Cutting Costs - When There's Nothing Left

I've been really hard on myself lately about my PF progress. I spent the last year as a spendthrift, after all. Even though I'm back to my more frugal ways, after reading and taking to heart a lot of what Jacob at Early Retirement Extreme has to say, I'm even more determined to squirrel away more of my income. So I took to my budget, red pen in-hand, desperately trying to find an opportunity to cut back on something.

Our largest expense is rent. The number ($850/person) is a true horror to behold, especially since not 2 years ago I used to spend only $500/month when I had more roommates. Meanwhile, my income is holding steady at $45k gross, which yields a little over $33k net (after federal and state taxes and a meager 3% 401k contribution), so I'm not getting any richer with this setup. We live in a 2-bedroom apartment now, when all we really need is less than or equal to 1 bedroom, so I perused craigslist with visions of a relatively inexpensive studio apartment in or near the city. I couldn't find anything at a reasonable price point that didn't require 2 additional roommates, or a 30 minute trip by car. Turns out our insanely expensive unit is actually quite a steal in this part of town. Until I can live the dream in a Tiny Tumbleweed house, looks like I'll have to make do with this place.

So I moved onward, looking for some other fixed cost to cut, but besides the Netflix subscription we just signed up for (it's winter in MA - I'm sure I'll get my money's worth), I couldn't find anything. Here's a list of things we already do without:

1. Car (and therefore, no car insurance, gas, etc.);
2. Cable television;
3. Cable internet (we use dryloop DSL);
4. Landline phone;
5. Gym membership; and
6. Haircuts, apparently - similarly, I do all my own bodily upkeep, including my nails.

The fees I do pay monthly are (i) an unlimited train/bus pass, which is less than $60/month and (ii) my cell phone, which is $45. No, there's no extraneous monthly fee to cut (except Netflix, but we just signed up, and already we've watched probably over 20 DVDs). Looks like I just have to track every penny to lessen my OTHER spending. I'm not shopping anymore, but I do spend $2 or $5 here and there for a coffee or a sandwich sometimes, and it really, really adds up. Groceries are also very expensive (duh), and we do shop sales, clip coupons, and eat a lot of lentils and tuna fish.

Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I really do just need more of an influx of cash. Anyone else out there in a similar situation or want to share some "necessities" you do without?

We've Only Just Begun...Wedding Planning.

I've had so many conversations with my mother this month about wedding stuff. I'm pretty sure it's all we talk about now. Not 5 minutes ago, I was on the phone with Mom, and she was yammering on about photographers, and I just couldn't listen for one more single little second. I had to interrupt and tell her I'd call her back tomorrow before my head exploded.

Yes, I'm totally into the idea of getting married. Yes, I want my friends and family there on my wedding day, but NO, I AM TOTALLY NOT INTO PLANNING THIS BIATCH!

We've reserved the venue, the rabbi, and possibly the dress. Now there's the cake to consider, photos, lodging for out-of-town guests, DIY decorations, hair, makeup, food, music, and now we're even taking an eraser to the guest list. I could never, ever be an event planner. I can feel my brain hemorrhaging as I type this.

I'm not sure what is so hard about this for me. I think part of it is the money (isn't it always?). This is going to cost a helluva lot of money no matter which way you slice it. We're doing a "small" wedding, but it's still going to cost more money than I have right now.

Second, I never pictured a big wedding for myself. I'm just not the type to moon over wedding dresses and floral arrangements, and I don't feel like faking it.

Third, a co-worker of mine spent over $70K on her wedding this year. $70K, and apparently it just happened! As if a $70K wedding is something you just fall into! Anyway, I'm definitely not a $70K wedding kind of girl, I'm not even a $20K or $10K wedding kind of girl, no matter what the national average is, and I don't want to accidentally spend anywhere near that! In fact, my original idea was to have my wedding in my aunt's backyard with a local BBQ joint catering, but it was nixed when we realized the chairs would sink into the lawn.

Anyway, I know I've committed to the type of wedding with photographers and caterers, but I'd be lying if I said I was looking forward to planning it.

To be continued...?

