough to do a random act of kindness and send some $$ to her to get her started, like this lady does with her lotto winnings.
New, Improved Taste!
I've redone my page a bit--new colors mostly. I lost all my links when I switched over (it was an accident; I'm such a newbie at webpage reorganization), so if you were inadvertantly left off, please let me know.
I also added a bunch more links to websites that I peruse nearly daily. Love you guys!!
Let me know what you think!
I also added a bunch more links to websites that I peruse nearly daily. Love you guys!!
Let me know what you think!
Splenda
$10.08 Gas
$43.85 Groceries (supplies for my Omi's famous mac n cheese, and more banana bread!)
The boyfriend dilemma is resolved--I hope. He decided he didn't want to deal with the details (which I already knew), didn't want to deal with paying the bills (knew that too), and I should just do what I've been doing--write him a rent check for my half, less the amount he owed me for the bills (yeah, my original suggestion. Guess he just had to come up with it on his own after dealing with the details of paying the bills!). So...my rent for this month is $550!
$43.85 Groceries (supplies for my Omi's famous mac n cheese, and more banana bread!)
The boyfriend dilemma is resolved--I hope. He decided he didn't want to deal with the details (which I already knew), didn't want to deal with paying the bills (knew that too), and I should just do what I've been doing--write him a rent check for my half, less the amount he owed me for the bills (yeah, my original suggestion. Guess he just had to come up with it on his own after dealing with the details of paying the bills!). So...my rent for this month is $550!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday/Monday Spending
$22.81 Groceries ($12.12 on gift card)
BF bought me a ticket to his sister's wedding next January for my anniv. present. yay!
$25 to the Fire Relief Fund (charity) on Monday
BF bought me a ticket to his sister's wedding next January for my anniv. present. yay!
$25 to the Fire Relief Fund (charity) on Monday
Me-Spending
Friday is my only day off from school during the week, therefore I should go into work all day instead. What usually happens is that I get in enough hours during the rest of the week that I don't feel I need to go in (for $$, anyway), unless there's a big project going on. So, on Friday, I woke up ten minutes before the concert tix were to go on sale and bought the tix!! It was around $97 total but BF will pay me back for his ticket. That makes me hate ticketbastard, 'cause the tickets were REALLY $37 but I ended up paying $13 extra for their stupid fees and such.
~$50 concert
Saturday I had a field trip, yet again. This field trip wasn't nearly as brutal as last week's. However, I'm coming down with something causing a sore throat, and one of my co-workers had pneumonia (sp?) recently. After our first big climb up a steep hill, I was dizzy, thought I was going to vomit, and couldn't catch my breath. I told the prof that I was going to have to sit in the van for the rest of the day if I felt any worse. Luckily, we hiked up near the vans next, and I felt better, so I trekked on. I was tired at the end of the day, but proud of myself for continuing on even though I was feeling subpar. The prof said he was impressed, and I know I got some respect for that, so I'm pretty happy. Plus the contact between the two types of rock on my map was not too bad, and I gained an extra credit point for knowing where we were on the map, bringing my total test grade to 100.5! We walked back 3 miles to the vans on the road and I had a good conversation with some people in my class, which continued on for another hour and a half while riding in the van back to school. Most of my friends in my city have moved away, so I don't get much social interaction anymore, and it felt GREAT! to talk to people who listened and are new and are interested in getting to know me. Life has been lacking that lately.
Anyway, as luck would have it, my BF was in a good mood when I got back from my field trip (that is a rare occurrence these days--his mom just died), and we had fun being goofy and silly. This has continued on to this morning. No money was spent on Saturday, but it was one of the best days in a while that I can remember.
Oh! but I did get paid on Saturday--around $950. That brings my total earned income for November to $1701.31. That is plenty, if I'm good for the rest of the month. :)
Also, despite my worries about my pulmonary test last week, I was approved for field work. So that's another worry off my brow.
~$50 concert
Saturday I had a field trip, yet again. This field trip wasn't nearly as brutal as last week's. However, I'm coming down with something causing a sore throat, and one of my co-workers had pneumonia (sp?) recently. After our first big climb up a steep hill, I was dizzy, thought I was going to vomit, and couldn't catch my breath. I told the prof that I was going to have to sit in the van for the rest of the day if I felt any worse. Luckily, we hiked up near the vans next, and I felt better, so I trekked on. I was tired at the end of the day, but proud of myself for continuing on even though I was feeling subpar. The prof said he was impressed, and I know I got some respect for that, so I'm pretty happy. Plus the contact between the two types of rock on my map was not too bad, and I gained an extra credit point for knowing where we were on the map, bringing my total test grade to 100.5! We walked back 3 miles to the vans on the road and I had a good conversation with some people in my class, which continued on for another hour and a half while riding in the van back to school. Most of my friends in my city have moved away, so I don't get much social interaction anymore, and it felt GREAT! to talk to people who listened and are new and are interested in getting to know me. Life has been lacking that lately.
