About sixteen years ago, I met him for the first time. My trainwreck sibling brought home this adorable puppy he had no business adopting because he had not one thing in his life that wasn’t a mess. I was furious at my sibling – he didn’t even take care of himself, how could he drag
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December 3, 2008
Dr. Allison Cameron of House, M.D.! I didn’t get it quite right as it’s not a button down, but it’s a lovely, black, v-neck sweater vest that looks similar to the above vest for my professional wardrobe. Ahem, I have an announcement. Ladies and gents, H&M has opened at my local mall and this could be a disaster for my wallet.
Back to the sweater vest: this is one of the two items I knew were missing from my wardrobe since I am quite content with everything else I have. It’ll go with the short sleeve and long sleeve button down shirts I already own, and possibly a few regular short sleeve tees as well. I haven’t experimented with the pairings yet, but the possibilities are myriad.
The feeling of having just enough and not wanting is quite refreshing. Recent storage purges have revealed that I have just enough dresses, jeans, button down shirts, and sweatpants. (Not the trendy kind of sweatpants that can ostensibly be worn out’n’about but that is a good thing because I don’t need temptation to leave the house so casually attired. I believe the message there is: Gave up on life.)
The other item is a replacement winter dress. I have a classy black cowl-neck knit sweaterdress and for ages that was the go-to dress for any cold weather event. Dress, tights, and a coat were the perfect trio, and it was good for every occasion. Well, if I were to have “occasions,” a rarity, but you know what I mean. It was the when-in-doubt winter dress, and the sleeves are fraying. It’s actually hard to tell, but history shows that my clothing failures are such that there’s no gentle easing into retirement. Oh no, the item goes from “acceptable” to “whoa nelly!” in a single catastrophically poorly-timed movement. I’d like to have a back-up for the moment this dress unravels.
December 2, 2008
| Retirement Savings |
Rollover IRA: $1,052
Roth IRA: $4,189
401(a): $4,168
403(b): $11,655
Total: $ 21,604 (21,409)
|
| Emergency Savings |
Catastrophe: $ 20,000 (19,743)
Problem Cushion: $794 |
| Short Term Goals |
Car Maintenance: $711
Car Insurance: $1,809
Travel/Con: $512
Taxes: $3,507
Moving: $15
Total: $ 6,554 (6,124) |
| Long Term Goals |
House Down Payment: $101 |
| Investment Loans |
Prosper-ish: $12,630
Personal Loan: $5,000
Savings Bond: $357 (current accrued value)
Total: $17,998 (17,997)
|
| Total Assets |
Non-Liquid: $21,604
Semi-Liquid: $17,998
Liquid: $20,794
Expense Acct: $6,160
Goals Savings: $6,554
Total: $ 73,110 (71,686) |
| Debt and Liabilities |
Truck: $2,743
AX: $177
Citi: $154
Citi 2: $1,306
Chase: $335
Rent: $1,360
Total: $6,075 (5,604) |
| Net Worth |
$67,035 (66,082) |
Surprisingly, there was a bit of gain this month, and that can be attributed to much lower gas prices (down from a high of $400/mo to about $200/mo) and a few uncommonly low utility bills, unexpected strength in the bonds of the Roth, and a steady infusion of overtime income. I’ll take what I can get for now as none of the four should be relied upon.
The car insurance came due so I charged it on the PremierPass to clear out as many of my Flight points as possible before they change the card to a CitiBusiness. It’ll be paid off forthwith as the money’s sitting pretty in the Insurance money account.
I have my fingers crossed that getting rid of the truck today will go smoothly.
December 1, 2008
I had the pleasure of running an impromptu interview with Karen. It was really a conversation via email, and quite fun getting to know one of my frequent reader/commenters.
Tell me (us) about yourself
I’m a single (divorced) woman and 30 something living in FL. I have a BS degree and I have a lot in student loans for that BS lol. My current position is logistics (but not what my degree is in) and I’m in management i.e. I supervise people. I own a home in another state (due to relocation). I’ve lived in 8 states. I don’t watch TV (I have cable for the ‘net). It doesn’t even occur to me to turn it on. I used to watch the club channel (music videos) at the gym and there are 2 TV at work and I end up getting sucked in, mesmerized by stupid commercials and Springer or the Court shows (depends on which employee is working lol).