If I could do it all over again, life, college, career edition

I graduated from a small liberal arts college in the summer of 2006 with a degree in Art History and English, and vague ideas about some kind of artsy-fartsy employment. My work experience up to that point, while broad – I had been a babysitter, cashier, sales associate, temp, dental assistant, admin assistant, gopher, intern, and server – was lacking in depth. So was my college education, turns out.

I imagined working as a graphic designer or editorial assistant, but to do anything vaguely skilled, I would need to know the programs that were integral to their processes, yet I knew none, or I would need writing samples – would my John Donne final paper work? By this point, my student loans were coming due and I had rent to pay. You know the thing they always say about how getting a job, ANY job, is all about who you know? It’s true. I fell into this job through my cousin’s friend. And I took it because it was the first one I was offered. The plan was to work here a year, all the while “figuring it all out” from the safety of a cash-padded bank account, then make my escape.

At the time of posting, I have been working as a legal assistant for 3 years, 6 weeks, and 1 day. What happened to figuring it all out? Life, mostly. Life happens everyday, and it happens quickly. I don’t love my job, and honestly, I rather hate it (gasp!). Not only do I get zero fulfillment out of it, but when you WILL yourself to stay at a hateful job with hateful people, it invites a steady creep of negativity into other areas of life. Before you know it, you’ve developed all kinds of unhealthy habits to compensate… and you thought drinking, smoking, spending, and eating were fun in moderation? Meanwhile, you become an intensely miserable bastard – you’re depressed, you’re fat, you’re jaded, and you have a certain sense of learned helplessness that’s pathetic. And where did all the time go?



If I could do it all over again, I’d go to a big state school that taught applied skills (architecture, graphic design, etc.). I’d have worked out a career track in high school. I’d have figured out what I was passionate about and pursued it with reckless abandon, instead of wasting time worrying about what people thought of me, or what everyone expected me to do. I would’ve remembered that my body is an integral part of mySELF, and while physical activity may seem like a hold-over from the Stone Age, it’s vital and beneficial. I’d remember my self-worth.

I know I’m still relatively young and have some time to recoup my career (and personal) losses, but the market has ensured that I’ll stay in my current position for a while longer, despite the fact that I’m actively seeking other employment (cross your fingers for me). For this holiday season, all I want is a little chance for a do-over. Sure, a bonus would be nice, but I won’t hold my breath. Just a new job, a new start, please.

And to everyone reading, stay happy, stay healthy, and stay hungry.

2010 Goals

Whether I like it (I do!) or not, 2010 promises to be a year full of change. First and foremost, I'm getting married. Second, well, there doesn't really need to be a second, because HELLO, I'm getting MARRIED, and with the marriage comes filing taxes jointly, the loaded decision re: changing my name (I still haven't decided), and the sudden, incessant pressure from parents to reproduce.

With that in mind, I have a few money-related things I'd like to accomplish next year that I didn't manage to do this year:

1. Fully fund my Roth IRA;


2. Focus hard on saving as much as possible to push E-fund up to at least $10k again;


3. Stop all purchases from home-shopping sites - I've improved since August, but still feel the itch;


4. Use the promise of reimbursement from my insurance company to join Weight Watchers;


5. Limit miscellaneous spending - spend only with real purpose; and


6. Keep wedding costs down with creative, inexpensive solutions.

Other than than the things listed or implied above, I'd really just like to figure out what it is that I'd like to do, and have the courage to pursue it.

December 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $1,103.51
Checking: $29.26
ING Funds (total): $242.75
Roth IRA: $6,880.79 (out of the $7,100 I've invested so far)
401k: $4,192.86 (from the $3,686.40 invested so far)
Sharebuilder: $37.56 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $12,486.73

Rent: $PAID
Phone: $45.00
Subway Pass: $PAID
Credit cards: $1,179.26
Student Loan I: $8,530.66 (from over $19k)
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $9,754.92


______________________
Total Net Worth: +$2,731.81

Not a great month. I did way too much spending. I know the holidays aren't exactly a great time to cut back, but it's already going to take me about a month and a half of not saving a dime to pay off my credit card balances. I made a huge three-figure purchase that I'm not sure whether I regret. It was jewelry, of course. For me. It's the most I've ever spent on jewelry. It's the most anyone should ever spend on jewelry (excluding wedding and engagement rings).

