Chicky Finance

Mid October Update

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:30:00 +0000

Today is payday for me. In fact, I process my own payroll how lame is that? Along with all other people who make $150K or more. Anyways, as soon as I get paid, I visit my online bank and distribute the money before it disappears. Today I did the same thing.
Here is where my money went;

Car loan: $655 I know it is just like paying rent but I am loving my GTO, sexy
WF Loan: $350
Express card: $92 normally this card has zero balance. When I started this new job I needed a couple of pieces and I used the card because they were giving discount if I use my card. Today paid off the amount so it is zero again. Don’t plan to use it in the near future.
Tax: $200 Towards tax payment

Total: ($1,297) DEBT PAYMENT

Paycheck: $1,642

Remaining: $345 until Nov 26th.

Update with the 30day trial “no eating out” challenge:
Since I decided “no eating out” challenge, I have not gone out for lunch or dinner. By not eating out so far in 3 days I saved approximately $30. As my sugar level goes down around 12 o’clock, I really want to just go out and eat nearby restaurant so It has been difficult challenge for me but no failing. 27 days to go, feeling good!

30 Days Trial Approach to Success

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:02:00 +0000

Have you ever heard about a personal growth tool called the 30 Days Trial? You can try to change your habits or develop new habits absolutely risk free. I know I sounded like a commercial, huh? Here is the cool concept: We all want to change things about ourselves to become a better person one way or other. However, in order to change things we need to stay out our comfort zone and stay out long enough that we can create a new comfort zone that includes a newly formed habit. Here is the tricky part, not many of us can actually stay out enough from our comfort zone to create a new one. By using 30 day trail method you might be able to form new habits without scaring yourself with challenges. You set up a goal and follow through it religiously 30 days and if you want to go back to your old habit, you are free to go back after 30 days. Believe me this requires whole a lot less commitment than permanent change so it is less scary but think about it what if you really like what you are trying out for 30 days? Now after 30 days you form a new habit that is much easier to follow through rest of your life. As I said it is risk free! Ooh by the way, I found out about this approach from Steve Pavlina. He has some amazing ideas in his blog, I strongly recommend reading.

Anyways back to my 30 days Trial Free experiment;

Goal: No eating out for 30 days!

How to manage: Taking lunch to work and cooking delicious dinners at home.

Difficulty level: Very Difficult. I mean let’s put it this way I am truly addicted to eating out.

Benefits: Health benefits, Benjamin benefits and learning how to cook without full capacity kitchen.

Whooowhoo I am already excited, let the game start!

Employee Wellness Program

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Sometimes employers offer different perks for their hard working employees. Honestly, my last job offered nothing except dirty kitchen and low salary but even than I was grateful because I didn’t know any better since it was my first “professional” job. As part of my current employer’s wellness program I can get massage once a month for half an hour for FREE by our CEO’s massage therapist. In fact, I got my first session last Friday. Deep tissue, half body mmm . I should say it was painful first but then so relaxing…Experts recommend drinking a lot of water after deep tissue massage because this type of massage releases toxins in our body and needs to get out which I didn’t know until now. Well, next time I will drink more. A major benefit of deep tissue massage is a release of tense muscles and knots. I think getting massage every month will help my overall health since I will start working out rigorously and need those muscle relaxation sessions once in a while.

October Review and November Goals

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:22:00 +0000

October Goals were;

CC Debt under $17K: Success! My current CC debt is $16,800. By the end of the year I will revise my snowball plan and if everything goes accordingly, I might become debt free by the end of 2009.

Pick Christmas cards for relatives and friends. And make a list of people I need to send.: Success partially! I got 27 handmade Christmas cards less than $20 but I still need to make a list of friends and family I want to send xmas card.

Focus on work, learn as much as possible and if necessary stay at work longer hours. Success! I am definitely doing this since I've started working. It takes all my time and energy. It is challenging and my boss expects so much from me. Sometimes my to do list during day can be 50 plus things. I am not complaining though because I enjoy it a lot.

Come up with a plan for how to update my blog timely matter No. Not successful on this one. However, I am checking my fav blogs timely matter from my blackberry.

Pick a charity to donate monthly donation (my precious $10) Nope I totally forgot about this one until I start going through the list. Shame on me..

