Just wait until I say that I'm exchanging my NZD for USD, buy a whole bunch of NZD, then wait about 2 weeks or so and sell it.
Every. single. time. I cash in my NZD for USD (to pay my US cc bill, for example), the NZD gets stronger compared to the USD just after I've made my transaction. Just my luck!
Anyone know how to time that sucker? I mean, besides looking at my spending habits??
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Money Man
I did watch online episodes of the Money Man show this week...honestly, I'm not too impressed by it so I don't know if I'll bother reviewing it here. Larry Winget on Big Spender really gets into the nitty-gritty and breaks through people's barriers and ignorance about spending. (BTW, NZ/non US readers: video clips are not restricted to US viewers, if you want to check it out!)
On Money Man, the guy is a hard-core military man, but he lets people get away with laughing every time they hear how much they are spending. I watched quite a few old episodes, and every time, they just LAUGH. Perhaps it's a 'polite NZ' kind of thing, on both sides? I prefer to see people in tears and full of regret after someone tells them that they have robbed their grandmother of her retirement savings by buying lattes and shoes. You SHOULD be crying if you did that, not laughing.
On Money Man, they don't go into people's budgets in too much detail, either. You get to see how much $$ over their income they are spending, and sometimes how much debt they have or how much they spend on vacations every year, but not the exact breakdown of their finances (income - mortgage - groceries - etc.).
The emphasis here also seems to be on the fact that the debtor could have ___ material item instead, if they just paid off their debts. There's no discussion of emergency funds at all.
The one thing (that I always notice when comparing NZ vs US) is that NO ONE on the show has medical or student loan debts. That kind of thing is almost unheard of here (although student loans are getting more popular in NZ as tuition prices rise). NZ college tuition used to be FREE! Wow...
On Money Man, the guy is a hard-core military man, but he lets people get away with laughing every time they hear how much they are spending. I watched quite a few old episodes, and every time, they just LAUGH. Perhaps it's a 'polite NZ' kind of thing, on both sides? I prefer to see people in tears and full of regret after someone tells them that they have robbed their grandmother of her retirement savings by buying lattes and shoes. You SHOULD be crying if you did that, not laughing.
On Money Man, they don't go into people's budgets in too much detail, either. You get to see how much $$ over their income they are spending, and sometimes how much debt they have or how much they spend on vacations every year, but not the exact breakdown of their finances (income - mortgage - groceries - etc.).
The emphasis here also seems to be on the fact that the debtor could have ___ material item instead, if they just paid off their debts. There's no discussion of emergency funds at all.
The one thing (that I always notice when comparing NZ vs US) is that NO ONE on the show has medical or student loan debts. That kind of thing is almost unheard of here (although student loans are getting more popular in NZ as tuition prices rise). NZ college tuition used to be FREE! Wow...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thoughts on The White House
This is so cute. :) (I found it on Karyn's blog, btw. Thanks Karyn!) So happy he won, still.
With all the North Korea stuff going on right now, I feel better with him in the White House. I feel safer. I think that he'll weigh the choices and come up with a decision that was well-thought out, and the consequences of that decision will be considered carefully. That's what a Prez is for, right? Even if he makes a mistake (we all do), I've got his back. I think he will try his hardest to make good decisions. I have faith in him.
So far, I'm impressed with what he has done. He's trying. He's also turning gray very quickly.
I hope no nutter tries to interfere.
I just found out that the fancy white building with the fancy gold sign saying 'The White House' in Auckland is actually...a strip club (and brothel, if you talk to the right people)! Those Kiwis...such a great sense of humor!
That's all...no PF stuff in this post.
With all the North Korea stuff going on right now, I feel better with him in the White House. I feel safer. I think that he'll weigh the choices and come up with a decision that was well-thought out, and the consequences of that decision will be considered carefully. That's what a Prez is for, right? Even if he makes a mistake (we all do), I've got his back. I think he will try his hardest to make good decisions. I have faith in him.
So far, I'm impressed with what he has done. He's trying. He's also turning gray very quickly.
I hope no nutter tries to interfere.
I just found out that the fancy white building with the fancy gold sign saying 'The White House' in Auckland is actually...a strip club (and brothel, if you talk to the right people)! Those Kiwis...such a great sense of humor!
That's all...no PF stuff in this post.
Vacation Budget Just Shrunk!
Yay! We don't have to rent a car! The PhD student I invited on the trip has his own car and volunteered to drive us all. Can't beat that...
Gas will probably be more expensive, since his car is an older one and probably larger than the one we were renting, but oh well. But, his girlfriend is now coming, so we'll be able to split up the food and lodging costs a little more, so it should work out to be a bit cheaper.
So far in May 2009, I've spent $1893.61. Whoah. Besides rent, utilities, and groceries, most of that was spent on the dance classes that I'm taking--$280 for 8 weeks (2 classes/week). I've still got to get some groceries and decide on a charity for my $50 NZD. Folks, it's not looking too great for my $2,000 May spending goal.
However, that goal was based on a goal of saving $2.5K in May ($2.5K+$2K = $4.5K income). My actual income for May is $4,569, so I have that $69 buffer. I may still make my savings goal for the month, even if I don't make my spending goal!
I also decided that I was going to return the large heater I bought, and just use one of the little fan heaters instead. It seems to work well. That'll be $60 more that I can use til the end of May.
That brings me to: $236 left. If I can get by without buying groceries until next weekend, I think I can do it! It'll be tight!
Lodging: $72 total for 2 nights
Gas: ~$65?
Food: ~$50?
Gas will probably be more expensive, since his car is an older one and probably larger than the one we were renting, but oh well. But, his girlfriend is now coming, so we'll be able to split up the food and lodging costs a little more, so it should work out to be a bit cheaper.
So far in May 2009, I've spent $1893.61. Whoah. Besides rent, utilities, and groceries, most of that was spent on the dance classes that I'm taking--$280 for 8 weeks (2 classes/week). I've still got to get some groceries and decide on a charity for my $50 NZD. Folks, it's not looking too great for my $2,000 May spending goal.
However, that goal was based on a goal of saving $2.5K in May ($2.5K+$2K = $4.5K income). My actual income for May is $4,569, so I have that $69 buffer. I may still make my savings goal for the month, even if I don't make my spending goal!
I also decided that I was going to return the large heater I bought, and just use one of the little fan heaters instead. It seems to work well. That'll be $60 more that I can use til the end of May.
That brings me to: $236 left. If I can get by without buying groceries until next weekend, I think I can do it! It'll be tight!
Lodging: $72 total for 2 nights
Gas: ~$65?
Food: ~$50?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Going to a Bach
I'm staying at a 'Bach' this weekend (pronounced like 'bach' in 'bachelor pad'...i think). They are sort of like second homes (similar to beach houses, backyard cottages, and hunting cabins that Americans sometimes have), and more often than not, a bit more rustic than normal everyday houses here (again...I think).
My friend L that is back in town invited me on her weekend getaway. Her sister is visiting from Oz. L also invited her roommate and I invited one of the PhD students I met not too long ago. My officemate may go as well.
Surprisingly, it's a long weekend but we JUST booked the 5-star-rated cottage a few days ago. I don't know if it's because it is cold here now, or that the population is lower so you can get away with that kind of thing. ? I do know that that wouldn't have happened over the Christmas holiday week--beaches and holiday houses are PACKED as everyone goes away to go laze about on the beach on Christmas Day and New Year's (how odd is that concept to us Northern-Hemi's??).