Meanwhile, I doubt there will be bonuses this year, but that's no shocker. January is a 3-paycheck-month, and not too long after, I should get a decent tax return. Maybe grandma will send me $100 for the holidays. That would be nice. It would be a great idea for me to get a seasonal part-time job to save a little extra, but I wouldn't know where to start. Plus, I really should save by reigning myself in. Lifestyle inflation really is an insidiously creeping force.

And on a totally unrelated note, if you have not seen this yet, do yourself a favor and watch it:

MBTI?

I've been doing some sniffing around online about Myers-Briggs personality typing. I took a quick test yesterday through my school's alumni center, and it typed me as INTJ. IN, ok, but TJ?

Let's rewind. For those of you who need a reintroduction to the new-age personality typing that was all the rage with high school guidance counselors of yesteryear, here's the wikipedia entry.

Anyway, it's no secret that I'm constantly angsting about what I should be doing with my life, so I was hoping for a little insight via 10 minute online quizzie. Unless my powers of recall have lessened considerably with age, I believe I've always tested as INFP. What's this TJ business? Was I feeling particularly thoughtful, judgemental yesterday? Reading more about the INTJ type description, it sounded even less like me than I expected, which leads me to believe that the quiz was rigged and possibly put there to confuse people (like me) dumb enough to take it. As you can probably deduce from my snark, I'm sceptical.

Do I even buy into this personality typing stuff? Is it possible to type yourself through your own perceptions? I don't know. What I do know is that I'm no closer to a potential career in anything.

November 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $901.41
Checking: $39.00
ING Funds (total): $162.71
Roth IRA: $6,368.78 (out of the $6,900 I've invested so far)
401k: $4,021.10 (from the $3,686.40 invested so far)
Sharebuilder: $35.88 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $11,528.88

Rent: $PAID
Phone: $35.00
Bus Pass: $59.00
Credit cards: $700.00
Student Loan I: $8,696.87 (from over $19k)
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $9,490.87


______________________
Total Net Worth: +$2,038.01


I took a beating this month due (mostly) to a dear friend's wedding (bach party, my dress, gift, etc.). If only all beatings were so pleasant. Next month I will redeem myself!

October 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $800.87
Checking: $45.14
ING Funds (total): $562.70
Roth IRA: $6,142.01 (out of the $6,500 I've invested so far)
401k: $3,896.50 (from the $3,478.72 invested so far)
Sharebuilder: $36.26 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $11,483.48

Rent: PAID
Phone: $35.00
Bus Pass: $59.00
Credit cards: $574.37
Student Loan I: $8,772.73 (from over $19k)
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $9,441.10


______________________
Total Net Worth: +$2,042.38

I think I'll start doing percentage changes for each category, because it's hard to tell at a glance where I'm improving. Retirement accounts are clearly up big this month, though.

It wasn't too difficult to stay on track the first month, but now the little voice in my head is telling me that it would be ok to buy a few (or 10) QVC items on clearance. Not only would it NOT be ok, but if I return one more thing, they're going to start refusing my business - no joke.

September 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $400.65
Checking: $37.76
ING Funds (total): $176.35
Roth IRA: $5,730.07 (out of the $6,300 I've invested so far)
401k: $3,632.28 (from the $3,374.88 invested so far)
Sharebuilder: $35.19 (out of $50 initial investment)
Pending ebay sale: $30.00
____________
Total Positive: $10,042.30

Rent: PAID
Credit card: $58.75
Student Loan I: $8,977.50
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $9,036.25


______________________
Total Net Worth: +$1,006.05

No. Effing. Way.

Are you getting this? For the first time in the history of EVER, I have a positive net worth. All it took was 2 months of self-flagellation... and abstaining from my most damaging hobby.

I've also accrued $150 in ebay sales this month. That, along with the nearly $200 from last month's sales, and I'm practically rolling in it. Not really. I am, however, recouping some my expenditures over the past year, and because I never pay retail, I'm not selling at too much of a loss.

AND I have a $5 Amazon gift card that I got from using SwagBucks, which I can toward my boyfriend's (er, fiance's) birthday present!

Yay!!!!