Go to optometrist and order new contacts Success Finally I went to costco and get done annual check up

Come up with doable work out schedule Sucsess! 4 times a week after work for 2 hours

Come up with CPA exam plan No. I plan to come up with a plan this week.

November Goals:

CC Debt under 16K

Stick to Work out schedule

Come up with CPA exam plan and start studying

Spend more time with my Border Collie and teach some tricks

Take my Alpacas to walk at least twice

Learn how to welt alpaca fur

Meet up with at least two friends

Make a Xmas List

You probably noticed Alpacas while reading! We got two the most adorable alpacas and they deserve a post, dont you think? :)

October Debt Update

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:47:00 +0000

First off I cannot believe I’ve only written nine posts during October. Is it how busy I am? October flew by fast in fact too fast. I got my first two paychecks from the new job. I realized that I need to utilize increase on my paycheck much better though. Here is my ugly debt break down:
CC#1: Paid Off
CC#2: Paid Off
CC#3: Paid Off
CC#4:$2,300 getting there slowly interest %0 until November. It was $3,200 last month.
Loan: $14,500 interest %8.9 Same as the last month
Grand Total: $16,800 compared to $17,700 last month

How much do I make now?
I make $3,284 every month after taxes which is $600 more than what I was making before. (~$2,684) I am happy really optimistic about possible progress I might be making in near future.
How Do I plan to spend it?
First paycheck $1,642
Car Loan: $655
Cost of being exist: $350
Towards debt: $637

Second paycheck $1,642
Cost of being exist $350
Towards debt $1,292
Total towards CC debt per month: $1,929

I am just hoping that I can achieve this goal. I think at the end of this year I possibly achieve two of my 2008 goals.
1-Under $15,500 CC debt
2- $3,500 irs debt

If you voted...

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:38:00 +0000

I am not a US citizen yet so unfortunately I cannot vote but many of you CAN. I hope you all take advantage of this! If you voted and got your "I voted" sticker, some free goodies are waiting for you.
Yum, Yum, Yum
· Starbucks: free Tall (12 oz) coffee
· Krispy Kreme free star-shaped doughnut

· Ben & Jerry’s free scoop of ice cream from 5-8pm

Eye Exam

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:47:00 +0000

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.

ps: I just realized I wrote good for 6months.it is actually good for 3 months. Ooops sorry I got excited everybody.

Roger Phillips (the best CPA instructor) Favors Chicky Finance Readers

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:28:00 +0000

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.

Now you probably wonder how I conclude he favors Chicky Finance readers!! Overall this is a personal finance blog and he knows we all look for saving money, cutting back expenses as much as possible. As many of you know CPA exam is not only time consuming but at the same time expensive. So for courtesy of Roger Phillips, Chicky Finance readers who enroll FULL 4 part Live, Online, or USB enrollments will receive $50 discount!! Just enter promo code “CHICKY” (how sweet is that!) on the enrollment page where the website asks for a promotional code and you are set to go!

Camping this weekend: Santa Barbara

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:06:00 +0000

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…

Financial Crises=New Vocabulary

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:37:00 +0000

I always look for ways to improve my vocabulary. As world economies are going through tough times, there is a new terminology for financial crises all over the media. (at least for some of us it is a new vocabulary) Here is a guide for readers who would like to educate themselves about these exotic words.
AAA-rating
Bear market
Bull market
Chapter 11
Capitulation
Collateralised debt obligation
Commercial paper
Commodities
Credit crunch
Dead cat bounce
Mark-to-market
Mortgage-backed securities
Naked short selling
Nationalisation
Negative equity
Preference shares
Profit warning
Rating
Recapitalisation
Securitisation
Short selling
Stagflation
Toxic debts
Unwind
Warrants
Write-down

My Typical Lunch Menu

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:06:00 +0000

From now on I will shop for a week worth of groceries for lunch and breakfast I eat at work. I can take them to work and put in a fridge.