The bach just has a fireplace, so I'm expecting to be bundled up most of the time. No internet... I'm excited to have a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city, sit indoors with the fire, and play cards and learn my knitting with some nice people. :) it seems as though my favorite times in NZ have been when I'm OUT of Auckland (or, as I sometimes call it, "Bl-auckland").
I won't say where we're going yet (I'll reveal that when I get back), but I'm excited! It's one of those places that is on my NZ to-do list, and a part of NZ that I haven't seen yet. If the weather is nice, I'll get to see and do some very cool things. I'm charging up my camera batteries now.
The rental car will be <$50 per person for the weekend, and the bach will run everyone about $80 each, total. Plus gas and food (bach has a kitchen; we will have communal meals), I'm budgeting no more than $225 for the 3 days.
The only thing that could make it better would be if the weather was warmer. I wish it was summer in NZ all the time! I miss you, summer. Come back to me...
My friend L that is back in town invited me on her weekend getaway. Her sister is visiting from Oz. L also invited her roommate and I invited one of the PhD students I met not too long ago. My officemate may go as well.
Surprisingly, it's a long weekend but we JUST booked the 5-star-rated cottage a few days ago. I don't know if it's because it is cold here now, or that the population is lower so you can get away with that kind of thing. ? I do know that that wouldn't have happened over the Christmas holiday week--beaches and holiday houses are PACKED as everyone goes away to go laze about on the beach on Christmas Day and New Year's (how odd is that concept to us Northern-Hemi's??).
The bach just has a fireplace, so I'm expecting to be bundled up most of the time. No internet... I'm excited to have a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city, sit indoors with the fire, and play cards and learn my knitting with some nice people. :) it seems as though my favorite times in NZ have been when I'm OUT of Auckland (or, as I sometimes call it, "Bl-auckland").
I won't say where we're going yet (I'll reveal that when I get back), but I'm excited! It's one of those places that is on my NZ to-do list, and a part of NZ that I haven't seen yet. If the weather is nice, I'll get to see and do some very cool things. I'm charging up my camera batteries now.
The rental car will be <$50 per person for the weekend, and the bach will run everyone about $80 each, total. Plus gas and food (bach has a kitchen; we will have communal meals), I'm budgeting no more than $225 for the 3 days.
The only thing that could make it better would be if the weather was warmer. I wish it was summer in NZ all the time! I miss you, summer. Come back to me...
Monday, May 25, 2009
Halogen Heater: A Review
In one of my last posts, I was trying to decide on a heater for my living room. On Sunday, I went to The Warehouse and bought one. Here's my review of this heater:
The heater was very easy to assemble, I just had to screw in the base, add batteries to the remote, and plug it in. The directions are not very clear on how to use the heater, but you can figure it out pretty easily.
The heater has timer and oscillating functions, the timer is up to four hours. I love that, and I love the remote feature!
The light put out by the halogen is very, very bright. In fact, I don't have any lights on in the living room as I type this, and I was doing work (reading journal articles) by the light generated by it!
And the whole reason I bought this heater: How does it heat?
Well, I have to say that I'm disappointed by this, the main function of the heater. In about a 3 foot radius around the front of the heater, the air is pretty warm. I'm about 5 feet away from it (it's to my right) on the couch right now, and the left side of my body is pretty chilly. I've had the heater on for a good 3 hours now, and I can't say that the room feels that much warmer, except for the area immediately around the heater.
For $60, I expected much, much more. I will be taking this heater back and exchanging it for a different one, you can be sure.
I won't be going for another halogen heater--or an oil heater, I don't think--I want to try this one or maybe it's less-expensive cousin without the turbo fan and timer.
The heater was very easy to assemble, I just had to screw in the base, add batteries to the remote, and plug it in. The directions are not very clear on how to use the heater, but you can figure it out pretty easily.
The heater has timer and oscillating functions, the timer is up to four hours. I love that, and I love the remote feature!
The light put out by the halogen is very, very bright. In fact, I don't have any lights on in the living room as I type this, and I was doing work (reading journal articles) by the light generated by it!
And the whole reason I bought this heater: How does it heat?
Well, I have to say that I'm disappointed by this, the main function of the heater. In about a 3 foot radius around the front of the heater, the air is pretty warm. I'm about 5 feet away from it (it's to my right) on the couch right now, and the left side of my body is pretty chilly. I've had the heater on for a good 3 hours now, and I can't say that the room feels that much warmer, except for the area immediately around the heater.
For $60, I expected much, much more. I will be taking this heater back and exchanging it for a different one, you can be sure.
I won't be going for another halogen heater--or an oil heater, I don't think--I want to try this one or maybe it's less-expensive cousin without the turbo fan and timer.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Money Man
US readers may have heard of Larry Winget's show, Big Spender. I used to watch it all the time, and it was one of the things that got XBF more interested in personal finance with me. I can't find it anywhere online, though. FB talks about 'Til Debt Do Us Part' but unfortunately I can't watch that show either, as I don't have a Canadian proxy IP address. It seemed like every country had their own version of a PF boot camp-type show, except for NZ.
So imagine how excited I was when I saw a promo for Money Man, which sounds similar to Larry's Big Spender! It's on TV3 at 8 pm on Tuesdays. I'm making a mental note to watch it, and will write up a synopsis afterward, if it's at all intriguing...
Stay Tuned!
So imagine how excited I was when I saw a promo for Money Man, which sounds similar to Larry's Big Spender! It's on TV3 at 8 pm on Tuesdays. I'm making a mental note to watch it, and will write up a synopsis afterward, if it's at all intriguing...
Stay Tuned!
Ceramic or Oil Heater?
As I type this, it is 4 degrees outside. (Celsius). My friend from Canada is cold...just to give you an idea of how I, the New Zealander-by-way-of-SoCal, is faring. Yeah--not bloody well.
New Zealand construction is not famous for its insulation, let me tell ya. For a population usually so frugal and sensible, it is one of the loopholes I have found most puzzling. People huddle in their homes around the fire, don wool socks and hats, and run to and from their electric-blanketed beds instead of just. investing. in. better. insulation. Oh, and central heating and air.
So far, I've managed by buying a tiny fan heater. My room is medium-sized, and as long as I have that little fan running and my wool socks on, I'm cozy as a bug. In a rug. Or however that saying goes. Unfortunately, that means that every time I need to use the bathroom, or GOD FORBID, go into the kitchen for something, I end up running and shivering and forgetting what I needed halfway through the jaunt...because my brain just froze.
The kitchen-dining room-living room area of my apartment is quite large, and has gorgeous high ceilings. Almost two walls are entirely made of windows. Yeah--it's great for light but HORRIBLE when it's cold. Heat rises, so I'd have to heat up the ceiling before I could even have a chance of sitting on the couch without becoming a mummy. Quite frankly, my little fan heater doesn't have a chance in you-know-where to heat up that room adequately for occupation. I had guests over the other evening, and they all kept their jackets and hats on, plus borrowed all the blankets I had, to sit in that room. And that was with alcohol in their systems!
So, with a new roommate coming and the wish to socialize with that person and not just huddle in our respective rooms, I think it's time to invest in a larger heater.
Here are my options. I can't decide if an oil heater or a pure electric heater would be better. I don't really want to mess with oil, but are they better at heating? More economical? If you have any advice, please comment!
