May 5, 2009
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Some of these are train-related, from back when I Twittered that the train folks were in a feisty mood. I only participated in ONE of these conversations.
“Remember that one girl who always shoved her husband’s photos in our faces? Whatever happened to her?”
“Ugh, that was obnoxious, I’m just glad it stopped.”
“Come on guys, she’s just insecure.”
muttered: “She should be!”
“Congratulations on your new house!”
“Thanks! You have crazy bedhead!”
“…… thanks!”
*burst of giggles from three people*
“That is NOT sexual harassment!”
*more giggles*
“My dad called me this morning: ‘Don’t leave your house, don’t go to work, don’t take the kids to school! Don’t do anything you don’t have to!'”
“Dad, are you going to pay my bills?”
“He says, ‘Oh. Go to work.'”
April 17, 2009
My thoughts have been going ’round and ’round, producing very little of use since last week. Thus, no real posting.
Thursday kicked off my long weekend with a meeting wherein the June 30th layoff date was publicly and semi-officially announced, finally. You’d think after all my ruminations, I’d be on the starting blocks, ready to get out of here. Emotionally, I am. The environment’s so toxic that I can’t wait to be gone already. It’s just counting down the ten weeks until that happens. And making sure I’ve really checked off my entire list of things to do before it’s all over.
I’m also emotionally exhausted from all that and all the dire news. I mean, you can’t turn around without being inundated with negative media: NPR, news online, blogs, people gossiping, everything. And it’s not like I’m just trying to hide in a hole, but there’s a limit to the amount of negativity this body can take.
Actually, I have been dodging unnecessary bombardment by practicing quiet in myself. I’ll be back when I feel better.
Stacking Pennies has the right idea over at her blog asking, Tell Me Something Good, but I’m not quite ready to pull myself up by the bootstraps and try try again yet.
FCN has a fun post up: What Would You Do With a Windfall?
What would you do with a major windfall? For the sake of argument, let’s say that someone dropped a million bucks in your lap. Would you pay down debt? Buy something nice? Save or invest it?
Oh, if nothing else, I finally did submit my life insurance paperwork for increased benefit through my employer. And I finished my classes yesterday. Go me!
PS: I just got a notice that my 6-month CD with Citi is expiring. That flew right by, and I’m not sure what to do with it. Probably just cash it out and throw it back into savings.
April 14, 2009
My obsessiveness with the bag has subsided (though not my love for it!)
This post is to satisfy FB‘s curiosity about the contents of my bag. I didn’t think you’d be interested, so I actually emptied it all out before taking pictures the first time around. 🙂
My basic work pack includes a planner – yes, I’m still operating on a paper and pen basis there, a little notebook for my scribblings, a pencil case-like make-up bag from elf.com that holds a pocket mirror, lip balm and other little essentials, my wallet, the cell phone charger, tissues in the side pocket, and lotion with SPF in the other side pocket.
Much as I love technology, there’s something therapeutic about literally scribbling notes and financial calculations in a little notebook at the end of a long day in front of the computer.
Outside the bag are these little pouches, perfect for holding my Bluetooth in one, and candy in the other.
My phone and keys reside in the front side pouch which I think you’ve already seen.
Curiosity satisfied? 🙂
Back to regularly scheduled programming soon ….
April 5, 2009
Crystal from Brunette on a Budget shared with me a bit of flattery on her blog a few days ago, naming me one of her favorite seven blogs. Aw shucks, thank you!
And courtesy of that list, I’m enjoying a listen-in to Madame Bonjour‘s playlist which features some tracks from Carla Bruni’s latest CD. I’ve never listened to French music before, it’s intriguing. I also can’t understand a word of it. 🙂
Saturday morning I awoke to the exciting news that I’d won one of Flexo’s ten TurboTax Premier Online giveaway codes. My fingers were crossed because I wanted to provide this to a close friend, April 15th is fast approaching. Is it weird that it’s almost more exciting that I won it so I could give it to someone I care about?
April 3, 2009
My eyebrows still haven’t crept back down from my hairline after reading the positively dismal comments on FMF’s article posted over on Consumerist.com: 50% Of Americans 2 Paychecks Away From Having Big Financial Problemos
I knew that some people took exception to financial advice, but didn’t realize that there were people who took personal finance axioms so personally. At first, the comments started out fairly benignly, with understandable exasperation at uncomfortable or tight living circumstances. Been there, you know?
Saboth: I’m actually surprised that it isn’t “0 paychecks”. Most people I know barely have enough money to pay their bills currently.
edwardso:@Saboth: Sadly I am one of those people, between rent, student loans, credit card utilities I can only save about $50 per month and most of my friends (1-2 years our of college) can’t even save that.
Then people started getting agitated:
nakedscience: Seriously, ThickSkinned. People just go, “SAVE! You have to SAVE!” acting like it’s easy — but it’s not. Especially if you barely have enough money month-to-month to cover the bills as it is! This is especially true for people with kids, or for those who were doing fine, got sick, then lost their jobs or something.