Anyway, as luck would have it, my BF was in a good mood when I got back from my field trip (that is a rare occurrence these days--his mom just died), and we had fun being goofy and silly. This has continued on to this morning. No money was spent on Saturday, but it was one of the best days in a while that I can remember.
Oh! but I did get paid on Saturday--around $950. That brings my total earned income for November to $1701.31. That is plenty, if I'm good for the rest of the month. :)
Also, despite my worries about my pulmonary test last week, I was approved for field work. So that's another worry off my brow.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Lazy Thursday
Today is a lazy day. Boyfriend is out of town so I have the house to myself. I do have a big project at work to finish, but...that can wait until tonight. Right now I'm lazing about watching tv and perusing pf blogs. Ah...so nice. Later on I'll go through my notes from my classes to make a study guide and do my homework. I may buy a pizza and watch The Office. Yum!
pizza $9.65
I have to make a decision about attending the concert or not. Tix go on sale tomorrow at 10 am. Hmmm...$37 x 2. I probably will do it.
pizza $9.65
I have to make a decision about attending the concert or not. Tix go on sale tomorrow at 10 am. Hmmm...$37 x 2. I probably will do it.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Goal Update
This week's goals:
1) call Midas
2) call rent place
3) copy and send in form to get rest of my HSA moneys
4) make sure I receive us bank refund
5) November 13-14: check rewards balance; order $50 check from CC
6) November 13: order $115.87 from fatwallet!!
7) stick to weekly budget
8) go to swing class
9) work 20 hours
Still need to do 1 and 2.
#3,4,5, and 6 are done, garnering me about $250. Sweet.
#7: done so far.
#8: My BF and I basically are done with swing, for various reasons. Forcing ourselves to go to something that we ended up not really enjoying was becoming a burden. I don't know why it wasn't fun, it college it was great. $70 wasted...oh well. Live and learn. Scratch #8.
#9: I've already put in about 10 hours this week. I need to put in as much as I can Thurs and Fri.
Also, BF and I decided to go to a concert in December. Tix cost $37 for 5 or 6 good bands, so I'm stoked. It takes place the day after I finish my last final of the semester. Awesome.
Spending:
$63 at Target...all on gift cards (books, fruit bowl, and snacks). Call it an I'm bored splurge 'cause my BF's out of town for a grad school meeting. Bought some Sedaris books, which I've been thinking about buying for a while...Gift cards are fantasmic.
1) call Midas
2) call rent place
3) copy and send in form to get rest of my HSA moneys
4) make sure I receive us bank refund
5) November 13-14: check rewards balance; order $50 check from CC
6) November 13: order $115.87 from fatwallet!!
7) stick to weekly budget
8) go to swing class
9) work 20 hours
Still need to do 1 and 2.
#3,4,5, and 6 are done, garnering me about $250. Sweet.
#7: done so far.
#8: My BF and I basically are done with swing, for various reasons. Forcing ourselves to go to something that we ended up not really enjoying was becoming a burden. I don't know why it wasn't fun, it college it was great. $70 wasted...oh well. Live and learn. Scratch #8.
#9: I've already put in about 10 hours this week. I need to put in as much as I can Thurs and Fri.
Also, BF and I decided to go to a concert in December. Tix cost $37 for 5 or 6 good bands, so I'm stoked. It takes place the day after I finish my last final of the semester. Awesome.
Spending:
$63 at Target...all on gift cards (books, fruit bowl, and snacks). Call it an I'm bored splurge 'cause my BF's out of town for a grad school meeting. Bought some Sedaris books, which I've been thinking about buying for a while...Gift cards are fantasmic.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Over $200 for...nothing
I've been running my game for a while now--cashback and discounts for everything I buy, through fatwallet or ebates. Today, my last purchase went from pending to available, and my final tally is $115 and change. Suh-weet! I cashed it out today.
I received over $56 back from a credit card that I had a credit on for returning something. doesn't exactly count as money for nothing, but it's nice to have that coming to me.
My cashback credit card's statement period ended today and I've accumulated enough points to get $50! I'll order it tomorrow.
My paycheck should be fat, too--I've put in over 40 hours so far, and I have two more days to go. Good month...
I received over $56 back from a credit card that I had a credit on for returning something. doesn't exactly count as money for nothing, but it's nice to have that coming to me.
My cashback credit card's statement period ended today and I've accumulated enough points to get $50! I'll order it tomorrow.