New Zealand construction is not famous for its insulation, let me tell ya. For a population usually so frugal and sensible, it is one of the loopholes I have found most puzzling. People huddle in their homes around the fire, don wool socks and hats, and run to and from their electric-blanketed beds instead of just. investing. in. better. insulation. Oh, and central heating and air.
So far, I've managed by buying a tiny fan heater. My room is medium-sized, and as long as I have that little fan running and my wool socks on, I'm cozy as a bug. In a rug. Or however that saying goes. Unfortunately, that means that every time I need to use the bathroom, or GOD FORBID, go into the kitchen for something, I end up running and shivering and forgetting what I needed halfway through the jaunt...because my brain just froze.
The kitchen-dining room-living room area of my apartment is quite large, and has gorgeous high ceilings. Almost two walls are entirely made of windows. Yeah--it's great for light but HORRIBLE when it's cold. Heat rises, so I'd have to heat up the ceiling before I could even have a chance of sitting on the couch without becoming a mummy. Quite frankly, my little fan heater doesn't have a chance in you-know-where to heat up that room adequately for occupation. I had guests over the other evening, and they all kept their jackets and hats on, plus borrowed all the blankets I had, to sit in that room. And that was with alcohol in their systems!
So, with a new roommate coming and the wish to socialize with that person and not just huddle in our respective rooms, I think it's time to invest in a larger heater.
Here are my options. I can't decide if an oil heater or a pure electric heater would be better. I don't really want to mess with oil, but are they better at heating? More economical? If you have any advice, please comment!
Finally, Some Good News About My Family!
Not to jinx it (I hope this headboard is real wood), but my sister seems to be doing quite well lately. From the downs of last Christmas, when she tried to get me arrested, to the ups now, her life is always a roller coaster.
She was moved to a different group home after she started calling the cops and threatening to sue everyone that moved around her at Xmas--to a 'rougher' group home for the more disruptive mentally ill patients. She's been doing much better now that her meds kicked in (they were experimenting with them when I was at home during Christmas). She's been doing her individual and group therapy, volunteering at a local church, and coming home every weekend to hang out with my parents. She is $4k in debt, but she wants to get a job to pay it off.
This past week has been quite amazing for her. She found out that she was accepted to a much more intensive group home therapy program. It is a private facility (for the 'rich kids' who are mentally ill), but there were a few scholarship-like grants available for the general population. She got one!! This is amazing news, and something she's wanted for years to do. They work with the mentally ill to make sure that they have the skills to make it in the real world--it's a step-by-step program, so she starts at the bottom, with full supervision, and slowly moves up in the world until she gets her own apartment and almost-full independence. It will take a few months until the space opens up for her, but when it does, she's in.
She did live on her own for a while, but it didn't work out very well. Random people took major advantage of her, and her apartment was a mess (and smelly--I gently refused to stay there) and she didn't know how to manage her money at all. I think part of the problem was that she was incredibly lonely living by herself. At the fancy group home, she'd have lots of people to hang out with AND some supervision so people will hopefully not take so much advantage of her giving, whatever-you-want nature.
On top of that, she also was approached by a supervisor at her group therapy program yesterday. They wanted her to get some leadership training, to better help the state anticipate and know better how to serve mentally ill patients. She was so excited--mostly about the fact that they'd pay for her hotel and food at the leadership conference. :) She was also excited because someone thought that she'd be good at something. That is a great confidence-builder.
Oh, not to make this about me--but I hope to God that she stays well enough to be able to follow through on both of these amazing opportunities. It would be so heart-breaking to see something else she wants not happen once again. I want this so badly for her...my fingers are so very firmly crossed!
She was moved to a different group home after she started calling the cops and threatening to sue everyone that moved around her at Xmas--to a 'rougher' group home for the more disruptive mentally ill patients. She's been doing much better now that her meds kicked in (they were experimenting with them when I was at home during Christmas). She's been doing her individual and group therapy, volunteering at a local church, and coming home every weekend to hang out with my parents. She is $4k in debt, but she wants to get a job to pay it off.
This past week has been quite amazing for her. She found out that she was accepted to a much more intensive group home therapy program. It is a private facility (for the 'rich kids' who are mentally ill), but there were a few scholarship-like grants available for the general population. She got one!! This is amazing news, and something she's wanted for years to do. They work with the mentally ill to make sure that they have the skills to make it in the real world--it's a step-by-step program, so she starts at the bottom, with full supervision, and slowly moves up in the world until she gets her own apartment and almost-full independence. It will take a few months until the space opens up for her, but when it does, she's in.
She did live on her own for a while, but it didn't work out very well. Random people took major advantage of her, and her apartment was a mess (and smelly--I gently refused to stay there) and she didn't know how to manage her money at all. I think part of the problem was that she was incredibly lonely living by herself. At the fancy group home, she'd have lots of people to hang out with AND some supervision so people will hopefully not take so much advantage of her giving, whatever-you-want nature.
On top of that, she also was approached by a supervisor at her group therapy program yesterday. They wanted her to get some leadership training, to better help the state anticipate and know better how to serve mentally ill patients. She was so excited--mostly about the fact that they'd pay for her hotel and food at the leadership conference. :) She was also excited because someone thought that she'd be good at something. That is a great confidence-builder.
Oh, not to make this about me--but I hope to God that she stays well enough to be able to follow through on both of these amazing opportunities. It would be so heart-breaking to see something else she wants not happen once again. I want this so badly for her...my fingers are so very firmly crossed!
Friday, May 22, 2009
More Taxes?
Yes...but this time, I think it's an excellent idea. Making unhealthy vices more expensive can only be a good move. Perhaps it will help fund a nationwide health care system? Oh...I can hope.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Credit Card Reform--A Downside?
The list of credit card reforms enacted by Congress on Tuesday reads like a frugal wishlist:
--no retroactive interest rate increases on existing card balances
--universal default is outlawed
--higher interest rates paid first
--optional over-limit fees
--double-cycle billing is a thing of the past!
--additional minimum payment information, including how long it would take you to pay off your card
--more time to pay
--greater advance notice of changes in credit card terms
--fewer penalty fees, late charges and interest payments.
But I also wondered if those of us who pay on time every month would then get less out of using a cc. If cc companies are losing income, they will be less likely to offer signup bonuses, rewards, etc., and more likely to charge annual fees to own a credit card, like they do here in New Zealand. I've never heard of a cc offering cash rewards here in NZ, and the interest rates are insanity. (Cultural differences come into play here; most NZers make do or do without...they are the kings and queens of reusing! CC's aren't very popular here, that I've noticed.)
Don't get me wrong, these changes are NECESSARY and will help millions of Americans, I'm sure, but for those of us who use credit responsibly (...now; 5 years ago I had a different story!), it sounds like we'll lose out a bit. Then again, if I don't get a reward from my cc and someone else is more able to afford their prescriptions due to these changes, I'm cool with that. I just hope that money for responsible credit use education is also included in that bill.
--no retroactive interest rate increases on existing card balances
--universal default is outlawed
--higher interest rates paid first
--optional over-limit fees
--double-cycle billing is a thing of the past!
--additional minimum payment information, including how long it would take you to pay off your card
--more time to pay
--greater advance notice of changes in credit card terms
--fewer penalty fees, late charges and interest payments.
