Fabulous Financials

I will return to my regular blogging schedule sometime this week with ‘on topic’ articles related to my fabulous financials. So consider this my final cleansing before I jump back on the bandwagon.

Random Thoughts

1. For the first time in two weeks, I left a comment on someone’s blog. Guess what the blogger was talking about? Shoes and money! Ha! Imagine that combination to get Single Ma back in the game. Who knew?
2. When someone is going through a rough time, NEVER ever say “you’ll be fine.” Especially if it’s over email when your message is absent of tone, body language, or other non-verbal cues. You may think it’s a way of showing you care, but it comes across with very little empathy. On the receiving end, it sounds like “your problems are small, get over it!” Instead of making the person feel better, you may piss them off. I’m just saying.
3. Moneymonk tagged me to write a six-word memoir. I am a work in progress.
4. Somebody else tagged me but I can’t remember who. Remind me and and I promise to do it.
5. BK Diva is my sister from the other mister. Our lives almost mirror each other and our connection is uncanny. Having only seen each other in person twice but have read each other’s blog for over two years and communicate through email/phone almost daily, we often feel or think some of the same things - even when we’re miles a part. I’ve never met anyone like her before but I’m happy I did. Pam, your Gina needs you to feel better soon!
6. Lots of love to all of you who supported me over the past few weeks. Your comments, emails, and phone calls were greatly appreciated. Even a few of my male readers reached out to show ya girl some love. See ladies, men do care about our feelings…sometimes. Well…some of them, at least.
7. I’m glad I only have one child. If I were ever on the fence before, my mind is made up now. I am 110% confident that I don’t want to have anymore children. Ever. I don’t want to adopt either. Hell, don’t even ask me to babysit! Mr. Eye Candy doesn’t have any children, so my epiphany may be a deal breaker for him one day. And guess what? Even though he’s the sweetest guy on earth, I would let him go or accept the ‘friendship’ zone. Seriously.
8. I’m thinking about hiring a property management company to manage my rental because 1) the property is ~100 miles away, 2) I don’t have the time or interest to do it myself, and 3) I may not be as lucky to get decent tenants again. Due to military orders, my current tenant is moving out when the lease is up in June. I’ll begin advertising the first week of May, but if I haven’t found new, qualified, friendly, reliable, trustworthy tenants by June 1st, I’m turning it over to the property management company to do everything for me.
9. Have you ever met someone who was really, really nice but you still didn’t like them for some reason? I can’t put my fingers on it yet, but my instincts have never failed me.
10. I was so relieved when I completed the final CSS check-out on Friday. Many people were saying “I’m sorry to see you go” or “I hope you will consider coming back one day.” I felt guilty for not sharing their sentiment. I wanted to say “watch my dust in the wind and I’m NEVER coming back to this hell hole! LOL!”, but all I could do was wipe the smile off my face (temporarily) and say thank you. Was “thank you” an appropriate response? It felt odd.
11. I wish I could host a meetup with ALL of my blog readers. My subscription count fluctuates between 950 and 1,015, depending on the day, plus the readers who check in manually. So I’d say a party for about 1,500 people. I’d reserve outdoor space in downtown DC, hire a DJ to spin some old skool Hip Hop tracks from the 80s and a few love songs from the 60s/70s so the macks can get their swerve on. I know I have young readers too, but y’all might learn something. LOL! Gosh I feel old saying that. It wasn’t that long ago when my aunts/uncles used to say it to me. Ha! But baby, all I need is ONE glass and an unlimited supply of Moscato (Kahlua or Baileys on crushed ice will do). That’s right, my drink and my two step is all I need. Oh, one more thing. Food! A spread of food as far as my eyes can see. Maaaaan, we’d have a blast!
12. The word “healthy” has not been part of my vocabulary this month. As of today, I’ve spent $291.45 eating out. I haven’t prepared a meal at home in over a week. Not even one! And I’ve had some type of dessert every single day. I haven’t been grocery shopping in two weeks. And I haven’t exercised in just as long. When my life is out of whack, I fall off. I mean I. FALL. OFF. I need to get back on the bang wagon and put my new kicks to good use. Bought ‘em weeks ago and they still look fresh out the box.

    

13. The word “budget” has not been part of my vocabulary this month either. Thank goodness for automation: payroll allotments and online transfers were meant for people like me! So far, I’ve spent over $1,000 more than I should have, but…never mind, no excuses.
14. I tried to think of something I would miss about my old job. It was really hard and took a few hours, but eventually, two things came to mind. The extremely intelligent people, there’s a lot of talent in that place. And the FREE PARKING. Yea man! If I drive to the new gig, I’ll have to pay $110-$150/month to park. Darn, that’s one perk I’ll surely miss!
15. I’m going on vacation with my family in a few months - the side of my family that never does anything together. I’m curious to know how or why my cousin pulled it together, but I’m afraid to ask. At any rate, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
16. I’m starting a new job tomorrow and I feel like it’s the first day of school. LOL My hair is done, my mani/pedi is fresh, but what to wear? What to wear? A suit. Slacks with a collared shirt and blazer. Slacks and a shirt. Jewelry or no jewelry. Should I be ME with neutral tones and a pop of color or keep everything neutral and low key. I’m more comfy in a suit & heels, but I don’t want to be overbearing or give my new staff a bad first impression. I’ve never been this nervous about starting a new job before. Then again, I’ve never been reporting as someone’s boss either. What would make you most comfortable if you had a new boss starting tomorrow? Or am I destined to be criticized?
17. Pa-rrree is off limits for now. It’s still a dream destination, but circumstances won’t allow it this summer. The US economy, foreign exchange rate, and cost of airline tix contributed to my decision. However, I have a friend who’s on a 3 year tour in Naples, Italy. A few of us are thinking about visiting for her birthday in November. I’ll remain hopeful. Just in case, I bought new luggage. See! Oh, excuse the dusty bookcase.