Itchy trigger finger

My favorite jewelry designer, Temple St. Clair, has written a book. I bought said book, read it, and am now insane (keep reading).



If I could distill my dreams, desires, and principles into a single, wearable object, it would look something like this, but with either (i) a round, faceted, vibrant blue-violet sapphire or tourmaline with bezel-set diamonds in place of the gold granulation, (ii) an east-west set oval cabochon - peridot or citrine, or (iii) a scrumtrulescent sugarloaf emerald (see book for example):




And yes, such beasts do exist.

If ever a time comes where it is appropriate for me to spend money in this fashion, I will forego all other jewelry except for my engagement ring and wear this treasure until it becomes a part of me, and some of me is part of it. (See what I mean?)

Until that time comes, a girl can dream...



and dream...



(btw, all pictures taken from the book and the TSC website - they're not mine, and I so don't have permission to use them.)

Confessional

I've done so well this past month, and it feels great. I'm being tested, however, as today is Klondike Gold Rush day on QVC, and they have new designs in 14k gold on sale. Luckily, most of it looks cheap or doesn't speak to me, but the fact that I keep checking back is not good.

Yesterday I was wrestling with whether or not to buy a refill of my favorite AHAVA hand cream. Winter will start nipping at my knuckles before I know it, so I want to be prepared (seriously, my hands get WRECKED during these New England winters. One day without gloves, and you're red and chapped for a week). BUT I do have an abundance of other, less expensive body lotions that will work almost as well, but somehow fall short. I decided to go in for a tube of my favorite stuff, and while I was there, I picked up some Serious Skin Care olive oil moisturizer. I used to use this stuff in college, and I liked it, so with a 30% off coupon, I decided to try it again. I dropped about $35 on stuff I could probably do without, but will probably use. All in all, I could've done worse.

In other news, a stranger complimented my jewelry today. Stay strong, self!

New Budget

I did some budget tinkering, and this is what I'd like to shoot for:

Housing: $850
Medicine: $200 (cc)
Food: $200 (cc)
Internet: $25 (cc)
Misc: $150 (cc)
Loan: $200
Total Expenses: $1625

Clothing purchases: $40
Doctor/Dentist: $75
Future Fund: $100
Emergency Fund: $400
Checking Cushion: $100
Roth IRA: $200
Total Savings: $915

Total/mo: $2540

cc= Charged to credit card. The point being that I'm trying to keep my credit card bill under $600 a month, if at all possible, and these are the items I charge.

Any amount left in my checking cushion at the end of the month will be divided and saved as I see fit. Same with any ebay sales. Although I imagine that the majority will go into the Future Fund, as I now have a wedding to plan... ... ... because I got engaged this past weekend!!!

August 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $0.06
Checking: $361.00
ING Funds (total): $1,767.76
Roth IRA: $5,382.46 (out of the $6,200 I've invested so far)
401k: $3,327.65 (approx. $1350 employer match just hit!)
Sharebuilder: $33.85 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $10,872.78

Rent: PAID
Credit card: $2,295.94
Student Loan I: $9,197.55
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $11,493.49


______________________
Total Net Worth: -$620.71


Is that right? If it is, this is the closest I've been to a $0 net worth ever. It feels incredible.

Things that have contributed to the positive: Employer 401k match!; ebay sales (almost $200 worth); returns... and most importantly, only 1 QVC purchase in the past 3 weeks or so (!).

Things that have contributed to the negative: Last month's QVC purchases; overpriced dental appointment, expensive medications; airplane ticket.

I have a note in my planner for today, "START FROM SCRATCH". I'm at a turning point right now. After I pay my credit card bill for the month, I'll have only about $100 (liquid) to my name. From there, I have the option of falling into consumer debt, or doing what I set out to do and fighting tooth and nail to overcome this. There are no other options.

Credit Score

At the suggestion of another blogger (sorry, I forget which one), I signed up with CreditKarma, which is a free service that estimates your credit score. I check my credit report about quarterly, but I've never paid to see my actual score. Anyway, the results were apalling, or at least, mildly uncomfortable.

