Money Monday: Little Steps

As this year winds to a close it becomes time to reflect on the past year and make aspirations for the next one. In a totally unscientific poll of my friends the two highest things on our list of things we want to focus on in 2009 are: 1) our weight and 2) our finances. To achieve success in either one of these it takes a gradual lifestyle change, starting with little steps.

Here's a link from "The Simple Dollar" of 100 little steps that can get you saving:
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/06/little-steps-100-great-tips-for-saving-money-for-those-just-getting-started/

My top 5 from the blog:

• Switch your bank accounts to a bank that respects you. (...and that's why I'm not a Wachovia customer any more...)
• Master the thirty day rule. Whenever you’re considering making an unnecessary purchase, wait thirty days and then ask yourself if you still want that item.
• Invite friends over instead of going out. (My Yankee Manfriend's favorite MO)
• Do a price comparison - and find a cheaper grocery store. (That's why I buy my packaged goods at Wal-Mart Supercenter. I get 2 weeks worth of food for $50 compared to the $70 at Food Lion and the $80 at Harris Teeter for the same items. That's a $520-$780 yearly savings a.k.a. my car insurance for the whole year. )
• Design your “debt snowball.”

Here's one more list from Jeff at "My Super-Charged Life": http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/20-ways-trim-your-budget-survive-hard-times-ahead/

Happy saving. :-)

Thoughtful Thursday: Holiday Spirit

Thought provoking statement of the week.

From my P.I.C. (Partner in Crime):
"You know whats wrong with society? They push this whole Santa character...yet they tell their kids never to take candy from strangers. WTF?"

And we wonder why people grow up to be hypocritical...

(house)Work Wednesday: Laundry

So this was my wikiHow of the day and I thought I would share it with all of you.


Fast Folding:How To Fold A T-Shirt In 2 Seconds - Explained

Brought to you by the people at VideoJug.

Don't know if I'll ever use it...but I'm a big fan of being efficient and notsomuch a big fan of the time it takes to fold laundry so this might be useful.

Thoughtful Thursday

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic. - Dan Rather

Hmm...




Note: Sorry I forgot to press publish on this last week :-/

Teach It Tuesday: Qwerty

Look at your keyboard.

Ever wondered why the keys are in that order? Ever even thought about it? I bet you are now...

Here's the answer:
In the 1860s Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule were trying to create a typing machine. The found that when the keys were placed in alphabetical order the arms that printed the letters onto the paper would crash into each other, especially with speedy typists. They tried many configurations and discovered if the most used letters were operated by the pinky fingers it slowed the speed of the typing and prevent the arms from hitting each other and jamming. Also the four row configuration meant the hands had to move around more and therefore also slowed down the speed at with which one could type.

In the age of computers this logic doesn't matter anymore but it's ingrained in use that this is the way keyboards should look and so things will remain that way.

And that my friends, is why it so hard much harder to go from IMing on your computer to texting on a 9 button keypad... and why your Blackberry has a QWERTY keyboard.

Money Monday: WWGD (What Would Grandma Do)?

We are a very credit dependent society. We buy things with money we are going to earn because they are 10% off and then charge them and have to pay 10, 15, or maybe even 25% interest on it. That makes NOOOOOO sense. I guess it's our society's "it will get better" attitude. But we are in need of a serious reality check and it starts with everyone individually looking out how they spend money and use credit.

I personally have a general rule about buying things: I don't pay for anything longer than I'm going to use it.

What does this mean?: Financing a car for 5 years is fine (but not ideal) because you're going to be using it in 5 years. Charging (which is the SAME THING as "financing") my Starbucks is not ok because I'll be paying for it after the 20 minutes I took to drink it. Now I'm not saying this is the perfect way to run your finances, but for someone starting out in the real world I don't think it's a bad start.

I think young Americans need to stop thinking about financing and finances like our parents' generation of "I can have it all now and pay for it later" baby boomers and start thinking like our grandparents' generation in a more "I'll buy when I can afford it" mentality.

