My pulse is racing and my stomach burning. Bad burrito? No. Mint.
I took M's advice and plunged right in. I'd been using a simple and thorough excel file provided by Z - Master Of All Things Finance - but if I didn't feel like adding an expense here or there, I didn't. Vices? I have none; at least not on my excel sheet. Shoe purchases got nicely wrapped up in groceries. Take that, financial responsibility.
Mint is a high magnifying mirror. You know the kind - they're round and usually at the end of a bendy elbow hinge attached to a hotel bathroom wall. I try to avoid them for fear of seeing what my t-zone really looks like.
Well, forget that. As soon as I attached my accounts to Mint, there was no running away. $90/month at Starbucks! Previously hidden on both my debit card and AmEx, it didn't seem so bad. An average of $200/month on clothes since August. Dang, girl! And lots of other embarrassing trends that I don't want to talk about yet.
Good-bye, binge spending. Hello, self-control.
Yesterday: $6.02 - burrito
Monday, November 30, 2009
Minty fresh
Heck yes! Smart advice from a smart friend! Thank you, M!:
I saw your new blog, and I thought I'd offer some totally unsolicited advice. I've got some experience with being broke and wanting to be less broke. :) I hope something here helps.
Books:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Personal Finance in Your 20s and 30s
Good basic advice on budgeting, saving, insurance, taxes, etc.
On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl's Guide to Personal Finance
Looks at women's issues with money, spending, and saving. They've also got a free email newsletter
Websites:
http://www.mint.com/
I use Quicken online, but they just merged with Mint. It's free to use, and it downloads your checking, credit card, and/or savings account into one place. You can categorize purchases easily and see where your money is going, even set goals and see how you do. They've also got a blog and articles with tips, and an iPhone app.
Googling terms like "frugal" or "budget" turns up a bunch of websites with advice and tools.
http://frugalliving.about.com/
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/
The thing that has worked best for me is being honest with people when I'm trying to save money or spend less (or just spend more responsibly). Everyone's been there at some point, or they should be there now, so they understand. Most people have their own tips they'll share with you.
I saw your new blog, and I thought I'd offer some totally unsolicited advice. I've got some experience with being broke and wanting to be less broke. :) I hope something here helps.
Books:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Personal Finance in Your 20s and 30s
Good basic advice on budgeting, saving, insurance, taxes, etc.
On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl's Guide to Personal Finance
Looks at women's issues with money, spending, and saving. They've also got a free email newsletter
Websites:
http://www.mint.com/
I use Quicken online, but they just merged with Mint. It's free to use, and it downloads your checking, credit card, and/or savings account into one place. You can categorize purchases easily and see where your money is going, even set goals and see how you do. They've also got a blog and articles with tips, and an iPhone app.
Googling terms like "frugal" or "budget" turns up a bunch of websites with advice and tools.
http://frugalliving.about.com/
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/
The thing that has worked best for me is being honest with people when I'm trying to save money or spend less (or just spend more responsibly). Everyone's been there at some point, or they should be there now, so they understand. Most people have their own tips they'll share with you.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Glorious food
Yesterday I spent $12 - two bottles of water (eek!), a pack of gum, and tip for dinner. Not bad, eh? Kinda...
My intent for this blog was to be honest about my expenses while chiseling away at debt, but there looms another issue briefly mentioned in a previous post: my belly.
I'm a sturdy girl - no strong wind's gonna mess with this woman. No way no how. Said sturdiness is linked to genetics and my compulsion for dining out and/or cookies, both of which I partook in yesterday. I also took a four-mile walk *for free!*, watched a crap-ton of "Between the Ferns" *for free!*, and wallowed on my friend's chaise longue for most of the afternoon *also free!*.
You see where I'm going here. Or maybe not, it's not really a linear train of thought.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me. HOLY CRAP! I rhymed and I may have a new mantra.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me.
Well, I've effectively bifurcated my blog into a bitch sesh about weight and a complainy "I'm broke" platform.
Next post will be back on topic. Pinky swear.
Oh, oh, but since I've led you astray anyway, check out my newest infatuation: One Word
My intent for this blog was to be honest about my expenses while chiseling away at debt, but there looms another issue briefly mentioned in a previous post: my belly.
I'm a sturdy girl - no strong wind's gonna mess with this woman. No way no how. Said sturdiness is linked to genetics and my compulsion for dining out and/or cookies, both of which I partook in yesterday. I also took a four-mile walk *for free!*, watched a crap-ton of "Between the Ferns" *for free!*, and wallowed on my friend's chaise longue for most of the afternoon *also free!*.
You see where I'm going here. Or maybe not, it's not really a linear train of thought.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me. HOLY CRAP! I rhymed and I may have a new mantra.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me.
Just because the food is free doesn't mean it's good for me.
Well, I've effectively bifurcated my blog into a bitch sesh about weight and a complainy "I'm broke" platform.
Next post will be back on topic. Pinky swear.
Oh, oh, but since I've led you astray anyway, check out my newest infatuation: One Word
Friday, November 27, 2009
You are my density
It's taken me years - nay, decades - to realize that buying presents/drinks/dinners/emus for others not only improves my karma, it destroys my bank account.
I used to shower my friends and family with gifts. From packs of gum to trips abroad, I used to be that person. I wasn't taken advantage of, nor did I ever expect anything back. I just loved giving people presents.
