What kind of rich do you want to be?

So, I was pondering my financial goals for the New Year - there will be a week long dedication to that next week, so get excited! - and I was wondering what kind of rich I want to be in the near future.

I've been thinking about it, and there's a couple of types of "rich" that can be observed in everyday life:

Family rich: rich enough to have and provide for a family, meaning a comfortable house, decent clothing and food, and enough to go on a vacation once a year or so, along with being able to provide memorable Christmas and birthdays. Think: the family in Home Alone

Glam rich: rich enough to have the newest of everything: electronics, clothes, and accessories, all while living in a well decorated home with a live in chef. Being able to take your 10 closest friends to dinner or on vacation even and not worry about the price tag. Think: most celebrities and/or entrepreneuers,or Paris Hiltion

Humanitarian rich: rich enough to be able to donate copious amounts of your income to charities to help further the cause. Being able to travel to foreign countries and donate your time and even more money without worrying about work because you make enough money to be able to leave your job for months at a time. Think: Angelina Jolie, Bill Gates

Retirement rich: rich enough to not have to work after a certain age because you have worked and saved long enough to take care of your basic needs and wants for the remainder of your life. Able to take time to travel and give gifts to children and grandchildren without worrying about who will pay for your next prescription or meal. Most importantly, being able to die with enough left over to cover your final bills, funeral costs, and give some to your loved ones. Think: the old people who live in Capstone Village, your grandparents.

So, in ten years, what kind of rich would you like to be? In twenty? Fifty? Is there another type of "rich" you can think of?

Merry Christmas

Ok guys, I am going on Family Hiatus for a while, but I promise an update for the New Year. Have an amazing holiday and get excited - 24 Hours of A Christmas Story starts at seven!

Here's one of my favorite clips:



Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Holiday Spending: out the window?

It's my first poll!

"You're Fired." "I quit."

So remember how I was telling you how great it was that I had a job waiting for me when I got back home? Well, not so much...

So I walked in to the office, ready and prepared to work, when I soon realized that there was virtually nothing for me to do. Everything is electronically filed now, so there is nothing paper to deal with. My actual boss was caught up with her own personal files, and told me she "had some documents to be typed, and you can sort this drawer out."

I, Erin Williams, am not a drawer sorter.

So, we both realized that there was not enough for me to do to keep me occupied for the next three weeks, so I quit/was fired. It was pretty bittersweet, since I had been working there for almost seven years, but sometimes you have to go.

So now, I am pretty much living off my assets until school starts again. But, on the bright side, I am having a really good break. I finally got around to cleaning and sorting out clothes in my closet, I washed everything, and have gotten caught up on every Christmas special to date.

So what about you? Have you ever been ousted from a job?

A Couple of Links

So as you can tell by my sporadic posting, I am officially on Christmas Vacation. I am going to leave you guys with some links to keep you posted over the weekend, and I will be back before the holiday with a few holiday stories of my own.

So, how much do the 12 Days of Christmas Cost?

Go to your local Wal Mart and read the most popular book this season

It's time to start thinking about next year's financial goals

For the Fashionista in your life, her are 15 gifts under $50

Bored? Catch up on a semester's worth of shows here

SPLURGE!

So, with today having been the end of my final exams and with me raking in about $80 from selling my books back, instead of being sensible and investing it or saving it, etc, I decided to treat myself today and gave myself an early Christmas gift- that's right, I splurged. Jealous???

Ok, let me stop.

But I did take a trip to Stamp Your Feet and picked out a FIERCE new pair of boots to last me through winter, and I even got 10% off of them for singing karaoke :-) For dinner, I went to my favorite restaurant, Bento, and had great sushi. It's always awesome there. The 70's soft rock, the mints when you leave...

Anyway, my point is that every once in a while, it's good to splurge on yourself. Whether it be something like a new magazine or a movie out or a great dinner, being broke shouldn't be dreadful. I know I am going to look hot this winter, and that I don't know where I'll find great sushi like that when I graduate, and it feels good to treat yourself every once in a while.

So, what do you do to splurge?

Another cheap gift idea...

So Sunday night, while avoiding studying and finishing up final papers, my mind wandered to what I should give to my relatives that I don't see at Christmastime - you know, aunts, uncles, cousins - the extended fam. My mind drifted to my wallet, which is lucky to at least have my ID in it, and I came up with a great idea: personalized Christmas CD's.