I found this article on MSN Money that I think brings my point home: People need to learn to live on cash (meaning money in your checking account so your debit card is fine.)

Totally worth the read. :-)

Sabbatical Saturday: Hair Salon

Never underestimate the joys of having someone else do your hair but it is even more joyful if it's a good, relaxing environment along with being at an affordable price.

I was looking for a place to get my hair done because 1) my previous place is too far away (like 40 miles) 2) the place doesn't have an inviting environment and 3) when I go there the stylist is always working on more than two people so my last haircut (just shampoo and cut) took 3 and a half hours. I watched ALL of Sex and the City on my iPod while I was there and that is not a "short" movie. That's a bit ridiculous for $60.

Anyway, decided I to check the "beauty services" section of Craigslist for a new place. I found a place called Papillion Salon. Automatic three bonuses: 1) It is near my house, 2) "Salon" is in the name (so it's probably a nicer environment, and 3) what I need done is on special this week for $40. I then googled them and they had a website, bonus again on the "legitimate" scale.

(EDIT: Ok so I checked again and I goofed: They didn't have a website but I found them here: http://www.carynews.com/ads/8141888/1475162/752396.html so I knew what kind of people to expect when I walked in. Maybe they should hire us at Raleighwood to take care of that...)

So I went there this morning and I loved it. Here's why:
The stylist, Aleishia, did my hair exactly how I told her I wanted it done

1. They offered me water, coffee, and tea and kept it coming my entire visit.
2. Everyone who worked there was so nice and friendly, exactly what I expect in the South.
3. They apologized repeatedly for anything they thought wasn't making my visit perfect.
4. They gave me more coupons for the next couple of trips.
5. It's a local business.

So in exchange for their good customer service I'm recommending them to all of you.

Papillion Salon and Spa in Cary. :-)

(being/becoming) Fabulous Friday

I am always on the go and I don't take the time to cook. (I know...bad...bad...) However I am concerned about my caloric intake even when I have to grab something on the go or I'm out with friends.

I found this link: http://www.shape.com/healthy_eating/grab_and_go/ that has some of the best selections for people watching what they eat at some of my most frequented eateries including Applebee's, Wendy's, and Chick-Fil-A.

My fave:
Wendy's
Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich and a Side Salad
-Saves 110 calories and 8 grams of fat compared with the Homestyle Chicken Fillet Sandwich.
-Calories 320 Fat 7g Saturated Fat 1.5g Carbohydrates 61g Fiber 5g

(house)Work Wednesday: Liking to Clean vs. Liking It Clean

I decided because I had the day off from work today and did nothing of substance that I would just continue that trend to the blog and skip something of actual substance this week and just go with something random. Enjoy.

So I was talking to Lisa after going on a movie double date to see Transporter 3 with her, N.E.B., and my Y.M. and we got on the subject of hand vacs. And Audis...because they were in the movie and we're in marketing so we can appreciate good product placement.

Lisa: Check out this statement in a review and tell me what seems odd: This is the best cordless hand held vac that I've ever had in 34 years of marriage. No cleaning before marriage?

Me: Maybe she didn't have one. I wouldn't have one except for Sweetie (Y.M.'s dog and the source of a ridiculous amount of hair.) I just bought it two weeks ago. I had planned on putting it on the registry (Bridal...somewhere off in the future...), but nooooo...stupid dog hair.

Lisa: You must not be as OCD as me

Me: I am, but I've been using the Dyson. (Yes the Y.M. likes to clean enough that he bought a Dyson to deal with the pet hair....yeah I know you're impressed.) Then Y.M.'s like "I woulda gotten you a dyson hand vac." Well damn.

Me (in a fit of ADHD): I want an Audi now

Lisa: I want a dyson hand vac

Me: Hmm. Well if i can afford an Audi or for that matter the dyson hand vac, someone else can clean my house. I don't like cleaning that much, I just like it clean.

Lisa: Hahahahahaha TRUEEE!

There is your "housewifey" conversation of the week brought to you by me and Lisa.

