By tracking my net worth on the last day of the month, I hope to keep the numbers more consistent based on the usual fluctuations of paying bills and stuff like that. Without further ado... JANUARY!
ASSETS
Cash (checking, MMA, W2S): $40,925.70
GNMA: $9,844.41
Total Bond Index: $9,977.84
Total Stock Index: $19,848.45
Total Liquid: $80,596.40
Percent Change from December: 1.61%
Roth IRA (Target Retirement 2045): $5,166.46
403(b) (S&P 500 Index): $11,825.16
Total Retirement: $16,991.62
Percent Change from December: -2.59%
DEBT
None
Total Net worth: $97,588.02
Percent Change from December: 0.85%
All of my stock funds went down this month. However, my net worth didn't decrease all that much because my bond funds and cash each rose slightly. Not the best month ever, but it also doesn't yet include a lot of extra money (at least $600 worth) that I earned in January, but (a) haven't gotten yet or (b) haven't deposited at the bank yet. However, I also went shopping on Friday (and did some damage) and will possibly go later today as well (more damage predicted). It could be a wash when it comes to adding and subtracting those things. And for those curious, I will update soon about my purchases and maybe a few pictures...
I'm not thrilled about January, but I'll live. Dollar cost averaging, my friends.
Today I'm grateful for: a snow day adventure with a friend
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Market Research Focus Group
I mentioned the other day that I did a market research focus group. I found this organization through one of the local "deal" blogs that I use and I signed up. This is my second one that I participated in, even though you are only supposed to be allowed to do one session every three months.
It was superfun. We looked at all of these pictures of this proposed website and how you would navigate it and then gave our opinions about it and if we would use it. The two hours literally flew by and then they gave us each $75 in cash. Score!
My focus group was all women and one of the ladies mentioned she used this website:
http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/ and had won a lot of stuff through it. The way she described it was basically a clearing house for all sorts of things you could win. She said that she had won lots of little things (books and clothes and such), but nothing major major (like trips or cars or things like that). I did a little looking and I'm intrigued, but I don't want to use it to add clutter back into my life. However, it would be supercool to win stuff that I would use anyway, could sell for cash, or use as gifts for other people. Have you ever heard of this website? What are your thoughts about it?
Today I'm grateful for: Sylvie, my car. She's so pretty!
It was superfun. We looked at all of these pictures of this proposed website and how you would navigate it and then gave our opinions about it and if we would use it. The two hours literally flew by and then they gave us each $75 in cash. Score!
My focus group was all women and one of the ladies mentioned she used this website:
http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/ and had won a lot of stuff through it. The way she described it was basically a clearing house for all sorts of things you could win. She said that she had won lots of little things (books and clothes and such), but nothing major major (like trips or cars or things like that). I did a little looking and I'm intrigued, but I don't want to use it to add clutter back into my life. However, it would be supercool to win stuff that I would use anyway, could sell for cash, or use as gifts for other people. Have you ever heard of this website? What are your thoughts about it?
Today I'm grateful for: Sylvie, my car. She's so pretty!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
What's fair is fair.
One of the best pieces of advice I've learned through my job is that fair is relative, not absolute. What's fair for one person might be fair for someone else. You have to meet people where they are. In my last post I mentioned that my parents pay for a lot more stuff now for my sister than for me.
She needs more help now that I do. That's fair for her.
In high school I did lots of expensive things. I went to sleepaway camp, spent many weekends on youth group retreats, took a teen tour to Israel. She didn't do those things. It was fair for me.
She went to college in the suburbs. I went to college in a city. She got a car. I didn't. It was fair for her.
The list goes on...
I don't resent her. She doesn't resent me. Somehow all of the differences in our parents' spending on us over time either balances out or doesn't matter at all. It's just fair the way it is. For both of us.
Today I'm grateful for: the moments that make me realize what I do is important.
She needs more help now that I do. That's fair for her.
In high school I did lots of expensive things. I went to sleepaway camp, spent many weekends on youth group retreats, took a teen tour to Israel. She didn't do those things. It was fair for me.
She went to college in the suburbs. I went to college in a city. She got a car. I didn't. It was fair for her.
The list goes on...
I don't resent her. She doesn't resent me. Somehow all of the differences in our parents' spending on us over time either balances out or doesn't matter at all. It's just fair the way it is. For both of us.
Today I'm grateful for: the moments that make me realize what I do is important.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
What does your family pay for?
