Archive: June, 2010

My 3 Money Mantras

June 30th, 2010 · · Personal Finance, pursuit of happiness 10 comments - Tags:

I have a few friends, all girlfriends actually who struggle with credit card debt and budgeting. As I’m reflecting on these close friends, I’ve noticed they have a three things in common.

  1. They love to shop and suffer from occasional bouts of impulse buying. (me too!)
  2. They do not have an emergency fund.
  3. They live paycheck to paycheck.

I’m really not a financial expert but I think I’m pretty aware. I took the Charles Schwab Money Fitness Quiz and scored an 86 which is rated as “Good.” I know exactly my money weaknesses and strengths.


Weaknesses

  • Forgetting to pay obscure bills (as I’m typing this I still need to pay an overdue tollway bill).
  • I don’t max out my Roth IRA (hopefully this year, I can bring myself to save that 5K and max out for the first time ever.)
  • I don’t really know how or what to invest my money in or the best way I should diversify.
  • I have over 23K in student loans.


Strengths

  • I automatically save at least $100 every paycheck.
  • I do not withdraw from my savings save for trips and the very occasional lending money to loved ones.
  • I have an emergency fund.
  • I pay off my credit cards in full every month.

I’m always trying to motivate my struggling friends to adopt the good habits I live by. I hate that they live paycheck to paycheck and if anything were to happen they will be scrounging around for aid or going into deeper debt. I’m by no means perfect and sometimes I flounder. (This month, I spent more than I made.) So I’m going to write this blog entry in dedication to a few girl friends and impart what mentalities have worked for me.


My 3 Money Mantras

1. I used to do a lot of weight loss counseling at my previous job and one thing that I noticed when people relapsed on their weight loss program is that they don’t forgive themselves and get back on the saddle. They are so ridden with guilt that they start letting it win by staying down for the count. They tell themselves, “I’ve done so badly and eaten at McDonalds this morning, might as well go all out and treat myself to a whole pint of ice cream tonight. I’ll start my program again next week.” This mentality is counterproductive and doesn’t make sense! You can always and should start again right away. The same goes for money. If you exceeded your budget this week and it’s only Wednesday, don’t go for broke the rest of the week. Start anew right away.

2. We’re all going to continuously fail. Failing is part of life. There’s no avoiding it. However, don’t set yourself up for failure. If you have never saved in your life, choose an automatic minimum to put into savings that is attainable. If you think you can realistically save 200 dollars a month, do it. If after a month you weren’t even close, adjust accordingly! Go all the way down to 20 dollars a month if need be and inch your way up. As inevitable in life as failure is, it’s important to not set yourself up for it.

3. Create a price to opportunity ratio. Let me illustrate this mentality with real thought processes I go through. This one I went through yesterday: I overspent in June. I moved (movers were 260). I bought renter’s insurance (120). I bought books and event tickets ($60). I lost count of how many meals I ate out (moving made it difficult to cook.) I indulged in a lot of treats (clothes, outings, etc). I’m finally moved in and had lunches planned to bring to work. Yesterday, my coworker was walking to Chipotle and I needed to buy a greeting card next door. I love me some Chipotle and really wanted to just scrap my lunch in exchange for a burrito bowl. Follows is how I walk away from many of my small mundane impulses is to evaluate the opportunity.

Q. Is Chipotle fairly attainable?
A. It TOTALLY is. It’s on campus, walking distance, and under ten dollars. Hell, I have two Chipotles less than a mile away from where I live.

Q. Will this be my last opportunity to eat Chipotle?
A. Far from it!

Q. Can I resist this week and be satisified with coming back later?
A. Absolutely.

Impulse resisted!

That’s three big mentalities I’ve found financially useful and effective but I’m always seeking to learn more, so please share your tips.


What are some of your financial philosophies or personal policies?

This post is written as part of 20SB Blog Carnival on friends and money. For more entries about friends and money, click the link.

Canoeing: I lived to post photos about it

June 28th, 2010 · · new thing(s) of the week, scary thing(s) of the week, still-frames 9 comments

I mentioned I was taking a half day last week during the work week to go kayaking with Jess & Brandi. We ended up canoeing instead since it seats three people. Brandi’s all gone now. She’s embarking on a new career in a new city with new hair (not pictured below). I miss her. Here are photos. I did not fall in or drown and no critter had a chance to swim up any orifice and lay any eggs in my brain or GI tract. Am happy to be alive :). Also, it was not as scary as I was making it out to be, you know, as someone who can’t tread water and who has an irrational fear about bugs and bug babies in my brain. (What? It happens.)