My paycheck should be fat, too--I've put in over 40 hours so far, and I have two more days to go. Good month...
Tues spending
$27 gas
$12.88 groceries (on gift card): salad leaves, premade salad, feta cheese, one more frozen dinner (they are on a great sale!, my freezer is now full)
$12.88 groceries (on gift card): salad leaves, premade salad, feta cheese, one more frozen dinner (they are on a great sale!, my freezer is now full)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mo money mo money
$32.67 on groceries
Purchased 9 dinners, a chicken (3-4 dinners), potatoes, popcorn, and fruit.
Had the day off from school; went into work and added even more hours to my timesheet! Should make my budget even though I spent lots o $$ on my BF's anniversary present.
Purchased 9 dinners, a chicken (3-4 dinners), potatoes, popcorn, and fruit.
Had the day off from school; went into work and added even more hours to my timesheet! Should make my budget even though I spent lots o $$ on my BF's anniversary present.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Goals?
Here were my goals for last week:
1) study for tuesday exam every possible second on monday.
2) call midas for return $$ on Wednesday.
3) call Rent place; ask for $$ back Wednesday.
4) finish project for work by Friday.
5) spend only designated budget amounts for week--$31 misc; $43 groceries; $12 eating out; $20 gas for car
6) make it to swing dance class at 6:30 on tuesday even though I will be worn out and tired from my exam.
1) check; received 99.5 on exam!!
2) nope
3) nope
4) mostly; will be done Monday
5) Over on the misc; under for groceries and gas; broke even
6) check
Not so good. This week:
1) call Midas
2) call rent place
3) copy and send in form to get rest of my HSA moneys
4) make sure I receive us bank refund
5) November 13-14: check rewards balance; order $50 check from CC
6) November 13: order $115.87 from fatwallet!!
7) stick to weekly budget
8) go to swing class
9) work 20 hours
All of my goals are geared towards more income or making the best use of the money I already have/have spent.
1) study for tuesday exam every possible second on monday.
2) call midas for return $$ on Wednesday.
3) call Rent place; ask for $$ back Wednesday.
4) finish project for work by Friday.
5) spend only designated budget amounts for week--$31 misc; $43 groceries; $12 eating out; $20 gas for car
6) make it to swing dance class at 6:30 on tuesday even though I will be worn out and tired from my exam.
1) check; received 99.5 on exam!!
2) nope
3) nope
4) mostly; will be done Monday
5) Over on the misc; under for groceries and gas; broke even
6) check
Not so good. This week:
1) call Midas
2) call rent place
3) copy and send in form to get rest of my HSA moneys
4) make sure I receive us bank refund
5) November 13-14: check rewards balance; order $50 check from CC
6) November 13: order $115.87 from fatwallet!!
7) stick to weekly budget
8) go to swing class
9) work 20 hours
All of my goals are geared towards more income or making the best use of the money I already have/have spent.
Espending
$1 parking for annual physical Friday
$8 parking Saturday at school for field trip
$9.10 picked up Thai food for BF on Friday
$5.38 on gift card at Long's for card for BF and I's anniversary
$17.65 for snacks for BF on Thursday, b/c he was studying for exam
$140 TOOL tix for BF for anniversary
$20 for 4 movie rentals for anniversary Saturday
Most of my expenses the past few days have been for BF and the celebration of our first year together, I notice. I just hate making a big deal out of some of those things--they are just things I DO because I love him. Picking up and paying for the Thai food, for example--I was already out, it's on my way home, and he was at home. Picking up snacks for him because he's studying for his big exam and I'm on my way home from work anyway. Things like that. It seems dumb to come home and present him with a receipt to be reimbursed for, like we do at work. He hates details, and especially money details, it seems. I pay all the bills and keep track of how much he owes me on a spreadsheet. When I mention that he owes me money, he gets moody and belligerent--"why don't you just let me pay the bills?" he asks. Because he doesn't CARE. He'd get mad every time he'd have the hassle of paying them. That's why. It's for my own peace of mind AND it's for him, too.
The last time I presented him with the amount he owed me after a few months, instead of writing me a check for the amount (as calculated in rent money, he just paid more one month), he rounded off the amount to the nearest thousand and gave me that. So I ended up having to owe him money after that. We've now crossed into he owes me money again, and he got mad again when I mentioned it. It's wierd, because we have discussions where he is psyched that he doesn't have to deal with the bills, and loves that I love it, and then when he owes me $$, he freaks. We have to change our strategy, what we're doing isn't working.
The problem is, I think he gets mad at details, such as keeping track of the pennies. But I don't know how else to split the bills fairly--one of us is going to pay alot more if we use the 'you pay for this, this, and this, and I'll pay for this and that' method.