I know my family's situation is different than many of my readers'. As I've mentioned before, my parents are quite comfortable and do not stress about money. I know that if I asked them, they would pay for an unexpected expense of mine. I like knowing I have that security, but I also like being independent. I do handle the vast majority of my expenses, but they definitely help me out on occasion and give generous birthday and Chanukah gifts.
The fact that my parents will pay for certain things is assumed most of the time. I guess I don't really know what's "normal" for parents to pay for after a certain age. I think that my dad would flip out a little bit if I took the check to pay at a restaurant.
Here are some examples of things my parents have paid for/still pay for, for me: college (tuition, meal plan, books, rent, etc.), family vacations (airfare, hotel, most meals), train tickets to visit them, meals at restaurants when I visit, family activities when I visit (movie tickets, play tickets, etc.), pricey irregular medical expenses (guardasil vaccine not covered by my insurance, dental work). My parents pay for more stuff for my sister who just went back to graduate school and whose income hasn't ever been above about $25,000 a year. I know they still pay her cell phone bill, she went back onto their insurance, she goes grocery shopping in their pantry (she lives closer to home than I do).
What's "normal" for parents to pay for after a certain age? Do you pay for stuff for your parents? Tell me about it in the comments, or write a post in your blog and link back to this. I'm curious to see how it varies and at what age (if any) it stopped.
Today I'm grateful for: my Banana Republic trench coat. I stressed out about it, but it was a totally worthwhile purchase. I love it and wear it all the time.
The fact that my parents will pay for certain things is assumed most of the time. I guess I don't really know what's "normal" for parents to pay for after a certain age. I think that my dad would flip out a little bit if I took the check to pay at a restaurant.
Here are some examples of things my parents have paid for/still pay for, for me: college (tuition, meal plan, books, rent, etc.), family vacations (airfare, hotel, most meals), train tickets to visit them, meals at restaurants when I visit, family activities when I visit (movie tickets, play tickets, etc.), pricey irregular medical expenses (guardasil vaccine not covered by my insurance, dental work). My parents pay for more stuff for my sister who just went back to graduate school and whose income hasn't ever been above about $25,000 a year. I know they still pay her cell phone bill, she went back onto their insurance, she goes grocery shopping in their pantry (she lives closer to home than I do).
What's "normal" for parents to pay for after a certain age? Do you pay for stuff for your parents? Tell me about it in the comments, or write a post in your blog and link back to this. I'm curious to see how it varies and at what age (if any) it stopped.
Today I'm grateful for: my Banana Republic trench coat. I stressed out about it, but it was a totally worthwhile purchase. I love it and wear it all the time.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Spreadsheet Help!
So remember when I said my spreadsheet works perfectly for me? I lied. It's like 90% there. I've been playing around with it (that's what she said.); specifically, I've been looking at the Income part. I've changed/added this section in the past, but I still don't think it's exactly how I want it to be and I'm not sure how to get to the desired place. Since it's still the very start of the year, now is a good time to make changes!
Right now these are the Income categories:
(1) Wages
(2) Medical Reimbursement
(3) Gifts Received
(4) Rebates/Sold items
(5) Babysitting/Catering/RS
I like the first two items on the list the way they are. Wages is self-explanatory and Medical Reimbursement is my flexible spending for healthcare, basically pre-tax money that I get reimbursed for qualifying spending. Those are the two items that are through my full-time job.
It's items 3, 4, and 5 that I'm kind of struggling with. Those three are the "extra" income and can be quite variable, but I don't know if they are grouped in a way that makes any sense at all. Should I group #3, gifts, with other items? I only get gifts a few times a year (birthday and Chanukah, generally). What do I really mean by rebates/sold items? What do you think I mean by that? Should I separate each of the items in #5 to their own individual column? Will that give me too many columns? Do I really care to be that specific with where the extra income comes from; it's all extra money, after all? What other income categories do you have?
What would you do?
Today I'm grateful for: Israel
Right now these are the Income categories:
(1) Wages
(2) Medical Reimbursement
(3) Gifts Received
(4) Rebates/Sold items
(5) Babysitting/Catering/RS
I like the first two items on the list the way they are. Wages is self-explanatory and Medical Reimbursement is my flexible spending for healthcare, basically pre-tax money that I get reimbursed for qualifying spending. Those are the two items that are through my full-time job.