Hope all is well!

Introducing Monday Writing Prompt

June 28th, 2010 · · Monday Writing Prompt 4 comments - Tags:

Remember how I told you that every week, my bestie and I partake in a writing exercise? Every Monday we use random.org to help draw a prompt from a growing list with which we spend at least 5 minutes a day every weekday to write. I decided (with permission) to share our prompts every Monday in case you want to piggy back on our shared project.

This week’s writing prompt is:


Diary

Ann Frank's Diary

Brittany’s Bingo Birthday Bash

June 22nd, 2010 · · Birthdays, misadventures, still-frames 4 comments - Tags: ,

BBBB was the most stressful birthday party I’ve been to. I don’t know how the bingo pros /elderly do it. I had one sheet of 9 cards and that’s pretty relaxing and laid back but when I decided to take one of Brittany’s 9 card sheets to help her out, I felt like I was back in elementary school doing SPEED MATH. Minus the math… At the big bingo hall in Austin, on your birthday you can buy 27 cards and a computer game for one penny. I don’t think Brit’s doing 27 cards again.

How do you make bingo classy?

bingo
You bring your own minature bottles of wine!

We managed to get Alan to come even though he swore after his first time, he’d never go back. This time he learned his lesson and stuck with a relaxing 9 cards. I love how in the following picture he looks like he’s going to stab the shit out of his bingo cards.

bingo

bingo

So you can buy yourself fancy bingo bags on the internet. For instance, this one I found on Amazon.

Or you can make your own!

bingo
The bingo bag we made last night

Time to go to work :) I’m taking half a day today off so I can face one of my biggest fears. Kayaking. Wish me luck.

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 9)

June 18th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), in passing, lists, scary thing(s) of the week 6 comments - Tags: , ,


1.



Shared with permission

I got this voice mail yesterday from my old college roommate and high school classmate. It reminded me of the scene in He’s Just Not that Into You, where Drew Barrymore’s character says, “I had this guy leave me a voice mail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies.”

Edit: Note about the sound clip: She’s one of three people who call me “Deese” shortened from “Lindisimo.”

Edit: If you’re reading in a reader, the sound clip can be seen if you go to the original post.


2.

I babysat these boys that I’ve been babysitting since they were both born last night and this conversation absolutely tickled me.

3 year old:
Sonic the Hedgehog’s girlfriend is in this show.

6 year old:
Sonic the Hedgehog doesn’t have a girlfriend!

3 year old:
Yes he dooze!

I want to steal that verb tense for do. Yes I dooze.


3.

I saw Anthony Bourdain not too long ago. He’s my main food squeeze. I bought tickets to see him again! He’s coming back June 28th. This time, I shall try to get a book signed. I like getting author autographs. My collection thus far: Frank Warren (not a true that author really is he?), Jaden Hair, Chuck Palahniuk, and Amy Tan.


4.

This weekend is crunch time. Moving Sunday. I have tonight and tomorrow to get the hard bits of packing. Sunday is going to be hectic. The movers come and I also have tickets to my first ever baseball game! Going with my little to a Round Rock Express. I heard Will Farrell threw the first pitch at a Round Rock Express game not too long ago. I’m looking forward to eating a hot dog at a ball game :)


5.

My 27th birthday is looming. Do I have to turn 27? Dooze I?


6.

Brandi, my current roommate for another few days is moving to Dallas. Jessica, the other in our threesome is moving in August. It’s the end of an era and I’m feeling a bit sad. I told you before in 7 Quick Takes that I hate this part of growing up, the goodbyes. We’ve been thick as thieves since 2005. I always worry that friendships will frizzle once we physically move away from each other but right now most of my closest friends are long distance. My best friend in Boston. Kym, Jon, Will, and Thomas all are in New York, Dallas, and L freaking A. Kim, Cindy, Aishah in Houston. Nam floats around all over the US. So there is hope for Jessica, Brandi and me. :) We’re doing our goodbye outing Tuesday and kayaking at Town Lake. One of my irrational fears is kayaking. I’m afraid I’ll fall in the water and some little critter will crawl up my nose and then lay eggs in my brain and then I’ll find out three months later and then die. You think I’m joking.


Me, Brandi, Jessica


7.

Friendly reminder, Father’s Day is this Sunday. I’m not driving down to Houston to see daddy because I’m moving on Sunday. :(

Cheers to a new and productive week!