Don't you worry, I take care of myself. I have a closet (and floor) full of clothes I adore and a belly that's girth directly correlates to the frequency I eat food made in a commercial kitchen.
So, yeah.
Do I stop giving presents? Yes and no. I stop with myself first. Maybe I learn to cook - I like homemade food, even when it starts out in box form. Actually, especially when it starts out in box form. I start working out more frequently so I can fit back into all the clothes I adore. And I learn to appreciate all the other things I already have.
As for the presents for friends and family, I think most of them would rather hear from me than get a typewriter in the mail. I love movies at home and Charles Shaw. I like playing board games even when I lose. I like the intangibles of friendship that I used to quantify with credit card purchases.
Note to self: substitute time for neatly wrapped packages.
I used to shower my friends and family with gifts. From packs of gum to trips abroad, I used to be that person. I wasn't taken advantage of, nor did I ever expect anything back. I just loved giving people presents.
Don't you worry, I take care of myself. I have a closet (and floor) full of clothes I adore and a belly that's girth directly correlates to the frequency I eat food made in a commercial kitchen.
So, yeah.
Do I stop giving presents? Yes and no. I stop with myself first. Maybe I learn to cook - I like homemade food, even when it starts out in box form. Actually, especially when it starts out in box form. I start working out more frequently so I can fit back into all the clothes I adore. And I learn to appreciate all the other things I already have.
As for the presents for friends and family, I think most of them would rather hear from me than get a typewriter in the mail. I love movies at home and Charles Shaw. I like playing board games even when I lose. I like the intangibles of friendship that I used to quantify with credit card purchases.
Note to self: substitute time for neatly wrapped packages.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
In the beginning...
I know I know - you're wondering how someone so awesome, so funny, and so cute could be so financially inept.
Lack of self-control.
Examples are not in chronological order. But you don't care anyway.
#1
K - Let's go to Europe!
Z - Yes!
K - Oh wait, I have no money.
Z - Who cares?!
K - You're right! Let's go!
#2
K - Hmm, these glasses are cute but a little out of my price range.
Saleswoman - Darling, you look wonderful in these frames.
K - Sold! I'll take that pair of Dior sunglasses, too.
#3
K - You're turning 30! Let's do something!
X - Can't, no money.
K - Brazil it is! I just pricelined the tickets. You're welcome.
#4
K - (If I get a trainer, I will stop eating donuts for dinner. Seems like a worthwhile expense.)
E - That'll be $600
K - Here's my AmEx.
Lack of self-control.
Examples are not in chronological order. But you don't care anyway.
#1
K - Let's go to Europe!
Z - Yes!
K - Oh wait, I have no money.
Z - Who cares?!
K - You're right! Let's go!
#2
K - Hmm, these glasses are cute but a little out of my price range.
Saleswoman - Darling, you look wonderful in these frames.
K - Sold! I'll take that pair of Dior sunglasses, too.
#3
K - You're turning 30! Let's do something!
X - Can't, no money.
K - Brazil it is! I just pricelined the tickets. You're welcome.
#4
K - (If I get a trainer, I will stop eating donuts for dinner. Seems like a worthwhile expense.)
E - That'll be $600
K - Here's my AmEx.
Letting it all hang out
I'm broke. No, no, I have a job that pays well and I'm not siphoning my money away to crack dealers or high-priced prostitutes - I've just been irresponsible. Very irresponsible.
It started when I got a job in high school. All my money went to CDs and cigarettes. Mom, Dad, if you're reading this - sorry. It's what the cool kids did.
Enter long-distance boyfriend at 19, living in NYC, an affection for delivery, life. New sneakers, new jeans, new credit cards. Discover Card, I blame you.
At almost 29, I'm over $100,000 in debt. About $75,000 is student loans (graduated early from NYU and that cost me, grad school on my own). About $30,000 is personal debt - car ($3,000) and everything else ($27,000). I'll go into the what and how later. It's brutally grotesque.
That said, I cut up my credit cards yesterday.
I inventoried my pantry: 58 packets of ramen, 12 boxes of Mac N Cheese, cocoa, vanilla.
I inventoried my freezer: 4 pound bag of frozen vegetables.
I looked at my recurring expenses: cell phone, car payments, starbucks, restaurants, etsy.
I gave myself a pep talk, a promise to write a blog, and off we go.
It started when I got a job in high school. All my money went to CDs and cigarettes. Mom, Dad, if you're reading this - sorry. It's what the cool kids did.
Enter long-distance boyfriend at 19, living in NYC, an affection for delivery, life. New sneakers, new jeans, new credit cards. Discover Card, I blame you.
At almost 29, I'm over $100,000 in debt. About $75,000 is student loans (graduated early from NYU and that cost me, grad school on my own). About $30,000 is personal debt - car ($3,000) and everything else ($27,000). I'll go into the what and how later. It's brutally grotesque.
That said, I cut up my credit cards yesterday.
I inventoried my pantry: 58 packets of ramen, 12 boxes of Mac N Cheese, cocoa, vanilla.
I inventoried my freezer: 4 pound bag of frozen vegetables.
I looked at my recurring expenses: cell phone, car payments, starbucks, restaurants, etsy.
I gave myself a pep talk, a promise to write a blog, and off we go.
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