But I also wondered if those of us who pay on time every month would then get less out of using a cc. If cc companies are losing income, they will be less likely to offer signup bonuses, rewards, etc., and more likely to charge annual fees to own a credit card, like they do here in New Zealand. I've never heard of a cc offering cash rewards here in NZ, and the interest rates are insanity. (Cultural differences come into play here; most NZers make do or do without...they are the kings and queens of reusing! CC's aren't very popular here, that I've noticed.)
Don't get me wrong, these changes are NECESSARY and will help millions of Americans, I'm sure, but for those of us who use credit responsibly (...now; 5 years ago I had a different story!), it sounds like we'll lose out a bit. Then again, if I don't get a reward from my cc and someone else is more able to afford their prescriptions due to these changes, I'm cool with that. I just hope that money for responsible credit use education is also included in that bill.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
May Spending Check-In
May is 2/3 done. WOW. What have I been doing??
Here's how the budget is shaking down thus far:
Rent: $840, on budget
Groceries: $205, have ~$70 per week to spend left...should be enough for my $350/mo budget! I'm going to try to keep it under $300 again, though, which means I actually have $50 per week.
Eating Out: $28.50, definitely on budget thus far. ~$71 left to spend
Cell phone: $72 WAY over budget, AGAIN! my sister calls me on skype, which then forwards the call to me on my cell phone if I'm not at a computer, at 31 US cents a minute. That adds up... :(
Misc: $80, on budget.
Total Spent: $1231
If things keep going this way, I should definitely make my goal of saving $2,500 this month. If I really, really stretched, I could keep my spending under one paycheck again...whew, wouldn't THAT be awesome? Two months in a row?? However, with my friend back in town, I am planning on traveling a bit at the end of this month, so I'll try to spend less than $2K. Gotta enjoy it while it lasts!
Here's how the budget is shaking down thus far:
Rent: $840, on budget
Groceries: $205, have ~$70 per week to spend left...should be enough for my $350/mo budget! I'm going to try to keep it under $300 again, though, which means I actually have $50 per week.
Eating Out: $28.50, definitely on budget thus far. ~$71 left to spend
Cell phone: $72 WAY over budget, AGAIN! my sister calls me on skype, which then forwards the call to me on my cell phone if I'm not at a computer, at 31 US cents a minute. That adds up... :(
Misc: $80, on budget.
Total Spent: $1231
If things keep going this way, I should definitely make my goal of saving $2,500 this month. If I really, really stretched, I could keep my spending under one paycheck again...whew, wouldn't THAT be awesome? Two months in a row?? However, with my friend back in town, I am planning on traveling a bit at the end of this month, so I'll try to spend less than $2K. Gotta enjoy it while it lasts!
NZ Friend!
My friend is back in town after 7 weeks! She was working in the States for my company, and then took a week to go to a conference in her home country of Canada. She's going back to school, grad school, in Canada in the fall, since my company refused to give or continue her job here in NZ (not that I'm bitter or anything). It's a great step for her, so I'm happy for her, but at the same time...my one friend in the company and NZ, is going to leave in a couple of weeks (the other 2 already left). Great for her, bummer for me. Oh well, it's what I get for making friends with other immigrants!
I'm definitely one of those people where, as long as I'm comfortable with ONE person in the room, I'm fine, I'll gab your ears off. But if not...I just sort of sit there, mute, and awkwardly clean up the kitchen or refill the snacks if I'm at a party. I hate that I do that, it's totally mental--a confidence thing. Need to get over it. Thinking about seeking that free therapy I get with XBF's health insurance, actually.
I'm just sort of dreading going to company meetings and social events now, with nobody to pal around with, and with XBF and new GF and their friends there.
Tonight, for the first time, I told someone face to face what has been going on with me and XBF. I haven't had anyone here to complain to, and it felt really good to get all that out in person. Actually, I don't think I've told anyone the ENTIRE story from beginning to end, until tonight. Whew. She just went through a breakup not too long ago, too, so we commiserated over thai food (spent $9.50).
I think she may stay with me for a few weeks while she packs up, and I told her that she could stay for free (if XBF agrees). That would be so great! Apparently she will be traveling around NZ and Oz for a few months, so I'm hoping to join her on the weekends or if I can get some time off before my trip home this summer.
She bought me white cheddar popcorn (Smartfood) all the way from Canada, 'cause she knows it's my favorite and it's non-existent in NZ. What an awesome friend!
I'm definitely one of those people where, as long as I'm comfortable with ONE person in the room, I'm fine, I'll gab your ears off. But if not...I just sort of sit there, mute, and awkwardly clean up the kitchen or refill the snacks if I'm at a party. I hate that I do that, it's totally mental--a confidence thing. Need to get over it. Thinking about seeking that free therapy I get with XBF's health insurance, actually.
I'm just sort of dreading going to company meetings and social events now, with nobody to pal around with, and with XBF and new GF and their friends there.
Tonight, for the first time, I told someone face to face what has been going on with me and XBF. I haven't had anyone here to complain to, and it felt really good to get all that out in person. Actually, I don't think I've told anyone the ENTIRE story from beginning to end, until tonight. Whew. She just went through a breakup not too long ago, too, so we commiserated over thai food (spent $9.50).
I think she may stay with me for a few weeks while she packs up, and I told her that she could stay for free (if XBF agrees). That would be so great! Apparently she will be traveling around NZ and Oz for a few months, so I'm hoping to join her on the weekends or if I can get some time off before my trip home this summer.
She bought me white cheddar popcorn (Smartfood) all the way from Canada, 'cause she knows it's my favorite and it's non-existent in NZ. What an awesome friend!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Bankruptcy For $4K?
I posted this earlier on a PF message board, just wanted to see if anyone out there had anything to add:
My sister came to me today (over the phone) saying that she's in debt and thinking of declaring bankruptcy. I asked her for how much, and she said she owes $4k. That's all--Four thousand dollars. I told her not to--that seems like such a small sum to mess up your life for 7 years--but I wanted to see if anyone else had better advice or could think of a reason why she SHOULD. She has some mitigating circumstances:
She's severely bipolar and lives in a group home. She gets disability $$, but her group home takes all her disability money to run the home. I think she gets like $20 a week as an allowance. Every year, her cocktail of meds stops working, and she's committed to a mental hospital for 6-8 months. When she's in the hospital, of course, the disability money goes to the hospital. When they finally figure out another cocktail that works, she does ok for a few months. For a few months a year ago, she actually had a part-time job and lived by herself. However, that ended when her meds stopped working again, and she lost that job and apartment.
Her case manager and therapist are both saying that she should not and cannot hold down a job in order to pay down this debt. They helped her consolidate her debts, and her payment would be $122/mo. My parents have bailed her out many, many times, and she hates that. She says that when she's manic after her meds stop working (before she goes to the hospital), she really just can't control her spending; it's like she's another person. She has cut up all her credit cards, but they keep sending her new ones (WHY??). Hopefully, my parents will not pay this again, my dad is also disabled and my mom makes very little as a social worker--she's already going to have to delay her retirement by at least a decade due to the recession and so my dad is covered by her health insurance.
So...aside from bankruptcy...are there any other options that you can think of? What could happen if she doesn't pay these debts? Is the worst thing that could happen is that her credit is shot (it's already down the tubes...this cycle keeps happening, but my parents keep paying her debts)?
