A Budgeting Babe’s Life
Posted on March 14, 2006 21 Comments
I have two trendy winter coats that I bought on clearance, both which are missing buttons. Since I’ve never successfully sewn a button in my life, I own a collection of cute long scarves also bought on clearance to mask the fact that my coats have no buttons.
I do not own matching plates, silverware, glasses or cups. My cupboards are a hodgepode of garage-sale dinnerware and hand-me down cutlery. No matter, I’ve spent my life nose-down in text books, rather than slaving over a hot stove, so I can’t cook for anyone anyway.
I do own a set (or two) of wine glasses, though. Probably got them at Pier One for $2.50 a glass. Now those come in handy for entertaining at home.
When someone compliments me on a cute dress, I say, “Target. $14.99!” instead of thank you.
I save those cute small shopping bags from Sephora, Banana and other familiar stores to use as a lunch tote sometimes because buying lunch is too expensive, I’d die before I used a bulky, inflatable lunch cooler bag/case and my everyday bag is far too impractical to actually hold a lunch without smooshing it.
My lunch of choice, by the way, is Lean Cuisine. They don’t taste so great and rarely fill me up, but I get them 5 for $10.00 at the grocery store.
A monthly deposit hops automatically from my paycheck to my savings account because I’m far too unreliable to ever do this myself.
I’m willing to spend $160 on a cut and color because I use the per use theory to rationalize the cost to pennies each day. Besides, I only get four cuts a year. I’d cry if my hairdresser left.
My apartment is an absolute mess because I haven’t been home for more than a few days at a time since January. I tell myself that once I save enough to buy a condo it will be fantastically clean.
I wish I worked out more often, but I’m too tired by the time I get home and also, Project Runway and America’s Top Model almost span the entire year. (At least in reruns.) I still pay a monthly gym membership though. Someday I’ll be skinny and fabulous (and fierce, like Tyra).
Even though I save and save and save all month, my friends come into town for one weekend and I blow like $200. Then I spend the next week or so freaking out until my next paycheck arrives.
I’m worth way more than they pay me.
My loans are consolidated, my deposit is direct and I use flex spending to cover health care costs. I’m totally together with most of my finances…so how does my cable bill always get paid late?
Sometimes I secretly worry I won’t ever have enough saved up to buy a house, support a family or retire.
Sometimes I secretly smile about just how great my life is.
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March 14th, 2006 @ 3:55 am
I think this one describes me perfectly: “Even though I save and save and save all month, my friends come into town for one weekend and I blow like $200. Then I spend the next week or so freaking out until my next paycheck arrives.” OUCH! I can’t tell you how often this happens to me. Sadly, since I moved to Atlanta, everyone wants to come vists. That’s a lot of “friend” weekends!
March 14th, 2006 @ 4:54 am
A wonderful and interesting list! Sewing a button on is actually easy. Just be sure to get upholstery thread for your coat and jacket buttons because it’s thicker and stronger. Some people use dental floss, but they don’t make it in black!
Of course, I have a sewing notions box full of buttons right now. Waiting for me to get off my duff and sew ‘em on!
March 14th, 2006 @ 12:33 pm
“I’m worth way more than they pay me”
If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
In the past hard workers and good workers were rewarded with bonuses and pay rises. Unfortunately it is not like that in this day and age, if you work hard and are good at your job you get a pat on your back.
Fact is, they don’t praise you too much incase you get the idea of asking for a rise.
The company probably knows you are worth more, but they won’t give you anything until you hand your notice in or ask for more. Task for next week: Ask for a pay rise!
It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done but every time I have it has been succesful, I you will be succesful too.
March 14th, 2006 @ 2:39 pm
dear budget babe,
I love your posts. I want to marry you. You are just my kind of girl.
Keep it coming, and each time, I keep on falling in love with you more and more.
I love you!!! I will sew your buttons for you!
March 14th, 2006 @ 3:05 pm
Great post.
But hey! Learn to sew a button! It is not all that painfull.
Anyway… knowing how to do simple repairs like buttons, hems, and broken seams helps me survive on my business monthlong trips away from home without having to stop for repairs or spending money on replacements.
