Common Cents Contest Winners!
Posted on September 25, 2008 2 Comments
Thanks to all my girls who entered the book giveaway. You guys are talented, insightful and inspiring women. And readers Michelle, Rachel (aka Little Miss Moneybags) and Kimberly are receiving free copies of “Common Cents: How the Economy Really Works” by economist Nancy Kimelman. Congratulations!
Here are the winning entries:
Michelle
I’m a budgeting babe because I am proof that people can change!! In college, I was so bad at managing my money that my checking account balance was often negative. My most apprehensive moments were not final exams or paper presentations – they were standing in line at the supermarket checkout, urgently hoping, willing, praying that my debit card wouldn’t be rejected due to insufficient funds. Getting a job and a steady flow of income after college didn’t change my money management habits – in two months, I blew a $5,000 signing bonus on clothes and restaurants. Then, when I was 23 I read a book* about personal finance and had an epiphany: I needed to take charge of my finances or I would never be able to get what I wanted out of life! Now, I can happily say that I home-owning, 401(K) contributing, Roth-max-outing, spending less than I’m making, credit card debt free… BUDGETING BABE!
Rachel
I am a budgeting babe because there’s no other way to be! A budget gives me the freedom to live life for today AND tomorrow. Rather than wondering where my money goes, I can tell it what to do. I’m not worried in today’s economy, because I already know that I’m living in a way I can afford–and there’s no vacation like a cash vacation, baby!
And the runner-up
Kimberly
I am a budgeting babe because that is the only way I have any control in my life. I may not always be on target but I think half the battle is being flexible for what life throws at you…… And it always does. I am a 40-year-old woman with a part time job and a full time 15-year-old daughter and back at school to get my degree and change my life. So that makes me a babe who is budgeting time, money, energy, patience, and peace…… hopefully at some point I can add in some romance. My girl has the desire and imagination to go to medical school and as her support team (me) I need a better grasp on what’s happening in the world, economy at home, and how to keep food in the fridge.
Feel free to read the rest of the excellent entries, too.
Erin
I’m a budgeting babe because I love to find new and better ways to wring more value out of fewer dollars! I live by myself and pay my own expenses (including rent), but my frugal tendencies make room in my $1,000 monthly budget for nights out on the town, movies, date night and more.
Jennifer
I am a budgeting babe because I have to be. I live in New York City , one of the most expensive places to be. I’m not married and have no help. I’m not an investment banker and am not rich. I’m tired of being forever in debt and living paycheck to paycheck. I get a thrill out of saving, finding a bargain or getting a discount. The more I can cut back and not be wasteful without drastically altering my lifestyle, the more satisfied I feel with myself and existence.
Simika
I am a budgeting babe because …. I am an expert at resisting iPhones, Jimmy Choo shoes, Longchamp bags and Chanel dresses. It helps that I don’t earn insane amounts of money (but hey, I’m still optimistic!). In the meantime, I spend most of my time figuring out how to reconcile my expensive tastes/lifestyle choices with my financial goals and after-tax earnings. I’m an economist by training,and I value companies for a living, so you wouldn’t think it would be so hard. But while I am excellent at dissuading others from making rash financial decisions, and at discussing ad nauseum how the rural-urban income disparity gap varies across regions, my inner Diva struggles on a daily basis to maintain that same level of objectivity when it comes to my own life 
I can rationalize almost every financial decision! The good news is I am credit card debt free, I do well on most shopping expeditions and am well on my way to live the lifestyle I want without having to beg, borrow and steal to do it! Now, that makes me one awesome Budgeting Babe 
Crystal
I am a budgeting babe because about a year ago I took a good hard look at myself and realized that I was a Closet Debt-Drowner, feeling overwhelmed and ashamed by my financial situation which consisted of a huge negative net worth due to massive college debt (student loans/credit cards) that never seemed to get any better. I’m in my late 20′s now and I decided that it was time to turn that all around so I made a plan and, in sticking to it, I will be free of credit card debt by the end of the year and have a fully funded 6 month emergency fund by April 2009. Eventually I want to free myself from all debt, build a substantial savings and retire when I’m 45 to a cattle ranch in Montana with my fiancé (soon to be husband) and never answer to anyone else again; be they boss, coworker, credit card company, or debt collector.
Shannon
As my younger brother put it, ‘For as much money as I think she makes, why does she watch her money so closely?’ And this to me, is a question that, in these times, shouldn’t be asked. One, I have a mortgage and I am the only source of support; two, I have a car payment; three, what’s the harm in clipping coupons and walking to work, if it saves me money to eventually get to go on a simple vacation someday; and four, while on the surface it may look like I take home a decent paycheck, I actually immediately deposit at least 10% into my two IRAs.
Especially with the economic times we, as Americans, are in right now, it’s almost silly not to be frugal. The big worry that hangs over my head is, what do all of the bailouts in Washington mean to me? A girl who doesn’t have even close to 100,000+ in a bank (I’m lucky if I get to $500), a girl who is trying to save like mad, but sees the shares that she’s bought decrease immensely in value. Should I worry or relax. Share a bottle of wine at home or go out on the town? Help!
Jen
I am a budgeting babe because I am a gardener in Canada (aka seasonal labourer), but I still travelled to London, Paris and New York this year. I didn’t go into debt to travel, and I still have a healthy emergency and retirement fund on the go. I’m only three paycheques away from being consumer debt free forever. I’m 29 years old, and I have wasted so much money in my life that I don’t even like to think about it, but over the last year I have worked hard to learn about personal finance and develop goals. It took a lot of time, error and effort, but now I am now earning, spending, and saving my money on my own terms. It is such a liberating feeling
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2 Responses to “Common Cents Contest Winners!”
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October 2nd, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Nicole,
Thank you for posting everyone’s answers-they reassure me that I am not alone… being 6-9 months away from being consumer debt free, but always with that thought in mind about knowing where the pennies go, and that I told them to go there. What a satisfying thing to finally be able to talk about in this day and age!
November 22nd, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
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