She wants to get a job but I think her case manager and therapist just aren't going to allow it.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Pilates
My Pilates class this week was AWESOME. I didn't break a sweat and barely moved around, yet my whole body has been sore for the past two days. Part of me loves being sore (hurts so good style) because it means that I'm building the muscles, stretching them to their limits. :)
Walking around today, I could feel how my core was working to keep me upright, rather than completely relying on my spine and back muscles. My posture has improved, too. I only went to 4 of the 7 classes so far (work obligations kept me from the rest, class is 1xweek), and I only have 1 more class left, but it's safe to say that I will try and find a replacement once its done, and also sign up for this class next semester. The classes work out to be about $20 each, but I'm ok with that; anything to get me off of my butt and out of the apartment!
Walking around today, I could feel how my core was working to keep me upright, rather than completely relying on my spine and back muscles. My posture has improved, too. I only went to 4 of the 7 classes so far (work obligations kept me from the rest, class is 1xweek), and I only have 1 more class left, but it's safe to say that I will try and find a replacement once its done, and also sign up for this class next semester. The classes work out to be about $20 each, but I'm ok with that; anything to get me off of my butt and out of the apartment!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Spending Update
Including rent, I've spent $1,140.87 in May so far. My income will be approximately $4,569 in May, and my goal is to save at least $2500 of that to fund my new laptop and part of my new-to-me car fund (ie rental car fund for next summer). So, I have $928 left to spend.
Unless there's an emergency, my health insurance premium bill suddenly becomes due (still haven't received it), or my migrant levy becomes due (I get residency), I probably won't spend that whole $928. That would be equivalent of spending over $2000 in one month, and last month I was able to get by on less than $1500. I AM planning on getting out of town for a weekend at the end of the month, but I really doubt I spend more than $300, because we're sharing car rental, gas, food, and lodging costs (and the lodging may be free!).
I'll probably go out for Thai this evening, like I usually do on Fridays now that I've discovered the good, cheap thai place 5 minutes walking distance from my apartment! That'll be $9.50.
The grocery store is right next to the thai place, so I'll most likely research some recipes (i'm thinking chili for next week) and grab any items that I'm missing that they stock. I'll probably still have to go to the Big Grocery Store (New World) this weekend to pick up misc. items, but that's ok.
Unless there's an emergency, my health insurance premium bill suddenly becomes due (still haven't received it), or my migrant levy becomes due (I get residency), I probably won't spend that whole $928. That would be equivalent of spending over $2000 in one month, and last month I was able to get by on less than $1500. I AM planning on getting out of town for a weekend at the end of the month, but I really doubt I spend more than $300, because we're sharing car rental, gas, food, and lodging costs (and the lodging may be free!).
I'll probably go out for Thai this evening, like I usually do on Fridays now that I've discovered the good, cheap thai place 5 minutes walking distance from my apartment! That'll be $9.50.
The grocery store is right next to the thai place, so I'll most likely research some recipes (i'm thinking chili for next week) and grab any items that I'm missing that they stock. I'll probably still have to go to the Big Grocery Store (New World) this weekend to pick up misc. items, but that's ok.
Goal Update
I transferred $$ out of my Travel Fund to pay the credit card bill for my flight home to VA this summer; $2500 NZD of the $5K that I saved up was spent, leaving me $2.5K to spend on my flight home for Christmas later this year. I can only hope flight prices stay the same or drop!!
Man...living away from your family is EXPENSIVE! Esp. when they expect you to be home for Xmas, no matter what, like mine do. I haven't missed a Christmas yet!
Every year, they tell me how happy they are that I made the sacrifice to come home. Every year, my dad tells me that he'll pay for my flight the next year. It hasn't happened so far, and I doubt it ever will. Even with the expense, and even with all the grief my family causes me, I have to admit that it's worth it to make them happy.
Man...living away from your family is EXPENSIVE! Esp. when they expect you to be home for Xmas, no matter what, like mine do. I haven't missed a Christmas yet!
Every year, they tell me how happy they are that I made the sacrifice to come home. Every year, my dad tells me that he'll pay for my flight the next year. It hasn't happened so far, and I doubt it ever will. Even with the expense, and even with all the grief my family causes me, I have to admit that it's worth it to make them happy.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Opinion Poll
Go out to Happy Hour with XBF, his new GF, and a few other coworkers tomorrow, OR stay at home to avoid a potentially upsetting situation, and save money by not buying alcohol?
Hmm, tough choice. I think it's too soon for me to be drunk around XBF--while I'm usually the happiest, friendliest drunk on the planet, when mixing alcohol with a Boy Situation I turn into a crying, depressed mess. Who knows what latent feelings lie in wait for a shot of vodka to release?
I can't believe he invited me.
Hmm, tough choice. I think it's too soon for me to be drunk around XBF--while I'm usually the happiest, friendliest drunk on the planet, when mixing alcohol with a Boy Situation I turn into a crying, depressed mess. Who knows what latent feelings lie in wait for a shot of vodka to release?
I can't believe he invited me.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Ay Carumba!
Is it really almost two weeks into May? This is bananas. Time is flying by way too fast!
I have this fantasy of being 25 again and living this half-decade of my life all over again--I might actually implement this plan, just to catch up! I wonder if you can legally change your age, like you can your name? or gender? I mean, if I feel twenty-five...who's to say I'm not? (duh. my mom. and something called 'time,' which we have not yet been able to manipulate.)
Ok. Some new information came in today. I have a big presentation this Wednesday--wish me luck. I get all sorts of flustered and crazy when I have to speak in front of people. Actually, if I have to speak at all when i'm not expecting it--socializing is not my strong point in life. Esp. when I have to speak to semi-attractive guys (the REALLY hot ones don't fluster me, 'cuz I know I have no chance...how bizarre?). Whew. Brain flies out of the window. It's a good thing I'm blonde and have an excuse, although I don't like to use it.
Also, I may be planning a road trip at the end of May. It'll probably be short but I'll see a part of NZ I haven't seen before. Rental car and accomodations will be split with at least one other person.
XBF will be moving out in August, if not sooner. Life is still hard with him, but I figured that until I knew when I'd be leaving NZ, it'd be better to not have to go through the rigamarole of getting a new roommate. I decided to just NOT CARE about that whole situation, and so far it's working. Try it: act how you want to feel. It helps.
Someone else may be sharing my space for a few weeks in May-June. Even though XBF is still paying rent, he's here maybe 15 minutes a day to shower and do laundry, and he'll be out of the country for conferences for a week in May and part of June. I don't know where he goes to sleep, don't care. As long as he pays rent, I'm cool. That said, a person I know is leaving NZ for good and needs a crash pad until she leaves. I offered to let her crash and use our garage for free, but as her motto is to 'Leave NZ broke' I think she'll end up just giving me some $$ for letting her stay here. Also, she'll be donating her closet to me--we're the same size so my wardrobe will double! I'll probably inherit a bunch of knickknacks, too. I'll at least get a good thai dinner out from it, she's promised.
What else? Oh, I've been implementing my Best Life Ever plan, and I've easily incorporated some good habits back into my routine. Specifically, I've been SPF-ing, moisturizing, drinking 60 oz of water, doing pushups and situps every day, cooking once a week and eating off of that all week for dinner, and learning how to play chess and bridge, among many, many other new habits.
I still have a long way to go...but I feel good that I'm using this very non-social time to myself to improve, and not waste all of it. Weak spots? getting enough sleep (I blame the Internet), socializing (hard with no friends and no desire to hang out with work people...), and de-stressing/meditating/stretching.