Cable/internet: $120 to $135
sewer: $40
electric: $25 to $40 (towards low end now that we're in winter and don't have to use A/C)
gas: $15-$20
There's really no fair way to split it up so we're even, which I care about even if he doesn't. If I pay more, I (and my budget) will be painfully aware of it. If he pays more, I will not be paying my share. What to do??
At my old house, I paid the bills and just left the bill on the counter with the amount they each owed me on the counter. They'd write me checks for the amount, and all was well. It worked beautifully. I doubt this would work here.
Our landlord likes to receive one check instead of a check from both of us for the rent, so we switch off paying it each month. It's a hassle, since she doesn't cash it until the end of the month, so I end up having to mentally subtract a large amount from my bank balance to figure out how much money I REALLY have in there. That's a method that works, maybe we should just switch off everything?? That seems like a plan that I could be ok with (even though different months will have different amounts, it shouldn't vary by TOO much). However, I don't know if I can handle someone else having full reign over making sure the bills get paid.
So I don't know what to do. I trust him, so I should do this. I know I'm a control freak, but I like knowing that the electricity isn't going to be cut off 'cause I paid the bill myself.
$8 parking Saturday at school for field trip
$9.10 picked up Thai food for BF on Friday
$5.38 on gift card at Long's for card for BF and I's anniversary
$17.65 for snacks for BF on Thursday, b/c he was studying for exam
$140 TOOL tix for BF for anniversary
$20 for 4 movie rentals for anniversary Saturday
Most of my expenses the past few days have been for BF and the celebration of our first year together, I notice. I just hate making a big deal out of some of those things--they are just things I DO because I love him. Picking up and paying for the Thai food, for example--I was already out, it's on my way home, and he was at home. Picking up snacks for him because he's studying for his big exam and I'm on my way home from work anyway. Things like that. It seems dumb to come home and present him with a receipt to be reimbursed for, like we do at work. He hates details, and especially money details, it seems. I pay all the bills and keep track of how much he owes me on a spreadsheet. When I mention that he owes me money, he gets moody and belligerent--"why don't you just let me pay the bills?" he asks. Because he doesn't CARE. He'd get mad every time he'd have the hassle of paying them. That's why. It's for my own peace of mind AND it's for him, too.
The last time I presented him with the amount he owed me after a few months, instead of writing me a check for the amount (as calculated in rent money, he just paid more one month), he rounded off the amount to the nearest thousand and gave me that. So I ended up having to owe him money after that. We've now crossed into he owes me money again, and he got mad again when I mentioned it. It's wierd, because we have discussions where he is psyched that he doesn't have to deal with the bills, and loves that I love it, and then when he owes me $$, he freaks. We have to change our strategy, what we're doing isn't working.
The problem is, I think he gets mad at details, such as keeping track of the pennies. But I don't know how else to split the bills fairly--one of us is going to pay alot more if we use the 'you pay for this, this, and this, and I'll pay for this and that' method.
Cable/internet: $120 to $135
sewer: $40
electric: $25 to $40 (towards low end now that we're in winter and don't have to use A/C)
gas: $15-$20
There's really no fair way to split it up so we're even, which I care about even if he doesn't. If I pay more, I (and my budget) will be painfully aware of it. If he pays more, I will not be paying my share. What to do??
At my old house, I paid the bills and just left the bill on the counter with the amount they each owed me on the counter. They'd write me checks for the amount, and all was well. It worked beautifully. I doubt this would work here.
Our landlord likes to receive one check instead of a check from both of us for the rent, so we switch off paying it each month. It's a hassle, since she doesn't cash it until the end of the month, so I end up having to mentally subtract a large amount from my bank balance to figure out how much money I REALLY have in there. That's a method that works, maybe we should just switch off everything?? That seems like a plan that I could be ok with (even though different months will have different amounts, it shouldn't vary by TOO much). However, I don't know if I can handle someone else having full reign over making sure the bills get paid.
So I don't know what to do. I trust him, so I should do this. I know I'm a control freak, but I like knowing that the electricity isn't going to be cut off 'cause I paid the bill myself.
My annual physical: Implications
I had my annual physical for work Friday morning. The usual battery of tests: hearing, vision, vitals, urine and blood collection, pulmonary (breathing) tests. For the past 3 years, I've sucked at the pulmonary test--you have to take a deep breath and blow it out into a large diameter tube for 6 seconds. It's harder than it sounds. Most of the time, I don't have enough breath after the initial blow out, and then I nearly asphyxiate myself trying not to breathe in.
So, every year, the doc just chalks it up to not being able to take that test very well, since I'm otherwise healthy--very low blood pressure, good vitals, no other ailments that usually accompany lung deficiencies. This year, the doctor said that I wouldn't be able to use a respirator at work. While my fieldwork doesn't usually require a respirator (as a matter of fact, I've NEVER worn one in the 3 years I've been working in the field), we have to be ABLE to wear one if an emergency occurs.
