My Financial Accountability: Day 3

Today...was more difficult than the past two days. But because I have awesome friends (and, apparently, a suddenly raging social life) who tend to foot the bill for booze when the spirit moves them, I spent roughly $57 less than I would have if I were going it solo.

And here we go:

Newbie to NYC's Spending Journal for Mid-April (cont.)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Breakfast, two hard-boiled eggs and a cup of grapes: $3.16

Lunch, a turkey burger sandwich and a Diet Coke: $8.44

Bud Light at neighborhood bar: Free (thank you, Red)

Cab to fancy downtown restaurant I really had no business dining at: $8

Glass of malbec at fancy downtown restaurant I really had no business dining at: $13

Tip for meal at fancy downtown restaurant I really had no business dining at: $20

Roundabout cab route back from fancy downtown restaurant I really had no business dining at: $10

Total for 4/11/2007: $62.60

I consider today a success, well, considering. And not an espresso shelled out for yet. Take that, New York magazine grad student!

My Financial Accountability: Days 1 and 2

You know what's disappointing? Having to pay the IRS a somewhat hefty sum due partly to a ton of freelance work one did in the year 2006. That scenario, coupled with my desire to buy plane tickets to see my friends who are states away this summer, has caused me to reevaluate -- or at least become more aware of -- how I spend the mad money that's in my pocket. And, friend, I want you to join me on this journey. (This, of course, does not include the money I save regularly for my emergency fund, rent/bills, random money I add to my mutual funds, and my 401(k).)

So, in the spirit of New York magazine and other budgeters who have come before me, I present:

Newbie to NYC's Spending Journal for Mid-April

I want to do this for a week at the very least. Let's get on with it, shall we?

Monday, April 9, 2006

Banana -- $.35

Laundry (washer and dryer -- heck yes, I do my own laundry) -- $5.25

FICO credit score online at myfico.com (this was something I've been meaning to get for some time, and thanks to my new favorite website retailmenot.com, I saved 20 percent) -- $12.76

Total for 4/9/2006: $18.36


Tuesday, April 10, 2006

Breakfast, two hard-boiled eggs and a cup of grapes: $3.16

Lunch, falafel sandwich and Diet Coke: $5.75

Two glasses of wine with roommate at a steakhouse in the neighborhood: $20

Total for 4/10/2006: $28.91

Heckles/words of encouragement/bursts of creativity welcome in the comments section.

Happy Suze Day!

I can't believe it's here, but today is the day that Suze Orman signs copies of her newest book, Women and Money, at 6:30 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square. (Be there or be, um, square, as it were.)

I'm already mentally preparing things to say to her that won't sound stalkerish or vapid. I might have to create and memorize some crib notes.

Yahoo Finance has been giving her a sweet deal lately: They've published two excerpts of her new book so far, which will work publicity wonders, to be sure. Problem is, I haven't been so impressed with what I've seen of the book so far. I liked today's column about what we women tend to do wrong moneywise, despite its lack of useful info, but this other column about what makes a wealthy woman was horrible, peony-scented tripe. I'm sorry, but when I'm reading a column about money, I don't need to hear about things like "harmony and balance." That's for yoga class. (Which I also don't like. Too sedentary.)

So many "women's finance" books make the mistake of oversaturating the point of the book (be a good steward of your money) with wishy-washy, sugar-coated talk about feelings (you're a nurturer, so you give too much of your money away). Personally -- and I think I speak for a lot of women out there -- I'd just rather have the facts and tips that will make me rich and secure. The only good thing about making a book specifically targeted to women is that I believe women who don't know much about money will feel more inclined to pick up a specialized, gender-tailored book rather than something by, say, Jim Cramer.

But because I love Suze and her show and because she's helped me and people every where be better managers of our money, I am going to give this book a shot. And I am going to speak clearly and intelligently when she signs my copy of her book.