--------------------------
Spent today: $11 on smoothie juice and snacks
Spent in May 09: $1,140.87
Left to spend/save in May 09: $3,428.38
Aiming to save $2,500 this month, $928.38 left to spend
I have this fantasy of being 25 again and living this half-decade of my life all over again--I might actually implement this plan, just to catch up! I wonder if you can legally change your age, like you can your name? or gender? I mean, if I feel twenty-five...who's to say I'm not? (duh. my mom. and something called 'time,' which we have not yet been able to manipulate.)
Ok. Some new information came in today. I have a big presentation this Wednesday--wish me luck. I get all sorts of flustered and crazy when I have to speak in front of people. Actually, if I have to speak at all when i'm not expecting it--socializing is not my strong point in life. Esp. when I have to speak to semi-attractive guys (the REALLY hot ones don't fluster me, 'cuz I know I have no chance...how bizarre?). Whew. Brain flies out of the window. It's a good thing I'm blonde and have an excuse, although I don't like to use it.
Also, I may be planning a road trip at the end of May. It'll probably be short but I'll see a part of NZ I haven't seen before. Rental car and accomodations will be split with at least one other person.
XBF will be moving out in August, if not sooner. Life is still hard with him, but I figured that until I knew when I'd be leaving NZ, it'd be better to not have to go through the rigamarole of getting a new roommate. I decided to just NOT CARE about that whole situation, and so far it's working. Try it: act how you want to feel. It helps.
Someone else may be sharing my space for a few weeks in May-June. Even though XBF is still paying rent, he's here maybe 15 minutes a day to shower and do laundry, and he'll be out of the country for conferences for a week in May and part of June. I don't know where he goes to sleep, don't care. As long as he pays rent, I'm cool. That said, a person I know is leaving NZ for good and needs a crash pad until she leaves. I offered to let her crash and use our garage for free, but as her motto is to 'Leave NZ broke' I think she'll end up just giving me some $$ for letting her stay here. Also, she'll be donating her closet to me--we're the same size so my wardrobe will double! I'll probably inherit a bunch of knickknacks, too. I'll at least get a good thai dinner out from it, she's promised.
What else? Oh, I've been implementing my Best Life Ever plan, and I've easily incorporated some good habits back into my routine. Specifically, I've been SPF-ing, moisturizing, drinking 60 oz of water, doing pushups and situps every day, cooking once a week and eating off of that all week for dinner, and learning how to play chess and bridge, among many, many other new habits.
I still have a long way to go...but I feel good that I'm using this very non-social time to myself to improve, and not waste all of it. Weak spots? getting enough sleep (I blame the Internet), socializing (hard with no friends and no desire to hang out with work people...), and de-stressing/meditating/stretching.
--------------------------
Spent today: $11 on smoothie juice and snacks
Spent in May 09: $1,140.87
Left to spend/save in May 09: $3,428.38
Aiming to save $2,500 this month, $928.38 left to spend
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Spendy Spending
Groceries last night (Asian market): $5.32 (groceries)
Groceries today (New World): $41.49 (groceries)
Eating out last night: $9.50 (eating out)
Two New Zealand-y t-shirts: $54.95 (misc)
Total spent in May: $1099.97
Total expected income in May: $4569.25 (3 paycheck month)
After last night's realization that I should be able to hit my 2009 goals by August, I loosened the reins a bit today and decided to purchase two t-shirts that I've had my eye on for quite a while. One is a K' Road t-shirt (I live near Karangahape Road and adore the grittiness and diversity of the neighborhood), and the other has the outline of NZ in reflective material. I LOVE reflective material!! it's usually found on shoes and backpacks, so to find it on a shirt was awesome...plus, it's New Zealand-y and I've been meaning to buy a couple of NZ-centric shirts for long time. I have one more that I really want, then I'm done with NZ shirts for a while.
Yes, t-shirts are expensive here...XBF bought some recently that were $65 each. I can't wrap my head around that. At least mine were $25-$30, a relative bargain!
Groceries today (New World): $41.49 (groceries)
Eating out last night: $9.50 (eating out)
Two New Zealand-y t-shirts: $54.95 (misc)
Total spent in May: $1099.97
Total expected income in May: $4569.25 (3 paycheck month)
After last night's realization that I should be able to hit my 2009 goals by August, I loosened the reins a bit today and decided to purchase two t-shirts that I've had my eye on for quite a while. One is a K' Road t-shirt (I live near Karangahape Road and adore the grittiness and diversity of the neighborhood), and the other has the outline of NZ in reflective material. I LOVE reflective material!! it's usually found on shoes and backpacks, so to find it on a shirt was awesome...plus, it's New Zealand-y and I've been meaning to buy a couple of NZ-centric shirts for long time. I have one more that I really want, then I'm done with NZ shirts for a while.
Yes, t-shirts are expensive here...XBF bought some recently that were $65 each. I can't wrap my head around that. At least mine were $25-$30, a relative bargain!
My Dad Wants Me To Marry Rich
So...I was on the phone with my dad today, and we were talking about socialism (his CB buddies are all against it) and taxes. I was saying that I was all for it--maybe not as a whole governmental system, but we can certainly borrow from the idea for things like healthcare (then I gave examples of Canada and NZ). If taxes are raised for a decent healthcare system, I'd be all for it. Dad then said that if your income is over $200K, Obama wants to tax you at 40%, and that would be a bad thing for me, because obviously I'm going to make that much at some point in my life--if I marry someone.
argh. Lots of conflicting emotions: a) cool that Dad thinks I'm going to marry a guy that is savvy enough to pull down $200K. b) annoyed that he thinks I can only make that much IF i get married, and not on my own. and c) annoyed that if i made $200K, he thinks i'd care about paying more taxes...I should! $120K leftover, bi-otches. That is over four times my current salary! Once I have enough to live and fulfill my goals, what is the use of having leftover money if not to share it?
I once calculated my 'do everything I want to do' salary at about $85K. Before taxes.
Last night I was looking at my current financial goals, and realized that I'd hit my 2009 goals in 3 months. By August, I should definitely have my Laptop and Car funds all funded up and happy. So today I've been in this great mood, where I realize that with my current salary (4 times less than what I'd take home if I made $200K in the US), that all my goals are possible, and that I am making way more than enough money to keep myself happy and fulfill most of my goals. So it annoyed me that my Dad, once again, was equating making more money than I currently make with my happiness.
I started telling him that I didn't need to be a millionaire, or even make much more than I do now, to be happy. Because it is TRUE. Sure, I'd love to be able to have my retirement, house, and Roth funds all maxed out, but I'll get by on my current salary very nicely. I've learned how to work it (mostly; cell phone and groceries are still out of proportion!). I'm...good, financially. Very satisfied!
I don't need no man to make me rich! I'm doing it all by myself. :)
argh. Lots of conflicting emotions: a) cool that Dad thinks I'm going to marry a guy that is savvy enough to pull down $200K. b) annoyed that he thinks I can only make that much IF i get married, and not on my own. and c) annoyed that if i made $200K, he thinks i'd care about paying more taxes...I should! $120K leftover, bi-otches. That is over four times my current salary! Once I have enough to live and fulfill my goals, what is the use of having leftover money if not to share it?
I once calculated my 'do everything I want to do' salary at about $85K. Before taxes.
