Last Day Net Worth: February

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... FEBRUARY!

ASSETS
Cash (checking, MMA, W2S): $40,598.88
GNMA: $10,287.22
Total Bond Index: $10,398.08
Total Stock Index: $20,716.26
Total Liquid: $82,000.44
Percent Change from January: 1.74%

Roth IRA (Target Retirement 2045): $5,295.29
403(b) (S&P 500 Index): $12,517.83
Total Retirement: $17,813.12
Percent Change from January: 4.83%

DEBT
None

Total Net worth: $99,813.56
Percent Change from January: 2.28%

Major win! I'm sooo close to $100,000. And that was a goal set back in May that I was hoping would happen in 2011. If my investments keep going in the positive direction and savings remains consistent, I could be there next month. That's insane. I told myself that when my assets hit that $100K mark, I would start looking at condos. I don't know if I'm ready yet.

Today I'm grateful for: a laugh. and my fake child... all the fun of being a mom, none of the bad stuff.

Catering Conflict

I started catering again in November. November/December is the busy season and I made an extra $473. Not too shabby for about 30 hours of work. January/February have been much slower.

But I realized the only reason I'm doing it is for the money.

Do I need the money? Not really. Do I like the extra money? Yes.

However, at each event I panic a little bit. Will the guests be people that I know from college? From my full time job? From the events for Jewish professionals that I go to? Will someone recognize me? DC isn't that big of a town.

I feel kind of stuck up saying this, but I'm almost embarrassed to be working there. I have a college degree and I'm clearing your dirty plates and glasses. What would I do if someone I know sees me? The only person that I've told I started working there again (besides the blog universe, of course) is my sister.

And then there's the people I work with. When I started working there, it was a lot more college students and people who were more like me. Now it's a lot more immigrants and people whose first language isn't English. They are definitely not worried about running into people they know at these events. I feel like I don't fit in.

Sure, the work is easy, the pay is good, there's good food, and it can be scheduled fairly easily around my full time job. And I have the extra time on my hands to make it work. But I'm feeling really uncomfortable about the whole thing.

Is it worth it to continue? I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore...

Today I'm grateful for: actually being on time when I thought I was running late

January Spending

January 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).

JANUARY SNAPSHOT
Total Income: $3,725.46
Total Expenses: $2,433.80
NET (Income - Expenses): $1,291.66

INCOME
Wages: $2,550.46
Gifts Received: $1,100.00 (includes Chanukah gifts~$600 and birthday gifts $500)
Babysitting/Catering/RS: $75.00 (for the market research thing)
Monthly Total: $3,725.46

HOME EXPENSES
Rent: $875.00
Electricity: $25.20
Cell: $78.53
Cable/Internet: $94.40
Cleaning/Maintenance: $156.00 (I splurged this month and had a maid service come)

TRANSPORTATION
Gas: $65.91 (did a bit more driving this month than usual)

DAILY LIVING
Grocery Store: $110.55 (right on track)
Drug Store: $23.03 (playing the CVS game is superfun and keeping this number really low. Plus I'm getting a ton of stuff that I can donate to good causes. Win! Check it out on my other blog)
Dining/Eating Out: $106.41
Clothing: $574.33 and $45.00 (I got a ton of great stuff that I'm loving wearing)

HEALTH
Rx/OTC: $15.00
Co-pays: $40.00
Gym/Exercise Class: $171.00 (paid for my yoga and abs class for this season)

ENTERTAINMENT
Netflix: $9.44
Movies/Music: $8.00 (saw an independent movie with friends)
Gifts/Donations: $36.00 (donated money to Haiti relief)

Total Spent $2,433.80
Total Saved $1,291.66

So it was a good month, but if it weren't for all of the gifts, I wouldn't have saved so much this month. However, I did work a number of extra jobs in January that I didn't get paid for until February, so I have a bunch of extra income this month. The months that I go clothes shopping are always much spendier months, so I need be aware of that. Overall, I'm really happy with my spending on groceries/drug store/eating out. The goal is to keep all of those things total around $250 and I'm pretty much right on track in January (and in February also!).