I love that you don’t turn on the tv, because I don’t either. (Don’t laugh, it’s really because I can’t work the dang thing. It’s too high-tech for me.) You mention that you own a home in another state due to relocation, does that heavily impact your finances and the choices you’re able to make regarding your career or your daily life?
The house actually has little impact on me right now. It’s rented out, my mortgage payment lowered due to my ARM adjusting. If I didn’t have a property management company managing it, I’d be making a small profit. I currently “lose” less $50/mo on it. It’s my first year so I don’t know the tax implications (none as far as I can tell). Also, I can just manage if it wasn’t rented.
It doesn’t affect my career since I hated living where I was and I have absolutely no plans to leave where I am now (ok, maybe to HI or abroad!).
Although having a mortgage and no available house is a good way to keep me in check from trying to buy one right now. My rent is actually more than my mortgage but right now I am enjoying not being responsible for any maintenance.
I think you’re the first person I’ve met who has had their mortgage lowered when their ARM adjusted. That’s pretty awesome. You’ve mentioned before that you’re always a reader, never a blogger. What kinds of blogs do you follow and what are your favorites? What is it that you look for in a blog: appeal, entertainment, education?
Yeah my rate is now 4.75. I think my first house had an ARM and it adjusted up and that’s part of why I had to file bankruptcy (the main reason was I couldn’t sell it without my husband’s signature and he had “disappeared” after I sent preliminary divorce papers. And no, haven’t seen/heard from/of him since). That was a fun day in the lawyer’s office: 23 or 24 getting a divorce and filing for bankruptcy. Men are nothing but trouble! Kidding. Mostly. š The one good thing about buying the first house (which was his idea. The “throwing away money by renting” thing eye roll) is that we used his VA loan eligibility and not mine so I could use mine on the house I bought for me. The VA guarantees loans for eligible veterans so not required to have a down payment.
I don’t blog because I have a short attention span and it takes me too much effort to sit down and write something worth reading. And I don’t have much worth writing about at the moment!
The first pfblog I ever read was mymoneyblog. I read for entertainment more than education. I read yours (I know; you’re shocked), Single Ma/Fabulous Financials, Fab. Broke, Give Me Back My Five Bucks, Escape Brooklyn, Mapgirl, The Hustle of Sistah Ant, Sense to Dollars and random links from everyone. I mostly know what I should do, I just don’t. Or at least not to the best use of my resources. Unfortunately, I am too excited to be back in Florida and I want to enjoy it some after my time in KY. It’s mostly eating out plus a lot of travel recently (kennels are expensive here!).
I don’t really follow any other types of blogs with the exception of some friends’ livejournals. (I am not a myspace or facebook person).
I hear you about men being trouble, I’ve known a few of those in my time. š Now: Lightning round! What’s your favorite food(s)?
Favorite foods: gyoza. And Sapporo Ichiban ramen, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), sticky rice Dr Pepper (I know that’s a drink but it is a favorite!)
Are you a dog, cat, or furry plus four legs person?
I prefer dogs but I like most animals.
I already know you’re not a shoe gal, what do you love shopping for or owning?
Heh I don’t like shopping really. I know that’s boring! I prefer to spend my money on food/drinks and travel.
If you could do anything in the world you wanted for a week, what would that week consist of?
I would spend the week in Japan (also is a dream. Almost went this year but had a flaky friend). I want to see Kyoto and a sumo match, Japanese theater, hike Mt Fuji, visit Hiroshima, Tokyo. Maybe if clothes there fit me I’d like shopping! Maybe buying shoes would be easier!
Is there a dream you’re still wishing for, or that you’d like to see come true in your lifetime?
I would also like to have a job that I really like/enjoy (mine’s tolerable) and who knows with the economy? Tonight we got word of how it’s really affecting us. I’ve seen some numbers internally and in the news but tonight it was really brought home.
Mmmm, I looove gyoza and travel … and I think MyMoneyBlog was my entry blog as well! š Thanks so much for having our chat, Karen, ’twas great fun!
November 29, 2008
You wouldn’t know it to look out my window, but winter is fast approaching, as is the end of the calendar year. (As opposed to the fiscal year.)
