Fabulous Financials

Back in January, I began charting the course for a major career move.  Due to justifiable reasons, my plan was halted and I had to take a left turn.  In March, I resigned from my previous job and began a new one a few weeks later.  As the new kid on the block, I had to spend some time observing my surroundings, learning the corporate culture, and getting to know who’s who.  Then in June, I experienced a personal issue that took my breath away.

With my personal and professional life in unknown territory, I decided to place myself in a holding pattern.  In hindsight, the decision to “be still” was timely because the storm was only beginning.  During that 5 month period, I experienced several more setbacks.  All were disappointing to say the least.  Although I didn’t handle them as well as I should have, I was emotionally mentally prepared for what was yet to come.

Since then, I’ve overcome the hurdles, improved things that were within my control, and came to terms with things that were not.  Everything in between, I let the pieces fall where they may.  Life is unpredictable and some things are not worth the extra energy.  So I took the good with the bad, but now it’s time to pick up where I left off.

I’ve always had an open relationship with my new boss and he’s well aware of my goals.  He and I both know that accepting my current position was out of convenience (for both of us) and the old heads will either retire or die in their positions. LOL  Funny but true, which means limited upward mobility for Single Ma.  If there is one thing I hate, it is having limited options.  It makes a control freak feel powerless - bad business.  So I finally decided to get my butt in gear.

But first, I had to wait until my personal life settled down.  Check.

Then, I had to wait until management noticed the improvements in my department.  Check.

Finally, I chose to wait until I made enough deposits (read: politic and deliver results) to convince the big wigs that I’m worth a significant investment ($$$).  Check. Mate.

Not only did I receive funding to complete the remaining two courses, but my boss recommended and funded a third course because he’d taken it last year and thought it would be good for me too.  Fabulous!  AND I was strongly encouraged (read: corporate-speak for do it NOW) to apply for a Management Development Program at a very prestigious university.  Wow! I’d heard of the program before and knew that a select few (mostly men) were nominated to apply every year, but never considered it for myself - at least not right now.  But Single Ma is not one to reject an opportunity.  So you know what that means?  Mm hmm…

I’m in the process of gathering the required docs (resume, recommendations, accomplishments, honors, awards, affiliations, personal statement, career aspirations, essay questions, etc.) for submission to the Management Development Program.  The deadline is December 15.  If I am selected, I will leave the CSS next spring for 8 weeks of intellectual stimulation.  Woo wee!!  But in the meantime, I’m scheduled to take 3 leadership courses throughout the remainder of this year.  Upon completion, I will stalk my mailbox and await the fate of my next career move.

Do not EVER wear a RED suit to a new job on your first day.  Especially if you’re taking on a new leadership position.  It sends the wrong message to your subordinates.  And other supervisors don’t have time to address their questions/concerns on your behalf.

That is all.

The last 30 days can be classified as THE most stressful days I’ve had on the CSS in a long time.  I’ve never worked so many hours, had to oversee so many projects, appease so many people, witness so many adult-temper tantrums, and play mediator to resolve so many conflicts in such a short period of time.  Money, deadlines, and emotions don’t mix - EVER.  The entire experience was physically, mentally, and emotionally draining.  Thank goodness yesterday was the end of it all!  So guess what I’m doing today?

Playing Hooky and Going to the Spa!!

Yep, I’m staying home from work today and I’m going to spend the entire day rejuvenating my mind, body, and spirit.  And guess what else?  One of my girlfriends has, yet again, agreed to go along with one of my crazy, last minute requests. Ha!  On my way home from work last night, the idea came to mind and I knew exactly who to call.  It didn’t take much convincing either:

Single Ma: Hello, may I speak to Fab Friend.

FF Daughter: She’s sleep.

SM: Umm, it’s kinda important.  Can you wake her up?

FF Daughter: Who’s this?!?

SM: This is SM, can you wake her up please? [preparing to be cursed out by FF]

FF: [groggy] Hello…

SM: Hey Girl!  Wake up, I have something important to ask you.

FF: I’m up.  You just leaving work?

SM: Yea, can you believe it!  Let’s play hooky tomorrow and go to the spa.

FF: Ok.

SM: Girl, did you hear me?  I’m for real!  Let’s go to the spa.

FF: Dammit, I said ok.  Which one?

SM: [pause] Oh…umm…[didn't think it would be THAT easy, I was prepared to persuade her but I hadn't thought it through to consider where]

SM: Umm, any spa.  It doesn’t matter to me.  We can do the Ritz, EA Red Door, or Jolie’s.  Either one works for me.  I just can’t go to work tomorrow.  I’m exhausted!

FF: Ok, what time do you want to go?

SM: I’ll call to make reservations in the morning and let you know around 8:30.