I think this means that my work is going to be notified that I am not eligible to do fieldwork. What are they going to do with me now? I'm interested to see if I get fired due to this, or if they'll try to work around it. Luckily I've pretty much paid my dues in terms of fieldwork, and I was hoping they'd transition me to more officework soon. However, if I can't do ANY fieldwork, I become somewhat of a burden. What would've happened if I weren't in classes and was doing fieldwork now? Would they have to yank me off the schedule and ply me with busywork?
This could be very bad for me, since I am also well below my billable hourly goal for the year, by enormous amounts, due to my grandfather's death earlier this year, a dearth of work in the middle of the year, and my classes taking up alot of time the last few months of the year. My review is always in January--now that I have two strikes against me (didn't meet my bhg by a LARGE margin AND can't do fieldwork), what happens now? Are those things firable offenses?
So, every year, the doc just chalks it up to not being able to take that test very well, since I'm otherwise healthy--very low blood pressure, good vitals, no other ailments that usually accompany lung deficiencies. This year, the doctor said that I wouldn't be able to use a respirator at work. While my fieldwork doesn't usually require a respirator (as a matter of fact, I've NEVER worn one in the 3 years I've been working in the field), we have to be ABLE to wear one if an emergency occurs.
I think this means that my work is going to be notified that I am not eligible to do fieldwork. What are they going to do with me now? I'm interested to see if I get fired due to this, or if they'll try to work around it. Luckily I've pretty much paid my dues in terms of fieldwork, and I was hoping they'd transition me to more officework soon. However, if I can't do ANY fieldwork, I become somewhat of a burden. What would've happened if I weren't in classes and was doing fieldwork now? Would they have to yank me off the schedule and ply me with busywork?
This could be very bad for me, since I am also well below my billable hourly goal for the year, by enormous amounts, due to my grandfather's death earlier this year, a dearth of work in the middle of the year, and my classes taking up alot of time the last few months of the year. My review is always in January--now that I have two strikes against me (didn't meet my bhg by a LARGE margin AND can't do fieldwork), what happens now? Are those things firable offenses?
Friday, November 09, 2007
to do:
$60 from midas. call
$68 from Rent. call/fax over lease
Get last $35 or so from HSA reimbursed. check time limit on that.
last week of nov., order fatwallet $$ check ($115)
nov. 13, check cc rewards, order $50
check on amex gift card from thrifty (not arrived yet at work) $25
get $125 from amex/or $250 in banana republic/whatever gift cards
done:
ordered $60 from REI cc, should arrive in ten days
$68 from Rent. call/fax over lease
Get last $35 or so from HSA reimbursed. check time limit on that.
last week of nov., order fatwallet $$ check ($115)
nov. 13, check cc rewards, order $50
check on amex gift card from thrifty (not arrived yet at work) $25
get $125 from amex/or $250 in banana republic/whatever gift cards
done:
ordered $60 from REI cc, should arrive in ten days
Money Back
I got an REI Visa a while back for the $30 gift card and the great rebates (I was planning on buying lots of camping equipment anyway). So far, I show that I'm getting around $25 back. I'm done buying camping gear, and I have a $60 credit on my account, so I called them to get a check back for that amount, and to ask about my rebate. I should receive the check in the next 10 days (in time to start X-mas shopping!), and the rebate check will come in April of next year. So, therefore, I'll keep my REI Visa until then and cancel the card.
As for my Amex, I'm cashing in my points and canceling it. I really want to get my credit cards down to 2--my cashback Visa and my oldest card, a Bank of America Mastercard. That should really be enough--I have $16,000 credit with my BoA card and $6,000 on my Visa.
As for my Amex, I'm cashing in my points and canceling it. I really want to get my credit cards down to 2--my cashback Visa and my oldest card, a Bank of America Mastercard. That should really be enough--I have $16,000 credit with my BoA card and $6,000 on my Visa.
October 07 Update--nearly at stasis
Haven't done a Moolah update in a while--since August?? Wow, I've been busy.