A few things to consider before December 31st:
- FSA allocations: I know my deadline for using and claiming the money is March 31st, 2009, but not if that was a universal change. Be sure to check your deadlines and balance. Have you used it up? Are you on track to, or do you have a ways to go? I still have a surprising $250 left in my account and am fresh out of painkillers so I’ll be picking up some Tylenol. Not $200 worth, but a couple large bottles should do it. A big part of the allocation was meant for my massage therapy, so it’s time to schedule a couple appointments there.
- Charitable donations: If you haven’t already made your planned contributions, didn’t plan any and are able to give a little, please remember to do so! Charities have quite a difficult time
- Tax related receipts/records: I hope that everyone’s got a sorting and tracking system they’re happy with because even I, with my new found love of Google Docs, find entering receipts a little onerous and tend to forget to do it routinely. Gather up ye receipts and organize them now so Q1 2009 doesn’t thoroughly stink!
Anything else?
Oh, also, check out Budgets are Sexy for a few more end of the year tax tips!
November 28, 2008
Have been going back and forth with myself literally since I woke up this morning. That and reading are all I’ve had the energy to do.
Best Buy has this lovely laptop that’s just right, priced at $672 after tax and shipping.
I was prepared to spend about $400 if an unexpected deal came up, but almost $700?
Yes: it’s got all the specs I want, it’s a decent deal, I will need a laptop that functions off the leash at some point.
No: really don’t feel right spending that kind of money right now. (Disclaimer: I do always say that, and this could very well be the iPod-I-Never-Bought sort of deal. I lie to myself and say that I *will* buy that item, “just not right now.” I do this all the time about electronics.)
Have a feeling that I’ll make a decision by passively waiting out the clock and not actively deciding since I’ve stared at my balance sheets for a long time and can’t see an easy pot from which to “steal” the money. Spender’s remorse generally trumps non-buyer’s regret. Also, it still feels like a want and not a need.
Edit: Ok, I have a compromise. If the truck is squared away by tomorrow afternoon, thereby taking the loan off my balance sheets, and the deal is still available, I will be ok with buying it. If not, better luck on Monday!
November 25, 2008
Been having myself a little pity party over being sick since I went to bed early but kept waking up and feeling worse each time I did. I’m not a morning person, and that not wanting to get up increases exponentially when I’m sick, because that’s always the worst part of my days. This time, though, it’s been surprisingly easy to forget that I actually might survive until noon if I manage to stay awake and semi-productive until then – normally I just automagically find myself getting up and going to work without wasting the energy to whine about it. I guess my immune system’s a little weaker than usual.
I’ve been dazedly clicking on links from The Digerati Life trying to maintain visual tracking/consciousness, and oddly enough, the focus on layoffs and the amazingly good attitudes of recently laid-off bloggers has started to penetrate my fugue and fogginess. Amateur Asset Allocator lost his job at the end of October, so I checked on the most recent post to see how he’s been doing since. Today, he’s reminding us to roll over our old IRAs (more applicable to him since he’s no longer with his former employer) and not leave it sitting around because we’re simply too busy, lazy or some combination thereof. Very timely reminder because I still haven’t rolled over my original Rollover IRA from WAMU and it’s now costing even more ($25 annual fee) than it did before ($15).
I did, however, fight off the inertia long enough this past weekend to call United and find out that I have a nearly $300 credit in my name from a previously cancelled business trip. Heh, if the organizers were rude enough to cancel the trip without even telling me until the last minute, I’m keeping that credit! Ok, I say that like I’m rebelling, and not because the tickets were non-refundable and non-transferable. I don’t actually have a choice, it’s mine anyway. But still. It can still feel like one little act of defiance, anything to boost the spirit.
Perhaps that rolling stone of will pass the ertia along to settling the IRA issue this weekend. After all, it’s managed to lose 4 years’ worth of gains in a month, it’s not doing me any good anyway.
November 24, 2008
Well, drat, free flu shot my foot! I have a sore throat, headache and achy muscles today, and I’m half convinced that it’s because of that stupid flu shot I got on Friday. The other half of me darkly thinks that my coworker contaminated my work with his germs. That’s clearly the half that has faith in people.
Whatever happened, I don’t feel good. *frown*