It's items 3, 4, and 5 that I'm kind of struggling with. Those three are the "extra" income and can be quite variable, but I don't know if they are grouped in a way that makes any sense at all. Should I group #3, gifts, with other items? I only get gifts a few times a year (birthday and Chanukah, generally). What do I really mean by rebates/sold items? What do you think I mean by that? Should I separate each of the items in #5 to their own individual column? Will that give me too many columns? Do I really care to be that specific with where the extra income comes from; it's all extra money, after all? What other income categories do you have?
What would you do?
Today I'm grateful for: Israel
Friday, January 22, 2010
December Spending
December spending (reminder for the lateness of this post: I double check my spending spreadsheet when I get my credit card bills which come in the middle of the next month).
DECEMBER SNAPSHOT
Total Income: $3,188.67
Total Expenses: $2,007.91
NET (Income - Expenses): $1,180.76
INCOME
Wages: $2,561.02
Medical Reimbursement: $172.95 (finished out the year and got back all of the money I put in)
Rebates/Sold items: $10.00 (Target Giftcard)
Babysitting/Catering/RS: $444.70 (did A LOT of catering and a market research focus group)
Monthly Total: $3,188.67
HOME EXPENSES
Rent: $850.00
Electricity: $23.29 (right around where it should be.)
Cell: $78.28
Cable/Internet: $94.40
Cleaning/Maintenance: $51.38 (no recollection what this is...)
TRANSPORTATION
Gas: $56.91 (a little high because I drove to PA to visit my parents)
Bus/Taxi/Metro/Toll Fare: $55.00 (a little high due to tolls)
Maintenance/Upkeep/Tax: $64.75 (I had to register my car and replace the wipers)
DAILY LIVING
Groceries/Drug Stores: $64.14 (very low because I was gone for almost half the month)
Dining/Eating Out: $116.43 (a little high because I met up with a lot of friends while I was in PA)
Clothing: $156.93 (partial payment for Bridesmaid's dress... bleh)
Ann Taylor/Loft: $54.00
HEALTH
Rx/OTC: $15.00
Co-pays: $231.00 (went to the dentist, which isn't covered by my insurance)
ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix: $9.44
Gifts/Donations: $41.13 (donated $36 for a friend, plus something else I forget)
Salon/Beauty Supplies: $21.25 (I forget)
Books/Magazines $22.11 (Twilight came into my life)
MISCELLANEOUS
$2.47 (I forget)
Total Spent $2,007.91
Total Saved $1,180.76
I'm excited to close out the year on a high note. I can really see how the extra income is helping to keep those savings numbers high. However, the problem with my credit card bill coming so late is that I forget what a lot of the little spending items are. Sorry!
I need to do an end of 2009 spending wrap up post. Put that on the to do list.
Today I'm grateful for: my budget spreadsheet. I've tweaked it to the point that it works perfectly for me. I'm happy to share if you'd like to see it. Just shoot me an email: meinmillions at gmail dot com.
DECEMBER SNAPSHOT
Total Income: $3,188.67
Total Expenses: $2,007.91
NET (Income - Expenses): $1,180.76
INCOME
Wages: $2,561.02
Medical Reimbursement: $172.95 (finished out the year and got back all of the money I put in)
Rebates/Sold items: $10.00 (Target Giftcard)
Babysitting/Catering/RS: $444.70 (did A LOT of catering and a market research focus group)
Monthly Total: $3,188.67
HOME EXPENSES
Rent: $850.00
Electricity: $23.29 (right around where it should be.)
Cell: $78.28
Cable/Internet: $94.40
Cleaning/Maintenance: $51.38 (no recollection what this is...)
TRANSPORTATION
Gas: $56.91 (a little high because I drove to PA to visit my parents)
Bus/Taxi/Metro/Toll Fare: $55.00 (a little high due to tolls)
Maintenance/Upkeep/Tax: $64.75 (I had to register my car and replace the wipers)
DAILY LIVING
Groceries/Drug Stores: $64.14 (very low because I was gone for almost half the month)
Dining/Eating Out: $116.43 (a little high because I met up with a lot of friends while I was in PA)
Clothing: $156.93 (partial payment for Bridesmaid's dress... bleh)
Ann Taylor/Loft: $54.00
HEALTH
Rx/OTC: $15.00
Co-pays: $231.00 (went to the dentist, which isn't covered by my insurance)
ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix: $9.44
Gifts/Donations: $41.13 (donated $36 for a friend, plus something else I forget)
Salon/Beauty Supplies: $21.25 (I forget)
Books/Magazines $22.11 (Twilight came into my life)
MISCELLANEOUS
$2.47 (I forget)
Total Spent $2,007.91
Total Saved $1,180.76
I'm excited to close out the year on a high note. I can really see how the extra income is helping to keep those savings numbers high. However, the problem with my credit card bill coming so late is that I forget what a lot of the little spending items are. Sorry!