That will solve two problems for me;
1-No longer I have to rush in the morning to prepare a brown bag for lunch and breakfast
2-I don’t have to wonder what I am going to eat every lunch

Breakfast:
Mini toasted bagel with a slice of a tomato

Lunch
Brown rice (already cooked) and chicken (already cooked)

Snack
Sugar free 60 calorie chocolate pudding

Total cost per day: $3.20 instead of $7-8 per day by going out lunch. Soda? Coffee? Tea? At work they are all free. We can drink anything as much as we can! Except alcoholic beverages ;)

October Goals

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:44:00 +0000

I know, it is already mid October and I am now posting my goals for October. But let me tell you, I had my goals in my mind in the beginning of the month, the problem is I just didn’t have time to post them due to working long hours. :)

CC Debt under $17K

Pick Christmas cards for relatives and friends. And make a list of people I need to send.

Focus on work, learn as much as possible and if necessary stay at work longer hours

Get’ ready for camping at the end of October.

Come up with a plan for how to update my blog timely matter

Pick a charity to donate monthly donation (my precious $10)

Go to optometrist and order new contacts

Come up with doable work out schedule

Figure out doable lunch plan for work

Come up with CPA exam plan

Review annual and monthly fix expenses.

Highlights of my goals are (must do);

CC Debt under $17K

CPA Exam Plan

Work out Plan

Review annual and monthly fix expenses

Next I am going to review my 2008 goals to see as far as what is attainable what is not by Dec 2008 and come up with my 2009 Goals…

Lunch? What about Lunch?

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:21:00 +0000

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.

Busy, Busy , Busy...

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:44:00 +0000

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..

I love my Job!

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:06:00 +0000

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! :)

September Debt Update

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:15:00 +0000

Tomorrow I will be starting my new job. I am excited and at the same time little nervous. I hope I like my work and new colleagues. My last day at work was today. I went to lunch with my close colleagues, they all wished me luck from their heart which was really sweet. Now it is the time to turn a new page in my life. BTW, I am really curious about my next paycheck, in fact I already start dreaming about it. :) Before I lose myself dreaming about my salary, I should summarize the Ugly debt currently I have.

CC#1: Paid Off

CC#2: Paid Off

CC#3: Paid Off

CC#4:$3,200 interest %0 until November. It was $4,000 last month.

Loan: $14,500 interest %8.9 Same as the last month

Total: $17,700

As you can see I am under 18K to be exact $17,700 which is $700 less than last month. I guess I could do better but if you consider all the travel I've been doing since my mom came, I am happy with my performance. In October and November I plan to get rid of CC#4 and pay off around $2,000 towards IRS and start attacking the personal loan ($14,500)...

It's boy: I am Aunt now

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:51:00 +0000

Life is unpredictable. This weekend this assumption proved itself true one more time. As I planned to spend time with my sister, my mom and meet with Budget Mama for lunch, instead something else happened. My sister suprisingly delivered her baby 2-3 weeks early. In fact her baby decided to come while I was on the plane so I ended up driving directly to the hospital from the airport and helped her out for 15 hours to deliver the baby. It is a healthy,cute,adorable baby boy. What a miracle! I am very happy but at the same exhausted (I can not even imagine how tried my sister must be), I really dont know how I am going to handle this week. I will have my last 2 days at my current company and start working for a new company as of Oct 1st, Wednesday.

Funny Resignation Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:39:00 +0000

Is my Credit Card debt “good debt”?

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:08:00 +0000

Normally CC debt would be considered “bad debt” but what if you finance your education with credit card? In the beginning of this year I couldn’t believe my eyes when I say almost $26K credit card debt and nothing to show. I thought I must have gone to fancy dinners, vacations and shopping sprees. After going through my past statements I had a shocking reality. I actually financed my education in the US via credit cards..My credit card statements show that I charged my tuitions, books and park fees all on my credit card and paid minimum for 2 years. Apparently I’ve accumulated $26K CC within two years! Eeek..I feel better though just because at least I feel I went into debt for something good. I would not still call it “good debt” but I would call it for good cause. As of September of this year I have $18,500. I know it is still a lot but at least I can see the light to pay it off by the end of 2009 and become debt free. Becoming debt free is a hard process. It takes being persistent and patient. I sometimes feel I am falling off the wagon but then I pull myself together and fight harder. Lately, I’ve been feeling the debt is not going down as fast as I want it to be and it is really frustrating. I just try to keep in mind that as long as I don’t add additional debt and pay thousand something dollars per month, I will become debt free. I am just trying to use simple logic and stick to my plan.