    

    

    27″ Upright on wheels - Retail $280, TJ Maxx $69.99
    Carry on - Retail $100, TJ Maxx $39.99

    Tres cute? They probably look like doll toys in the pictures because I had to resize them several times. I promise, they are MUCH bigger in person. I like this set because of the price, brand, design (I’d love to have the matching coat), quality, and sturdiness. But I’m thinking about taking them back because of the material, how dirty it may get after being thrown around in the airport, and I really want luggage on all 4 spinners.

18. I met someone who reads my blog and they said I look like the avatar on my site. Hmm…LOL
19. I want to hire someone to design a cute header for Fabulous Financials. The image should represent a balance of my finances, career, and being a mom. But I also need it to capture the essence of ME: fabulous, sexy, feminine, and edgy. Know anyone with design skills?
20. Monday morning traffic is the pits, so I drove by my new job today to make sure I remembered how to get there. And guess what I saw? A Starbucks right next door and lots of places to eat. *faint* This job is going to kill my little budget.

Fabulous Link Love

During my time off, I marked a few articles that caught my eye:

Tax Rebate is Coming! [Dimples @ Her Divine Domain]
The Economic Stimulus Tax Rebate is coming a week early. I’m too lazy to write about it, so check out Dimpz for the details.

Emergency Funds vs. Savings Accounts [Ginger @ Girls Just Wanna Have Funds]
Ever wonder about that “gray” area? When should I use my emergency fund or what recurring expenses should I be saving for anyway? Hey - as long as you’re not incurring debt, it’s all good.

Top 10 Rental Property Tax Deductions [Meg @ World of Wealth]
I knew about most of them, but this neatly organized list (with commentary) deserves a book mark for future reference. I also liked her post, titled What I’ve Learned From My Rental Property.

6 Tips for Landing Your Dream Job [Guest Post @ Get Rich Slowly]
Does a “dream job” exist? I love what I do. The required skills and daily tasks complement my personality, strengths, and weaknesses very well. The pay and bennies are pretty decent too. Does that make it a “dream” job? *shrug* Anything I love, once it begins to feel like work, it will no longer be a “dream” to me.

Tips and Ideas for a Cheap Girlfriends Getaway Weekend [Girls Just Wanna Have Funds]
With spring in full effect, this is a timely article. Sometimes girlfriends need a getaway to reconnect and recharge. My girlfriends and I are going away together in June and I need a new tank-ini. I’m on the hunt for pink and brown. See one, let me know!

Alright, that’s all I’ve got. Now you know I’m about to ease into a new job tomorrow, so give me a few more days to get situated. I’ll peek in occasionally, but when I get my swag back, here are some things I plan to write about:

1. Final thoughts on the past year of my career.
2. A brief description of my two most recent job interviews.
3. How I plan to get back on the bandwagon with my finances and health.
4. How I plan to use my economic stimulus tax rebate check.
5. The US economy, how it’s affecting my finances, and how I plan to cope.
6. Frequently Asked Questions in Single Ma’s Inbox.
7. A one post summary of the course: Leadership and Management Skills for New Managers.
8. My experience “loaning” money to a family member when it should have been a “gift.”
9. Airing all my dirty laundry with the April net worth and income/expenses update.
10. The topic you all love - an update on Mr. Eye Candy now that we no longer work together.

I hope you’re having a fab weekend!

I want to thank you all for following and participating in the Professional Woman series. I’d also like to thank you for your support as I close another chapter in my professional career. Ironic, huh? This has been a unique experience for me and it’s definitely going down in the history books. What’s interesting about it all is that I have no regrets. I’ve been stretched beyond measure, in more ways than one, but I’m better today than I was one year ago.

Although I don’t have another job “confirmed” yet, I’m leaving anyway. My ability to take this leap of faith is due to the financial decisions I’ve made and the freedom it allows. As you all read about the minute details of my life, I hope you keep that in mind. I wouldn’t have the freedom - OR - the courage to do half the things I do if I 1) did not have a emergency fund, 2) were not debt free, and 3) did not already live beneath my means. Your financial decisions today can determine your future in more ways than you can imagine. Thank you for sharing my journey.