I have always been one to create my own holiday CD every year. I turn it into a production, starting way back in the first of November gathering up what songs I want to use from old cd's past, watching ebay for one cent cd's and compiling my playlist. I always make a copy for myself, or course, my mother, and close friends who request it, but I decided to share this gift with my extended family as well.

So I bought a case of CD covers, used burned CD's that I had on hand, and bought six of those envelopes with the bubble wrap. I made the CD, tucked it inside the case along with a special message, and addressed and sealed it. The next day I went to the post office, where shipping only cost me about $1.50 per envelope. Total cost? Around $20 total. When divided among the six? About $3.33 spent on each of them.

Merry Christmas to me!

So if you have a talent that you are keeping under wraps, share it with the world and turn it into your Christmas gift! Crochet! Bake! Paint! It'll be the gift that keeps on giving, and you'll feel better for having not broken the bank.

Knock out everyone on your Christmas list for under $10 with this gift:

Magazine subscriptions!

I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier! But I was trying to figure out what to get for my 22 year old male cousin. I tried to think of what other guy his age were into, and I remembered that he always considers himself such a suave, dapper gentleman (haha) and decided to gift him with a one year subscription to Esquire. It's a gift that continues to give month after month, and will only cost me about $8. How great is that?!

So, in no particular order, here is a compiled list for ever character in your family:

For your mom: Good Housekeeping

For your younger cousin who is 12 going on 20: Seventeen Magazine

For your sister/girlfriend who is going to work out "like, tomorrow!" Women's Health

For your brother/boyfriend who is secretly coveting David Beckham's abs:
Men's Health

For your tough cousin who is concerned about issues from an urban perspective: Vibe

For the young career woman Martha Stewart Wannabe: Domino

For the metrosexual in your life: Details

For your dad to read when he has a little peace and quiet: Reader's Digest


Do you have anymore cheap gift ideas? What are you giving this year?

Sunday Blogroll

We're in the home stretch for school - hang in there!

Ehow.com offers these tips on Winterizing your car

Remember your mom's Crock Pot? Well now it's a budgeter's food dream!

Hey, so apparently only Californians can afford college.

Start the children off young with learning how to invest. Like, at the age of seven.

Take a minute to stop worrying and have a laugh.

Happy studying!

The Cost Of: Car Repairs

So my car has been having a noted problem with braking ever since the beginning of November. I have been trying to ignore it - the fact that I have to brake five minutes before my intended stopping point; that grinding sound; the fear I have pulling on to the highway. I know, I know I should be slapped for voluntarily putting myself in that kind of danger, but I have a good reason: I just don't want to pay for it. Got it? Good.

Paying for things like that always come out of my personal savings, which is a pain. And this isn't the first major repair I have had to fork over for. In November 2007, I had to have a whole new engine put into my car at the steep price of $1000. Can we say vroom, vroom?

To me, the logical solution is to get a new car for graduation, (or now, for that matter), but my mother isn't biting. At least I don't think she is...

Either way, I have decided before I drive home two hours on the highway, which is always a crap shoot when it comes to braking, I am heading down to Firestone bright and early to get new pads put in, at the cost of $149.99 a set. The guy over the phone said that it's rare that both sets have to be replaced at the same time, but knowing my luck I wouldn't put it past me.

In addition to big things like brakes, I always foot the bill on my quarterly oil exchanges and any other incidentals, like tire rotations. Who knows how long Jake, my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee (I named it that because I think it's rugged) will have to last me in this economy?

That reminds me, I need to buy coolant for my car. It is heater time, after all...

So tell me: How much do you spend on car repair? Do you foot the bill?

Hey! We're in a recession!

In case you didn't know...

We are officially recessed. Apparently since December of 2007 - who knew?

And then, the Dow dropped almost 700 points yesterday - it just keeps getting better!

So what does this mean for you?

For graduates, at the least, it means a long job hunt...

Who's thinking about graduate school now???

Thoughts???

Sunday Blogroll

So this week is Dead Week and then FINALS - YESSSSS!

Get your mind right with these blog posts from other sites this past week:

This story from the NY Times is a little off subject, but its relevance is huge. This is just tragic.

Cheap Healthy Good has 38 recipes for leftover turkey

Did you know that Tuscaloosa has a Craigslist?

Frugal For Life discussed her Little Steps For Frugal Living

This article from the Times discusses the impact of the economy on some of America's Best Colleges

Study hard - and happy Sunday!