Liking TO clean is different than liking IT clean. Maybe there was some enlightenment in the afterall...

Thoughtful Thursday: Decisions Part 2

So last week I wrote about choice and how the brain processes choice. I've been thinking and analyzing choice in my own life ever since.

For those who don't know me, I like rules. Rules make it so there's no analysis to be done and that means my analytical brain can have a little vacation for 3 minutes whilst the rest of me is following the rule.

My stepdad makes fun of me and my mom because we have created these random rules about life that don't seem to make sense. For instance, if you are going to leave a light on in your house it's never a lamp, it's always an overhead light. We prefer to buy Tide...the original...in a powder, we always drink skim milk, and blue Dawn dish soap. But why? The green Palmolive washes dishes too...

I've come to an answer. My mom and I are analyzers and our poor brains are overloaded. I did some research and apparently sometimes when people have to much to analyze they make up rules so that there are somethings they never have to think about. Basically, its a mechanism the brain does to be more efficient. If there's a rule then you don't have to think. The decision has been made for you.

Here's an awesome example from my life:

Let's say I'm at a restaurant. It's after dinner and I think I might like dessert. For effect let's say I'm at Cheesecake Factory and I have 40 options for dessert. How does someone who likes to analyze all the options figure out which one to pick. By playing by the rules. Now I can cross off anything with nuts, caramel, peanut butter, toffee, and cheesecake because I don't like those and I don't care for beige food. Now my 40 options are just down to chocolate cake or ice cream, much easier for me to analyze. :-) Most of the time the rule means no dessert at a restaurant and that's fine, I can now think about my conversation instead of sucking up brain power on dessert analysis. Seems crazy but it works.

I've never stress out about dessert at restaurants...but it took me 20 minutes to pick out a flavor of candles yesterday...

Just imagine how indecisive I'd be if I didn't already have some of these in place. :-)

OHHHH...and Happy Thanksgiving. :-)

(house)Work Wednesday: Thanksgiving Soiree

"Friends are the family we pick for ourselves."

Very true. And there's nothing like spending time with your family for the holidays, but since usually your real family wants to spend this time with you, sometimes you have to make time to celebrate the holidays with your friends.

This past weekend me and my Yankee Manfriend threw a Thanksgiving soiree for our friends. It was our Second Annual Potluck Thanksgiving. Basically, we made the turkey (and I use the term "we" loosely, Y.M. made the turkey but unlike last year at least I went along on the trip to Trader Joe's to pick it out) and everyone signs up to bring something. We then fill in any holes in the "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner.

Like an 20 something couple, we were on a budget and there are some things we didn't want to skimp on, like the turkey, but there are other things that you can most definitely save a lot of money (and cleaning time) while still having a nice presentation thanks to...

(Drum Roll)...

The Dollar Store

I don't know about you but I forget about the Dollar Store until it's time to look for something random for Halloween. And typically when I'm trying to save money I hit up the local Wal-Mart, but I didn't really need, nor do I have the storage space for 100 paper plates even if they are $3.00. The Dollar Store makes it really easy to get "Holiday" specific items while balancing a good price without having to buy in bulk.

Here's a list of the things I got at the Dollar Store for our party of 12 people.

• Plates
• Cups
• Plastic utensils
• Plastic Shot Glasses
• Apple Juice
• Napkins
• Potpourri

Total Cost: $7.00 + tax

And no one knew the difference.

They also have a lot of serving utensils and other items that would be great to take to a party if you're on the "bringing" end of a potluck. This way if you don't get your serving spoon or potholder back it's not a huge deal. Think about it: Your grande skim mocha latte at Starbucks will cost more than you would have spent on the serving spoon, dish, and potholder you brought to the dinner and will be used for about the same amount of time. ;-)

Money Monday: Your Digital Reputation

In this day and age where recruiters for jobs look at your MySpace pages and your VP is on Facebook, you have to make sure you're digital rep is as well taken care of as your regular work reputation if you want to be respected in the real world. This respect could be the difference between a raise or being laid off.