Hear all the details of my meeting with Suze (fingers crossed, anyway) TONIGHT at 9 p.m. EST on Dr. Blogstein's Radio Happy Hour on Blog Talk Radio! Just enter blogtalkradio.com/drblogstein into your browser (or click my handy text link) to listen. I'll share my thoughts on the signing as well as gossip about whatever predictably odd outfit Suze was wearing. You know you want to know!

P.S. In case you've missed it, Suze recently revealed to the Times magazine that she is, indeed, a lesbian. Why this is even top news, I'm unsure, but, strangely, I think I like her more because of it. You go, Girlfriend!

Money Makeover, Newbie Style

I always get prematurely psyched when I see the headline for articles like this one from Money magazine: 5 Families Get Money Makeovers. "Oh, goody," I think, rubbing my palms together. "I'm going to make over my financial profile!" *Click!*

But then the disappointment sets in. None of the scenarios in the article apply to me -- even remotely. I'm not recently divorced, recently married and seeking a mortgage, married with kids, ready to retire, or, well, even in my 30s. I realize I'm probably not in Money magazine's demographic (yep, just checked here: median age 46). Maybe I'm more of a SmartMoney kind of gal. They do have a kick-ass website I enjoy. Oh, actually, nope. Their readers' median age is 46, too. Or, hang on, there's this cool new mag: Young Money. Eh, a little too college-centric for me.

Granted, though, there are a bunch of websites that more accurately target the 20s-to-mid-30s demographic (look to the right of my site for my favorite PF links). I appreciate them thoroughly. But, still, it's a little tough to know where to begin, especially when you're barely making enough to scrape by, as I very vividly remember.

And when you don't have a whole lot, the best you can do is save what you can, contribute as much as possible to your 401(k), and pray that your health/muffler/rent-stabilized apartment holds out until you can establish a respectable net worth or at least get your head above water.

So now I'm forced to do my own impromptu (read: silly) money makeover. Here are some budget cuts I should be making:

- Any more than one drink at the Flatiron Lounge (a.k.a. The Perfect Fancy Bar)
- Any more than two beers at d.b.a. (a.k.a. The Perfect Beer Bar)
- Dinners out -- On second thought, even I don't want to eat my own cooking -- oh, who am I fooling: the ready-made organic burritos sitting in my freezer -- any more than I have to. Let's make that...
- Dinners out involving copious amounts of wine (defining "copious" as more than one bottle of low-to-mid-price wine)
- Clothing costs (Oh, wait; I hate to shop. Never mind.)
- MP3s (Oh, wait; I have no iPod and am not music-savvy in any way, shape, or form. Never mind.)

And, um, that's pretty much it. So, Newbie, are you telling me that if I didn't drink I'd be a millionaire? Apparently! Let's hear it for money makeovers! And let's give a big thumbs-down to booze! Wait, come back, booze. I didn't mean it. Ike's sorry, baby.... Let's make up. Seriously. Don't go..... You'll come back for me! I know you will!

Dreams Can Come True, They Can Happen to You

It's finally happening! I will have the chance to meet my absolute favorite money guru, Suze Orman, in NYC on Tuesday, February 27. She's coming to the Union Square Barnes & Noble to promote her yet-to-be-released book Women & Money.

I am totally geeked. Not only is she coming to my city to speak (for free), but she's publishing a book (well, Random House is publishing the book, but you know what I mean) that I am already immensely interested in. If Nice Girls Don't Get Rich was great, imagine how useful this book will be!

I'm already mapping it out in my head: I'll get there at 6:45 p.m. -- no -- 6:30 p.m. Maybe 6:15. I'll ask to leave work early and haul it downtown as fast as possible. I will resolve NOT to merely say what I always say when I meet celebrities: "You're great." (See: The John Stamos Incident of 2002 and/or The John C. Reilly Incident of 2006.) I will work up something witty and intelligent to say. I will tell her how I've been counseling some of my girlfriends on money. I will tell her she's doing great things for women. I will tell her I have a 401(k) because of her. Or...I will only manage to squeak, "You're great."

Either way, I will meet Suze Orman. Hoo. Ray.