31 Things

Today I turned 31, and last night I got to thinking about all the things I've learned and the 'Aha!' moments that have been had. At 31 I can honestly say, I'm really excited for the coming years. I think my mother said it best when she said 'it seems like you're really hitting your stride.' I know and embrace who and what I am. I'm not holding onto the fears and insecurities of the teenaged and 20 something Whit. I mean honestly you couldn't PAY me to go back to my 20s. So here are a few things I have learned and know now. 31 to be exact.

1. Love yourself. Fiercely. No one else is obligated to.
2. FOMO is stupid. If you try to be at every event with every person you will be emotionally and financially drained.
3. Have a 5 minute face. If you get to this point in your life and don't have one, go to Sephora. They will help you.
4. Have a go-to power look. Something that makes you feel pulled together and great. Have one for work, one for dates, and just one to have on tap.
5. Find your tribe. Find those people who support you and love you and are there for you in valleys as well as the peaks.
6. Know that not everyone wants you to win. Haters are real.
7. Don't be a hater. When the people around you have successes, celebrate them. Don't be that girl.
8. Make big moves in silence. See #6. Not everyone needs to know your goals and plans.
9. Know how to write a resume. Seriously.
10. Know how to conduct yourself on an interview. Be prepared, research the company, know your shiz. 
11. Be a WHOLE person. Stop expecting external things to fill the holes in your life. Not relationships, not friendships, not booze. 
12. Own your crap. If you mess up? Own in. Put you whole foot in your mouth? Own it.
13. Be you. Don't concern yourself with the thoughts of others.
14. Don't get carried away with #13. There are a lot of people in our generation that go a little too far with the IDGAF. At work? You should give AF. Your family? Definitely give several Fs.
15. Stop complaining about how hard it is to be an adult.
16. You will slowly become more and more like your mother. Accept it.
17. Children repeat things. So watch yourself.
18. No one is in love with their job everyday. Deal with it.
19. If your job makes you miserable everyday, and when you're not at work, its time for a new one.
20. KNOW WHAT YOUR MONEY IS DOING!
21. Set up your 401k with a company match. NEVER TURN DOWN FREE MONEY!
22. It's not cute to play dumb.
23. Ask for the things you want. The worst that happens? They say no.
24. Some friendships/relationships are not meant to last. Know when to cut the chord. It doesn't make you evil, it makes you smart.
25. SELF CARE! You cannot function and love and care for others if you do not first take care of yourself.
26. Find a hobby. No seriously. Find one. You like to read? Join a book club. Into yoga? Find a studio. Like art? Take classes at the museum.
27. Not every trend is for every body. Dress for you.
28. Don't let past mistakes haunt your entire life. Learn the lesson and keep it moving.
29. Don't be afraid to take risks and make changes in your life. Great things can happen.
30. Keep learning. All the time. Everyday.
31. Love yourself. Fiercely. 

June Goals and Spring Goals Recap

Hi All

So the last time I wrote about goals I laid these out:

Sign up Boomer for Summer Camp - PASS

Boomer will be attending Summer camp at her school this summer. It is a little more expensive than years past, but at least I won't be worrying about her getting bitten in the face by a dog like last year. 

Clean up Budget - PASS

I'm giving my self a pass here. This is an ongoing work in progress, but I'm still working at it.

Finally actually buy the dresser - FAIL

I bought a mirror instead. I got a great deal on a sale item at Crate & Barrel and I'm been really, really needing a full length mirror in my room. I'm totally ok with this fail. 

Read 3 books - FAIL

I got sucked into The West Wing. Sorry not sorry

Save $300 - PASS

I've really been on a roll with this! However June comes with summer camp payments, and the delightful federal government informed me they will be increasing my student loan payments. I'll have to tweak my savings rate for the next half of the year. 

Raise 401k contribution 1% (trying to reach company match % by November!) - PASS

Woot!!! I barely even felt it. I'll be increasing another % in August, with the final % for the match in October.

Work out 3x per week. -FAIL

No reason. No excuse. I'm just not doing it. 

June Goals:

• Read a Book - I need to climb out of the Netflix shaped whole I am in. 
• Plant some flowers - My patio is shamefully bare.
• Augment my summer work wear - I have to walk outside a lot now. Its hot. I need clothes for that.
• Create some summer school work for Boomer to keep her sharp! No brain drain here!