Today I'm grateful for: surprise opportunities to earn more money

DC PF Bloggers HH

It's been a busy weekend (which started being superbusy on Thursday). I was able to go to both the DC PF Bloggers HH (more below) and a date with the new boy on Thursday.

It was really nice to cross one of my goals for the year off the the list and to meet some other bloggers who were quite cool. I learned a few things, might have been convinced to join Twitter by J. Money, and met a few bloggers who have a similar style to mine (which I learned is not really knowing that much about PF and just writing about myself... and I'm okay with that). I also met someone else who is in my Moneytalk class and had a great time just listening to people who know a whole lot more about blogging than I do. I will definitely go to another HH in the future.

Did anyone post a full wrap up of the event and who was there?

I left feeling really energized and "up." And then I watched Twilight and made out a little bit ;)

Today I'm grateful for: the snow melting enough that I can finally take out my trash!

More Random Updates: DC PF Blogger HH Edition

Follow up from yesterday. I wound up going to the meeting instead of the Moneytalk class (sorry Aaren!) which I think was the right choice. I made a commitment to be on this committee and my sister made me realize that it was selfish not to go.

For today, I think I'm going to be able to do both the date and the DC PF Blogger Happy Hour. Are there any DC bloggers who are planning on going? It's going to be at Bailey's in Crystal City and I will probably get there around 6:30. Then the boy is coming over my place to watch a movie (and possibly there will be more making out ;) )

As for the bridesmaid's dress thing. I ordered it this morning and the lady suggested I get this dress:
So I did.

Today I'm grateful for: learning tact and diplomacy

Random Updates

I hate having to be in two places at the same time!

(1) Wednesday
Should I go to the Moneytalk Class tonight or a meeting for the planning committee of a Jewish group I am on the steering committee for?
Moneytalk Class Pros
(+) Get to actually meet Aaren
(+) Learning about insurance which I don't feel so knowledgeable about
(+) Have some new topics to discuss here
(+) We didn't have class last week due to the snow
(+) I paid for it (granted it was only $20, but still!)
Meeting Pros
(+) Get to see the sister of the boy I recently started dating (she set us up)
(+) Really like the people and I'm starting to make some new friends
(+) It will be good to get some feedback on a really dumb situation that I don't want to get specific about on the blog
(+) Have some event ideas that need to be followed up on by the group
(+) I like feeling knowledgeable and giving my feedback on our planning process

There aren't really any cons and it's not possible to do both. Bleh!

(2) Thursday
This one is slightly more likely that I will be able to go to both, but it will be a kind of hectic night.
DC PF Blogger HH
(+) It's my goal to go to at least one of these this year
(+) It's in Arlington which is super convenient for me
(+) Might learn something new about blogging
(-) Don't know exactly who is going to be there
Date
(+) I get to make out
(+) He's a nice boy and I'd like to get to know him a little more

Any advice?

Today I'm grateful for: making out. It's fun :)

Reader Question/Money Talk Class: Long Term Goals

As a response to this post, reader eemusings asks:

What are your longer term financial goals?

This is also something that we touched on during my first money class, except we focused on short term (less than 3 years), intermediate term (3-10 years) and long term (10+ years) financial goals.

And this is a really good question. I'm going to create it out in list form because that is what I like to do :)

Short term (less than 3 years)
* Have a net worth of over $100,000
* Purchase a condo
* Do some traveling

Intermediate term (3-10 years)
* Have a net worth of $250,000
* Get married and make babies
* Buy a single family home
* Start a career/business where I can earn more of a passive income (likely real estate)

Long term (10+ years)
* Send kids to college
* Purchase a vacation property at the beach
* Not ever worry about money
* Retire

For the most part, I think these are pretty generic financial goals. Are your goals much more specific? What are they?

My biggest worry about these goals is that I don't have a clear path to make any of them happen. Some of them really require me taking serious steps to get there. I'm just not brave enough to take that first step.

As always, other questions are encouraged. Let me know what YOU want to know!

Today I'm grateful for: this blog. I'm so grateful for having an outlet to talk about this kind of stuff.

