New TV!

For two people who don’t even have cable, a new TV seems like an unlikely purchase.  T has been talking about one for awhile,, and thinking about it even longer.   I’ve been a bit indifferent.  Finally, I told him to either make it happen or stop talking about it!   My old TV started making a high pitch noise when we turned it on, so he took it as a sign.

He suggested that I pay 30% of the price, and I agreed.  Even though I’m ok with our current TV, I certainly benefit from a new one.  In the long run, we are combining finances, so it doesn’t really matter.  I also set a limit of $1000, so the most I’d have to shell out was $300.

He picked out a highly rated 46′ plasma HDTV for about $1200 with a 1 year manufacturers warranty.  We used my Visa Signature Card, which offers a warranty service that extends the warranty to two years.

That means I have to find $300 in this months budget.  It shouldn’t be a problem, I just have to figure out where to take it from.

We use our TV a fair ammount, despite not having cable.  Netflix has been a great purchase for us, and we even can hook up T’s computer to the TV and watch streaming instant Netflix or Hulu (though nothing much on Hulu lately).  And now that we have a big TV, maybe a Wii would be fun. . .

PS – Happy Fourth of July! I’ve been sick for a few days, so I’ll have some July goals up soon.

June Review

June Net Worth Report:  I was stuck in the $23k-$25k range for a really long time (thanks S&P 500), even though I was consistently saving. Now my retirement contributions are no longer vanishing into the abyss, so I’m quickly approaching $40k now.  Current status:  $38,647.  Much of my “cash” from last month was actually the wedding fund, which I segmented out into “Other”.  It is still included in my networth, even though it is scheduled to be spent within the next 9 months.  Eeek!

Rather than detailing my June goals, I’m going to provide a really quick summary: FAIL!!!!!

Ok, a little more detail:

• I did great in my class.  A+!!!  And I started my next one, but so far, I’m slacking.

• I ran some (but not 3 times a week) and only did yoga once.  I totally forgot about signing up for a 5k, and I’m not sure i’m going to now.  I just don’t feel ready.

• I again didn’t schedule a dentist appointment or get my passport photo taken, but I did return my gray shorts and submit my school paperwork.

• I picked out a photographer and location, but haven’t quite signed the contracts and spent the money.

• We planned our hiking trips, but we haven’t mailed in for permits or anything yet.

• I saved $1050 towards the wedding fund, $340 towards travel, and $50 for my Roth.

• I re-instated my Roth IRA contributions for July, since I didn’t get laid off (whew!).  On schedule to max out by the end of the year.

• I worked on reading Middlesex, which I’ve owned forever and can not get into.  I didn’t get far.  Probably a sign I should just read something I’m into.

• I did pamper:  haircut and mani/ped

This month flew by.  This year is flying by.  Where is time going?!?

I need some sort of better way to keep myself organized, both at work and at home/school.   Do you use a planner?  I used to love mine in college, but can’t seem to get into them anymore.  Suggestions?

Camping Fail

We had a small injury at 6 am Saturday morning, just before we were scheduled to take off.   It wasn’t an emergency room situation, but the clinic T is supposed to go to was closed for the weekend.  We ended up going to an Urgent Care facility about 10 miles away.

It was annoying to have to spend so much hassle figuring out what insurance would cover and what we should do, but it worked out ok. He’s fine, but they said no strenuous activity which rules out strapping a 25+ pound pack to your back and climbing mountains.  Maybe it was for the best — I realized later in the day that we had forgotten to pack our camp mats, so it would have been an impossibly uncomfortable night.

Somehow, it turned out to be a really expensive weekend instead.  Everything listed below is for two, so I paid half.  Or I will once we sort it out.

• Happy hour drinks and snacks at a beach hotel:  $40
• Farmer’s market (blueberries and avocados):  $8
• Wine (2 bottles, 1 left):  $24 or so?
• Groceries:  $24
• A beer and a coke w/friends at English pub during soccer game:  $9
• Sandwiches after the game:  $9
• Nutella:  $5
• UP in 3-D!:  $31
• A weird “meal” of pizza + chips & chili + tiramisu at deli, split with friends:  $16

Obviously our spending weaknesses were alcohol and restaurants, which is typical for us.  Summer just seems to call for white wine and dinners out in our neighborhood.  Also, the movie was pricey, but we seriously go to 1 movie a year, so I refuse to feel guilty.  The restaurants were mostly for social occasions.  It’s still obscene!