I'm headed to Maryland today to see the second of 3 cuzzos graduate. 6+ hours in a car with Mommy and Boomer. Pray saints!

I'll be back with something new tomorrow, and a full weekend re-cap on Monday.

Humpday Confessions : 4.27.16

Good Lord I haven't done a link up in ages...so why not today!?

• The federal government decided to increase my student loan payments and my immediate knee jerk reaction was. Eff you all I'm never going to pay it back!!!! I mean I am going to pay it back, but now my whole monthly budget has to be re-tweaked. YAY ADULTING

• Boomer and I have had pizza and salad for dinner the past two nights.

• I haven't listened to, or watched Lemonade. I don't care who Becky is. Bey just wants ya'lls money. But at the same time, Hey #blackgirlmagic!

• Sometimes I am a petty chick. I don't know why, but its funny and I enjoy it and the Lord and I are working on it. 

• I can't wait for this weekend, because I'm going to a party and there is an open bar.
• This may be the worst post I've ever written.....

Girl's Night : Roller SK80s

If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that I have been lucky enough to make some truly amazing friendships through blogging. I have a group of girls that I know consider dear friends, and when people as us how we met, we get to say... the internet!

(That conversation is less weird than it used to be, trust me.)

Anyway, this group of girls has a yearly tradition of attending a local party called Roller Sk80s. Which is exactly what it sounds like. A roller skate party dedicated to the great decade that also brought me into the world. (1985 thank you very much.) Usually this event takes place in February around that time my family comes to visit so I haven't been able to attend with my girls. Until....this year!!!!

The theme this year was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When I told Boomer this involved an explanation that, NO, TMNT is not new. YES, I know all about them. We had to have a very similar conversation about Care Bears and My Little Pony.

A few of the girls wanted to dress up as the turtles, but I had purchased a fully sequined tunic months ago at the sample sale at work and I just HAD to wear it. (Sorry girls) I also couldn't find green leggings to save my life, so there is that.

I stopped over at my mother's for some 80s finery. An awesome belt, so fierce (read huge) earrings, and some advice on makeup. (Bold brows and lots of blush.)

Then it was time to party!

It was a truly epic night.

And even though I had more blush on than I've ever worn in my life...mom told me it still wasn't enough. Oh the 80s.

Goals Check in February/March and New Goals for April

Just realized I haven't updated this blog since the end of January.

Fail, Whit. Fail so hard!

Here is a cute picture of Boomer and I from Easter Weekend to make up for it!

Anyway these were the goals I set for myself:

• Read 4 books - I started The Prince Lestat last night and it seems pretty good so far. 
• PASS!!! - The Prince Lestat,The Fifth Gospel, Rosemary, The Oregon Trail, The Wise King, The Taming of the Queen, and Outlander...again. 
• File taxes. Just do it Whitney. Also, send refund straight to savings.
• PASS - filed, got  the refund back, saved most of it!

• Start looking for/buy a dresser. Stop living like a college student.
• Sort of PASS - I know which one I want and I've almost saved the amount I need. 
• Keep up with the budgeting. - so far so good, just need to stay consistent.
• FAIL - I have not kept up with my budget as I should. Getting back on track this month.
• No food purchases at work. Yes this is a repeat, but its a HUGE money saver. Also its a lot healthier for me since I tend to choose burgers and fries at work. (Also cake, cookies, pies, you get the idea.)
• Super FAIL - I have got to get a handle on this. I will do so well for a week...and then fall off the wagon hard. 
• Save $300 - also a repeat, but I've got weddings to go to, trips to take, and concerts to attend!
• PASS - I'm really quite proud of how on top of it I've been with the savings game. 

Alright, so moving on to April goals.

• Sign up Boomer for Summer Camp
• Clean up Budget
• Finally actually buy the dresser
• Read 3 books
• Save $300
• Raise 401k contribution 1% (trying to reach my company match percentage by November!)
• Work out 3x per week.