Don't get me wrong, my payment history is completely flawless. Among the negatives was the fact that I utilize too large a percentage of my available credit. 35% is too much? Fine, I'm working on that as I type. I've also applied for a new credit card (since I only have the one) to increase my total available credit and in case of emergencies. Check. Second, my credit history, though perfect, is relatively short. On average, a few years. Ok, that's another thing I am working on, but I can't age any faster. I think there were a few more issues, but those were the main things.

I'm bitter, basically. Three years of perfectly on-time, in-full (EARLY) payments on my credit cards and student loans, and my score is only "fair"? Not fair!

Spending update

Ok, we are half-way through the new credit card cycle, and so far so...fine.

I've made a couple purchases, including a closet organizer for about $40 (which I desperately needed), a plane ticket for $200, some groceries and miscellaneous items, a piece of jewelry from ebay for $18 (I had to use up the rest of my ebay bucks), and...here's the "fine" part....a ring from QVC for $99. And I was doing so well.

Under the guidance of To Shop or Not to Shop and Your Money or Your Life, I spent weeks (WEEKS!) convincing myself that all extraneous purchases were bad and would only lead to more extraneous purchases. This, sadly, is completely true. Even the process of cleaning out my jewelry box and closet of things I don't absolutely love led to less want. However, I made this purchase under a loophole. I had been pining for this ring for months, and while it has not been reduced in price at all, it is now available again in my size. It was grandfathered in, basically.

Now, the question is, will this be my undoing? Will this ring tip the balance I had so tediously maintained for the past 2 weeks? This is difficult for me, because an all-out moratorium on all "fun" spending doesn't seem sustainable, but is this ring WORTH it for me to break my streak? Until now, the answer had always been "no", but now, no matter how many times I reconsider this purchase, I just can't say no.

I should say that, despite this purchase, I'm still doing much, MUCH better than I've done in a long time, and that's cause for a little pat on the back.

PF Mad Libs

Hosted by Punch Debt in the Face. Taken from FB.

Hi my name is Sarah.

I currently have 0.82 dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth approximately -$19k, and now have a net worth of approximately -$3.6k.

I currently work for a law firm and have been doing it for almost 3 years. I make roughly $45k per year.

I want to have enough + a little extra waiting for me when it comes time to retire.

Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy reading re: decorative arts, architecture, fashion, and jewelry; contemplating doing other things.

I think the world would be a better place if Snickers ice cream bars didn’t exist.

I had 4 Snickers ice cream bars for dinner last night and it was a moment of weakness/a bad idea.

I have had 5 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships).

One thing that makes me different is I always laugh at my own jokes. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to eat lunch (...a Lean Cuisine, not a Snickers bar).

THE BLANK VERSION

Hi my name is (blank) . I currently have (blank) dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth (blank), and now have a net worth of (blank). I currently work (blank) and have been doing it for (blank) years. I make roughly (blank) per year. I want to have (blank) waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy (blank). I think the world would be a better place if (blank) didn’t exist. I had (blank) for dinner last night and it was (blank). I have had (blank) significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is (blank). Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to (blank).

Enough.

Without realizing it (or should I say, through very effective denial), I have fully and properly screwed myself.

As I write this, my credit card bill, representing the last $2k to my name (that's including my next paycheck, btw) is in the mail to me. Unless I start doing something differently, next month I will begin to carry a balance, which will mark the first time I've ever had consumer debt. Choice timing, too. I've got a September vacation to plan, an out-of-state wedding to attend (as the MOH) in October, and another plane ticket home for Thanksgiving to buy.

I am starting to flesh out a plan to implement in order to gain back some control. I'll post more specifics later. It doesn't involve anything fancy, but I will be rolling up my sleeves.

It's time to take back my life so I can start making choices again, instead of being enslaved by the bad choices I made last month, or the bad habits that always choose for me.

July 2009 Net Worth

You know you're essentially living paycheck to paycheck when you get excited about a 3-paycheck month. And boy, am I.

Emergency Fund: $2,319.66
Checking: $1154.40
ING Funds (total): $5.00 (oopsies)
Roth IRA: $4,831.92 (out of the $6,000 I've invested so far)
401k: $1,711.34 (out of $1,765.28 invested)
Sharebuilder: $31.38 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $10,054.20

Rent: $850.00
Credit card: $3,338.32
Student Loan I: $9,330.50
Student Loan II: $0
Ebay purchases: $30.00
____________
Total Negative: $13,548.82

______________________
Total Net Worth: -$3,494.62

Let's debrief.