June 14th, 2010 · · still-frames, the grind 3 comments - Tags: ,

Happy Monday!! Back to the nitty gritty. This week is going to be particularly stressful for me. I realized this past weekend that June 20th, my move out date from my current 2 bedroom apartment to a 1 bedroom apartment is THIS weekend. June 20th sounded like a faraway date. My roomie kept dropping hints that it was closer than I think and I just kind of la de da’ed her. So yes, I must scramble to put all my clutter into boxes, stuff it with balled up newspaper for lack of luxurious bubble wrap, do all those fun transfers of accounts. Stress!

I had a fairly productive weekend. Packed maybe 6 boxes, worked out which brings my working out average this year to once every 2 months (ha!), food explored, and quality time with the roomie (our days are numbered) and zee dude. I hope you all had a lovely weekend and a productive week to come.


Cheers to a new week!

A couple of cute photos from my weekend:

10 Reasons Why You Should Become a Big Brother or Big Sister

June 11th, 2010 · · Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America 5 comments - Tags:
My little and I
My little and I in June 2008

Austin’s Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America is looking for mentors. I’ve really enjoyed being a Big. I’ll be honest and say that I thought it’ll be easy and fun and games, and most times it is easy, fun, and games. However, it’s also challenging. You’re committing to someone, which involves proactively setting aside time to give them your undivided attention and consistently do so. As a working adult sometimes juggling two jobs (so glad that’s over) or someone in my mid-twenties still enjoying and wanting an active social life, being consistent and setting time aside can be difficult. Also, there’s no trading in your little. You are not guaranteed to be paired with a “Mini-Me.” The point of Big Brothers and Big Sisters is to be a positive constant.

And with that, I’ll leave you with this list:

  1. It’s important to give back to your community.
  2. It’s flexible scheduling, you work out when you see your little. BBBS asks you see them 3-4 times a month.
  3. Having conversations with impressionable kids is awesome. There’s a natural sense of wonderment.
  4. Being a big helps you become more mindful of the things you say and do.
  5. It’s a chance to a be a positive role model. Maybe your little will grow to think you’re cooler than Miley Shanky Cyrus. Here’s your chance to be a good influence!
  6. You now have a valid excuse to be a kid again. Since having my little, I’ve been to kid’s festivals with face painting, puppet shows, kid movies (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is AWESOME), and marvel at balloon animals.
  7. Every penny you spend on your little on outings is tax deductible. For instance, if you go to McDonalds, her happy meal is tax deductible, yours isn’t.
  8. You’ll have a new friend.
  9. Your little might teach you something. Just listen and watch.
  10. If you’ve never had a younger sibling, this is your second chance.

    11. So if you’re from Austin and are interested in becoming a mentor, please check the website www.bigmentoring.org, call the office (512) 472-5437 or email the staff volunteer@bigmentoring.org.

    If you’re not from Austin, check if your town has a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America chapter.

    My Little and her first spring roll
    Last weekend, little and I went to our first cooking class. She not only ate her first springroll, but she made it!


    How do you contribute to your community?

Video Blog: Joys of Moving

June 5th, 2010 · · videos 6 comments - Tags: ,

It’s 1:15am Saturday now. Must finally get in the shower.

Recorded my third video blog. Can I say the word “packing” any more times? Geez. How distracting. I just ramble about moving and show you the mess that is my living room.

First video blog here: Ratchet & Snowflakes
Second video blog here: Friday Food Definition – Thit Cha Bong

Friday 7 Quick Takes (vol 8)

June 4th, 2010 · · 7 Quick Takes (Fridays), Birthdays, in passing, lists, on the nightstand, savory, silver screen, the not so single life 5 comments - Tags: , , , , , ,


1.

Last night had date night with zee dude. Alan was pretty sweet and accommodating to go watch a documentary on babies (aptly entitled Babies) with me. The documentary followed 4 babies from different corners of the world, San Francisco, Namibia, Mongolia, and Tokyo. It’s ALL babies, the documentary. No narration, hardly any other dialogue save the gurgles, baby coos, and baby teary outrages for an hour and 20 minutes. We laughed out loud a few times and I enjoyed it but it was a little slower than I was hoping. My rating is 3/5 stars. See trailer below.

When we got home, Alan reattached his manly bits by watching first game of NBA championship series. ;)


2.

Our fridge at work has pictures of current lab members. The photos have to be humorous and non-serious. I thought I could go unnoticed without a picture up but it has recently been threatened that if I don’t put a picture up, someone else will take one of me and post it. I value my autonomy so I cropped myself out of this photo taken from the weekend.

photo bomb
Photo courtesy of Jason’s facebook


3.