Online Savings Accounts and why I love mine

So as I mentioned in my previous post, I have an online savings account. My savings account has allowed me to establish financial freedom for myself and save money on my own terms. It's a good feeling to be able to earn money; it's an even better feeling to have something to show for it. I now have a private nest egg that has no one else's money (i.e. a parent's) tied to it and that can collect more interest than a brick and mortar bank can.

Why to have an online savings account:

- More convenient banking
- Higher interest rates
- Total control of the cash flow

Possible negatives:

- Not a physical establishment
- Takes longer to withdraw money for the first time (ING has a 10- day wait, but after that, transactions are same - day.)


Online Savings Accounts worth exploring:

ING DIRECT
FNBO Direct
HSBC Direct

Read more about the ins and outs of online savings here!

Make an early New Year's Resolution and establish an online savings account today!

(Geez, I sound like a sales pitch.)

Happy searching! And...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Things I'm Thinking About: My Tax Return

So today, while wallowing in my thoughts of impending debt, I suddenly perked up when I remember that in around six or seven weeks, it would be my favorite time of year: Tax return time! Oh, how I love tax return time! Tax return time, for most of the employed, is that glorious time of the year when you get back the money withheld from the Federal Governemnt from the past year. Although mine has never totaled over $300, it's always a welcome occasion for me to spend it on something just for me, to thank myself for making it through the last work year. Last year, I bought my first designer purse, and the year before, I was able to outfit my car with a sound system. Both continue to serve me well. This year, I am especially excited because I learned how to file my own taxes. This way, I don't have to go through an accountant, and I don't have to wait as long for my return.

This year, my return is going to go into my online saving account. I am trying to save and build up enough revenue to have a decent Spring Break/Job Hunt in DC.

So, what are your tax return plans?

Cheap Craft: learn to crochet

So one of my favorite hobbies (and secret tricks) is the fact that I can crochet. Although I am only able to make scarves and potholders, i.e. things that can be made in a straight line, doing this activity provides me with an outlet when my mind starts to wander about other things, like shopping idly online. All you need is a hook, yarn, and some patience. You can get the supplies at Hobby Lobby for about $5. Here's a video to get you started. Have fun!

Sunday Blogroll

Take a gander at these frugally - minded blogs before going home for Thanksgiving - we only have 3 more days! Yeah!

The Budget Fashionista puts together a A Thanksgiving outfit for less that 80 bucks

During the break, take some time to get started on your gift giving by taking a cue from SavvySugar and create your own gifts

If you like Zaxby's, join their mailing list and receive a coupon for a free dinner!

Scraping the Skillet has a recipe for a delicious, cheap, and easy Black Beans and Rice

Read the MSN money blog and learn what our next president is going to do concerning tax increases

Have a good lazy Sunday!

You're So Money: Work 'Til You Drop

In one of my favorite books, You're So Money , one of the ideas that author Farnoosh Torabi explores is working as much as possible when you are in your 20's. Torabi explains that since 20 - somethings are younger and are used to staying up until the wee hours, working several jobs isn't a big strain on our bodies. Also, you get to learn different skills and build up your resume.For instance, the author babysits on the side and is able to make enough money to finance her weekends out. I have a friend of mine who is a Capitol Hill staffer in DC but works three additional jobs so she is able to dress well and go to the best clubs in DC. (It ain't cheap, trust me!) I myself am an RA, I work the front desk at a dorm, and I work in a Housing office. Where does my extra money go? Late night trips to Wal Mart and occasional book buying at Barnes and Noble (but not without my 10% off coupon that they send me every month for being on the email list .

So what do you do to make money on the side? Work Gameday tents? Babysit? Work a dorm desk at 3am?

Bargain Shopping at: Dollar Tree

So, as I expressed in my previous post, I love the Dollar Tree. It's the one place where I can pick up a spatula, a sudoku book, and toothpaste all in one place for only a dollar apiece. The Dollar Tree, located at McFarland Mall, sells several items: cookware, cleaning supplies, stationery, hygenic products, canned goods, cookies chips and candy, toys, decorative novelties, a frozen food section, and much more. I use the Dollar Tree most at the beginning and end of the semester when I have to clean my dorm room from top to bottom. On my last trip (and I was just browsing this time) I found:

- Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes
- Christmas plates and mugs
- cornbread stuffing
- Vitamins
- A saucepan
- fake flowers.

You can't beat that!