I'm becoming more Zen about my spending habits. I buy less frantically. That's good. What's not good is that I spend just as much time eying the goods as I did before. I'd also like to increase the cash flow to gain an edge over this issue, and if nothing else, eat up some time I would otherwise spend spending (or eating). I've posted a few of my horrid impulse-buys on ebay. If I manage to sell anything, all proceeds will go to the E-fund. Which brings me to my next issue:

The restaurant LITERALLY right next door to my apartment is hiring. Should I apply for a part-time gig?

Pros: It's next door. The commute is about 10 steps. The food is GREAT.
Cons: It's next door! What if someone decides to stalk me? I'm practically sending out an invitation. And if I work there, could I ever be a patron again? Would it ruin a good spot to eat?

June 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $700.55
Checking: $65.00
ING Funds (total): $1,401.00
Roth IRA: $4,562.95 (out of the $5,800 I've invested so far)
401k: $1,601.27 (out of $1,661.44 invested)
Sharebuilder: $30.99 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $8,361.76

Rent: PAID
Credit card: $3,087.40
Student Loan I: $9,721.91
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $12,809.31

______________________
Total Net Worth: -$4,447.55

Labor of Love

Even though I've been treading water for the past year financially, there are a few things to celebrate:

1. One of my student loans has been paid off;
2. My total student loan debt is now under 10k!;
3. I've lost weight like I set out to do, and even though I've gained some of it back, I will never give up;
4. B has successfully completed law school and has earned a spot at a prestigious firm, although his start date has been deferred to October 2010 because of the economy; and
5. In the meantime, they're paying him to work for a non-profit, which means more us-time than we expected.

I'm excited for the future. I want to continue taking care of myself and make a habit of being forgiving of myself and others. I know it isn't new years, but it's never too soon for some new goals.

May 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $1,800.55
Checking: $919.00
ING Funds (total): $1,669.53
Roth IRA: $4,173.58 (out of the $5,400 I've invested so far)
401k: $1,378.62 (out of $1,557.60 invested)
Sharebuilder: $30.61 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $9,971.89

Rent: $825
Credit card: $3,293.58
Student Loan I: $10,394.15
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $14,512.73

Net Worth: -$4,540.84

Internet-blocking software, where are you when I need you most?

Net worth Checkup

Emergency Fund: $2,051.10
Checking: $1,039.48
ING Funds (total): $1,529.26
Roth IRA: $3,917.46 (out of the $5,400 I've invested so far)
401k: $1,384.59 (out of $1,557.60 invested)
Sharebuilder: $29.20 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $9,951.09

Rent: $825
Credit card: $2,358.11
Student Loan I: $10,379.18
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $13,562.29

Net Worth: -$3,611.20

I just wanted to do an end-of-month checkup to see how my tax return has impacted my finances. Since I'm supposedly renewing my efforts, I really need to put a freeze on that revolving line of credit. I pay it off every month, but it just leaves me treading water. I watched Suze Orman's special again on PBS yesterday, and it helped me to cancel some of the things I ordered that I know I don't need. Though that silicone bakeware had me at "non-stick."

Prospective Budget

I'm sure I don't have to say it, but I haven't even attempted to adhere to or even rework my budget in a long time. So here's my tentative reworked budged:

$2,540.00/month after taxes.

Rent: $825 (up to $850 in June)
Loan: $500 (the required monthly payment is actually $90, but if I keep paying this much, it'll be paid off by the end of 2010, instead of the suggested date of 2026. After payoff, sweep to E-Fund. OR, maybe I should contribute $400 here, and $500 to my E-fund. URGH.)
E-Fund: $400 (after it hits $8,000, decrease to $300 and sweep extra to F-fund)
Utilities: approx. $45
Food: approx. $100
Checking cushion: $200 (this includes incidentals, going out)
F-Fund: $100
Medical/Dental: $100 (after it hits $500, sweep to F-fund)
Clothes: $40
Investing: $100
Vacation/Airfare: $60
Tiffany necklace: $35
Gifts: $35

And I'll say it now before I convince myself that it's not true: I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER PIECE OF JEWELRY (...except for one of those Tiffany key necklaces (oy) -- I can't decide whether to get the vintage oval key in silver or the trefoil key in gold).