I DO Care What People Think

I just read this article over at Simple Dollar and I got annoyed. I see the point Trent is trying to make, but I don't like how he does it. The article starts off like this:

My cell phone doesn’t let me watch streaming internet video.
I don’t own a pair of pants that cost more than $40 – and most cost less than $10.
We don’t have a flat panel television – we’re still using my old CRT one from my college years.
The back bumper of my truck has rust on it.
I don’t throw out socks until they have holes in them.
We use old t-shirts for rags.
There’s a juice stain on our couch that won’t come out, but we’re not going to replace it any time soon.
I make my own laundry detergent because the store stuff is overpriced.

Some people might look down their noses at us for these things. I don’t mind.

How about this? I DO mind. I DO care what people think. I LIKE having nice things.

Image matters. I don't want to wear $10 pants. I like have a phone that lets me watch streaming internet video. I wouldn't drive a rusty old car.

Maybe that makes me a spoiled brat. Or a JAP (Jewish American Princess... not a very nice term). Or a bitch. Whatever.

I spend my money on things that matter to me. I don't live beyond my means. I dress like a millions bucks, even if I'm not spending a million bucks. If I want to spend my extra money for nice gadgets or to drive a nice car, I can. I use my money wisely on the things I want. So what if the stuff I want is a little materialistic? It makes me happy to look good and have nice things.

I know it's all about what you value and I value nice things. And I'm still going to go far in life and be happy.

Today I'm grateful for: opening ceremony of the Olympics

Do we really change?

When I was little:

(1) I wanted to save the world. My biggest dream was (I kid you not...) world peace. I had these huge peace sign earing that I LOVED.
(2) I loved to organize shows for my parents.
(3) I bossed around my sister.
(4) I was determined (to escape from my playpen, no matter how many times I fell on my tush).
(5) I loved to read and always read above grade level.
(6) I was always the teacher's pet because I wanted so hard to be liked.
(7) I was a picky eater, but I always had room for dessert.

What were you like when you were little? Are you still the same now?


Today I'm grateful for: lentil soup, Stacy's pita chips and string cheese. My perfect snowed in meal.

I joined 20SB

I've been a little quieter on the blog this blizzard than I have in the past, but I've been busy (well... as busy as you can be without really leaving home for several days). I joined 20 something bloggers, a community for bloggers just like me. I've been doing some exploring, finding new blogs, and figuring out the site (though I still have a ways to go!). Are you on there? Right now I have no friends :( Will you be my friend? Search "me in millions" and I should be right there. Or leave a comment and I will look you up.

Wins of the Snowpocalypse
(+) haven't spend very much money at all
(+) did a ton of cleaning and straightening up
(+) watched a bunch of movies and got them off of my netflix queue
(+) got pretty much all of the tv shows off of my dvr
(+) talked to a lot of friends
(+) been talking a lot to a boy ;)

Yes, I did go a little stir crazy, but I'm pushing through. Hopefully this will be a good, non-snowy weekend.

Today I'm grateful for: being strong and independent.

Reader Question: Why Blog?

Reader Paranoid Asteroid asked in my cry for help:

what made you interested enough in [money] to start a blog about it?

Great question! When I introduced myself to the world I sort of touched on these reasons. I've definitely evolved from that first post, but a lot of the things I wanted to do with this blog are still the same.

I lurked for awhile in the PF blogosphere and I'm not one to just sit out. I've had personal blogs before, but the idea of blogging totally anonymously about my money was kind of thrilling (and it still is). I find money fascinating, but it's not a topic that you can easily bring up in polite company. It's especially awkward for me because I know a lot of my friends don't have a lot of cash to their name. I know my friends have no idea that my net worth is approaching $100,000 and I like it better that way. But I also like someone to know! That's where you come in, dear readers! You don't know who I am and I don't know who you are. But you get to know my financial situation and I get to know yours. It's kind of voyeuristic, but I guess that's what blogging is all about.

I really like having a record of my spending, my savings, my ponderings on money, deals I find, and things I'm grateful for. I love the community of women whose blogs I read and whose struggles and successes I follow. I get a thrill every time I see I have a reader comment.

And that is why I started a blog and continue to blog. What about you?