Not all of it is because people are irresponsible. Some people just can’t get above water enough to save.
But at some point, it took a plunge into outright anger and labeling the presumably financially responsible as “smug bastards.” To whit:
edwardso: I can’t wait until some smug bastard gets on here and proclaims that they pay off their credit card every month and make x amount of dollars through bonuses or remind everyone of how much they would save if they canceled cable, used prepaid cell phones, etc.
jake7294: @edwardso: So true…we already have the “I pay myself first” and “when I get a raise I put the increased income in savings” comments
Yikes. Yes, everyone’s having a tough time. But after working my tushie off to overcome many major obstacles (ie: major health problems, business failures, family bankruptcy, supporting a household), it’s unsettling to see such vituperative comments skewering the fiscally aware. Actually, I think it’s gross.
That energy could be channeled towards something more productive, like, say, learning. Fine, being told “save” isn’t helpful in and of itself. But it’s a basic concept: if you want the products of saving, ie: money to spare and not living paycheck to paycheck, then you have to save. Unless there’s a whole other world that allows reaping the benefits of saving without actually doing it. I sure don’t live there. I’d love to! I had to sweat through endless trials to create a situation where I could save and pay my bills on time. And don’t think I don’t understand catastrophic situations while trying to build a career. Flip through the archives. That doesn’t even include the years I spent putting myself through school and food on the table. It’s been 9 years of working since high school, 17 if you count the years of unpaid labor at my parents’ business, and many more to go.
There is a way. Do not dismiss those of us who made savings, and paying bills on time, and not carrying a credit card balance a priority in our lives. Maybe there are a few who were born with silver spoons in their mouths, but by and large, it’s work, dammit. It’s sacrifice, and making choices, and being mindful, and exercising willpower. It is NOT easy to reach the point where we get to be referred to as “smug bastards” for paying ourselves first. And those with silver spoons? Still don’t deserve to be called bastards.
FB makes a wonderful point in her recent post Forget Earth Hour? about taking control of your money, and the predominant attitude of those who rely on denigrating others and complaining about their less-than-legitimately “poor” circumstances:
Not only that, I find it strange to be proud of being cash-poor, broke, overdrawn, maxed out and generally penniless working paycheque to paycheque.
Maybe it’s just a mechanism for people to nervously deal with what they know is a hot financial mess.
The principle of saving, and the people who point it out or live it, is not the problem here. The problem lies in a situation you’re not happy with. That cries out for a solution. Ask questions, ask for help and be willing to figure what part of that help is applicable if you want an answer. But don’t put us down because all you see is the end result of countless hours of toil.
There are as many ways to find help as there are to save. Heck, I’m sure if you were open to any of the PF bloggers so forcibly disdained, some of them might even have some useful information. If you ask.
March 18, 2009
It’s an emotional and physical off-roading sort of week, so I’ve been uninspired. That was going to be the thrust of the post, but complaining’s not going to help. (Or hasn’t, yet.)
Thusly, we’re going to practice optimism, today, because:
1) it’s Wednesday!
2) I found a highly challenging job listing that I’m a little underqualified for but I don’t care, I want it anyway. And I could do it, if they would overlook the lack of a Master’s degree. Promise.
3) and Sallie’s Niece got the job!
4) so that means it’s not categorically impossible. [No, that’s not logical. Doesn’t matter.]
I’ve been a bit fed up with my doom and gloom. Luckily, I got it all out over at i pick up pennies (thanks Abby!) Not that I suggest you read my rant, please don’t, just visit Abby if you like.
And 5) Crystal is basking in the sun for me via Twitter, never you mind if she’s playing hooky or not. 🙂
Oh! and 6) I’m actually happy about the layoff now. I’m thrilled to be getting out of here, with severance. You see, I have plans for that money.
Edit for accuracy: We still need our official notice but, as long as I stick it out until June 30th, I should be all good w/regards to severance.
And 7) My doctor’s office (HMO) is ridiculously awesome. I emailed asking for an appt next Tuesday am. Got a VM that the doc was not in clinic that day, was asked to call back. I called to schedule for a different day but had to hang up before getting through. Found a voice message on my cell phone, 30 minutes later, saying that I was booked for the day/time I originally requested. Oh and, “you can come any time you like, your actual appointment is X:00.” They must love me. I want to keep them forever.
March 15, 2009
After the hike yesterday, my joints are rather sore and I’m in need of some resting up to head off a major ‘ritis flare-up. Therefore, health day!
The shoulder has been out of whack for a long time, so I’m getting that worked on today. We’ll have a late lunch of cheese pizza and salad, and catch up with some old friends.
The Futility Fund (administered by Vanguard) was infused with the Rollover Contribution, finally. That’s $800+ down that drain. 🙂
I’m still waiting for that last insurance reimbursement check from the credit card company, though. Should call and find out what’s taking them s’darned long this time.
Hope everyone else is having a fabulous day!