Checking: $1650 (oof, this is getting low, especially once I pay rent for next month)
Retirement:
401(K): $6,919.05
Roth IRA: $1400.91
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 (6/07): $6,965
Total Retirement Fun (7/07): $7,153.37
Total Retirement Fun: (8/07): $7,113.74
Total Retirement Fun (10/07): $8,320.32
Total Emergency Savings (09/06): $2,035
Total Emergency Savings (10/06): $2,583
Total Emergency Savings (11/06): $2,977
Total Emergency Savings (12/06): $3,225.97
Total Emergency Savings (2/07): $4,260.16
Total Emergency Savings (3/07): $6,750
Total Emergency Savings (6/07): $7,815
Total Emergency Savings (7/07): $13,151.28
Total Emergency Savings (8/07): $14,756.25
Total Emergency Savings (10/07): $15,485.60
Total Net Worth (Emergency Savings + Retirement Fun): $23,805.92
Net Worth (9/07): $21,870.18. Almost a $2000 change! I was expecting about a $500 increase, since that's all I've been able to save from my paychecks since starting school. The stock market must have rebounded alot, plus I was able to save $100/month in my Roth and at least a hundred/month in my savings accounts. Huzzah!
I still plan on getting around $50 cashback and $125 in Amex points for Christmas, but I plan on spending ~ $400, so $225 of that Christmas money will come from savings...
Still haven't completed some of my goals for the week. studying, check. swing dancing, check. designated budget amounts (i think this will be a check). call midas/rent place? nope. finish work by friday, no way that's happening, i postponed it to next wednesday. oh welllllll....gotta get on that!
Checking: $1650 (oof, this is getting low, especially once I pay rent for next month)
Retirement:
401(K): $6,919.05
Roth IRA: $1400.91
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 (6/07): $6,965
Total Retirement Fun (7/07): $7,153.37
Total Retirement Fun: (8/07): $7,113.74
Total Retirement Fun (10/07): $8,320.32
Total Emergency Savings (09/06): $2,035
Total Emergency Savings (10/06): $2,583
Total Emergency Savings (11/06): $2,977
Total Emergency Savings (12/06): $3,225.97
Total Emergency Savings (2/07): $4,260.16
Total Emergency Savings (3/07): $6,750
Total Emergency Savings (6/07): $7,815
Total Emergency Savings (7/07): $13,151.28
Total Emergency Savings (8/07): $14,756.25
Total Emergency Savings (10/07): $15,485.60
Total Net Worth (Emergency Savings + Retirement Fun): $23,805.92
Net Worth (9/07): $21,870.18. Almost a $2000 change! I was expecting about a $500 increase, since that's all I've been able to save from my paychecks since starting school. The stock market must have rebounded alot, plus I was able to save $100/month in my Roth and at least a hundred/month in my savings accounts. Huzzah!
I still plan on getting around $50 cashback and $125 in Amex points for Christmas, but I plan on spending ~ $400, so $225 of that Christmas money will come from savings...
Still haven't completed some of my goals for the week. studying, check. swing dancing, check. designated budget amounts (i think this will be a check). call midas/rent place? nope. finish work by friday, no way that's happening, i postponed it to next wednesday. oh welllllll....gotta get on that!
Why...So...Tired??
This week has found me exhausted. I don't know if it's all the midterms plus lots of work-work to do, or the weather (it's been cloudy and gray, almost raining, with the temperature hovering around 60 (ie, COLD for SoCal) for the past few days), or if I'm fighting something off (??), but I've come home every day after school, eaten dinner, and immediately taken a 2 hour nap in my oh-so-comfy bed. My annual physical for work is tomorrow morning, so if anything is majorly wrong, it'll show up on the myriad of blood tests and physical tests that they do. Honestly, I can't think of one thing it could be, besides my mono coming back or fighting off some kind of infection.
The great news is, I feel smart again. Thank God. Last week I took my science test and got a 99, one of the two people to get that highest grade in the class. Today, I found out that I once again got the highest grade on my other exam--99.5 after all the points and extra credit were doled out. And this is a very intense, difficult class. I'm very proud of my hard work paying off...even though none of these grades go on a transcript or count towards any sort of degree.
I was wondering what was wrong with me before this--these kids in my class are third and fourth years in undergrad, and I already have my master's degree. I SHOULD be getting the highest grades, in other words. And before this past week, I wasn't. I mean, I was doing well--high B's and A's, but I wasn't at the top. It feels good to be back where I'm used to again. I expect alot from myself.
But in any case, I feel like even though I'm not paying for the class or the books, I'm getting my money's worth, in terms of lost time/pay from work. This should help alot when taking my licensing exam. AND I'm really, really enjoying being in class and learning again.
an October update on my net worth is coming up soon.
The great news is, I feel smart again. Thank God. Last week I took my science test and got a 99, one of the two people to get that highest grade in the class. Today, I found out that I once again got the highest grade on my other exam--99.5 after all the points and extra credit were doled out. And this is a very intense, difficult class. I'm very proud of my hard work paying off...even though none of these grades go on a transcript or count towards any sort of degree.