I need to do an end of 2009 spending wrap up post. Put that on the to do list.
Today I'm grateful for: my budget spreadsheet. I've tweaked it to the point that it works perfectly for me. I'm happy to share if you'd like to see it. Just shoot me an email: meinmillions at gmail dot com.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Extra Money January!
The positives of this month so far...
(1) Subbed twice in the Religious School for probably around $100ish (not sure the exact amount yet).
(2) Did a market research focus group for $75 (link is to sign up for DC-area people)
(3) Did an extra project through work which will pay me $500 (before taxes)
(4) Got $600 in birthday money
(5) Got an $20 in gift cards for filling 2 prescriptions at Target
(6) Rocking out the CVS game. Check out my other blog for descriptions of my most recent deals.
(7) Cashed out $10 worth of Amazon gift cards on swagbucks (use my link so we can both get extra swagbucks!)
...outweigh the negatives
(1) Almost $1,000 credit card bill for end of December/beginning of January
(2) Stupid speed dating event from October... grr! I was grateful for the ease at which I got back my $30 until the merchant disputed right back citing some fine print. Bleh. I'm calling the credit card company tomorrow, but it's still on that $1,000 cc bill and chances are I'm still going to have to pay that $30.
I'm feeling a little lazy, but I will probably update with my December spending tomorrow or so after I go through the credit card bill to make sure everything is accounted for in my spreadsheet.
Today I'm grateful for: gifts of homemade guac made with love
(1) Subbed twice in the Religious School for probably around $100ish (not sure the exact amount yet).
(2) Did a market research focus group for $75 (link is to sign up for DC-area people)
(3) Did an extra project through work which will pay me $500 (before taxes)
(4) Got $600 in birthday money
(5) Got an $20 in gift cards for filling 2 prescriptions at Target
(6) Rocking out the CVS game. Check out my other blog for descriptions of my most recent deals.
(7) Cashed out $10 worth of Amazon gift cards on swagbucks (use my link so we can both get extra swagbucks!)
...outweigh the negatives
(1) Almost $1,000 credit card bill for end of December/beginning of January
(2) Stupid speed dating event from October... grr! I was grateful for the ease at which I got back my $30 until the merchant disputed right back citing some fine print. Bleh. I'm calling the credit card company tomorrow, but it's still on that $1,000 cc bill and chances are I'm still going to have to pay that $30.
I'm feeling a little lazy, but I will probably update with my December spending tomorrow or so after I go through the credit card bill to make sure everything is accounted for in my spreadsheet.
Today I'm grateful for: gifts of homemade guac made with love
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Reader Question: Early Memories of Money
Thanks for your questions to to cure my writer's block. This post is inspired by Revanche's suggestion to start with writing about my earliest memories of money. I'm finding it hard to write stuff that is more in depth about my immediate family and what I learned about money growing up. I've started and stopped a number of posts on the topic, but nothing is feeling quite right. I'll get there eventually!
Here are my earliest memories of money in list form, since I love lists so much!
(1) My dad would sometimes give me and my sister his change at the end of the day. We would wait for him to come home from work and follow him upstairs while he took out his wallet and changed out of his work clothes. It was so exciting for us, even though it was probably mostly pennies and nickles. This started when we were pretty young, maybe 4 or 5?
(2) My sister and I would pool our money into what we called "the fund." I forget how we got the idea or exactly what we used it for. I slightly remember using some of it for the ice cream man in the summer. It was mostly change and we kept it in a big gray shoebox. This was when we were a little bit older, maybe in 8 or 9?
(3) I got a passbook savings account from the bank when I was maybe 9 years old. I thought it was so cool to see the money increase in the little book. I probably only had a few hundred dollars in there, but that seemed like so much money! Do passbook savings accounts even exist anymore?
