For me, there has been an undercurrent of anxiety and grief that is hard to describe…but essentially, it hasn’t left room in my brain for much more than the essentials and, in my downtime, relatively mindless entertainment.
Read MoreThe onslaught of #2020Vision honestly overwhelmed me to the point that I didn’t even think about what I wanted from 2020 because I was too busy hiding from everyone’s new X-Ray vision.
Read MoreThis summer I replaced most of my workout clothes - I haven’t bought anything new in 6 years, which is crazy. Most of it was great quality, but a couple of the colorful leggings were quite see-through, which is NOT a lewk I’m going for. So a few hundred dollars will be going back in my account! I’ll call that a win.
Read MoreI made a big dent in my consumer debt this month, but I did transfer some savings to do it because (A) I had a large payment due and I would have had to incur interest if I didn’t pay it…I also changed my W4 allowances because apparently I have had 0 withholdings since I got this job 2017. That’s crazy! Each paycheck is now ~$100 more, which means I’ve freed up ~$200/mo for reducing that consumer debt.
Read MoreMy consumer debt is finally *truly* on the decline, and as some of you may have seen in my Instagram stories last week, I’m almost to the point where I am finished with the “paying off each statement balance in a very particular order” merry-go-round. My reading list is still just as long as it was last month, because I’m falling down on the job.
Read MoreMarch and the beginning of April was hectic with my final of 3 bridesmaid adventures for 2019 consuming most of my free time. First, there was a shower, then a Bachelorette party in mid-March and finally the wedding the first weekend of April! It was all so much fun, but VERY expensive.
Read MoreFebruary always sucks, but at least this year it was productive! Except for the reading books thing. My bedside stack is at least 6 books high right now. IT WILL HAPPEN. But not in February…
Read MoreThis list is intended to be for temporary financial situations - like a government shutdown, for example, or the time between graduation and a job start date. This list is not specifically intended to be used as a general money management strategy, but frankly, if it helps you get current on your bills, have at it. I’m not going to judge you improving your situation if improving your situation right now would mean a 16% interest rate on a credit card vs a 300% APR on a payday loan.
Read MoreI know using credit cards will cost you money. And this may not be the solution for everyone, but it worked for me, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re facing some kind of paycheck interruption and you don’t want to (or can’t) rely on your emergency fund for any meaningful length of time. Do what you have to do to stay afloat.
Read MoreJoey…I’m trying to find the words to describe this [guy] without being disrespectful. Joey doesn’t share food, but he does share his money with his friends when he has it (which is admittedly rare) and he learned a lot of money lessons the hard way.
Read MoreCompletely putting off entire types of wealthbuilding is NOT for everyone. And some personal finance gurus and bloggers preach Abstention from Wealthbuilding Until All Debt is Paid like it is the Gospel. So what are your choices and how do you know which one will work for you?
Read MoreI woke up breathless. I reminded myself I hadn’t been fired. Then I had a moment of actual, non-dream panic. What if this is foreshadowing? Then it hit me as I was lying in my bed, surrounded by the many boxes I had not yet unpacked: I haven’t been fired, but if I lost my job, I’d be in a realll bad situation.
Read MoreSo here are June’s extra debt payments and side hustle cash flow payments in all their glory.
Read MoreY'all, our student loan officer in law school would cheerily tell us each semester "oh well, it's just another drop in the bucket!" In retrospect, we should have tarred and feathered her or something…
Read MoreYou have #NoRagrets? Like, not even a single letter?
Read MoreThere’s plenty to complain about these days, and honestly, it’s getting kinda draining (name that musical!) so I decided to highlight one of the good things that has come out of COVID for me. Starting a new job remotely during the pandemic has actually benefitted me in so many ways versus going into a new office setting.
If you make enough money, removing the “added sugar” from your budget is a great way to free up money – guilt-free! – for things you just *want* to buy.
Personal finance for young professionals who want to indulge their champagne tastes on a beer budget, optimize their everyday spending, and learn to invest for a financially independent future.
I'll be your guide to all things money optimization, because I like to spend as little as possible on all the nice things, and invest as well as possible so I can have the freedom I want later in life.
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For me, there has been an undercurrent of anxiety and grief that is hard to describe…but essentially, it hasn’t left room in my brain for much more than the essentials and, in my downtime, relatively mindless entertainment.