I will go home tonight and return as much as I can. I can't even say it outloud, but I'll try to believe it when I write that except for on my birthday on Thursday, I will not visit QVC.com or HSN.com at all. Seeing that in writing reminds me that I am my mother's daughter. Please God, never let me succumb to Quacker Factory...

2009 taxes

I did my taxes last night, and I should be getting a little over 1k back on or around April 17th. I think I'll put all of it in savings and be done with it.

April 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $3,189.43
Checking: $51.99
ING Funds (total): $484.77
Roth IRA: $3,663.12 (out of the $5,400 I've invested so far)
401k: $1,286.05 (out of $1,349.92 invested)
Sharebuilder: $27.50 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $8,702.86

Rent: Paid
Phone: $20.00
Credit card: $2,782.61
Student Loan I: $11,079.74
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $13,882.35

Net Worth: -$5,179.49


Aaand I've got a little over $100 to pay for recent ebay purchases through paypal, which is entirely separate from my credit card debt. Wow. I cannot afford to keep spending like this. How many times have I said that now? I've got to return as much crap as possible tomorrow before my statement period ends around the April 11th. How desperate does that sound? Well, it feels pretty gross. Luckily, I believe I can make a moderate impact on that credit card balance, as long as I stay away from the home shopping networks. And no more ebay.

March 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $2,952.43
Checking: $100
ING Funds (total): $20.07
Roth IRA: $3,159.67 (out of the $5,400 I've invested so far)
401k: $985.78 (out of $1,349.92 invested)
Sharebuilder: $23.61 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $7,241.56

Rent: Paid
Phone: Paid
Credit card: $534.45
Student Loan I: $11,557.29
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $12,091.74

Net Worth: -$4,850.18


I've been hit pretty hard in my investments (as I'm sure we all have), so at the suggestion of another blogger, I've revised my goals. So here they are in the order of importance:

-Reduce extraneous spending. Namely, no more online purchases.

-Build my emergency fund back up to $6k as soon as possible. Put aside at least $500 a month toward this goal.

-Put at least $500 a month toward my remaining student loan until it's under 10k.

-Start putting money into ING funds again.

-Reduce Roth IRA contributions until the above goals are satisfied.

-Do taxes ASAP for refund. Use refund toward balancing grocery, electric and gas bills with boyfriend, and put the rest in savings. Create a grocery budget for the two of us.

February 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $3,479.66
Checking: $100.50
ING Funds (total): $234.03
Roth IRA: $3,463.04 (out of the $5,200 I've invested so far)
401k: $940.66 (out of $1,090.32 invested)
Sharebuilder: $27.64 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $8,245.53

Rent: Paid
Phone: Paid
Credit card: $1,685.79
Student Loan I: $11,914.26
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $12,816.94


Net Worth: -$4571.41

January 2009 Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $2,258.57
Checking: $150.50
ING Funds (total): $149.98
Roth IRA: $3,634.04 (out of the $5,000 I've invested so far)
401k: $813.04 (out of $986.48 invested)
Sharebuilder: $31.30 (out of $50 initial investment)
____________
Total Positive: $7,037.43

Rent: Paid
Phone: Paid
Credit card: $650.00
Student Loan I: $12,166.94
Student Loan II: $0
____________
Total Negative: $12,816.94


Net Worth: -$5,779.51


Luckily, January is a 3-paycheck month. I'm doing better, but I need all the help I can get.

Things aren't going great at work, and I'm pretty sure somebody's going to get axed. I definitely need this health insurance policy, so it would be horrible timing if it's me.

I've signed up for a silver-smithing class at my local adult-ed, and even though it costs a couple hundred dollars, I think it'll keep me from spending more in the long run, at the very least because it will take up 3 hours a week. Plus, I spend so much on jewelry, I should probably know what goes into making it, right? I should also take a cooking class and a pilates class, but baby steps, right?