Last night I was looking at my current financial goals, and realized that I'd hit my 2009 goals in 3 months. By August, I should definitely have my Laptop and Car funds all funded up and happy. So today I've been in this great mood, where I realize that with my current salary (4 times less than what I'd take home if I made $200K in the US), that all my goals are possible, and that I am making way more than enough money to keep myself happy and fulfill most of my goals. So it annoyed me that my Dad, once again, was equating making more money than I currently make with my happiness.
I started telling him that I didn't need to be a millionaire, or even make much more than I do now, to be happy. Because it is TRUE. Sure, I'd love to be able to have my retirement, house, and Roth funds all maxed out, but I'll get by on my current salary very nicely. I've learned how to work it (mostly; cell phone and groceries are still out of proportion!). I'm...good, financially. Very satisfied!
I don't need no man to make me rich! I'm doing it all by myself. :)
Friday, May 08, 2009
Picking Up Pennies
I found two coins on the street today, and picked them up. That's 20 NZ cents more in my pocket! They don't have pennies in NZ, so whenever you spy a coin the ground, it's always worth at least 10 c. Fabulous!
Some people think it's not worth their time to pick up pennies, but I always did (and I always wash my hands after, thanks to this video. WARNING: video has ger-oss concept and has foul language. And I guarantee you will think twice about picking up pennies afterward).
I find change and money alot--I always have. I don't know if it's because a) I am obsessed with money b) I'm short and therefore closer to the ground, or c) I am always staring at the ground because I'm so klutzy that a crack in the sidewalk can cause me to bruise myself. Or maybe all three.
Some people think it's not worth their time to pick up pennies, but I always did (and I always wash my hands after, thanks to this video. WARNING: video has ger-oss concept and has foul language. And I guarantee you will think twice about picking up pennies afterward).
I find change and money alot--I always have. I don't know if it's because a) I am obsessed with money b) I'm short and therefore closer to the ground, or c) I am always staring at the ground because I'm so klutzy that a crack in the sidewalk can cause me to bruise myself. Or maybe all three.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Resigning Myself to a Car-less Existence
I was thinking about it today, and while I'm in Auckland, and as long as I stay within walking distance of work and all the shops, I just don't want to own a car. Aside from the time and energy to pick a car that won't end up being a lemon and the initial cost, the upkeep, the insurance, the tags, the Warrant of Fitness checks, not to mention GAS (which is still insanely high to me here), would sink my budget. I'd probably end up spending a lot more, too, when I'm bored--I'd just go to the malls for the heck of it.
Instead--I was just checking out some rental sites just now--I think I will still save up for a car, but use the money to rent a car if I want to go somewhere. Since the weather here in NZ is turning nasty (and is only going to get worse...dun dun dun), I probably won't be going anywhere this fall/winter in NZ. Maybe a day trip here or there--I really want to check out a gold mine nearby--but not many until summer rolls around.
So, I have until about November to save up $3K. With my research, I could rent a small car for over 2 months straight, including parking near my place, for that much. Um...count me in! I don't think I'd be renting for that long anyway--just 4 day weekends here or there. Hopefully, I'll make some friends between now and then, and the cost will be reduced by at least half!
My travel fund would hopefully cover the cost of gas, food, and lodging for the expenses associated with the trips.
Sigh. Good, got that decision out of the way. Now to decide exactly how long I'll be here if I get Residency (PR). I still kind of want to go home. :(
Instead--I was just checking out some rental sites just now--I think I will still save up for a car, but use the money to rent a car if I want to go somewhere. Since the weather here in NZ is turning nasty (and is only going to get worse...dun dun dun), I probably won't be going anywhere this fall/winter in NZ. Maybe a day trip here or there--I really want to check out a gold mine nearby--but not many until summer rolls around.
So, I have until about November to save up $3K. With my research, I could rent a small car for over 2 months straight, including parking near my place, for that much. Um...count me in! I don't think I'd be renting for that long anyway--just 4 day weekends here or there. Hopefully, I'll make some friends between now and then, and the cost will be reduced by at least half!
My travel fund would hopefully cover the cost of gas, food, and lodging for the expenses associated with the trips.
Sigh. Good, got that decision out of the way. Now to decide exactly how long I'll be here if I get Residency (PR). I still kind of want to go home. :(
Spending Deathmatch
In a battle between paying someone to do my laundry and buying new clothes, hiring a launderer would totally win! (as long as he/she folded and delivered/picked up as well)
I think this is different what my answer would have been a year ago...mostly because I no longer have a dryer. Hanging clothes to dry on my drying rack is probably my least favorite chore ever. It's not hard, it's not time-consuming, I just don't like doing it. The only part I really like is that I'm helping to save the environment and saving on electricity by not using a dryer! They say that your clothes last longer this way, but I really haven't noticed a difference yet.
I think this is different what my answer would have been a year ago...mostly because I no longer have a dryer. Hanging clothes to dry on my drying rack is probably my least favorite chore ever. It's not hard, it's not time-consuming, I just don't like doing it. The only part I really like is that I'm helping to save the environment and saving on electricity by not using a dryer! They say that your clothes last longer this way, but I really haven't noticed a difference yet.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
New Life
I didn't spend anything today...hurray!
Other News: It looks like my Australia trip is off--the friend I was supposed to go with isn't coming back to NZ at all. :(
More Other News:
I've been focusing on finances lately as much as I usually do, but I've also been making other changes in my life during the time I usually spent online, doing not much of anything. Since I have all this free time...why not be productive with it, or at least try to work on what I know are my weak spots?
So I reviewed my life and decided I needed more balance. For the past week and a half, I've been trying to devote fifteen minutes a day to each of the following categories (aside from finance): physical health, physical gorgeousness (moisturizing, using SPF, etc.), organize/clean house, health/nutrition, career, social stuff and existing relationships/connections, brain fitness, and mental health (destressing). I bought a handy-dandy kitchen timer and that keeps me on task in most instances.
I'm doing great in the organize/clean house, physical gorgeousness, and brain health (learning how to play chess) categories.
Doing eh, ok in: physical health, career, and food/nutrition. (I could really be eating better, getting more sleep, and going to MORE MEETINGS and talks at work...as well as networking--but on the whole I'm making an effort in these categories, so I think I'm doing all right.)
Doing HORRIBLY (as in, I just don't make time for it or do it): social and mental health. I mean I twitter, facebook, email, etc., but I don't count those--I need to pick up the dang phone and get more face time and 'real' time with other people. That is hard to come by when all of my friends are so far away, but I need to make more of an investment in the people who are actually physically here. And as far as the mental health thing goes, I can't seem to make myself just. stop. and do nothing, which is necessary for things like meditating and de-stressing.
I think it's too much change in one go, actually. There's a lot to get used to, which may be why i'm falling apart in the last two categories. Maybe I need to get used to my new routine before I add in those two major weak spots?
Do you have any tips or tricks for maintaining a balanced, healthy life? Are there things you require yourself to do every day (like flossing...i KNOW it's good for me, but I hate doing it...)?
Other News: It looks like my Australia trip is off--the friend I was supposed to go with isn't coming back to NZ at all. :(
More Other News:
I've been focusing on finances lately as much as I usually do, but I've also been making other changes in my life during the time I usually spent online, doing not much of anything. Since I have all this free time...why not be productive with it, or at least try to work on what I know are my weak spots?
So I reviewed my life and decided I needed more balance. For the past week and a half, I've been trying to devote fifteen minutes a day to each of the following categories (aside from finance): physical health, physical gorgeousness (moisturizing, using SPF, etc.), organize/clean house, health/nutrition, career, social stuff and existing relationships/connections, brain fitness, and mental health (destressing). I bought a handy-dandy kitchen timer and that keeps me on task in most instances.