(4) My mother was always a little bit more stingy with buying us stuff. Like if we were out doing something and we wanted a snack, she'd make us wait until we got home to eat. My dad would always buy us the snack.
(5) I wore a lot of secondhand clothes early in life. I had this gray outfit with a feather pin that I loved. I remember bragging to my friends in 1st grade that I got this at a store where there only had one of each item so they couldn't ever buy my awesome outfit. I didn't understand for a long time that my clothes were already worn. I don't think my dad ever knew how much we wore that was previously owned.
(6) I got an allowance, but I don't really remember much more than that.
(7) My parents told us no. Even though we were comfortable, we never had a swing set in our back yard or Barbie's Dream house or a Power Wheels. We always got at least one gift during Chanukah that was a gift for me and my sister to share.
Today I'm grateful for: my leopard print snuggie. It's a little redic, but it brings me joy.
Here are my earliest memories of money in list form, since I love lists so much!
(1) My dad would sometimes give me and my sister his change at the end of the day. We would wait for him to come home from work and follow him upstairs while he took out his wallet and changed out of his work clothes. It was so exciting for us, even though it was probably mostly pennies and nickles. This started when we were pretty young, maybe 4 or 5?
(2) My sister and I would pool our money into what we called "the fund." I forget how we got the idea or exactly what we used it for. I slightly remember using some of it for the ice cream man in the summer. It was mostly change and we kept it in a big gray shoebox. This was when we were a little bit older, maybe in 8 or 9?
(3) I got a passbook savings account from the bank when I was maybe 9 years old. I thought it was so cool to see the money increase in the little book. I probably only had a few hundred dollars in there, but that seemed like so much money! Do passbook savings accounts even exist anymore?
(4) My mother was always a little bit more stingy with buying us stuff. Like if we were out doing something and we wanted a snack, she'd make us wait until we got home to eat. My dad would always buy us the snack.
(5) I wore a lot of secondhand clothes early in life. I had this gray outfit with a feather pin that I loved. I remember bragging to my friends in 1st grade that I got this at a store where there only had one of each item so they couldn't ever buy my awesome outfit. I didn't understand for a long time that my clothes were already worn. I don't think my dad ever knew how much we wore that was previously owned.
(6) I got an allowance, but I don't really remember much more than that.
(7) My parents told us no. Even though we were comfortable, we never had a swing set in our back yard or Barbie's Dream house or a Power Wheels. We always got at least one gift during Chanukah that was a gift for me and my sister to share.
Today I'm grateful for: my leopard print snuggie. It's a little redic, but it brings me joy.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Reader Question #1
Thanks for your comments on this post. I now have a few posts in the works! More questions are always appreciated.
Here's what reader MoneyProgress asked:
It seems like you have a lot of cash in your accounts (40k?) Do you have a set amount you want to keep around as an "emergency" fund or for other things? Otherwise, how do you make the decision to invest more in your taxable accounts or retirement accounts.
Now that 2010 is here it seems like you could put 5k more into your Roth, correct?
I do have a lot of cash at the bank; it's just under $40,000. It's about $4,000 in checking, $34,000 in a money market account and $1,000 in my Way2Save account (I just estimated all of that for simplicity). I feel the most safe when I have $10,000 at my disposal, so I guess you could call that my "emergency fund." I'd like to always have at least $10,000 of very liquid money available to me just in case.
However, I'm slowly transferring those assets (specifically the money market account) into investments with Vanguard. I'm really at a "set it and forget it" place. Right now here's what happens twice a month:
(1) I get paid and the direct deposit goes into my checking account
(2) $250 is transferred from checking to money market
(3) $500 is transferred from money market into my Vanguard investments
At this point in my life, I'm not putting all my emphasis on saving for retirement. As long as I put away a few thousand dollars a year now (which I do automatically through work) and increase that contribution over time as my salary increases, I know I'll be fine in 35 years (or so) when I retire. I'm not trying to max out all of my retirement accounts.
What I am trying to do is save for a down payment for a condo. The fact that I need a large sum of money in the next few years is keeping me from being as aggressive with my investments as someone my age (mid-late twenties) should be. Right now, the largest amount of my non-retirement investments are in cash and bonds, which is ultra-conservative.
And you're right about the Roth. I really should put $5,000 from the money market account into my Roth. Just being lazy I guess. I think I forgot to put in money last year. That kind of sucks for me.
