YEAH, RIGHT. Sorry, B.I.G., but I am simply not buying it. I'm pretty sure that for me, right now, at this stage of my life, mo money would equal mo happiness.
Seriously, money is at the very top of my stress list (also high on that list right now is the fact that I see the sandwich lady at Jimmy John's way more than I see my friends or my boyfried...but I digress). This isn't really all that surprising. See, unlike Tink, I have not been supporting myself financially since I was eighteen. Sure, I had my own checking account that I would put my meager paychecks from working at the tanning salon/martini bar/summer camp into, but I pretty much used that money to pay for drinks, manicures, and ballet flats. All of the BIG expenses (rent, utilities, doctor's bills, phone bills)? Those were covered by my parents. It's only since January that I've really started to appreciate how much stuff there is to pay for on a monthly basis. I'm not kidding when I say that I've seriously considered giving up home internet.
Anyways, I don't really have any advice or fun stories to share on this topic. Finances are simply NOT fun. Also not fun? The prospect of getting a financial advisor. Seriously, why do I want someone to tell me to put more money into my savings and spend less on wine. I LIKE WINE. SHUT UP AND LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU MISER.
If you are more mature and wise than me and DO want a financial advisor, click here for some advice on how to pick one. Just don't say I didn't warn you when he tells you that you're spending too much on after-kickball beers.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
It's Taxing.
When we began the Peter Pan Project, we wrote to all of our friends and family and asked them what they thought it meant to be an adult. (Most of you know we did this, but if you're just tuning in, that's how we got started.) Anyhow, almost every response had something to do with finances. Such as, "You've become an adult when you are financially secure, and you don't have to depend on your parents to help you out."
Originally, we planned to have an entire section of organizing finances, doing taxes, and planning for financial stability. But then, we realized there was much more exciting fodder for the blog in our everyday lives, and finances are a major snoozefest.
However, it was worth a mention and it works out that, in light of our slightly skewed schedule, it falls in the same month as taxes--which makes it somewhat relevant I guess. It's also relevant because I have a financial planner that I had an initial meeting with who has been stalking me to "take some time to worry about me" and make time for a second meeting. I like how they use the fear factor in sales..."What would happen if you were unable to work and bring home a paycheck?" (Well, I'd probably move into a van down by the river...) or "If you haven't started thinking about retirement, it's already too late." (Well, maybe if I held a job for more than 10 month increments, we could start talking 401K) It's all based on the premise that eventually you will most likely become disabled, and/or die. I"m glad we cleared that up.
So this year, I was lucky enough to have only 2 W-2's which made it much less confusing than last year when I had 4 W-2's and 2 1099's. What made it a little more sticky was the fact that I lived in both NYC and Florida. Different tax laws. Apparently in New York City, they pay you much more money, but take just as much back--I mean who else is going to pay for new bucket seats on the 6? In Florida, you make less money, they take less back. So somehow this year, I had a little tax evasion situation on my hands. I received a form saying that I owed the IRS $319.00 because there was W-2 that was not entered properly last year, and income that I hadn't claimed (Ha! I knew it sounded too low.) And in addition to that, I owed the state of New York $250.00 for I don't even know what. So 2 different checks going two different places, not to mention my tax return coming into my bank account, Turbo Tax being taken out of the return, and probably some other money taken out for something, somewhere.
It's things like this that make me yearn for younger days. When you just brought these confusing forms to your parents and they filled them out for you. Like immunization records. Who ever thought twice about those? You just stuck them in your Jansport, plopped them on the dining room table, endured a few Hepatitis shots, and you're all set.
So when I think about finances, I do feel pretty adult. I live a cash only life, meaning I don't use credit cards, and have no debt. I also am completely financially independent, except for when I make my boyfriend buy dinner. I haven't accepted money from my parents in many years. I file taxes. And granted, I don't have as much money in my bank account as I'd like to have, but that's all coming in due time.
Soon...let's say in the next 10-50 years...I'll be a mom, and I'll have to worry about all the annoying paperwork for someone else. So I better start practicing on myself I guess...and a phone call to that financial planner might not be a bad idea.
Originally, we planned to have an entire section of organizing finances, doing taxes, and planning for financial stability. But then, we realized there was much more exciting fodder for the blog in our everyday lives, and finances are a major snoozefest.
However, it was worth a mention and it works out that, in light of our slightly skewed schedule, it falls in the same month as taxes--which makes it somewhat relevant I guess. It's also relevant because I have a financial planner that I had an initial meeting with who has been stalking me to "take some time to worry about me" and make time for a second meeting. I like how they use the fear factor in sales..."What would happen if you were unable to work and bring home a paycheck?" (Well, I'd probably move into a van down by the river...) or "If you haven't started thinking about retirement, it's already too late." (Well, maybe if I held a job for more than 10 month increments, we could start talking 401K) It's all based on the premise that eventually you will most likely become disabled, and/or die. I"m glad we cleared that up.
