Chicky Finance

Today I finally went to an optometrist for my eye exam I ended up going Costco because they had the most reasonable price ever. They only charged $89.00 which was great compared to other places. For example, Lenscrafters is charging around $135. When I’ve first heard it, I just couldn’t believe because I thought last year I paid $75.00 at Lenscrafters nearby my house. I guess I was wrong. Well, I guess when people are more conscious about their spending, what they are paying for and how much they are paying; they tend to pay more attention to details. Anyways, total I paid $89.00 for the exam (good for one year) plus $26 dollars for contact lenses(good for six months). I thought overall it was a good bargain.

PS: if you noticed, the last entry I made has been deleted because I have realized that in order to keep my identity anonymous, I have to be more careful. Basically I can’t just list seven weird things about myself nor my life even though I would love to share with you guys.

Do you think the title is too ambitious? :) Then read on..When back Roger Phillips discovered my blog, I was extremely surprised just because there are thousands if not millions of blog out there. As I realize passing two sections in 2008 is not going to be possible for me perhaps because I focused too much on paying my debt down and changing job(my two other 2008 goals). Whatever reason it was I didn’t pass 2 sections not even 1 section and just a side note I’ve only taken BEC-Section 1 so far. I procrastinated to study CPA because the exam requires vigorous study and I always thought I will have more time to study following month but unfortunately it never happened. My schedule was always too busy to study. CPA exam just like paying down your debt, you can not just do it overnight. It takes time and persistency. During this year, I have even thought giving up the whole CPA thing entirely. But then Roger found my blog and he enabled me to refocus. How? He is the funniest CPA instructor ever. If you ever go to watch his demo CDs or demo online streaming, you will know what I mean. Before knowing him I always thought being CPA is not a good fit for me because I am such an upbeat and creative person and I would be dead bored if I become a CPA. Therefore, back in my mind I was lacking motivation to become one. After watching his lectures, he changed my mind about CPA profession. I can be who I am (silly), still become a CPA and have a fulfilling career.

I don’t know if you can call this trip your traditional type of camping. Probably the term “luxury camping” is describing it better. I’ve been waiting for this trip since the beginning of July. I could not get any tent for summer months because all of their tents were booked. Even though Mr. Finance is not super excited about this trip due to closeness of the camp site to our place(2hrs), I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with him as well as relaxing, reading a book, biking, kayaking etc. What makes this camping site luxury is they have a canvas tent set up for you and it is built on raised wooden deck. It is fully furnished; it has even a small heater and electric lamps for lighting. Because we don’t have necessary camping equipment, this set up will work perfect for us. We will still bring our food, make BBQ and sit around fire. Now I can hear you saying show me the money girlfriend! (Suze Orman line) I can not really show you any money you know our situation but I can tell you how much it is going to cost approximately.

Tent: 159 per night*2 nights: $318
Gas: $60
Food: Lets say $50 I didn’t go to shopping for this yet.
Total: $428

Well, it is expensive I don’t deny. However, I think this trip will energize me and Mr. Finance. We are constantly go go go mode especially me. I think sometimes we need to take a break, look around and appreciate nature and what we already have…

You know my dilemma. Every now and then I feel guilty and confess on my blog and go back to my bad habit which is not taking a brown bag to work. There is a new hope for me now. I am always for simplifying my life. However, I accept the whole brown bag thing is just not working for me. At this new place the kitchen is so clean and huge that I can seriously plan to bring my food and leave it in the fridge. Every department has a nice size latest model fridge, a clean microwave and a toaster. My previous work had it all as well with only exception; it was DIRTY disgusting so I’ve never used their appliances. Whereas at this new place every appliance is super clean. Also I’ve noticed that I don’t eat crave for different type of food for every single lunch. For snack I plan to take plumbs and peaches with me and pile in our fridge. What about lunch? Probably steam vegetable and brown rice and occasional chicken will be on my menu for tomorrow through Friday. I think I will pull it off this time. I really do. That would save me $7 per lunch which I know and everybody else who read this blog knows I CAN NOT afford.

Thousands subject in my mind I’d like to write about but I cannot because of my new job. So sad… At work every day is a different day, learning new things, meeting new people so it is impossible to write anything on my blog even a draft. I need to work on time management and try to come up with a creative ways to keep up with my blog and also read fellow bloggers’ daily updates. I mean some mornings I go crazy because I cannot check my favorite bloggers. Arg..For example, I know Budgets are sexy updates his blog almost every morning and I want to reeeaaaad what he is up to but I cannot. It is frustrating.
Here is my daily schedule currently;
Wake up 5:45am
Work 7:00am-4:00pm
Arrive home 5:00pm

Actually after 4pm the rest of the day is mine. The only problem around 4pm I usually feel exhausted. I hope it is because I am still learning a lot at work. For instance; I never done payroll accounting before and that’s a part of my responsibility so I am trying to learn fast. In fact I put myself in our payroll system which felt so weird. You know especially what felt really weird? Seeing everybody’s salary in our company. Chilling experience… In the meanwhile at home I am trying to create a new home office where I can focus on study-CPA, my bookkeeping business and blogging. October is also busy with traveling this weekend I will be gone for SF to visit my mom, she is returning back to Europe very soon and the last week of October Mr.Finance and I will be going camping in Santa Barbara which I am looking forward to. I just want to relax couple of days..

What a week right? I know I disappeared as soon as the calendar hit Oct 1st. Good news is so far I am loving my job. If I can prove myself at this position, there is so much room to grow. I am doing stuff that I never done before so right now it is challenging and fun. Another thing is I have a room! When I left my previous company I was little worry that the new company might have put me in a cubicle. I was dead wrong, I have spacious room with nice furniture, glass doors, two computer screens. The day I started they gave me a blackberry with Verizon and of course they will pay it fully. Otherwise I wouldn’t take it at all. In fact I don’t understand people who pay for email service themselves but they say it is for work. If it is for work then company should pay. My colleagues seem very nice people. I went to lunch with one of girls. She seemed very friendly and funny even though she looks very quiet from outside This week was very much learning, learning, learning by asking thousands of questions. Next week is hopefully the time to shine and impress my manager!
Besides my new job, other important things are going right now. I have my very first client outside of my fulltime job. This subject deserves a post itself. I dont think I will make much money but I will end up with beautiful designer jewelries without paying a dime. Also my favorite CPA prep teacher, Roger Phillips, is doing favor for Chicky Finance readers who are accountants or students who wants to become a CPA. What is the favor? You gotta wait for next post for that! :)