The reader also goes on to request more finance/investment posts. I guess that is the reason why I started this blog and I should focus a little more on this. But "set it and forget it" mindset has made it so easy not to think about my investments!
Today I'm grateful for: birthdays. Mine was on Saturday!
Here's what reader MoneyProgress asked:
It seems like you have a lot of cash in your accounts (40k?) Do you have a set amount you want to keep around as an "emergency" fund or for other things? Otherwise, how do you make the decision to invest more in your taxable accounts or retirement accounts.
Now that 2010 is here it seems like you could put 5k more into your Roth, correct?
I do have a lot of cash at the bank; it's just under $40,000. It's about $4,000 in checking, $34,000 in a money market account and $1,000 in my Way2Save account (I just estimated all of that for simplicity). I feel the most safe when I have $10,000 at my disposal, so I guess you could call that my "emergency fund." I'd like to always have at least $10,000 of very liquid money available to me just in case.
However, I'm slowly transferring those assets (specifically the money market account) into investments with Vanguard. I'm really at a "set it and forget it" place. Right now here's what happens twice a month:
(1) I get paid and the direct deposit goes into my checking account
(2) $250 is transferred from checking to money market
(3) $500 is transferred from money market into my Vanguard investments
At this point in my life, I'm not putting all my emphasis on saving for retirement. As long as I put away a few thousand dollars a year now (which I do automatically through work) and increase that contribution over time as my salary increases, I know I'll be fine in 35 years (or so) when I retire. I'm not trying to max out all of my retirement accounts.
What I am trying to do is save for a down payment for a condo. The fact that I need a large sum of money in the next few years is keeping me from being as aggressive with my investments as someone my age (mid-late twenties) should be. Right now, the largest amount of my non-retirement investments are in cash and bonds, which is ultra-conservative.
And you're right about the Roth. I really should put $5,000 from the money market account into my Roth. Just being lazy I guess. I think I forgot to put in money last year. That kind of sucks for me.
The reader also goes on to request more finance/investment posts. I guess that is the reason why I started this blog and I should focus a little more on this. But "set it and forget it" mindset has made it so easy not to think about my investments!
Today I'm grateful for: birthdays. Mine was on Saturday!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Help!
I've been lacking motivation for writing here lately. I think it's because I just don't know what to say. Inspiration has been a little lacking lately for sure. Help me?
What do you want to know about me? About my finances? About my life? About Judaism? About pretty much anything?
Today I'm grateful for: wonderful readers! Also, all of your wonderful comments. It's so exciting when I see that I have a new comment and it's so exciting to see how the number of comments have steadily increased over the life of this blog.
What do you want to know about me? About my finances? About my life? About Judaism? About pretty much anything?
Today I'm grateful for: wonderful readers! Also, all of your wonderful comments. It's so exciting when I see that I have a new comment and it's so exciting to see how the number of comments have steadily increased over the life of this blog.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Attention Female DC-Area Readers!
I know I have a few female DC-area readers out there and I wanted to share this with you. One of the things I love about living in Arlington is that the county offers so many wonderful opportunities for EVERYTHING! Twice a year they offer a financial class for women and I've been wanting to do it for awhile, it just hasn't fit in my schedule. Well no time like the present, right? Anyone out there interested in taking it with me?
Here are the details from the advertisement I saw:
Women have unique financial needs. Most will at some time be on their own financially. Some will never marry, some will see their marriages end in divorce, and others will outlive their husbands. This course will provide you with information that you need to take charge of your financial future. The course includes 5 classes (all on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm at Arlington Central Library, right near Ballston/Virginia Square).
February 3: Financial Basics
February 10: Investing Basics
February 17: Investing for Retirement
February 24: Insurance Basics
March 3: Planning for Future Life Events
More info is here and it has a way to sign up. It's only $20 for all 5 classes and that includes a textbook of some sort as well. I think that is a pretty sweet deal. Any takers? Comment or email me directly at meinmillions at gmail dot com.
Regardless, I'm planning on taking the course and I'll post about it here after the fact. Get excited for February!
Today I'm grateful for: seizing opportunities
Here are the details from the advertisement I saw:
Women have unique financial needs. Most will at some time be on their own financially. Some will never marry, some will see their marriages end in divorce, and others will outlive their husbands. This course will provide you with information that you need to take charge of your financial future. The course includes 5 classes (all on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm at Arlington Central Library, right near Ballston/Virginia Square).