I’ll still be able to (shockingly) make my budget this month, even with the haircut and mani-pedi, but only because spending for utilities was much lower than expected, groceries was a bit low (due to restaurants), and… I usually fill up my gas tank at the end of the month, but this month I won’t.  Yes, I’m cheating, but you can’t stop me.

Let’s see if we can do better in July.  We rescheduled camping for this upcoming weekend, so that will be inexpensive (in theory), especially since we already have the food.

Where are you going?

Alice: Which way should I go?
Cat: That depends on where are you going
Alice: I don’t know where I’m going
Cat: Then it doesn’t matter which way you go

I tried to make a 5 year plan, but I can only get through 2011 before it is too vague and uncertain to be meaningful.  I’m not sad upset about this — I like having options open, and even my plans for the next 2 years could be crushed by unexpected events.

In short, my plan consists of  staying at my job (in new position, transitioning soon) and get awesome at it while enjoying life as much as possible.  Then things get fuzzy.  T may finish school in two years (spring ‘11), or it could be three.  We’re hoping for two, because it frees up our options.  We can stay here, or we can go.  Choices!

The longer we are here, the more perfect it seems to stay here forever and ever.  Our apartment is incredibly awesome,  plus we’re under rent control.  Sometimes T talks about staying in our apartment indefinitely, like many of our neighbors.  Two problems:  1)  No dogs allowed.  2)  If we ever have babies, we’ll have to store them in the dresser drawer.  Not sure what we’d do when they turned 4 or 5.

There is the question of when to start a family.  “Later” seems like the most precise answer I can give, other than “not soon”.

Or wait, what about moving abroad for a period of time?  We still really want to do this, but each year we stay in L.A. makes it harder to pull off.  We won’t be young and free forever.    (T, finish in two years!  Please!)  And if we do that, then where to?  How will it all work?

This makes long term financial planning hazy.  Once we finish the wedding and the car fund, then what is the next goal?  (And if we are leaving in 2 years, we may not even get a newer car if mine holds out.)

But no matter what, cash in the bank gives us options.  If we decide to stay here (and have kids and buy property), we’ll eventually need to get a large down payment.  Or a much larger dresser.

So, I don’t have a five year plan.  I certainly don’t have a life plan, or even some sort of personal mission statement.  But I like my life today, and I like the direction it is heading.  And I think that is good enough.

Camping Costs

We have an overnight camping trip planned for this weekend!  Finally!  Just for one night this time.

We weren’t able to get away at all last quarter due to school stress + moving + me freaking out about my job + getting engaged.  So, it is our first chance using our new sleeping bags (after we froze our butts off camping in the desert in March).  Though it isn’t supposed to be less than high 50’s so I probably could get away with my summer bag.

Estimated Costs (for two)

• Food:  We bought $75 worth of stuff at the store, but at least $20 was non-food items, and a little wasn’t for camping.  I’ll estimate $45, but we definitely won’t eat it all this weekend.  Extra Cliff bars, extra peanuts, extra bread…
• Gas:  ~200 miles round trip, ~22 mpg, $3.10/gal… about $30

We already have:

• Map
• Adventure Pass (basically a parking permit for parks in SoCal)
• Thousands of dollars worth of backpacking gear.

I just have to put that out there.

We’ve spent a lot of money on this hobby, most if it on stuff that is generally considered necessary for an overnight trip.  It all adds up and I’d say we’ve spent over $1500.  Each. We have pretty much everything we need, and occasionally fill in wants (new bra, new shirt, better pants).  We usually only need to buy a map, food and gas, then we are good to go.  Plus we use some of it for day hikes on weekends when we can’t get away.  (Day hiking is a much less expensive hobby to get into.)

This year we’re focusing on camping trips for our vacations.  It is a shame since plane ticket deals are OUTRAGEOUS for late summer/fall.  We could easily swing a trip to Hawaii or spend a bit more and make it to Europe.  But we want to get use out of our stuff, we want to enjoy all California has to offer, and we want to save our money for a wedding and an amazing honeymoon (location TBD) next Spring.

Weekend Spending

Confession:  I do weekend spending reports mostly because I don’t feel like coming up with a well written post on something thoughtful.  I have some post ideas, but I can’t seem to formulate them into all out posts.