So this year, I was lucky enough to have only 2 W-2's which made it much less confusing than last year when I had 4 W-2's and 2 1099's. What made it a little more sticky was the fact that I lived in both NYC and Florida. Different tax laws. Apparently in New York City, they pay you much more money, but take just as much back--I mean who else is going to pay for new bucket seats on the 6? In Florida, you make less money, they take less back. So somehow this year, I had a little tax evasion situation on my hands. I received a form saying that I owed the IRS $319.00 because there was W-2 that was not entered properly last year, and income that I hadn't claimed (Ha! I knew it sounded too low.) And in addition to that, I owed the state of New York $250.00 for I don't even know what. So 2 different checks going two different places, not to mention my tax return coming into my bank account, Turbo Tax being taken out of the return, and probably some other money taken out for something, somewhere.
It's things like this that make me yearn for younger days. When you just brought these confusing forms to your parents and they filled them out for you. Like immunization records. Who ever thought twice about those? You just stuck them in your Jansport, plopped them on the dining room table, endured a few Hepatitis shots, and you're all set.
So when I think about finances, I do feel pretty adult. I live a cash only life, meaning I don't use credit cards, and have no debt. I also am completely financially independent, except for when I make my boyfriend buy dinner. I haven't accepted money from my parents in many years. I file taxes. And granted, I don't have as much money in my bank account as I'd like to have, but that's all coming in due time.
Soon...let's say in the next 10-50 years...I'll be a mom, and I'll have to worry about all the annoying paperwork for someone else. So I better start practicing on myself I guess...and a phone call to that financial planner might not be a bad idea.
Monday, April 12, 2010
"Have you ever had someone say 'You have a case of the Mondays'?"
Ahh Monday. The most hated day of the week. But thankfully, I woke up with a slightly less awful perspective than I had last week, and isn't that what life is all about? Learning to be less miserable than you were the week before? Wow that sounds depressing! Actually, I was in a huge funk last week, and I finally crawled out the other end and woke up with a brand new "half-full" glass of piss and vinegar.
On the subject of threats...could not agree more with Wendy, our generation (other than being technological wizards) are complete bastards (ourselves included). I didn't go through 7 years of higher education, and I still think I'm worth 6 figures. And from what I can tell from interviewing people, it is only getting worse. I mean that is, if they even look up at you from their IPad during an interview, it will most likely only be to tell you that the tasks that you require are far, far beneath their scope of interest. No thanks, I'll just keep tweeting my way onto the Millionaire Matchmaker.
Another threat that I realized over the weekend is my work. It is threatening to take over my life. I mean that in the most sincere way possible. The line between "work" hours and "home" hours no longer exists, I'm losing sleep, and I find that I have literally not one interesting thing to speak of that is non work-related. People talk a lot about balance, and many people preach that with savvy time management, a glossy agenda (Wendy), and superb organization...you too can HAVE IT ALL! (sparkle, sparkle). Well, I guess that means I am screwed, because everyone saw the picture of my closet, and clearly since I am writing this at 10:08PM and plan to return to work emails after, I have not found the elusive "balance." But that's what the word "Project" in front of "Peter Pan" suggests, a work in progress, so that's what I am working on this week. Step 1, close laptop and watch Pam Anderson and Kate Gosselin humiliate themselves on Dancing With The Stars.
On the subject of threats...could not agree more with Wendy, our generation (other than being technological wizards) are complete bastards (ourselves included). I didn't go through 7 years of higher education, and I still think I'm worth 6 figures. And from what I can tell from interviewing people, it is only getting worse. I mean that is, if they even look up at you from their IPad during an interview, it will most likely only be to tell you that the tasks that you require are far, far beneath their scope of interest. No thanks, I'll just keep tweeting my way onto the Millionaire Matchmaker.
Another threat that I realized over the weekend is my work. It is threatening to take over my life. I mean that in the most sincere way possible. The line between "work" hours and "home" hours no longer exists, I'm losing sleep, and I find that I have literally not one interesting thing to speak of that is non work-related. People talk a lot about balance, and many people preach that with savvy time management, a glossy agenda (Wendy), and superb organization...you too can HAVE IT ALL! (sparkle, sparkle). Well, I guess that means I am screwed, because everyone saw the picture of my closet, and clearly since I am writing this at 10:08PM and plan to return to work emails after, I have not found the elusive "balance." But that's what the word "Project" in front of "Peter Pan" suggests, a work in progress, so that's what I am working on this week. Step 1, close laptop and watch Pam Anderson and Kate Gosselin humiliate themselves on Dancing With The Stars.