I know I'm still sort of avoiding the more specific questions about my family and money, but I'm just not there yet to really talk it out. I'll get there! Promise!


As always, other questions are encouraged. Let me know what YOU want to know!

Today I'm grateful for: new outfit combinations!

Money Talk Class: Coat of Arms

So reader Aaren (do you have a blog, btw?) and I are taking a class called Money Talk. At our first class we were given a textbook with a number of exercises in it. I figured it would be appropriate to do some of them here and hear your responses as well.

Also, I am so bored of being snowed in and I need something else to do! So without further ado...

My Money Coat of Arms.
In our book there is a shield divided into four sections and a fifth section in the middle. The idea of the shield itself was a little lame (and reminded me of a project I might do with my students), but the contents are kind of interesting. I'm not going to recreate the shield here (way beyond my computer skills!), but just write out what was in each section:

One thing I do well with money:
* pay my bills on time and in full
One thing I don't do well with money:
* earn a lot
A way that I enjoy spending money:
* clothes, hanging with friends
A way that I have a hard time spending money:
* buying things that are expensive (electronics, vacations)
Money Motto:
* don't spend more than you make
* pay yourself first

Your turn to tell about your money coat of arms and its contents. Either comment or write about it on your blog and link back here.

Today I'm grateful for: a snow trip to see my favorite camp friend.

Snowpocolypse Version 2.0

It's the end of the world. Quick... everyone go to the grocery store!

It's going to be bigger and badder than last time and I have plans for not going as stir crazy as I did before. It's Snowpocolypse Version 2.0. Upgrade!

Here's my to do list for the next 3-5 days:
(1) Kill the 24 15 10 shows on my DVR
(2) Watch at least a movie a day from my Netflix instant queue
2 on Friday
1 on Saturday
(3) Get my Google Reader down to less than 20 unread
(4) Dust/sweep/swiffer/pick up crap in my entire apartment
(5) Sort coupons
(6) Read at least one full book
(7) Sort through clothes. Get rid of a few things.
(8) Call a few friends and do some catching up
(9) Do some shopping list planning. I got the coupon section from the Sunday paper today for some reason (the snow, I imagine), so I have a head start!
(10) Sign up for yoga teacher training
(11) Depending on how long it lasts, I'm considering befriending the neighbors and hosting a bring some food and some books to swap party.

It's times like this that I wish I had a man in my life to cuddle with all weekend... :(

Anything on your snow to do list?

Today I'm grateful for: my rain boots. If I didn't have them, I'd be mega-screwed.

Money Class...

I mentioned last month that I was planning on taking a course about money for women. Well yesterday night was the very first one. The first topic was personal finance basics and boy, was it basic.

We talked about money values and goals (if I have to learn about SMART goals one more time...), budgeting and cash flow, calculating net worth, credit, and (a teeny bit about) record keeping (we ran out of time near the end). I don't know that I picked up anything new, but it was enlightening to hear the questions being asked. There were older women who had no idea about the basics of a credit score and why it is important. Younger ladies offering tips about couponing and deal websites (that made me excited that I am not the only 20-something who loves to coupon!). And women (and 2 men!) of all ages and races.

We got a book that includes a lot of different exercises. Maybe one or two of them will make it into the blog?

The class made me feel smart, like I know what I'm doing. I have the basics down. But I'm scared to take things to the next level. I don't know enough about investments and retirement and house buying and insurance... I don't know how in depth this course is going to go, but I hope I learn something new.

Was anyone in the class with me? I was looking around wondering...
Sometimes I look around me and wonder if I ever cross paths with bloggers I read. The fun of being anonymous I guess.

The upcoming topics:
Feb. 10 Insurance
Feb. 17 Investing basics
Feb. 24 Planning for future life events
Mar. 3 Retirement planning

I'm grateful for: how beautiful the snow was yesterday. And that it isn't going to snow this weekend (**crosses fingers**)

Financial Love Fest!

Courtesy of J. Money at Budgets are Sexy, I'm going answer his 6 questions about my spending.

(1) How do you spend: cash, debit or credit?
I spend almost entirely through my debit and credit cards. I find it easier to track (I get a receipt) and I get rewards when I use both debit and credit cards. As an extra bonus, I get $1 deposited in my Way2Save account every time I use my debit card.