I found this article on MSN.com that might be useful. However I have more advice. (Duh.)

My #1 suggestion: Look at your privacy settings on Facebook.

Not kidding...

I'll wait...

I'm sure you have facebook open on another tab anyway...


Ok good.

Some things you need to look at and my suggestions of who you should access to:
(Anything with a "*" means it's subjective based on the content you put in that medium and therefore gets a "but ONLY if it's appropriate for this group to see" tag.)

What everyone can see:

1. Your name
2. Your friends (Everyone can see this...you never want to cut off networking opportunity)
3. Your school and occupation information
4. Your networks
5. Your hometown
6. Activities*

What your friends of friends can see:

1. Same as above
2. Your blog*
3. Email address
4. Your relationship status
5. Your religion and political views
6. Class list
7. Activities

What only your "friends," the ones you make limited profile...like your coworkers, parents, and friends' parents, can see:

1. Same as above
2. Cell phone number
3. Your blog*
4. Interests* (Beer and dancing on bars...maybe not so much...)

What only your friends can see:

1. Your pictures (You never know who the friends of your friends are...)
2. Your wall (Same as above...)
3. All your random applications (You don't want your coworkers thinking you have too much time on your hands...)
4. Your blog that has your rantings about your life
5. Your notes
6. Your events
7. AIM screen name
8. All that other stuff Facebook has

One more thing: Remember that your profile is a representation of YOU and therefore YOU are responsible for it. Don't feel bad about deleting inappropriate comments on your wall or untagging pictures of yourself that don't display the kind of person you want people to see you as. You never know when Mom, Dad, or the CEO of your company might decide they are going to be "hip" and get on Facebook (like my mom did last weekend...) and you don't want them to see double fisting cheap beer, dancing on a bar, and showing your Britney.

Selfish Sundays: Apologies

There are few things that have more power than a sincere apology.

Even the most prideful of people should be able to apologize sincerely to the ones they really care about; believe me the ones who you have wronged will remember how you've hurt them. They can't help it, it's a survival instinct.

Takeaway:
"An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything." ~Lynn Johnston

Just about anything...as long as you are apologizing for the right thing...

After all "True remorse is never just a regret over consequence; it is a regret over motive." ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook

Thoughtful Thursday: Decisions

If you all have time I want you to listen to this podcast from Radio Lab: http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/2008/11/18/choice/.

It's about the choice and how we make choices. It's very interesting.

For those who don't have the patience to listen, here's the take away:
You have two parts of your brain 1) Emotion and 2) Logic. They normally keep each other in check so that you can make choices. However they have a capacity, especially the logically side and if it has too much to handle, the other one has to take over. This is why when people are trying to figure out something (like why that boy didn't call, why they lost their job, or why their friends are acting weird) they are more likely to make more emotionally based emotions in other aspects of their life because the logically side is distracted and the emotional side is taking over. This could result in bad eating, drinking too much, and/or smoking.

Now I have a pretty well exercised analytical side...but I have a HORRIBLE diet. When I'm bored I can make lists and plan out foods and even go and buy everything but when I get to work and I've been analyzing things all day I become very impulsive in my only outlet during the day...my lunch. I eat fast food and chicken even when I brought something else for lunch. I've struggled with my random cravings for forever and the more I think about things, the worse it gets. Hmmm...

Enlightenment: Less thinking might equal better eating...I'll let you know.

(house)Work Wednesday: November Treats

One of the reasons that November is my second favorite month is because November means pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING.

Here's 10 recipes from the people over at Real Simple to inspire some pumpkin flavored appreciation.

http://simplystated.realsimple.com/celebrations/index.html

Money Monday: Perfect Time for a Budget

So I woke up this morning and CNN told me about how the world's economy is going still going into the toilet and will be for...well the foreseeable future.

Made me think: Good time to revisit my budget and see where I can squeeze some extra savings out.