I'm doing great in the organize/clean house, physical gorgeousness, and brain health (learning how to play chess) categories.
Doing eh, ok in: physical health, career, and food/nutrition. (I could really be eating better, getting more sleep, and going to MORE MEETINGS and talks at work...as well as networking--but on the whole I'm making an effort in these categories, so I think I'm doing all right.)
Doing HORRIBLY (as in, I just don't make time for it or do it): social and mental health. I mean I twitter, facebook, email, etc., but I don't count those--I need to pick up the dang phone and get more face time and 'real' time with other people. That is hard to come by when all of my friends are so far away, but I need to make more of an investment in the people who are actually physically here. And as far as the mental health thing goes, I can't seem to make myself just. stop. and do nothing, which is necessary for things like meditating and de-stressing.
I think it's too much change in one go, actually. There's a lot to get used to, which may be why i'm falling apart in the last two categories. Maybe I need to get used to my new routine before I add in those two major weak spots?
Do you have any tips or tricks for maintaining a balanced, healthy life? Are there things you require yourself to do every day (like flossing...i KNOW it's good for me, but I hate doing it...)?
Monday, May 04, 2009
More Take-Home Pay or More Government-Provided Services?
I just ran across this article on Yahoo!
I've covered this before when comparing NZ vs. the US, but personally, I'd take more taxes if things like college and healthcare were free or very heavily subsidized. I suppose there is a limit to that, though. What if I weren't able to save anything on my take-home pay? I wonder if my viewpoint would change, and what I'd be willing to give up in exchange for lower taxes?
Still marveling...free college?? WOW.
I've covered this before when comparing NZ vs. the US, but personally, I'd take more taxes if things like college and healthcare were free or very heavily subsidized. I suppose there is a limit to that, though. What if I weren't able to save anything on my take-home pay? I wonder if my viewpoint would change, and what I'd be willing to give up in exchange for lower taxes?
Still marveling...free college?? WOW.
Boring...More Spending
This has become more of a log of my spending blog (spblog?) than a real blog that comments on financial issues, but I'll get back in the groove when something exciting happens...like i move back to the US (?? still an option in my head) or I come across an exciting article that I MUST wax poetic about. Thanks for sticking in there, for anyone still reading!
Today, as scheduled, I spent $24.70. Some of it was for Sarah WIR Racer's 'Lazy Girls Casserole.' (link in the sidebar. not only am i a lazy cook, I'm a lazy blogger...)
Basically, it's mac'n'cheese, tuna, and peas. Make the mac'n'cheese, mix the tuna and peas in, crumble some crackers on top and bake in the oven for ~5 min at 350 F. WOW is it yummy! and easy!
Anyway, to do that, I had to buy mac'n'cheese. Now, they have Kraft here, but it doesn't come in handy, hefty-serving boxes--they come in single serving packets. I paid $4.50 for 4 packets, which makes me a total idiot, but as I said, Lazy Cook. I should have enough for all week, which makes me happy. A happy, lazy, well-fed idiot. :) (Sarah once made this dish, which feeds 4, for 40 cents. She's awesome!)
I also had to buy some peas. I got two cans, which were $2.20 each.
The rest was for a smoothie ($6.80 for 1 L), and some snacks for the week.
I made banana bread last night. Very yummy...free 'cause I had everything already in my pantry.
Today, as scheduled, I spent $24.70. Some of it was for Sarah WIR Racer's 'Lazy Girls Casserole.' (link in the sidebar. not only am i a lazy cook, I'm a lazy blogger...)
Basically, it's mac'n'cheese, tuna, and peas. Make the mac'n'cheese, mix the tuna and peas in, crumble some crackers on top and bake in the oven for ~5 min at 350 F. WOW is it yummy! and easy!
Anyway, to do that, I had to buy mac'n'cheese. Now, they have Kraft here, but it doesn't come in handy, hefty-serving boxes--they come in single serving packets. I paid $4.50 for 4 packets, which makes me a total idiot, but as I said, Lazy Cook. I should have enough for all week, which makes me happy. A happy, lazy, well-fed idiot. :) (Sarah once made this dish, which feeds 4, for 40 cents. She's awesome!)
I also had to buy some peas. I got two cans, which were $2.20 each.
The rest was for a smoothie ($6.80 for 1 L), and some snacks for the week.
I made banana bread last night. Very yummy...free 'cause I had everything already in my pantry.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Spending
Spent $63.90 on groceries today. I am going to make a tuna-pea-pasta dish tomorrow, I think. I bought a bunch of high-priced items from the Asian market--cheese ($13), cashews ($15), chicken breast ($8), ground beef ($5), and tuna ($6). I shouldn't have to buy meat for a few weeks...
I couldn't really decide what to make for dinner this week. I have leftover refried beans, guacamole, and some rice from last week...but I really don't want Mexican again. What else can I use them for?? I guess I'll just have to make some dip and use it up snacking this week with some nacho chips.
Tomorrow, I still need to buy:
smoothie (1 L)
peas
MacNCheese packets
nachos
If anyone can recommend an easy, frugal, healthy recipe (i know, i know, pick 2 out of the 3...), please do so!! This is a constant struggle for me.
I couldn't really decide what to make for dinner this week. I have leftover refried beans, guacamole, and some rice from last week...but I really don't want Mexican again. What else can I use them for?? I guess I'll just have to make some dip and use it up snacking this week with some nacho chips.
Tomorrow, I still need to buy:
smoothie (1 L)
peas
MacNCheese packets
nachos
If anyone can recommend an easy, frugal, healthy recipe (i know, i know, pick 2 out of the 3...), please do so!! This is a constant struggle for me.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Fancy Maths
'Math' is 'maths' here in NZ. So odd to get used to. I also love how the same words can mean different things from one country to the next. Today, one of my NZ bosses said that one of the PhD students involved in my project was 'demonstrating.' I, naturally, asked what she was protesting against, to the utter bewilderment of my boss here. Turns out, that means that the student was being a TA and teaching a class. Hee.
Anyway, I employed some Fancy Maths here with my goals. Since I'm obviously traveling this year (already bought ticket to US in the summer; maybe going to Oz in May?), I've switched up my Travel and Car funds over there on the right------>
I really don't anticipate buying a car in the near future. It's almost winter here, and I'd be doing most of my zooming around when the weather is a little better (ie next summer...November-February-ish). I'd have to insure it, get maintainance done on it, and probably pay a little bit extra garage rent when I get a new roommate.
Sooo, my Travel Fund is now fully funded at $5K, and my car fund has been bumped down to $3K for now. It is my last priority, with the new laptop fund now playing second string.
Anyway, I employed some Fancy Maths here with my goals. Since I'm obviously traveling this year (already bought ticket to US in the summer; maybe going to Oz in May?), I've switched up my Travel and Car funds over there on the right------>
I really don't anticipate buying a car in the near future. It's almost winter here, and I'd be doing most of my zooming around when the weather is a little better (ie next summer...November-February-ish). I'd have to insure it, get maintainance done on it, and probably pay a little bit extra garage rent when I get a new roommate.
Sooo, my Travel Fund is now fully funded at $5K, and my car fund has been bumped down to $3K for now. It is my last priority, with the new laptop fund now playing second string.
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