So whereas a typical trip to Target could look like this:

- Toothpaste: 2.99
- Deodorant: 2.00
- Broom, mop, and bucket: 10.00
- Five pack of Gum: 2.00
- Birthday Card: 3.00

It could look like this-


- Toothpaste: 1.00
- Deodorant: 1.00
- Broom, mop, and bucket: 3.00
- Five pack of Gum: 1.00
- Birthday Card: 1.00

Where do you usually shop for necessities? Have you ever tried Dollar Tree?

Keep The Change

So, as one of my "continual savings programs", I have been a long time advocate of the original savings account: the change jar. Last year, I started putting all of my pennies in a salsa jar in my room. I didn't fill it up, but it made me feel good knowing that I was trying to save money. This year, I am doing the same thing, except my jar is now a plastic cup from the House of Representatives. It works like this: I deposit any pennies I come across, whether they be on the ground or from my purse, what have you, into my cup. when the cup gets full or whatever, I'll roll them and maybe treat myself to a Dollar Tree shopping spree. You know you love the dollar store! This is a good way to keep up with your extra change and gives you a little something to look forward to. I never use my penny jar, because, in my mind, it's just pennies. However, little things can make a big impact!

So tell me: do you still have a piggy bank? What do you do with your extra change?

Sunday Blogroll

Here are posts from some of my favorite financial bloggers to get you on the financial good foot for the week:

This is a classic article on what it takes to make it as a NYC 20 something

Single Guy Money gives his tips on getting out of the red zone

Budgets Sexy discusses if there is ever a situation where you HAVE to use your credit card

One Frugal Girl talks about paying for purchases with coins.


and Cheap Healthy Good gives her recipe for Easy Vegetarian Chili

Have a good week!

The Cost Of: Eating Out

So normally for dinner I eat whatever I can find in my cabinet/closet, which is usually tuna or Ramen... something depressing. However, on the weekends when I have more time, I like to venture out of my blah zone and go out to dinner or cook. This weekend, I chose to meet up with an old friend of mine from high school. She is my sushi buddy, but this weekend wasn't a payday weekend for me, so I had to downgrade to Jason's Deli. This was a disappointment for me because i freakin' love Bento and usually order the more expensive rolls, which generally gets me into food trouble. BTW, if you haven't been, go! They also serve Japanese dinner. On a side note, is Surin any good? I've also heard that Chuck's Fish is good... But back on task...

Tonight we went to Jason's Deli, which IMO is one of the best food bangs for your buck. The salad bar was 6.99 and a BOWL, not a CUP of soup was 1.50 extra. This came out to a little over $9. I love love love their salad bar because they've got everything on it, and those cute little muffins, and the ice cream at the end. The soup (chili) was good as well - I left full and satisfied. But most importantly, I left feeling refreshed for having caught up with my friend.

I generally save going out for the weekend so it's less of an expense. In addition, I also scour the CW and coupon books for deals at Qdoba, Crimson Cafe, Roly Poly, and other places to get the most from my money. I go food shopping on Sunday and pick up some general microwaveable staples such as Ramen and grits, in addition to food for the makings of a sandwich and a couple of snacks. My big splurge is always a 12 pack of Coke Zero, which I just have to have.

So, how often do you eat out? What do you do to save money?

The Cost of: Time Off

So, as I was about to fall asleep over my computer this afternoon resulting from sleep deprivation, I realized that next week is out last full week of classes until Thanksgiving. I sprang up and decided to calculate how many days I would be working the next few weeks. The answer: not very many. I am taking off the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and naturally the University will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Now, I could choose to stay and lament never going home, blah blah blah, or I could just enjoy my time off and try to pick up as many extra hours as I can.

In my opinion, I'm not losing money, but gaining time with family. I love my family more than anything in the world, so you can believe that I would not sacrifice a spare moment to be with them. I do know, however, I will have to work as many hours as I can after the break is over to buy presents for all of them though. It's such a catch - 22.

So tell me: do you plan to work up to or through the holiday or are you chunking the deuces?

Stop, Thief!

So I had totally planned to post on my secret obsession , but something bigger happened today that I must mention.

I lost my debit card.

And practically my identity.

So this is what happened:

Toward the end of my morning power walk (brisk weather, yes!) I walked to Publix and purchased a few groceries. I didn't have my purse, so I kept my card in the front pouch of my jacket. Somewhere between University Blvd. and my dorm, my card leapt from my jacket and into the street. I didn't realize this until I returned home, and, in a panic, went searching the streets, but to no avail.