I made my first budget at 19 and I think it's the best habit I ever got into. (Now if only I could feel the same about diet and exercise...) If you don't have a budget and you have income, then you need to make one. It will help you so much in the long run to achieving your goals and being independent. You don't want to have to be 28 and not be able to buy a car if you need one.

Here's a resource with 79 other resources for budget making.
http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/back-to-basics-79-brilliant-budgeting-resources-youll-love/

Work on yours this week and then next week I'll show you mine.

Selfish Sundays: Enlightenment comes from the most random places...

This might be the most insightful bumper sticker ever.

Enlightment brought to you by AIM speak and Facebook applications.

(Being / Becoming) Fabulous Friday

As a post-collegiate 20 something, there's an a life "upgrade" that must happen to head toward your real world self; similar to that which happened between high school and college but MUCH more intense.

One of the things that has to be upgraded is your 9-5 wardtrobe. And here's my suggestions for doing so...

• Get out of the "Juniors" department. It may work on the weekends but unless you work at the Disney Channel or someplace really laid back you can't go to work looking like this:

but this --> will work.

• Get out of the College/Greek/Misc College org T-shirts. Now I love my t-shirts along with the next person (especially when you realize how much you spent on them...) BUT when you find yourself wearing shirts that say "Homecoming 2003" and it's 2008 it's time to let them go as part of your default jeans + T-shirt weekend uniform. Try subbing them out for a plain tee like this one from Old Navy.


• Get the 5 essentials: a classic coat, a pair of black pants, a classic black dress, jeans, and a white shirt AND make sure they fit correctly). These are the basics of any wardrobe and set the foundation for your closet. After all, how many events is a white shirt and jeans or black pants inappropriate?
  
• Get some nice shoes. Rainbows, sneakers, and wedges aren't going to cut it everyday anymore. You need at least one pair of black shoes and one pair of brown, and they should be closed toe.

Happy shopping. :-)

Thoughtful Thursday: The Difference Between Schoolwork and Work Work

Yesterday on my way home I was talking to my mom and telling her about this project that one of our interns is using for a school project as well as a work project.

During the convo I made this statement: "I feel that if the project was done for a school project it would be easier to do than as a work project. I told her that projects I had done for work had been similar to ones I had done for school and it was always easier in the school version."

She asked "Why? It's the same project either way, isn't it?"

My response: "Uhhhhh..." Blast. Why was it different?... And then I thought back to my freshamn year of college...

(insert "Twilight Zone" music + screen blur)

So it's orientation before my freshman year of college and I'm working on my schedule. I had a hole to fill and I was required to take a 100 level gym class to graduate from Wolfpack Country so I selected the easiest one I could find that fit in my schedule: Step Aerobics. I based my decision (as ever good new freshman that was an overacheiver would) on the following train of thought:

1. I need an "A" in Step Aerobics.
   
2. If I actually give it my all, I can actually get an "A"


3. "A" is good so we'll do that one.

Then I met with my advisor who told me this: Gym was a class eligible for "credit only" status (meaning you could take it for a grade or as a pass-fail with no grade) and that as long as I got between a 70-100% I would pass with a lovely "S" for "satisfactory"on my transcipt.

Hmm. Interesting...

Because of my awesome lack of athelic skills, I decided "credit only" was the best option but I was still going to try in the class. Well because of this change in events instead of giving the class the 90-100% I had planned, I gave it exactly 74%, got my "S," and was done with 100 level gym classes. Woot.

Why did I tell you this?

In school, you were graded on the quality and effort of your work. If you put in 85% then you get out 85% and that's fine cause that's still a B. In aerobics I gave 74% and passed...and even if it had been a grade it would have been a "C" and let's be honest and truthful: "Cs get degrees."

But what if my job had been aerobics?

I couldn't have gotten away with giving 74%, or hell even my B 85%. At your job you have to step it up and give 95-100% or you'll never move up in your career, if you even get to keep your job. Translation: You have to be an "A" student at your job just to keep it and an A+ student to advance it. Woah...