FF: Ok.

SM: FF, are you awake!?!  Are you really going to play hooky with me tomorrow?

FF: [shouting so I would be sure that she was awake] Girl, I told you I was up…shyt! LOL  I already didn’t want to go to work anyway.  Now I have a reason. LOL!  But I’m tired so I’m going back to sleep.  Call me in the morning to let me know what time you want to meet and where.

Bye. [click]

SM: [laughing and shaking my head]

Reservations have been made, timing has been confirmed, and we’re going to be Ladies of Leisure today.  Ha!  It’s good to have friends who are down for whatever - especially friends with comparable finances so money isn’t an issue.

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This is one of the busiest times of the year in my office and I’m being pulled in a million directions:

• Single Ma, I need you to review this.
• Single Ma, I need you to sign off on this.
• Single Ma, why isn’t the unimportant, low budget project done yet?
• Single Ma, what you’re requesting will cost ~$50M.  I know you’re working under a time constraint and I’m going to use that to my advantage during negotiations.
• Single Ma, I need a status brief in 1 hour on the project you knew nothing about until 10 minutes ago.
• Single Ma, I have to leave early on Tuesday and come in late on Thursday, but I promise the most important project will be complete by noon on Friday per your request.

In addition, this is the second week of school and BabyGirl is getting into the groove of her schedule and activities:

• Cheerleading everyday until 5pm.
• Band every Tues/Thurs until 7pm.
• Band tag day fundraiser - all day.
• Cheerleading competition - all weekend.
• PTSA meeting.
• College night.
• Back to School night.
• Mom, can I spend the night at ‘chic you’ve never met before’’s house?  No?  Well can ‘chic you don’t like’ come over?

*sigh* Where’s the Calgon????

With the hustle and bustle of real life, managing my personal finances is the last thing on my mind.  So here are 3 ways I keep my finances in check when my time is limited:

1 - Payroll Allotment: My salary is direct deposit, as well as my 401k (of course), IRA, rental property and Vanguard saving funds.  The 401k and IRA get a fixed amount every pay period to ensure that I contribute the IRS max by the end of the year.  The rental prop and Vanguard saving funds get a fixed amount that is adjusted periodically, depending on projected income.  These four accounts are my financial priorities and they each get a deposit before ANY bills are paid.  When life is crazy, payroll allotments are heaven sent.  I work, I get paid, my payroll office sends my money where I tell them.  Love it.

2 - Make a Date With Bills: During the weekday, I am no good because when I get home, I rarely have time to check the mail.  Sometimes, BabyGirl checks it and throws everything on the counter.  Monday through Friday, I watch the pile grow.  Unless I’m expecting something, Saturday morning is my day to sort through the rubbish and create three piles: trash, shred, and read.  BabyGirl handles the first two and I sort through the last one.  If there is a bill, I immediately schedule the payment via online bill pay for the exact day it is due.  If the date falls on Sat or Sun, I schedule the payment for one business day in advance.  Although the money sits in my account until the payment is made, I deduct the amount from my spreadsheet and highlight the text in blue.  Each Saturday, I rinse and repeat.  When the bill is paid/money is deducted, I remove the blue color from the text.  All of this requires about one hour of undivided attention.

3 - Create Lists: As crazy as this may sound, lists help me to avoid frivolous/impulse spending because they remind me of my priorities and limit idle time.  When I plan my day by a list, I don’t have an opportunity to browse or think about things I’d like to buy.  Instead, my focus is to get in and get out - or get it done - as quickly as possible.  In fact, when I’m really busy, I become a list junky.  I need a list for everything!  Grocery list, personal to do list, work to do list, BabyGirl activity list, appointment list, financial goals list, etc.  I make a list and stick to it as if my life depended on it!  If it isn’t on the list, it doesn’t get purchased.  If it isn’t on the list, it doesn’t get done.  Unfortunately, blogging didn’t make the list this week. LOL

These strategies are simple and easy to apply.  If you’re like me, a busy mom with a demanding career, anything that helps to keep your affairs in order is worth a shot.  I just gave you three.  Try ‘em out and tell me if they work for you.

This past weekend, I logged in to my computer and saw TWO “we received your deposit” emails from USAA. Hmm…

I have these little alerts set up to warn me of certain things - all deposits, withdrawals over $100, credit card charges over $1,000, payment due, payment posted, etc. One email said they received a deposit from xxx in the amount of x.xk. My employer depositing my salary. Expected, timely, and nothing unusual there. The second email said they received a deposit from xxx in the amount of x.xk. Hmm…this one was unusual because: 1) I wasn’t expecting this deposit, 2) the depositor was my PREVIOUS employer, and 3) The amount was a nice surprise.

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