February 3: Financial Basics
February 10: Investing Basics
February 17: Investing for Retirement
February 24: Insurance Basics
March 3: Planning for Future Life Events
More info is here and it has a way to sign up. It's only $20 for all 5 classes and that includes a textbook of some sort as well. I think that is a pretty sweet deal. Any takers? Comment or email me directly at meinmillions at gmail dot com.
Regardless, I'm planning on taking the course and I'll post about it here after the fact. Get excited for February!
Today I'm grateful for: seizing opportunities
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Blog!
In keeping with my goals to play the CVS game and find other fun, free stuff, I started a new blog called me in deals. I didn't want to clutter this blog with stories of shopping success. My plan is to track store savings there. I won't post every time I go shopping, but I will post if there are deals that I particularly want to remember. I probably will post every time I go to CVS and probably most grocery store trips. I also plan to keep track of free stuff that I get from samples and fun free things that I do around town. It's probably a blog mostly for me, but I'd love if you would read it too! And if you don't plan on reading over there, that's fine also. Just keep reading me in millions!
Today I'm grateful for: cheesecake factory. Yummm!!!
Today I'm grateful for: cheesecake factory. Yummm!!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Realistic and Unrealistic 2010 Goals
Like Her Every Cent Counts and Affecting Change in Me, I'm going to do a number of goals that equals my age in 2010. So here are 27 things for what will be my 27th year (in no order):
(1) Go to a DC PF Happy Hour.
(2) Play the CVS game, get a lot of stuff for free and donate most of it. MoneyMate Kate, you are kind of my inspiration! Keep track of what I get for free.
(3) Meet the man I am going to marry (know of any cute, single, Jewish guys in DC?)
(4) Buy a condo (or at least come a lot closer than I currently am...)
(5) Earn an extra $3,000-$5,000 this year on top of my salary
(6) Eat more organics
(7) Take a cooking class
(8) Take a yoga teacher training class
(9) Figure out how to do a lot more stuff with my blog (track stats, earn some income, make a pretty header, etc.)
(10)Eat less sugar and more vegetables
(11)Slow dance
(12)Stay consistent with my blogging
(13)Develop more of a personal style (especially add more color)
(14)Be more of a minimalist
(15)Wear make up more regularly and try a few new things in my beauty regimen
(16)Seriously look at other jobs
(17)Finally buy a black purse that I love
(18)Get my Netflix queue to under 100 movies (right now I'm near 180)
(19)Win something on a blog
(20)Live the life I want now
(21)Be proactive
(22)Wash my dishes every day
(23)Tackle cleaning/straightening up some part of my apartment every day
(24)Read more books
(25)Be happy
(26)Laugh so hard I cry
(27)Work more on single tasking than multi-tasking
I might revisit this list again. I might not. I might do all 27 things on this list. I might not. But I'm not going to stress about it.
Today I'm grateful for: Chipotle burritos
(1) Go to a DC PF Happy Hour.
(2) Play the CVS game, get a lot of stuff for free and donate most of it. MoneyMate Kate, you are kind of my inspiration! Keep track of what I get for free.
(3) Meet the man I am going to marry (know of any cute, single, Jewish guys in DC?)
(4) Buy a condo (or at least come a lot closer than I currently am...)
(5) Earn an extra $3,000-$5,000 this year on top of my salary
(6) Eat more organics
(7) Take a cooking class
(8) Take a yoga teacher training class
(9) Figure out how to do a lot more stuff with my blog (track stats, earn some income, make a pretty header, etc.)
(10)Eat less sugar and more vegetables
(11)Slow dance
(12)Stay consistent with my blogging
(13)Develop more of a personal style (especially add more color)
(14)Be more of a minimalist
(15)Wear make up more regularly and try a few new things in my beauty regimen
(16)Seriously look at other jobs
(17)Finally buy a black purse that I love
(18)Get my Netflix queue to under 100 movies (right now I'm near 180)
(19)Win something on a blog
(20)Live the life I want now
(21)Be proactive
(22)Wash my dishes every day
(23)Tackle cleaning/straightening up some part of my apartment every day
(24)Read more books
(25)Be happy
(26)Laugh so hard I cry
(27)Work more on single tasking than multi-tasking
I might revisit this list again. I might not. I might do all 27 things on this list. I might not. But I'm not going to stress about it.
Today I'm grateful for: Chipotle burritos
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