This moment of enlightment (and the answer to my mom's question) smacked me in the face like a Mack Truck:

"B" student status isn't going to cut it in the real world like it did in school. If you're a "B" employee you're less than average, not better. You have to get the work done, you have less time to do it, and it has to be as close to perfect as possible. I mean we're talking 95-100% range only, 100% of the time. Period.

Now why doesn't your advisor tell you that when you get to school so you can make that a habit form day one of college...

(house)Work Wednesday: Table Setting

Hey guys...

I'm pretty sick today so you'll have to wait until next week for the first real edition of the Wednesday segement of my enlightment: (house)Work Wednesday

To hold you over I'd like to recommend this blog from the Hyper Homemaker: http://hyperhomemaker.blogspot.com/2008/10/setting-proper-table.html

I feel that everyone should know how to set a table. Especially since my Southern mommy taught me how to do it when I was 8...gotta love us G.R.I.T.S. ;-)

Teach It Tuesday: Cured Ham

In the spirit of the holidays, here's this week's "Teach It" random answer.

Question:
What disease did "cured ham" actually have?

Answer:
Ham has the ability to get Clostridium botulinum, a deadly microorganism. Curing the ham with salt and potassium nitrate inhibits the growth of this microorganism, therefore “curing” the ham and making it so it can’t infect you.

Hope you had a good Tuesday.

Money Monday: Lunch- My Daily Mid Day Dilemna and a hole in my wallet

One of the big things that I have learned in the first half of my 20s is how much it costs to feed myself. (Thank you Mom for feeding me for the first 18 years of my life.) I mean, I am in theory, I'm still paying for meals on my credit card from my first senior year of college. (Lesson learned: "Do not charge food and /or booze"... but that's for another Monday...)

I read this article on MSN (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/HowToBuildYourFirstBudget.aspx?page=2) about making a budget and this is the part that stuck out to me:

"Food: Basic groceries should cost a single person about $150 a month. You'll spend a lot more if you eat out frequently, however, or if you buy lots of processed foods, frozen dinners and gourmet stuff. Cut your food costs by bringing lunches and snacks from home. Substitute potlucks or picnics for expensive socializing at restaurants. Shop grocery-store sales, and learn to make a few healthy meals at home."

Makes sense right? One problem: I personally don't have/am willing to take the time to make lunch every morning or even every night.

Solution: Pack lunches for 5 days on Sunday afternoon.

This is what I did (with the assistance of Lil Lisa):

1. Decide on the menu for the week. (Morning Snack: Yogurt and an orange; Lunch: Ham sandwich, orange, and salad; and Afternoon Snack: Fiber One Bar)
2. Bought materials. (A loaf of bread, a small jar of Fat Free Miracle Whip, sliced deli ham, alfalfa, a half pound of Spring Mix salad, a bottle of salad dressing, pudding singles, 6 pack of yogurt, 5 oranges, and a box of Fiber One bars.)
3. Got out 10 (5 sandwich ones and 5 round 2 cup) Glad plastic containers and 5 sandwich bags.
4. Put a serving of ham in each sandwich bag.
5. Layer contents of sandwich container as follows: 2 slices of bread, plastic bag with ham inside, and then alfalfa. This order will prevent any of the contents of the container from getting gross before Friday.
6. In the 2 cup containers I put salad and croutons.
7. I packed up my lunch and snacks for Monday and then put the rest in the fridge.

And now my fridge looks like this: (This is on Monday night so there's only 3 cause my Tuesday's lunch is already packed.)

Now all I have to do is put the lunches in my lunch box every night and then grab the lunch box in the morning when I get my water before heading to work.

Easy...and cheap. Total savings between last week (in which I ate out every day for lunch) and this week... $25. YAY!!!

Hey Everyone...

I love to pass on information I have learned or picked as I've gotten older. So I decided that the best way to pass on this knowledge and archive it was to start another blog.

This one will be more focused than it's kinda random and temperamental blog-sister, www.gbppangel.blogspot.com. Hope you all enjoy.