I finished listening to Julia Child’s My Life in France (Ten fricking CDs). It inspired me to buy her first Mastering French Cooking book. I think I’m going to make my 2nd quiche from that book this coming week. If you don’t know how to read or speak French or even sound out French words, I recommend getting the audio book to listen to instead of the actual book to read. It’s fun to repeat after the reader and laugh at yourself as you drive to and from work.


4.

I finished this book at the end of February and much to Martin‘s chagrin, I still haven’t done the book review. As much as I wanted to. I just didn’t quite understand the ending. But up to the ending it was a very humorous story about a Fup, duck (named for “Fucked up”), a grumpy but hilarious Grandfather, and his grandson, Tiny. Written in the early eighties, the story was outrageous and makes you want to own a pet duck with as much character as Fup. (She enjoys chick flicks and bullies the dogs and if memory serves, she also drinks alcohol religiously.) I’m afraid I can’t offer that much of a review, but lucky for you Martin wrote a thorough review on his blog.


5.


So last week’s 7 Quick Takes, I shared that I made my first lasagna and how excited I was. Lasagnas aren’t too terribly exciting but I’m not a skilled cook and the most mundane cooking skills (making lasagnas) are new and wondrous to me. Intimidating at first sight but fulfilling when accomplished. And I’m always surprised when things turn out well. I was surprised that the lasagna was edible and Alan’s even told me he could eat it again and wish he had more. This week’s mundane to others but intimidating kitchen skill I tackled was ZEE PINEAPPLE! I’ve always steered clear of buying a whole pineapple and cutting it myself. I’m a give it to mom to cut or buy it already precut kind of girl when it comes to this tropical fruit.

Emboldened by my conquering the lasagna (and recently the quiche), I finally conquered my silly fear of cutting a pineapple. It’s not very hard. You cut off the top and bottom, and shave off the skin. Then cut in desired pieces. All that fear for nothing. The pineapple recipe I chose was from my Steamy Kitchen cook book. Involved grilling the pineapple, drizzling coconut rum chocolate sauce on the top and sprinkling coconut flakes on the chocolate. The combination was a hit or miss with our Memorial Day pot luck crowd. Brother hated it, Brittany loved it.

cutting a pineapple isn't that hard!


6.


Recently, I’ve noticed I’ve taken an interest in nature and green surroundings. I credit this to working at a job that requires me to walk about 20-40 minutes from and to my car. The University has great landscaping. Also, I’ve never been the kind to take leisurely walks outside unless it’s an outlet mall but Brandi and I have been walking more in our neighborhood. 6 months ago, I wouldn’t ever think to myself, look at those leaves! Those leaves are different shape from the other leaves on the tree. Or lookit that flower! It’s practically the only flower on that tree!

But it’s happening. I like flowers and leaves that are not delivered to me in a vase (those won’t ever get old, just to be clear :p).

flowers!
cell phone picture from one of our walks


7.

I always run out of things to share by 7. 2 of my closest friends turned 27 and 26 yesterday and today. So happy birthday Will and Jen T. My brother got accepted into a PhD program in San Antonio. Congrats to him.

Happy Friday to everyone who reads my dribble. Thanks for that by the way. Reading. Say hi or something :).

My Eat, Pray, Love

June 3rd, 2010 · · love, pursuit of happiness, savory, still-frames 11 comments - Tags: , ,

Because I’m juggling 3 books at the moment and haven’t started my book club’s book for June yet, opening my copy of Eat, Pray, Love is not top priority right now. I was catching up on my DVRed Oprahs last week and saw Julia Roberts promoting Eat, Pray, Love the movie. The show has made me inch my copy of the book up a little on my list. During the show, Oprah interviewed the cast members asking them what their eat, pray, and love look like to them. It inspired some reflection and I thought I’d share with you my eat, pray, love.


Eat


Anything my mom makes. I could happily live forever on my mom’s cooking. If I had to narrow it down to just one dish for the rest of my life, I’m going to have to say momma’s bun rieu.

bun rieu
(Link to my food blog about bun rieu).


Pray

My pray is gratitude and being present. It’s when things are calm and happy and I’m present enough to know I’m experiencing a beautiful moment, be it a field of bluebonnets, a shared cackle with friends, or a quiet squeeze of a hand. To appreciate and savour is my pray.


(blog post)


Love

It’s hard to choose from my myriad of personal photos a handful of images that illustrates what love looks like to me. Simply put, it’s time well spent with my family and friends. It’s sharing life.

love looks like..
love looks like..
love looks like..


What are your Eat, Pray, Love?