No More Moderate Comments

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:45:00 +0000

Just a quick note, I am not going to moderate comments anymore. That means as soon as you comment, it will appear on my blog. Please be nice to me ok? :)

SF trip this weekend..

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:19:00 +0000

As you might remember I was in SF last weekend. I spent quality time with my mom and two sisters but honestly I was exhausted while coming back. This weekend I am flying as well, in fact this time I will meet with Budget Mama and her DS! We will most likely eat lunch together and chit chat about our lives.. Budget Mama probably knows more than most of my friends. :) I am really excited about this blind meeting! After this weekend I need to focus on my new job. Before I know it will be Oct 1st and I will start working. It sucks that I don’t even have one day off between jobs. Also on October 24th-25th Mr. Finance and I will be going camping in Santa Barbara which is already paid for. While I was reading Krystal’s blog I saw that she posted her to do list and I thought I’d better do the same thing otherwise the list getting longer every day.

Go to dentist for cleaning
Go to optometrist and get more contact lenses
Take our female cat to vet to fix her and vaccines
Pay car loan
Try to reschedule INS biometrics appointment (part of immigration process)
Get ready for camping in Santa Barbara
Purchase 2 plane tickets to SF for November. I don’t think this time my sister will pay for it.
Go to hairdresser for coloring
Make a new adjusted budget for my new pay scale
Help my friend out to set up her accounting software for her retail store
Get ready for tailgate party on Oct 18th for UCLA football game
And moreeeee……….

No more stressing out myself..

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:08:00 +0000

Life is unpredictable..I just need to accept this fact. After stressing out a couple of days for my new position, I finally gave up. There is nothing I can control at this moment about the US economy. While the congress is making decision, they are not going to ask my opinion. The only thing I can do is to be on top of my own finances and be positive about the whole job thing. If worse comes worse and they draw the offer, so be it. I’ll pick up myself and continue my life stronger.

I am Stressed..

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:28:00 +0000

Like many, I have been disturbed by the financial turmoil we've been experiencing. I'm also worry about my new job situation. Do you think they might call me and take the offer back? And I become jobless suddenly? I hope they would not do something like that but I am trying to get ready something like that just because I want to be ready for any bad news. At the same time I'm aware that it is not healthy to think the way I do... My first day will be in Oct 1st and I can not wait to start. God please I hope they dont change their mind..

More SF Trips!

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:46:00 +0000

Today after work I will be leaving for Bay Area. This weekend and following weekend I will be flying there (southwest) because I’d like to spend more time with my two sisters and my mom. I can see your eyes right now rolling and asking me how I can afford to fly SF every other weekend and sometimes every weekend. Thanks to my generous sister..She pays for all my flights. If she didn’t pay for them I could not see my mom and sister as many times past few weeks. She can afford it, I can not and she knows that. Two round trips to SF cost her $350. In the beginning of this year I owed her $700. Slowly I paid that off by writing articles for her new venture but now she is getting me all these trips and she does not want me to worry about the cost, how sweet is that? When I go there I will probably spend not much and I am not going to make the same mistake I did last time about parking at the airport. Mr. Finance is taking me to the airport and picking me up on Sunday which will save me from $45 parking fee, Eeek.

Juicy News about…

noreply@blogger.com (Chicky) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:22:00 +0000

I have great news! I GOT the JOB! The one I went to million interviews. I am really really excited about the whole thing. I think this job will be challenging but at the same time very rewarding for the future of my career. I gave my resignation today and I will be starting the new position on Oct 1st. The exit interview was smooth, my manager was upset because he said he is loosing “valuable, terrific” employee. :)

Let’s talk about money now! My base salary will be $51K + “guaranteed” 8,000 minimum annual bonus! What do ya think? I will be making $19K more than what I am making right now. Yay! I also put together a chart to see my salary progress since I’ve come to USA as an immigrant in 2002 with little to no English. I was making $8/hr working fulltime and going school full time at the same time. Six years later here I am and the whole picture is different. Brighter and happier..I hope that inspires some of you who struggles in life but never give up...