scattergoodish..

Have You Heard About This?

2010-07-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how big this news really is, but in California, it's huge.

There's this little, low-income city, Bell, where more than 25% of its resident are under the poverty line, that is undergoing a huge controversy. City officials in Bell are making more than the president. Apparently the chief administrative officer, Rizzo, is paid a salary of $787,637. And apparently every year, he gets a 12% increase. Uhmm, stealing much?

The police chief makes $457,000 and the assistant city manager makes $376,288.

Barack Obama makes $400,000. And California's governor would have made $173,987 (if he didn't decline his salary).

Isn't this just crazy? What makes me crazy is how come it's been going on so long without any state official noticing anything fishy. Last week, all the talk was about their pension and now they are looking into fraud investigation to see if anyone can be charged and put in jail.

I don't know. I'm kind of over researching and reading the story because it makes me angry. How come it took a newspaper agency to bring this issue up? How come California controller (or whoever is in charge of auditing cities) couldn't stop this before it happened? How come California is so stupid with pension agreements. I've just been reading so much issues with California & its pension laws and it's getting to the point where I really want to move away.

/end rant

Judging Others

2010-07-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Everyone judges other people. It's human nature. But even as I do it, I feel really guilty. Guilty for not sharing my judgment and helping those who might take a pinch of my advice and making changes. I hate it when people tell me what to do or come right out and judge me, but if someone gives me constructive criticism, I take a little bit of what they say and think about it and see if perhaps a change to whatever will make me a better person or make my life better. So with that, let me tell you a story.

Several days ago I went out for dinner with a friend. I ended up paying for the both of us because it was me who asked and I feel a strange feeling of guilt when the total is like $13 and we pay separately. Afterward we ended up shopping. Not shopping for me, but shopping for her. I normally don't like going shopping but I was ok with this excursion bc it was stores that I normally don't shop at so I knew I wouldn't tempted.

So my friend ended up spending close to $100 that day on stuff she REALLY didn't need nor planned to buy. It's not my area to judge. And maybe if I did judge it was my insecurities BUT (a huge BUT) this girl is horrible with her personal finance. She recently (within the past year) filed for bankruptcy. She had about $45,000 in consumer debt. On top of that she has about $23,000 in student loans. Doesn't have income bc she is a student and took out the maximum amount of loan bc she wanted to. I know when you're on a fixed income you really need to budget. On top of all this, she kept on talking about getting a new credit card, buying huge purchases, perhaps making a credit card purchase in the future, and seeing everything in such a positive light. Like "I can afford that," and that was like a $700 item. I don't know. I feel like if you expunge all your consumer debt from mistakes YOU made, you should make an effort to learn how to control your money and spendings. And this really annoyed me. I didn't say anything except I did try to discourage some purchases (which worked 50% of the time). I don't want to be that annoying person who says you can't afford that bc ...... bc this friend would return with YES I CAN or WHO ARE YOU.. I mean I'm not in the best finance fitness but I am learning & reading a lot and I did make huge chances from before (that can be another story, another time).

Yeah so I feel guilty bc she probably will end up in the same trouble she was a couple years ago. I know everyone learns on their own speed, but I realize that so many adults never learn. It angered me. I don't know about what. Was it bc I was so quiet about it? Was it bc she was making such dumb mistakes? I don't know, but ranting feels good.

Here are some recommended readings:
Casting Stones: When Is It Okay To Judge
Food, Finance, and Judging Others

commercial break

2010-07-18T01:39:00.000-07:00

I have some projects that I must complete before immersing myself (fully) into the internet. Meanwhile, here is a happy boy who just completed the Rubik's Cube.

It is DEFINITELY Summer Around Here...

2010-07-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the turning point. Surprisingly it has been a very mild June & July. Temperatures were at a low 70's which is COLLLD for me. And just yesterday, BAMM, 100 degrees. It's A/C weather now. Oh can't wait to see that bill.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich

2010-07-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

I am finally reading this book. It has been on my to-read list for awhile but it was unavailable at my library. That tells me it's hot commodity!

Normally if I didn't know the background of the author, I would shy away from reading this book because the title is so bold. It seems like one of those too good to be true type of books and I would have settled for another finance book. But being a reader of Ramit's blog and reading some good reviews, I knew I had to read this book.

I am only few pages in, but I love the way it's written. I feel like I'm going to learn about topics I don't know a lot about (like insurance and stocks). And with topics I know a lot about (that almost every PF-books mention in their first 5 chapters) I don't mind reading over again. Yes I find reading PF-related stories, tips, blogs fun. Call me crazy!

Free Money? I'm There!

2010-07-07T02:53:00.000-07:00

I have been a longgg member of ING. It was my very first savings account aside from the one that WAMU gave me in high school when I first got my own debit card. So when I read about ING giving away $50 for opening up a checking account, I didn't feel bad that I was going to take them up on the offer with no intentions to use the debit card for my many other daily purchases.

So I signed up a couple months ago and just last week I saw the $50 bonus in my ING checking account. This was my first time partaking in a free money offer like this and boy does it feel good.

All I did was open a checking account and make 3 signature-based purchases and as simple as that, $50 handed right over to you.

Now I have transferred that money out. And I am feeling guilty. I don't want to close the account because that I'd feel really guilty. Like I used them and threw them out when I was done. My plan is to just keep $2.50 in it (no reason) and let it sit until I get the guts to move forward.

Am I feeling guilty for nothing? Anyways, if you want to partake in it, click here (and no, I don't get anything out of it).

why are there so many sales as of late?

2010-07-05T03:44:00.000-07:00

With summer upon us, stores are purging their spring styles to make room for summer (and even some fall pieces!). Good news for shopping, bad news for the wallet.