Give Me What I Deserve
Full Disclosure: I thought of this "threat" over a week ago, but I put off writing about it because I didn't want all of you guys to think I was a huge brat. Honestly, what I'm about to say might alienate some people. Still, when Tink and I started this blog we promised to be honest....so here goes.
One of the biggest threats to my current and future happiness is my sense of entitelement. I was raised to believe that I was going to do big things with my life. Now that my life is finally starting, I'm sort of left wondering where all those "big things" are. Where's my big important job? My fancy apartment? My social circle populated with the witty and fabulous? My position on various charity boards and committees? In short, where is the awesomeness that I was promised?
Alright, calming down now. I know that I'm only twenty-six and that, due to attending approximately 7,000 years of schooling, I have really just started my life. Still, I sort of thought it would all be easier. I mean, the simple fact is that even though I make a good amount of money, I can't afford designer bags or takeout dinners every night...but I still sometimes buy them because honestly, I feel like I DESERVE them. I mean, after working all weekend and eating breakast, lunch, and dinner at my desk, I deserve something...right?
Taking this to a less superficial level, as some of you know, the legal industry is currently in the toilet. What this means is that people who worked hard for four years in college, passed the beast that is LSAT, aced law school classes, and did the appropriate extracurriculars still don't have jobs. They did everything right...and it didn't pay off. I know that nobody promised them anything, but aren't these people right to be a little pissed?
I think they are. But I also think that they (and me, this post is supposed to be about me) need to realize that acting/feeling entitled is not going to help any situation. It will only make others, espescially our older coworkers and superiors HATE us. I mean, a short google search of the terms "generation Y" and "entitlement" turns up over 30,000 hits. One of the articles on this issue warns that people who feel entitled are not only more apt to cause workplace conflict, but are also more likely to hate their jobs (probably because they don't feel like they're getting enough gold stars). I think this is totally spot on. I know that I need to stop feeling entitled to praise and start feeling okay with negative feedback. I also know that I need to stop feeling entitled to designer bags...because my budget simply can't cut it.
One of the biggest threats to my current and future happiness is my sense of entitelement. I was raised to believe that I was going to do big things with my life. Now that my life is finally starting, I'm sort of left wondering where all those "big things" are. Where's my big important job? My fancy apartment? My social circle populated with the witty and fabulous? My position on various charity boards and committees? In short, where is the awesomeness that I was promised?
Alright, calming down now. I know that I'm only twenty-six and that, due to attending approximately 7,000 years of schooling, I have really just started my life. Still, I sort of thought it would all be easier. I mean, the simple fact is that even though I make a good amount of money, I can't afford designer bags or takeout dinners every night...but I still sometimes buy them because honestly, I feel like I DESERVE them. I mean, after working all weekend and eating breakast, lunch, and dinner at my desk, I deserve something...right?
Taking this to a less superficial level, as some of you know, the legal industry is currently in the toilet. What this means is that people who worked hard for four years in college, passed the beast that is LSAT, aced law school classes, and did the appropriate extracurriculars still don't have jobs. They did everything right...and it didn't pay off. I know that nobody promised them anything, but aren't these people right to be a little pissed?
I think they are. But I also think that they (and me, this post is supposed to be about me) need to realize that acting/feeling entitled is not going to help any situation. It will only make others, espescially our older coworkers and superiors HATE us. I mean, a short google search of the terms "generation Y" and "entitlement" turns up over 30,000 hits. One of the articles on this issue warns that people who feel entitled are not only more apt to cause workplace conflict, but are also more likely to hate their jobs (probably because they don't feel like they're getting enough gold stars). I think this is totally spot on. I know that I need to stop feeling entitled to praise and start feeling okay with negative feedback. I also know that I need to stop feeling entitled to designer bags...because my budget simply can't cut it.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Thou Shall Not Doubt
Yesterday was not a good day for Tink. Tink had very uncharacteristically low self-esteem yesterday. Tink needs to grow up.
Yesterday was a day that I wished that I didn't have my own business, that I wasn't a (somewhat) adult, and I could put my head under the covers and wait for all the nonsense to subside. Turns out running your own business does not excuse you from upset clients, public or virtual ridicule, or an endless amount of second guessing and self-doubt. No sir.
Mr. Tink told me that I needed a thicker skin, and I agree. But I thought I already had a thick skin? Soon I fear this skin will turn into leather.
So what did I do, I called my good friend Wendy, who seemed to be having a hell of a day herself. Just as I had geared up to whine, complain, and sing the blues, she gave me this disclaimer: "If you are calling to bitch about your clients, I can't deal with that today."