So what happened?

The first thing I did was report my card lost and had it deactivated, wherever it may be. I then went and checked my account for any fraudulent purchases in the 10 minutes I lost it and have been checking it all day. (No activity, yes!) I had to have a check cashed in the Supe Store (FYI: They will cash a personal check - up to $25) and used the money to buy provisions at Wal Mart. And then I moped a little.

So what have we learned, class?

In order to prevent ID theft, keep your cards close and secure, and make sure they are not susceptible to "popping out." If you lose your card and know it can't be found, cancel it immediately and report any suspicious activity to your bank or card company. Most importantly, don't freak out. It's better to cancel and regroup then run around Publix like a chicken with its head cut off.

By the way, it's a $5 fee to have it replaced, which I decided to decline for now. I want to go into my bank and select a special design, so until then, I will be check cashing.

Have you ever been in a situation where you have lost your identification? Were you quick on your feet, or scared and meek? Let me know and post a comment!

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Lunch

So yesterday I had lunch with a dear friend of mine at Crimson Cafe. We were to meet at 12:30 to fellowship and catch up on old times from the summer. I'm rushing in, thinking that I am going to be late, considering that I left the library at 20 after 12. As I'm dashing in, I review my plan in my head: I've got 25 dollars to last me until payday, and I'm going to order a salad and water. Combined with my discount, I should spend no more than $7. I plan to adhere to my plan no matter how my friend tries to persuade me; I won't get a dessert, I won't get a carbonated beverage, I won't even ask for extra dressing.

That is, until I get a call. 

"I'm running late, I'm so sorry. The thing is is that I forgot my wallet at home. Would you mind picking up  lunch?"

I'm stunned. My plan is shot to hell. But before I know it, I'm saying "Oh sure. Don't worry about it."

I started laughing hysterically after that.

Long story short, she has the nerve to order not only a more expensive sandwich melt but a carbonated drink to go with it. I end up spending about $15 of my $25, and then decide to blow the rest of it on gum, a Coke Zero, a bag of chips, and a loaf of bread.

There's about $2 left now. Hey - at least there's a payday in my future!

Now granted, if I had not had the change, my pride would have probably gotten me in trouble and I would have used my credit card or started stripping for a couple of dollars. Or claim that I already had a big lunch, just order what you want. 

What do you do when you are caught in a financial bind? How do you address it?

So Tell Me: Do You Direct Deposit?

Yesterday I received an email from the University concerning my Direct Deposit information. Friday is a University pay day and this year they have gone from paper checks to direct deposit to emails telling you exactly how much you are going to be paid and what has been deducted. This is a great perk for those of us who budget on a regular basis. Direct Depositing in general is a timesaver for people who don't have time to go or are unable to drive to the bank. So tell me: Do you Direct Deposit?

Think about it: Renter's Insurance

As an RA, I deal with residents who are constantly over suspicious over things that go missing in their rooms. From food to money to iPods, residents are always trying to play Private Detective, until they realize they left the item at home or had it in their backpacks all along. It still got me to thinking though: If a real break - in were to occur in a person's living space, would they be monetarily able to replace things such as a computer, a television, or a small refrigerator?

For a money savvy college student, Renter's insurance is an ideal choice. This type of insurance can protect against any personal belonging you feel is important, but are not a homeowner as of yet. Most plans protect your belongings against a number of possibilities, including fire and theft. This is a great way to make good on any product that you have purchased and expect to last.

Things I'm Thinking About: Getting A Holiday Job

So we all know that in roughly 42 days Christmas Vacation will arrive and we will all be at home, nestled around the fire, clinking cocoa mugs with the family and watching the 25 Days of Christmas on ABC family. But before we get too comfortable and turn into couch potatoes for three weeks, there is always the opportunity to get a job during the holidays. Almost every business, especially department stores, are in need of extra help during their busiest season. Now is the prime time to apply at stores, since most places are putting together their schedules for the next month. Mall stores usually break you in the day after Thanksgiving (yikes) in order to show you the ropes. The hours may be longer than usual and customers may seem a little more irate, but the extra money will come in handy when the school year starts up again! You could even take the extra money you make and stick it in a savings account (just sayin') Most places accept applications via their store websites these days, but it never hurts to apply in person. So get a head start on that Spring Break fund and get a job!