Ok, enough about me. Now I want to share some other things going on in the PF blogosphere. After all, these are the people who have helped me on the journey to financial freedom. So without further ado, here are my favorite PF articles over the past few weeks:

To Save or Not To Save [Meg @ All Financial Matters]

Meg compares savers to non-savers. She says “The difference between these two types is not based on personality, education level, job satisfaction, or the ability to understand compound interest. It’s this: Savers value freedom of choice more than toys.” Aint that the truth!

How to Conquer Your Fear of Investing [JD @ Get Rich Slowly]

JD reviews a Kiplinger article that lists “five common fears of first-time investors and explains how to conquer them.” Good stuff!

Trimming the Fat Off Your Monthly Bills [Dimples @ Her Divine Domain]

Dimples shares how she reduced her monthly obligations from $2,222 to $1,492. It wasn’t easy and she had to make many sacrifices, but that’s what financial freedom is all about.

Leaving Your Job vs. Leaving Your Manager [Banker Girl]

Banker Girl says “people don’t leave jobs, they leave bosses” and she shares 5 reasons that led to her decision to move on. It may be a little of both, but based on my most recent experience, I can relate to what she went through and agree 1,001%!

Individual Development Accounts [Moneymonk]

No, this is not another type of retirement account. According to Moneymonk, it’s a “matched savings account that enables low-income American families to save, build assets, and enter the financial mainstream.” I appreciate Moneymonk for sharing this nicely hidden benefit. More people should be made aware that it exists. Read the article for more details.

Matri-money [$1 out of 15 cents]

“Why are black woman overwhelmingly single?” asked Keith Reed as he discussed the phenomenon between the low marriage rate in the black community and its impact on our finances, or lack thereof. Although the saying goes “two is always better than one” - I understand and agree, actually - but Single Ma also knows that “I can do bad by myself!” Until I find a partner (of any race because I’m an Equal Opportunity Employer lol) who complements my drive, enthusiasm, and dedication to financial freedom - oh and he MUST have the potential to match or exceed what I bring to the table - I prefer to stay single.

Check out the links and have a great weekend!

It’s been a while since I’ve published a ‘link love’ post, so I’m trying to play catch up. There won’t be anything from Single Ma remixed in between because…well, uh…I haven’t written anything link worthy lately. Instead, what you will find below is a list of what I consider the Best of the Blogosphere over the past month. Enjoy!

The home buying process: an index of posts. [My Money Blog]

What’s the best broker to start your IRA? [My Money Blog]
I link to Jonathan all the time because he’s one of my favorite PF bloggers. He brings the 411!

When I get the blues. [Debt Hater]
Most women can relate to the struggle of dealing with emotions and money, but we must strive to understand the root cause of our emotions before they ruin our finances.

Dimples saved $140 on her monthly car payments. [Divine Dimples Domain]
Congrats Dimpz!

How to prevent identity theft. [Get Rich Slowly]

30 FREE eBooks to learn everything you want to know about personal finance. [Mint]
Found @ Dumb Little Man

8 ways to check your credit score for free. [Hustler Money Blog]

40 things I wish I knew when I started my career. [The Job Bored]

How to deal with difficult people. [BlogHer]

Interesting parenting course. [Tanyetta Said It]
I was called racist for laughing at the site, Stuff White People Like, so I’m sure someone will call me a bad mom for thinking this one was funny too. It’s a shame that I don’t care. LOL

A timely and well written open letter to Ms. Geraldine Ferraro. [Summer Breeze]
Since when is it considered “lucky” to be black in America? Everyone in the world knows that we must work 3x as hard just to be considered equal. Even then, credit is often attributed to something other than our ability, intellect, or experience.

Here are the first five RSS feeds in my blog reader:

1. $ out of 15 Cents
2. Clever Dude
3. Consumerism Commentary
4. Five Cent Nickel
5. Frugal Dad

What are your first five?

Even if you don’t have a feed reader, what are the first five blogs you read everyday?

Mrs. Micah has two very interesting discussions going on:

Part I: How to Hide Money from an Abusive Husband or Wife Part 1 — Banking

Part II: How to Hide Money from an Abusive Husband or Wife Part 2 — TellinItLikeItIs

As a woman, this topic is very near and dear to my heart. Although I’ve never experienced abuse (physical or emotional) in a relationship, I sympathize with any woman who has because abuse is nothing but a control mechanism used by weak ass men to belittle their wives. I wish I could face a few of them and stomp my foot on their throat. ‘Cause let me tell you something, if the decision is between you OR me and my child, you don’t have to guess who’s visiting the grim reaper first. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart - sealed, stamped, and delivered with a bow! But I realize that’s easy for me to say. Some women feel powerless and hopeless because they’ve invested so much in their husbands and they see no way out of their situation.

So if you have experience (first hand or observed a friend or family member) or any words of wisdom - especially any experts in the field! - please, please visit Mrs. Micah’s site today to help the anonymous visitor who stumbled on her blog by using the search words “How to Hide Money from an Abusive Husband or Wife.” Mrs. Micah has decided to put together a personal finance resource for any woman in a similar situation. Please visit her site today and chime in.

If you prefer, leave your comments here (please comment anonymously if necessary) - or - feel free to email me privately and I will share any information you authorize to release.

Thanks in advance!