So, here is what I spent this weekend.  Things listed “for two” went on the joint card, so I’ll cover half.  The joint card is going really well, except it isn’t a Visa and we’ve had a couple restaurants refuse it. 

Thai Dinner:  $24 (for two). Since we last went, they started charging $2 for rice (used to be free), but portion sizes seemed larger.  We went to kill time and wait out traffic after I picked T up at the airport Friday.

Grocery:  $20 (for two). This wasn’t a real grocery run, just snacks, wine, and ingredients for a desert I’ll make.  Someday.  I did a full grocery shop earlier in the week at TJ’s.

Gas:  $41. It’s up to $3.07/gal!

Farmers Market:  $6.  Just got some avocados and a cucumber.  For this smoothie, guacamole, and something sort of similar to this couscous salad (good for lunches).

REI:  $45.  We split a hiking book for our 2-night trip over the 4th of July.  It also has several other good summer hikes (meaning, enough elevation that it’ll be cooler).  I got a new bra for hiking — my sports bra always felt sweaty and uncomfy.  After trying on several, I got this one, which probably wouldn’t work for anyone with a lot to support.  I’m not even sure whether I can use it for running.   But it felt perfect, totally lightweight, breathable, and super comfortable, almost like not wearing anything (except without the issues that come with actually not wearing anything).  I felt ridiculous paying $30 for such little fabric, but I it’ll serve me well.  I could use a new quality t-shirt for hiking, but technical clothing is ridiculously expensive.   I’ve been procrastinating in hopes of a sale.

————————-

We stayed in most of the weekend, skipping a graduation type party that we probably should have at least stopped by.  I’ll blame T’s jetlag, even though that probably isn’t true.  We watched Netflix for entertainment, and woke up really really early Sunday morning to get in a six mile hike to prep for next weekend.

I loved the hike (Sandstone Peak loop — one of the best hikes in the area if you ask me) .  We did it in February as well, and it is a far better “winter” hike than summer (which is why we woke up so early).  However, it seriously wiped me out for the day.  I even had a 2nd cup of coffee in the afternoon and was still able to crash early.  We’ve been plotting our first multi-day (I think 4 days?) later this summer in Sequioa/Kings Canyon (sooooooo excited!!!), so the more hiking we do, the better.

I think we are also ready to book our reception!  We met with their coordinator and took another look at the area.  I estimate the total cost for food + alcohol to be less than $4500, though it really depends on how many people come.  It could be significantly cheaper if fewer people come or if people don’t drink much (hahaha, not likely).  They require 50% “deposit” but also said you can get your full deposit back if you cancel within a week.  Given that, there seems to be little reason to put it off.

We also stopped by a jeweler by happenstance (on our way to investigate JCrew’s sale, which was a failure), and found that they can custom make a wedding band to fit together with my ring for about half the price of the designer band that fits my ring.  It is too soon to start the process, but it helps me keep my budget more accurate.  They also threw in some much needed ring cleaner as a gift.

June Shopping

I finally bought some more dress pants for work from Banana Republic.  I had exactly one pair (gray) that I thought fit well and I wore often, and a few more pairs that occasionally were put into the rotation even though they just didn’t fit quite right.  And I’ve been wearing jeans more than necessary.  These are khaki colored and will be good for summer.  They are having a sale right now, but I bought them when they were 30% off last week.  I was warned the sale was coming up, but I’ve rarely seen dress pants for less than $40 (about what they were), so I jumped.

Now that they are on sale, I’m considering getting the dark color as well.  But I probably won’t, yet.  Oh, they sold out of my size since last night anyway.

I also bought a pair of jeans.  I’m not 100% convinced of them and may return them, but I wore them around my apartment (tags on) and I I like them.  But I want a second opinion, as I’m notoriously bad at selecting my own jeans that fit right.

The total was just under $100.  Amazingly, they both fit upon arrival.  Perhaps I’ve mastered BR’s vanity sizing?  If not, I would return them to the store.  I just find it easier to find sizes and selection online.  It’s all so organized!

Pants aren’t my favorite thing to buy — I’d much rather buy a dress, a top, a shoe, or a handbag.  But they are probably one of the most necessary things to buy.  Just not exciting!