Fair enough.
And sometimes, when it comes from the right person, that's what you need. A reality check.
In hindsight, yes the things that I was so upset were trivial. And yes, amidst the stupid annoying things that went down yesterday, some huge strides were made. And today was another day, full of opportunity.
So now that we've identified some of our awesome opportunties, we need to talk about threats, that's right Marketing Majors, its a full on SWOT analysis. Threats are things, people, thoughts, or habits that threaten your personal happiness, growth, or livelihood. And no that's not Webster's definition, that is the Project Peter Pan definition.
One of the biggest threats in my life is self-doubt. Sometimes I freak myself out so much that I lose sight of all the progress I've made or the accomplishments I should be proud of. It's a really sick game of constant "What If?" And it's a major waste of time. I get that, but its an addiction. So I've said it out loud, now I can start fixing it. This week, I'm going to focus on grabbing my balls (Figuratively) and quit doubting my abilities. I"m starting to sound like a gnarly self-help seminar, so I'll leave you with one last thought, repeat after me, "You can do it!"
Yesterday was a day that I wished that I didn't have my own business, that I wasn't a (somewhat) adult, and I could put my head under the covers and wait for all the nonsense to subside. Turns out running your own business does not excuse you from upset clients, public or virtual ridicule, or an endless amount of second guessing and self-doubt. No sir.
Mr. Tink told me that I needed a thicker skin, and I agree. But I thought I already had a thick skin? Soon I fear this skin will turn into leather.
So what did I do, I called my good friend Wendy, who seemed to be having a hell of a day herself. Just as I had geared up to whine, complain, and sing the blues, she gave me this disclaimer: "If you are calling to bitch about your clients, I can't deal with that today."
Fair enough.
And sometimes, when it comes from the right person, that's what you need. A reality check.
In hindsight, yes the things that I was so upset were trivial. And yes, amidst the stupid annoying things that went down yesterday, some huge strides were made. And today was another day, full of opportunity.
So now that we've identified some of our awesome opportunties, we need to talk about threats, that's right Marketing Majors, its a full on SWOT analysis. Threats are things, people, thoughts, or habits that threaten your personal happiness, growth, or livelihood. And no that's not Webster's definition, that is the Project Peter Pan definition.
One of the biggest threats in my life is self-doubt. Sometimes I freak myself out so much that I lose sight of all the progress I've made or the accomplishments I should be proud of. It's a really sick game of constant "What If?" And it's a major waste of time. I get that, but its an addiction. So I've said it out loud, now I can start fixing it. This week, I'm going to focus on grabbing my balls (Figuratively) and quit doubting my abilities. I"m starting to sound like a gnarly self-help seminar, so I'll leave you with one last thought, repeat after me, "You can do it!"
Friday, April 2, 2010
QOD
Question of the Day. I've been thinking about QOD because many of my friends have embraced this cult hysteria that is Cross Fit, and all they talk about is WOD or Workout of the Day. I have no idea what that means, nor do I think I will ever step inside one of these Cross Fit Gyms...anywhere that carbs and grains are barred from their members, and words like "Paleo" replace good old fashion expletives is just not on my short list. When they come out with a gym where the bread and olive oil are within arm's reach of the treadmill, sign me up.
Holy Tangent. So Question of the Day. As we go through this process of growing up, we're faced with tons of questions big and small, and it's our goal to start posting them to see 1) If maybe you have the same questions or 2) You already came across that question and have a genius answer to it. Some of the questions will be deep, and thought provoking and others will be completely superficial, because like my mom tells all of her sixth grade students, "Yes, there is such a thing as a stupid question."
My question today is...In the timeline of your life, are your late twenties supposed to be dedicated to working your fingers to the bone? Because that's what I'm feeling lately, all of my friends between 25-30 are in these jobs that are super demanding, just hoping that it will pay off soon and they can then have time to get married, raise a family, LIVE life, enjoy things...So what do you think, is that what we're supposed to be doing?
Holy Tangent. So Question of the Day. As we go through this process of growing up, we're faced with tons of questions big and small, and it's our goal to start posting them to see 1) If maybe you have the same questions or 2) You already came across that question and have a genius answer to it. Some of the questions will be deep, and thought provoking and others will be completely superficial, because like my mom tells all of her sixth grade students, "Yes, there is such a thing as a stupid question."
My question today is...In the timeline of your life, are your late twenties supposed to be dedicated to working your fingers to the bone? Because that's what I'm feeling lately, all of my friends between 25-30 are in these jobs that are super demanding, just hoping that it will pay off soon and they can then have time to get married, raise a family, LIVE life, enjoy things...So what do you think, is that what we're supposed to be doing?
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