Yes the Queen of "I don't work out" Land...is finally ready too. I haven't been sleeping well, and I'm just generally unhappy with my current skinnyfat situation. I may still fit in a size 4/6 BUT, I am most definitely out of shape. I had to run maybe 300ft yesterday to not get rained on and I thought I was dying. Can't breath, chest pains dying. That isn't ok. 

What are you up to for April? 

January Goals Check In

Well that went incredibly fast!

I can't believe we are already at the end of the month. Without further ado, let's see how I did.

• 1.      No food purchases at work - D+
• 2.      Save $300 - A+
• 3.      Gather all my tax information to file 2015 taxes, and school forms for Boomer - A+
• 4.      Record all transaction in YNAB and do my darnedest to STAY. ON. BUDGET.- C

Let's start with #1. I started the month very strong, and didn't purchase ANYTHING for the first two weeks of January. Then the last two weeks we had buy meetings with partners from overseas and well...entertaining involves eating and snacking. Overall though I did pretty well and have gotten pretty good at planning a week's worth of lunches for Boomer and myself.

#2 - Saving money is a lot less painful when you automate it. If you count my retirement savings for the month I surpassed my $300 goal!

#3 - Again...very easy. Everyone mails you everything so all you have to do is make sure your address is up to date AND that you don't lose anything. I've actually already entered it all into Turbo Tax...I just haven't hit the file now button.  \

#4 - I've done pretty well with the budget for the month. I've stayed on track entering purchases and paying attention to category balances. The last two weeks have been a little crazy so I've probably missed a few, but I have this weekend to reconcile all my info. I definitely blew the budget in one category. My wheel broke (Thanks Ohio potholes) and I had to pay for a new one. I need to be a lot better about saving for car repairs. They are inevitable, and I know the next expense coming is tires. Yay.

So onto February goals!!!

• Read 4 books - I started The Prince Lestat last night and it seems pretty good so far.
• File taxes. Just do it Whitney. Also, send refund straight to savings.
• Start looking for/buy a dresser. Stop living like a college student.
• Keep up with the budgeting. - so far so good, just need to stay consistent.
• No food purchases at work. Yes this is a repeat, but its a HUGE money saver. Also its a lot healthier for me since I tend to choose burgers and fries at work. (Also cake, cookies, pies, you get the idea.)
• Save $300 - also a repeat, but I've got weddings to go to, trips to take, and concerts to attend!

So what are your goals for February? Also my mom's birthday is coming up...any gift suggestions?

A Girl and Her Money : January 2016 Goals and Check In

It's my first post of 2016!

Many moons ago (6/24/2014 to be exact) I was really into personal finance. I was writing 'A Girl and Her Money' posts on Wednesdays. Well, I'm really into personal finance still/again and it's Wednesday and I have money things to talk about.

In my last post I talked about how 'adulting' was my word for 2016, and one of the things I mentioned was rolling over a 401k into an IRA. I mentioned that if I didn't know how to do something like that, I would ask and figure it out. Technically I opened the IRA before the end of 2015, but that is neither here nor there. Turns out it is really easy. Pick a company. Call them. Tell them you want to open a roll over IRA account. Call your old retirement company. Tell them you wan to rollover your 401k. Tell them how to make out the check. Deposit check. DONE!

Last night, I received my check, and with the miracles of modern technology deposited that bad boy with my phone on my Fidelity app. (Fidelity isn't sponsoring this post, that is just the company I chose to go with.) It was super easy (once I got my hands to stop shaking....dang coffee) and this morning it was credited to my new IRA retirement account. Easy as pie!

By the way where did that statement 'easy as pie' come from? Have you made a pie? I wouldn't exactly call that easy.

So that is my financial check in for the beginning of the month! Now here are my goals for this month:

• 1.      No food purchases at work
•  I started a new job, and said new job has an AMAZING café. I was going to this cafeteria for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack almost every day. This translated to 66+ debit card transaction last month and a busted budget. No bueno.
• 2.      Save $300
• This is automatically moved from checking to savings every pay day so I don’t even notice it is gone.
• 3.      Gather all my tax information to file 2015 taxes, and school forms for Boomer
• 4.      Record all transaction in YNAB and do my darnedest to STAY. ON. BUDGET.

I'll let you know on the 27th (last Wednesday of the month) how it went!

What are your goals, financial or otherwise, for this month?