I'm 27 years old and stuck.
I'm feeling married to my student loans and credit debt. Month after month I am paying the minimum payment on my credit card struggling to get below the credit limit.
Now I don't blame anyone but myself. I chose to college to college. I chose to move out on my own when I wasn't financial ready and of course, refused to get a roommate. I chose to trade my perfectly good care for a fancy new one on a lease. These were all choices that I made in the last 5 years that looking back on now, maybe weren't the most thought out decisions.
I can definitely say that my financial situation is a huge cause of anxiety. This recently came to the surface during couples therapy where I had a mini meltdown about feeling like a free loader.
Since that appointment, I've made some drastic changes and put myself on a two year plan to financial wellness.
One | Credit Cards
Since credit cards are the biggest, most painful thorn in my side, I decided to tackle those first. Ironically I opened up a new credit card that was running a promotion for balance transfers, offering 0% APR for 18 months. The other thing I did is apply for a personal loan to pay off the remainder of my other credit cards. The personal loan has an interest rate of just under 10% which is worlds better than the 27% APR I have on some of my credit cards.
For me, the best part of my method of paying these dang cards off is there's a light at the end of the tunnel. 18 months for one and 24 months for the other, rather than the endless minimum payments that I had been doing for the past few years.
Two | Budget
Next, I created a budget. I've done them before but they were half assed. This budget was legit, with formulas and everything! Microsoft Excel has a budget template that you can download or you can create your own. My goal was the figure out where the hell all my money was going. In a way, I sort of knew where it was going but it was a big shock to see exactly how much was going where.
Three | Savings Account
Lastly, I opened up a savings account. I used to have one but it was "accidentally" closed as part of my parents divorce. I hadn't seen a need to reopen one until I had a conversation with my boss and he said something that really stuck. You need to pay yourself first. I definitely wasn't doing that but realized the value in it.
I feel much better about where I am now. Not my debt didn't go away overnight, but feeling like there's a plan and it's manageable has put me in a much better spot.
Do you have any tips for financial wellness?
D
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Lady Project Summit
Saturday I spent the beautiful day up in Providence at the Lady Project Summit. If you're not familiar with the Lady Project, it's a nonprofit focused on inspiring women and sharing the amazing things we do. You should definitely check out their website at www.ladyproject.org if you're interested in learning more about them.
This is the fourth year that the nonprofit has put on the summit and my first year attending and it was amazing. The summit is comprised of different workshops that you can attend on topics such as anxiety, motherhood, leadership, financial wellness, fitness and nutrition and more! They also arranged for three amazing key note speakers throughout the day, Ann Shoket, former Editor in Chief at Seventeen Magazine, Ruma Bose, President of Chobani Venture and Elaine Pouliot, formed VP of T&D at IBM. Let me say that these three #badass key note speakers were the highlight.
It was definitely inspiring to see so many women come together for the same cause, supporting each others badassery (not a real word but it should be). It's a great networking opportunity and a chance to learn something about yourself, your passion, your purpose or your side hustle.
Not only do they have the day long summit, but they have an after party and events the Friday before and the Sunday after. It makes the price tag of the summit well worth it.
If you live near a summit or at least a local chapter, I encourage you to participate. I definitely plan on attending next year, and maybe more than just an attendee!
They also gave out an amazing swag bag. Hop on over to my Youtube to see what's included!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRPZnnzasHw
Have a fabulous week!
This is the fourth year that the nonprofit has put on the summit and my first year attending and it was amazing. The summit is comprised of different workshops that you can attend on topics such as anxiety, motherhood, leadership, financial wellness, fitness and nutrition and more! They also arranged for three amazing key note speakers throughout the day, Ann Shoket, former Editor in Chief at Seventeen Magazine, Ruma Bose, President of Chobani Venture and Elaine Pouliot, formed VP of T&D at IBM. Let me say that these three #badass key note speakers were the highlight.
It was definitely inspiring to see so many women come together for the same cause, supporting each others badassery (not a real word but it should be). It's a great networking opportunity and a chance to learn something about yourself, your passion, your purpose or your side hustle.
Not only do they have the day long summit, but they have an after party and events the Friday before and the Sunday after. It makes the price tag of the summit well worth it.
If you live near a summit or at least a local chapter, I encourage you to participate. I definitely plan on attending next year, and maybe more than just an attendee!
They also gave out an amazing swag bag. Hop on over to my Youtube to see what's included!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRPZnnzasHw
Have a fabulous week!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
The Hunt
If you read my post about "The D Word" you'll know that I resigned from my job back in September. It took me almost five months to secure new gig and I learned some things about the job searching process along the way.
1. It truly is like having a second job
Staying on top of all the job posting sites takes a lot of work. I'd work a ten hour day, then come home and spend another two hours searching an applying for jobs. It can be a lot.
2. Don't get discouraged
There are thousands of jobs out there and probably tens of thousands of candidates. You can't let yourself get hung up on not hearing back from a job or having a bad interview because if it's meant to be it will be. Being frustrated or discouraged during the process doesn't put you in the right mindset to find the right job for you.
3. Diversify
Don't just look for things on Monster or Linkedin. Many professional associations have job posting sites that are incredibly useful. Indeed, Simplyhired are great for general postings but go one step further and search on industry specific job boards like HCareers for hospitality or HigherEd for jobs in the higher education field.
4. Let people know you're looking
Networking is a really great way to open yourself up to the right job being sent your way. If you are in the right position at your current role and you can let others know you're looking, you should. Sometimes one of your connections will be the one to send you the job posting that works out. That's exactly how I landed my first HR job.
5. Don't take things personally
Believe in yourself because you will most likely face a lot of rejection during this process. If you don't get an interview or if you don't hear back after an interview, understand that there is a lot that goes into an employer making a hiring decision and you can't take that decision personally.
I think above all, stay positive and don't give up! You will find the right job at the right time!
Do you have any job hunting tips to share?
D
1. It truly is like having a second job
Staying on top of all the job posting sites takes a lot of work. I'd work a ten hour day, then come home and spend another two hours searching an applying for jobs. It can be a lot.
2. Don't get discouraged
There are thousands of jobs out there and probably tens of thousands of candidates. You can't let yourself get hung up on not hearing back from a job or having a bad interview because if it's meant to be it will be. Being frustrated or discouraged during the process doesn't put you in the right mindset to find the right job for you.
3. Diversify
Don't just look for things on Monster or Linkedin. Many professional associations have job posting sites that are incredibly useful. Indeed, Simplyhired are great for general postings but go one step further and search on industry specific job boards like HCareers for hospitality or HigherEd for jobs in the higher education field.
4. Let people know you're looking
Networking is a really great way to open yourself up to the right job being sent your way. If you are in the right position at your current role and you can let others know you're looking, you should. Sometimes one of your connections will be the one to send you the job posting that works out. That's exactly how I landed my first HR job.
5. Don't take things personally
Believe in yourself because you will most likely face a lot of rejection during this process. If you don't get an interview or if you don't hear back after an interview, understand that there is a lot that goes into an employer making a hiring decision and you can't take that decision personally.
I think above all, stay positive and don't give up! You will find the right job at the right time!
Do you have any job hunting tips to share?
D
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