I was wondering what was wrong with me before this--these kids in my class are third and fourth years in undergrad, and I already have my master's degree. I SHOULD be getting the highest grades, in other words. And before this past week, I wasn't. I mean, I was doing well--high B's and A's, but I wasn't at the top. It feels good to be back where I'm used to again. I expect alot from myself.
But in any case, I feel like even though I'm not paying for the class or the books, I'm getting my money's worth, in terms of lost time/pay from work. This should help alot when taking my licensing exam. AND I'm really, really enjoying being in class and learning again.
an October update on my net worth is coming up soon.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Banana bread excitement!
I got groceries today, mostly banana bread stuff...and rented SiCKO.
$30.87 loaf pan, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, chopped walnuts (expensive!), shortening, margarine...
$4.95 entertainment (video rental)
$10 pizza for movie enjoyment
$30.87 loaf pan, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, chopped walnuts (expensive!), shortening, margarine...
$4.95 entertainment (video rental)
$10 pizza for movie enjoyment
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Nada once again...
no spending today, none anticipated, at least. I am wiped out from my exam earlier today. I was the first one done and I was there from 9:30 am until 1:30 pm! There were only 19 problems on the test! That's crazy. I still have a swing dance class this evening, but I don't think it'll cost anything except gas.
need to make a grocery run pretty soon; running out of milk and bananas, and I want to buy ingredients for my first loaf of banana bread.
need to make a grocery run pretty soon; running out of milk and bananas, and I want to buy ingredients for my first loaf of banana bread.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Part time is simply awesome.
Today i was thinking about how great it is to only be working for the absolute minimum money I need. I mean, if I needed more money, I could go in on the weekends and do some work, or request more hours. I love that I can equate each hour with a specific part of my budget. No fuss, no muss. As it stands, I've been just about breaking even on the income/expenses chart. $100 to Roth, $100 to savings, and the rest is used for food, gas, cable, cell, utilities, entertainment. I'm close to bare bones here, but it really doesn't feel like it--cable/internet/the occasional treat almost feels luxurious. I don't know if it's that I have myself trained well enough to straddle that deprivation-just enough line, or what. I don't feel that deprived, now that I have TIME to do the things I'd like to do, and the pressure of 8-5 daily work and impromptu out of town fieldwork at any time is gone.
So, I was thinking...why even go back to full-time? Life is miserable...and for what? so I can sock away half my paycheck in my bank account but never have time or energy to spend the money on anything worthwhile?? It's certainly nice not to have to worry about paying for my car breaking down without dipping into my savings-- all of the 'emergencies' I ever had were a tiny fraction of my leftover income each month. Yeah, that was nice, but that's where working a little more can help, if still part-time. If given the choice, I would stay part-time in a heartbeat!
Let's think of the logistics here:
1) I'd have to get my employer to agree. ummmm, not sure I could do this, but asking is ALWAYS worth a shot.
2) My health insurance is ok now, albeit a huge deductible, but I'd bet I could figure out a way to use my HSA to cut that back a bit.
3) I could definitely get back on my 401K plan at work...
4) lose paid vacation days and holidays.
What else is there?? I pretty much get to make my own schedule, work as much or as little as I need to (as long as I tell my employer what's up), and spend the rest of my days how I want. I could figure out a budget that included everything I wanted to do (travel, house, entertainment, gadgets, work out/art/whatever misc classes), and just work that much. How awesome would that life be?!
Without these very time-consuming official classes I'm taking, life would be even more free.
Next semester (last semester of freedom!), I am only going to take one class, but keep nearly the same schedule as I have now with two classes. I will tell my employer I need the time to study for my registered geologists' exam (which I do, until March), but then I think I'm going to use that extra class's time on myself. A little experiment, if I will.
A few ideas:
classes:
cooking class
Kickboxing or Tae kwon do classes
yoga/pilates
photography class
hip hop dancing class/cardio pole dancing class (!)
any sort of dancing
baton twirling class (do they make these for adults??)
more socialness
US trips:
to SF to visit 2 friends
to Montana to visit friend
to NYC to visit friends
to Hawaii to visit friends
to Texas to visit friends
to Grand Canyon
to Utah
to Puebla, Mexico to visit cousin working there
to northern CA (devil's postpile, Yosemite)
explore southwest/Mexico...
personal:
eat healthier,
work out
learn how to cook
So, I was thinking...why even go back to full-time? Life is miserable...and for what? so I can sock away half my paycheck in my bank account but never have time or energy to spend the money on anything worthwhile?? It's certainly nice not to have to worry about paying for my car breaking down without dipping into my savings-- all of the 'emergencies' I ever had were a tiny fraction of my leftover income each month. Yeah, that was nice, but that's where working a little more can help, if still part-time. If given the choice, I would stay part-time in a heartbeat!