Money And Investing
March 14th, 2006 @ 4:27 pm
This one is quite possibly my fave Budgeting Babe post!! (Except, of course, that one about the quirky, cute friend of yours whose shoes don’t match.)
You do have an awesome life … and we are all blessed to be a part of it!
~Christina (Sorry – not registered and not going to take the time to do it….)
March 14th, 2006 @ 5:12 pm
Great post!! Totally brightened my half hour lunch period (I’m having Lean Cuisine too! Eck). Thanks for putting a smile on my face and helping me get through the afternoon.
March 14th, 2006 @ 8:47 pm
I so understand! I feel the same way about my money and my job. The question is how do we fix it?
March 14th, 2006 @ 8:49 pm
Love the post! Flyy and frugal. What a great combination. You go girl!
March 14th, 2006 @ 10:50 pm
How do you get away with coloring your hair only four times a year? If I don’t have mine done every five weeks my roots are hideous.
March 15th, 2006 @ 12:23 am
I love your blog I check it for new posts everyday. You are an inspiration to all of us who want to take control of our lives!
March 15th, 2006 @ 1:34 am
You go girl! I so enjoy reading your blog – even though I’m 40 something, I can vicariously live my younger days through your entries. And, sadly, all I can do at this point is sew a button. Oh well, there are worse things in life!
March 15th, 2006 @ 2:18 am
I LOVED this post. It’s like reading my personal diary. It’s so nice to hear the good and bad of being a budgeting babe. I am also in PR (and not paid properly for the stress that comes with my job), just blew off my saving spree because my college roommate was in town, consider my hair stylist one of the more important people of my life and always look for a bargain. It’s nice not to feel alone.
March 15th, 2006 @ 2:28 am
Wait a minute…how long have you been watching me? Did you steal my life?
Seriously that’s darn near exactly my life. It’s great to read a PF Blog that doesn’t make me feel like a total loser. It’s good to know that there are people out there with the same problems and worries that I have. Thanks for being so honest.
March 15th, 2006 @ 3:53 pm
Thanks for the inspiring post. I didn’t know big city girls face the same problems as small town gals. I have two winter coats I bought at an estate sale for $4 each (100% wool and 100% cashmere). I paid a seamstress $25 each to attach a four inch cuff of fake fur on them and they look fab! I can relate to small budget, big looks!
March 15th, 2006 @ 10:26 pm
That was a great post. Try the Lean Cuisine Panini’s those are good. I moved over 1 1/2 years ago and still haven’t found a hairdresser here I like yet.
March 16th, 2006 @ 1:56 am
$640 a year on hair? That’s at least $500 annually, I would assume a calculator would say that’s about $200K you could have in retirement, assuming a 10% return.
March 16th, 2006 @ 3:02 am
I have to tell you that i really, really enjoy reading your posts. It’s my favorite pf blog, because you write about money in such a relate-able way–it’s not just cut and dry, here’s what i owe, here’s how much i have left now–you also talk about the emotional consequences and benefits of getting your act together financially. I’m 27, also a budgeting babe (if i do say so myself) and just recently decided to pay off all my credit cards and learn about all this stuff. it’s fascinating, but of course sometimes it’s hard to turn down the “perfect” pair of shoes or not get carried away with friends on a fabulous night out! anyway, to conclude, you and your posts help keep me going. thanks!
P.s. you should look into motivational finance writing or getting your own money column (MP Dunleavey, MSN Money style), you’d be fabulous at it (or “money” as they say)
! I would totally read it.
p.p.s. that’s a myspace website down there in the webpage section. come visit (free!)
March 16th, 2006 @ 8:34 am
http://crafts.search.ebay.com/button-magic_Sewing_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfmcZ1QQfromZR8QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ3116
This link should take you to ebay,
and could be the answer to your button delima.
March 16th, 2006 @ 3:39 pm
I was with you up until $160 for a haircut.
Good lord, woman! How do you people rationalize that?
March 17th, 2006 @ 3:14 am
oh man, that button magic thing is worthless. it is right up there the little hand-held sewing machine that the lady uses to sew a hem while wearing the skirt.
You can sew a button!