2) Do you bank online? How about use a financial aggregator (Mint, Wesabe, Yodlee, etc.)?
I bank online at Wachovia. I manage my investments through Vanguard online. I don't use a financial aggregator because I am a little bit distrustful of them. However, my Vanguard online account allows me to link other accounts to it so I can see all of my money in one place.

3) What recurring bills do you have set on autopay?
None. I actively pay my bills online, meaning that as I get the bills, I go to Wachovia and submit the payments. However, I do automatically invest money each month at Vanguard.

4) How are your finances automated?
I'm only a little bit automated. I mentioned that my twice monthly automation is as follows:
(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
But that is the extent of it.

5) Do you write checks? If so, how often?
Yup. At least one a month because that's how I pay my rent. Other than that, I don't write many checks at all.

6) Where do you stash your short-term savings?
In my Wachovia accounts.

Your turn!

Today I'm grateful for: silly phone calls with my sister

Help me pick!

The bride from wedding #2 this summer just sent us the choices for the bridesmaid's dresses. They are $200 plus the obvious need for alterations. LAME. She gave us 4 options and we have to choose which one, which is kind of nice. They are going to be the salmon color. However, I'm not sure which one to pick! For your information, I'm pretty short (5'2) and slender with a large-ish chest for how small I am. Sorry if that is TMI, but I think it gives you a better background for you deciding for me. The designer is Amsale. Help me pick!!! Leave your vote (and the reason) in the comments. You rock!

(1) for a bigger picture

(2) for a bigger picture
(3) for a bigger picture
(4) for a bigger picture

So what do you think? Which should I go with?

Today I'm grateful for: the perfect someecard for the (former) boy's birthday

So I went shopping...

I love shopping, but I've been quieting my inner shopaholic because I know it will seriously hinder my savings. But I let myself go a little crazy this weekend. I had 3 no spend on clothes months last year and I feel like my wardrobe was showing that.

My style is very Pencil Skirts and Pearls. I go for classic pieces, lots of solid colors, but I try to keep it comfortable. I've felt like I've been in a style rut lately, hence the big shopping trip. I got a lot of versatile items and a bunch of accessories which my wardrobe has been lacking. Here are some of my pretties:

Accessories (2 necklaces from Papaya, belt from Old Navy, purse from Banana Republic and headband from Loft):
Tops (3 Cardigans from Banana Republic and a sweatshirt from Loft):
Tanks/Short Sleeves (White tank from Loft, Purple and black tank from Old Navy, Striped tank and cream lace tank from Banana Republic, white short sleeve from Banana Republic)

Bottoms/Dress (Skinny jean from Banana Republic, black skirt from Banana Republic, brown herringbone dress from Espirit, gray leggings from Loft)

Total Damage? $504.95

Breakdown (in order of least to most expensive):

Papaya: $14.68 (2 necklaces)

Old Navy: $26.24 (everything was 30% off and 2 of the items were on sale. I got a turquoise belt for $9.24~ was $16.50 and 2 tanks for $8.75 and $7 both were $12.50 originally.)

Loft: $45 (I had a $15 off birthday coupon and $60 in "style rewards" from my credit card. The total cost of the headband, leggings, tank and sweatshirt was $120)

Espirit: $52.49 (dress on sale ~ was $99.50)

Banana Republic: $366.54 (I opened a credit card and saved 25% off of my purchase. I got 10 items and saved $116.36 due to that 25%. I also got a few items which were on mega-sale. The total retail amount before sales and discounts was $624.49.)

Potential cost for all of those items? around $900

Amount saved? more than $400

I know I can't let myself fall into the "look how much I saved" trap. Because I *did* spend money. A whole bunch. But it could've been a lot worse, right? I really do love everything that I bought. It's a lot of classic pieces with a splash of trendy. And I'm going to do some closet purging to make room for these beautiful new items.

Sheesh! I'm justifying my spending too much. But I do love everything! I swear! And I have a pick of pretty new things for a first date later this week! :)

Today I'm grateful for: shopping by myself. I love having me time at the shops at Tyson's Corner.