Let's think of the logistics here:
1) I'd have to get my employer to agree. ummmm, not sure I could do this, but asking is ALWAYS worth a shot.
2) My health insurance is ok now, albeit a huge deductible, but I'd bet I could figure out a way to use my HSA to cut that back a bit.
3) I could definitely get back on my 401K plan at work...
4) lose paid vacation days and holidays.
What else is there?? I pretty much get to make my own schedule, work as much or as little as I need to (as long as I tell my employer what's up), and spend the rest of my days how I want. I could figure out a budget that included everything I wanted to do (travel, house, entertainment, gadgets, work out/art/whatever misc classes), and just work that much. How awesome would that life be?!
Without these very time-consuming official classes I'm taking, life would be even more free.
Next semester (last semester of freedom!), I am only going to take one class, but keep nearly the same schedule as I have now with two classes. I will tell my employer I need the time to study for my registered geologists' exam (which I do, until March), but then I think I'm going to use that extra class's time on myself. A little experiment, if I will.
A few ideas:
classes:
cooking class
Kickboxing or Tae kwon do classes
yoga/pilates
photography class
hip hop dancing class/cardio pole dancing class (!)
any sort of dancing
baton twirling class (do they make these for adults??)
more socialness
US trips:
to SF to visit 2 friends
to Montana to visit friend
to NYC to visit friends
to Hawaii to visit friends
to Texas to visit friends
to Grand Canyon
to Utah
to Puebla, Mexico to visit cousin working there
to northern CA (devil's postpile, Yosemite)
explore southwest/Mexico...
personal:
eat healthier,
work out
learn how to cook
Espending Hoy
(that's spanish for spending today): nada.
congratulate me, I got a 99/100 on my mineralogy test I took last week! My structure exam is tomorrow (shudders)...but I've been studying alot and think I actually have a good handle on things. We'll see...
congratulate me, I got a 99/100 on my mineralogy test I took last week! My structure exam is tomorrow (shudders)...but I've been studying alot and think I actually have a good handle on things. We'll see...
Monday, November 05, 2007
I'm back! spending
Boyfriend bought me a new power cord for my laptop on ebay. it just arrived yesterday. thank Goodness, I was going crazy without it.
Here's what I've spent so far in November:
Thursday, nov. 1:
$6 eating out--got steak and potatoes and beer with friends from work; learned how to country line dance.
Nov. 2
$9.74 groceries
Nov 3:
31.42 gas for car
11.55 take out thai
$3 for parking at school for review session
$8.40--share of household gas bill for oct., due in november
$12.81--share of household electric bill for oct., due in november
P-syched! about that electric bill. but ugh. otherwise, not a great start...but I made $749.63 in income from my first november check (for Oct. 16-31). With my cashback I'm expecting from my cc ($50), my fatwallet money ($115), plus maybe a refund from midas (please???) ($60) and refund from that rental place (doubtful) ($60), AND maybe $125 from my AMEX rewards points, I will definitely be in the black this month. December...well, that's another story. However, class and exams will be over on Dec. 14, and I can then work a few full-time weeks, which should give me a large jump in income for December and January.
Here's what I've spent so far in November:
Thursday, nov. 1:
$6 eating out--got steak and potatoes and beer with friends from work; learned how to country line dance.
Nov. 2
$9.74 groceries
Nov 3:
31.42 gas for car
11.55 take out thai
$3 for parking at school for review session
$8.40--share of household gas bill for oct., due in november
$12.81--share of household electric bill for oct., due in november
P-syched! about that electric bill. but ugh. otherwise, not a great start...but I made $749.63 in income from my first november check (for Oct. 16-31). With my cashback I'm expecting from my cc ($50), my fatwallet money ($115), plus maybe a refund from midas (please???) ($60) and refund from that rental place (doubtful) ($60), AND maybe $125 from my AMEX rewards points, I will definitely be in the black this month. December...well, that's another story. However, class and exams will be over on Dec. 14, and I can then work a few full-time weeks, which should give me a large jump in income for December and January.
Goals for this week
1) study for tuesday exam every possible second on monday.
2) call midas for return $$ on Wednesday.
3) call Rent place; ask for $$ back Wednesday.
4) finish project for work by Friday.
5) spend only designated budget amounts for week--$31 misc; $43 groceries; $12 eating out; $20 gas for car
6) make it to swing dance class at 6:30 on tuesday even though I will be worn out and tired from my exam.
2) call midas for return $$ on Wednesday.
3) call Rent place; ask for $$ back Wednesday.
4) finish project for work by Friday.
5) spend only designated budget amounts for week--$31 misc; $43 groceries; $12 eating out; $20 gas for car
6) make it to swing dance class at 6:30 on tuesday even though I will be worn out and tired from my exam.
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