Next month I’m looking for a nice brown pump with a mid/low heel, under $100, or perhaps a light colored cardigan.  I want this one to go on sale, but I’ll have to see it in the store to dertermine quality.  This winter I splurged on a barely-on-sale merino wool black cardigan from BR, and I love it.  It held up better than any other cheap cardigan I’ve ever bought, and it looks much nicer.   Paying full price is sort of painful for me, but sometimes, for the right item, maybe it is worth it.  (Actually, it was a Christmas gift, but it was on my “wish list”.)

June Gloom

June gloom isn’t just applying to the weather this year. I should already be in my morning commute, but instead, I’m still in bed with wet hair, dreading it.  Now I’ll have to stay later, but at least the sun sets late and I can still go for a run for stress relief.

Work has gotten to the point where I’ve contemplated asking for an unpaid leave of absense until they get stuff for my next assignment sorted out.  Of course, I wouldn’t really do this (and I’m not sure they would let me anyway), and for all I know it could be several months until everything is processed.   I couldn’t take that financial hit if I want to have a wedding.

I am grateful to have a job.  I am grateful to have my job.  I am.  IThere are good things ahead for me — my new position is (I think) exactly what I wanted to be doing all along and lines up with my grad classes perfectly.  It also is (I think) a fairly secure position, but that’s relative to the program I’ve been on, which was (obviously) not so secure.

So good things are ahead, I’m convinced of this.  But I’ve never been this unsatisfied with my job, on a day to day basis.  If I had to give myself advice, I’d say to stay positive, keep on pushing until the end, pretend that people actually care about the results of the next couple weeks.  They don’t — managers have ceased attending our status meetings, so it is just whoever is left (we’ve shrunk by at least half) telling each other our own status.  It’s ridiculous.

And it is so so hard to stay positive.  I think this is one thing I like about being in classes — when work is unchallenging and lame, I could at least focus on my studies and be challenged.

I feel like I’ve been treading in my career — I spent 1.5 years at my first job, and just when I was getting compliments and felt valued, I decided to move to California.  Now, I spent 1.5 years on this job and… well to be honest, the whole time the assignment wasn’t the best fit, though I learned a lot.  I just can’t wait to get into a position and just STAY for a little while.  Long enough to develop, to become valued, to contribute in meaningful ways.

Enough whining.  Have you ever felt like this?  Did you discover any magic remedies to make it better?

Weekend Report

Haircut w/tip:  $95

I was pleased with the cut and the stylist.  She had suggestions, without being annoying.  Her sense of humor didn’t click with mine, but I might be back.  I haven’t decided.  I would like to get my hair cut every 3 months or so, which comes out to about $30/month just for haircuts.

Mani/Pedi, $35

I’ll probably do this again, but not every month.  My nails weren’t in great shape, so it is nice to have them looking presentable.  Honestly, it seemed so… luxurious to have someone rubbing my feet and giving me a hand massage.    Plus, I got really bored.  I hate waiting for the polish to dry.

Date night in the neighborhood, $45 + $15 (for two):

Before T left for a week, we went out to a newish restaurant in the neighborhood.  It would have been less, but we each got some sangria.

I really really love our new neighborhood, but there is a shortage of tasty budget friendly restaurants nearby.  We used to go out for Thai several times a month and get out for about $22 including tip.  Of course, we could still drive there, but there are 5 million new places within walking distance.  Perhaps we need to  go out less often to balance.

We also stopped and got wine on the way home — white wine on a summer night is fabulous.

Farmers market, $15: for fruit and veggies.  I got cherries, apricots, avocado and lettuce.  I took my cherries to the beach and relaxed by the ocean.  It was fabulous, plus I still have more!

Since most of my “Miscellaneous” money went to my hair cut, I basically out of budget for everything except groceries/gas for the rest of the month.  Of course, if the desire need arrises, I can always seem to find the money (ie, save just a little bit less).

Just because I’m letting them pick the dresses…

…does not mean I can’t also take a peek at what is available!

The one on the left is a $148 Maggy London dress from Nordstrom, and the one on the right is a more budget friendly $60 Nine West dress available at Amazon, among other places.  Straps are removable.  I definitely like the Maggy London dress more, but I’d be ok with either.  Perhaps the headless model is hurting the nine west dress?

I’m still fine with whatever else they come up with, I just couldn’t resist seeing what was out there!