Almost Free!

So, I've had a credit card since I was 18. Before I ventured away from the homeland, my parents made sure I had an "in case of emergency" card. To me, that translated into "in case I'm hungry and want Texas Roadhouse", "in case I find an extremely cute shirt", "in case I really need a new pair of shoes". Well, actually in the beginning I was really frugal with my shiny silver piece of plastic. It wasn't until about 18 months/2 years ago (and two new cards) when I decided to use it a little more freely than I should. Mind you, I by no means was or am a shopaholic. I'm a lot of holic's but not a shopa.

I did however make a few rash purchases that landed me a couple thou in debt. My last tax return (of a little over 2 grand) went straight towards the revolving balance that I once never had (yes, I used to pay the balance off each month). A washer/dryer purchase landed me another grand in debt and various odds and ends-mainly bars and food put me further behind.

I'm saying all of this because two years and several times of "almost" having my various cards paid off, I'm officially $170.00 away from being debt free. And let me tell you, it's an amazing feeling. With that being said, this experience has provided great lessons.

1. Budget, budget, budget: when splurging on huge purchases like a washer and dryer (or new wardrobe), plan out a pay schedule so the balance is paid off in a somewhat timely manner- before finance charges start amounting to more than the original purchase. This is extremely difficult, yes, I know. Before every social outting, I allow myself a preset amount of cash to blow. And almost at every outting, I end up whipping out the plastic. Leave it at home. When the cash is gone, it's gone. And unless your propositioning yourself to the savvy gentlement to your left, it'll save you a headache in the morning.

2. Don't buy it if you can't afford it: So Murphy's Law more than likely will apply here. If you can't afford it, more than likely you're going to need it. Like a root canal or hell, even groceries. But if your stargazing at the latest boots that will set you back a pretty penny, save up that hard earned cash and feel good that you haven't given into a whim.

3. If you have extra money, apply it towards the card: I think this is the tip that I should've (key word should have) utilized the most. If I had extra money at the month, part whent into my savings and the other half into my stomach (I'm a sucker for restaurants and booze). But that $300 I spent last weekend at various pubs and bars (and the boy's new shoes) would have paid off the outstanding $170.00. Not too mention, would have looked damn good in my/our savings account.

Believe it or not, I'm pretty good with money. I keep a certain amount of money each month (mind you, I only get paid once of month-stupid Congress) in my bank account for emergencies (I'm a tad paranoid). So when I get down to the wire, I stop spending money. Whether it be the 15th of the month or the 28th. And I've learned, this is when I bust out the credit card. Recognizing the error of one's ways is the first step.

I'm hoping 2010 is a great debt-free year for me. Crap! Debt-free and new mortgage are not synomyous... in fact. I believe their antonyms. Oh well, I can at least try and manage those plastic cards a little better.

It's a sad, sad Wednesday

"After all, if growing up is war, then the friends who grew up with you deserve a special respect. The ones who stuck by you shoulder to shoulder, in a time when nothing was certain, all life lay ahead, and every road led home"- Wonder Years

It's a tad nostalgic at my home tonight. Actually, it's more than nostalgic, it's just plain sad. Christmas is packed up and put away, but that's not the reason sadness is in the air tonight. This Christmas marked the last Christmas my roommate and I will spend together. No, not the boy roommate. The best friend roommate. In a couple of months if all goes well (fingers crossed) the boy and I will move into a house of our own (one that does not come with jumping spider/cricket creatures in the basement or leaking pipes) and live happily ever after...or so we hope. This also signals the end of my tenure as co-tenants with M.

Our friendship started off in the most peculiar way. She decided to entertain extracurricular affairs outside of her current relationship and I ended a 10 year relationship and immediately jumped into another. We bonded over bottles of wine, a horrible break-up with her ex, and my overall lack of interest in my then relationship, followed by two months of pretending I was single when I was actually dating the boy again. We worked together, played together, and eventually moved in together.

In an essence, M and I are the perfect couple. She cleans, I cook. She's emotional, I'm practical. I encourage her to act reckless and childish and she reminds me that I'm an adult and should act accordingly. We balance each other out like wine and tequila...oh wait, only in our world does that balance out.

While we were packing up, I reflected over our relationship. I rewinded to three years ago when weekdays and weekends drifted together. Dinner was whatever we felt like ordering from Panera that night and we lived two doors down from R (who I love just as much as M). We drank too much, laughed too much, and lived too freely. We got ourselves into some unfavorable situations every now and then but together we pulled through. As I sit here and lament life as it used to be I force myself to remember that life today is not unpleasant by any means. We have real jobs and steady, healthy relationships (probably for the first time ever). But we rarely find the time or money to dine out anymore. Wine bottles are opened only on the weekends and even then we aren't up until the sun rises anymore. This growing up business put a damper on our easy breezy lifestyle.

Things are changing once again in my world and I'm thrilled at all of the new adventures that lay ahead especially since a wonderful man will be accompanying me on this journey-but I know one thing for sure- my first home away from home was the apartment I shared with M and now my home is the house I share with M and... boy, I'm sure going to miss home when I move again...

The highs and lows of a twenty-something...

"Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself...'How did I get through all of that?"- Wonder Years

I ended 2009 with a bang. I'm engaged (yes ladies and gents, the boy popped the question over Christmas) and nearly indebted to the federal government for 30 years thanks to my (almost) new mortgage loan. I also entered 2010 with a bang. And NOT a good one. I'm a victim of pure stupidity and lack of moral character. I lack the common sense and my perpetrator (affectionally known as perp from here on out) lacks the moral character.

I understand further explanation is needed at this point. My future in-laws and my Mom came to Baltimore for a visit today. The boy (maybe I should start calling him the man since we are now engaged...nah, I like boy better) and I took them to Famous Daves for a nice lunch. And it was nice, I could barely move when we left. Which is probably why I left behind the something of grave importance (nooo...not my new shiny ring)... my bag- complete with wallet.

Skip the hours of food coma and viewings of numerous decorative choices for the new house and at 8:30 I received a rather friendly, yet alarming email from Bank of America advising of irregular card activity. Thinking nothing of it, I log on to my account to see not one, not two, but 5 pending transactions totally a lot more money than I would want to give away. I immediately freak out, and yes, I mean I'm on the verge of a complete melt down, when I realize I never picked up my purse from the back of the chair...pure stupidity. I jump on my cell to cancel my three Bank of America cards and grab the roomie's phone to dial up Discover to cancel that card when the boy yells down that FD has my purse. Two cell phones in hand and I'm headed out the door only to arrive back at FD to find that the perp has actually stolen my purse...lack of common decency rather than moral character I suppose. While it was in FD possession at one time, it has completely disappeared (well it disappeared for a short time as it reappeared at two gas stations, a liquor store, and a rite aid right around the corner).

A bajillion phone calls later and the sniffling back of tears, I've learned a very hard lesson. I need to start taking something for my memory and people in general just suck. I would NEVER EVER steal another individual's belongings especially their hard earned money. Hell, I just donated 5 bags of clothes to goodwill.... wasn't that enough giving for a bit?

I'm hoping this is not the precursor to my year to come. I'd like to think this is just a glitch in what is going to be an otherwise pretty awesome year but I'm slightly skeptical at this point. What's that old saying, something about experience being the best teacher. Well, I've been schooled. I think it is safe to say I'll be double checking that the items I bring with me, leave with me. Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010. Look at that, I kept the rambling to a bare minimum...