I have been making a conscience effort to not go shopping (a lot). I don't want to give myself a dead-set goal, DO NOT BUY CLOTHES FOR THE NEXT ___ MONTH!, because giving myself such a request will end up with me constantly thinking about clothes and finally going on some unnecessary spree. So I just quietly remind myself I don't need it therefore I will not buy it.

And if I say so myself, it's been going quite well. Past 2 months I think I bought one shorts ($7 sale) and a tee ($12). I don't need new clothes. I do love following trends, but I'm not going to put myself in debt (even more) just to buy that one $90 blouse that I've been coveting.

So I've been doing my best at ignoring all the sale emails. And when I hang out with my friends, we usually just hang out at their house or get a coffee and chit chat. Well this weekend, I ended up getting yogurt with a friend. And as we contently walked eating our yogurt, a sign read SALEEEE and just for fun we walked in. I told myself as we were walking in to keep in mind not to splurge or even buy anything. But heck when you see a shirt you've wanted in the sale rack, it's only human to hold on to it.

I ended up buying two tops for $10 each. Which is great. I really wanted to buy this purse for $20 but I decided last minute that I don't need it which isn't a good argument because I didn't NEED those two shirts. But at $10, I don't feel guilty.

So head to your Urban Outfitters and take a look at their sales. Here is the shirt I bought for $10 which is $48 online.

let's peek at my consumer debt

2010-07-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

About two years ago, I started a PF-debt blog where I shared my total debt and progress at lowering it. Before then I never knew exactly how much I owed. I would just tell myself it was "a lot." And during that time I was freely using my credit cards to make purchases when my checking account balance was at a low. I don't know what clicked in my head. I think it was all the PF blogs I was coming across. I don't even know how I came upon them, but reading them sparked my interest in changing my PF-status.

So I started a debt Excel worksheet.

I had SEVEN accounts open back then with a total consumer debt of $9,687.71!! OMG. That's nearly $10k. And even more embarrassing is that a good majority of my debt was spent on shopping in my college years at departments stores like Nordstrom and Barney's that I could not afford. I remember when I saw that number, it scared me shitless. I didn't know what to do or where to start. All I knew was that I had to pay more down to lower my debt total. I didn't know anything about the secrets of credit card company. I just started making a little more effort in my payments.

Well two years later, let's look at the figures now. My consumer debt is at $5,147.45. I don't think I made good progress, but I'm content at my efforts in lowering my debt and now charging ANYTHING for the past two years. I'm also content that I've learned so much from other PF-bloggers on the internet. Right now my income is at a standstill because I'm taking classes so the dents I make at my debt are pretty small, but with this new blog I'm hoping that I become more accountable for where my money is going (and that should be towards debt!).

revivability

2010-07-02T04:28:00.000-07:00

Hello! Anyone out there?

I decided to revive this old blog of mine. I initially started this blog to be one of those "inspiration" blog. But when you're lacking in the funds area, it gets pretty pathetic and sad to blog about things you like but can't afford. And surprisingly I had a personal finance blog about 1.5 years ago. It wasn't popular, but it did have some readers. So what I'm doing now is dedicating this blog to anything relating to my money choices. Heck, scratch that... money choices in general whether it be my personal finance picture, frugal living, deals at home and on the internet, or just things I want (but can't afford).. It'll encompass everything.

I guess what I'll be writing about is things that I would like to read in other PF-related blogs. I find that most PF-bloggers start out personal then a lot of them start designing and making their blog more business- or community- related which is fine for them, but I lose interest. So I hope people join me in this little internet venture. If not that's fine, I find it enjoying to write even if the only person reading is me (well I am my biggest fan, right?).

Owl Jewelry Plate

2009-12-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

I have handfuls of earrings that I have no idea how to organize. I have one of those trees, little trinket jewelry box, and some plates, but I hate how it is disorganized. I wouldn't mind having a plate in my bathroom, one on my dresser, and another on my bedstand. & how cute is this owl plate.

$6, available @ Urban Outfitters

A.P.C.

2009-12-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

A.P.C. is without a doubt one of my favorite brands. They make clean cut, simple pieces that can be worn daily. I'm all about daily wearing.

Here is one of my favorite "outfits."

I like the boxy cut of the dress and cuffed sleeves. The print is also very spring-y. I picture myself wearing this in the spring and mulling around at a park. And I've been wanting and searching for a shoulder bag like that. What do they call that?

available @ A.P.C.

dress $180|purse $240

Shake it like a salt shaker.

2009-12-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

How cute are these salt & pepper shakers?

These would make perfect gifts for your bff.

All made by Jonathan Adler. $48.

Children's Gifts.

2009-12-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

Usually for Christmas, I like to give children under 4 sweaters. It's my "thang."

These are two sweaters I picked up from Baby Gap. The striped, grey sweaters goes to my nephew who lives in the Pacific Northwest. I know it'll go to good use since it's chilly there a lot. I can imagine the little fellow sporting this with some khakis. The owl sweater, I died when I saw it. I had to get it. I secretly wished it came in my size. This sweater will go to my friend's daughter and I hope they keep it forever (since it' s so cute).

striped cable knit sweater hoodie, $37, gap.com/owl sweater, $34.50, gap.com

Another Striped Top to Add to My Collection...

2009-12-17T22:29:00.000-08:00

I found myself inside a shopping mall again today. I went with a mission, to return a top I bought. Well mission, success! But I ended up buying 2 more items in addition to returning 1. Isn't that how it always goes for girls?

I purchased some dark khaki straight leg pants. I am totally in love with the whole equestrian look and I can't wait until spring to work that look out. And I also got a semi-boatneck striped (sailoresque) top. Whenever I'm shopping, I have this "French" style in my mind. Light, springy blazer, with striped top underneath and a brown side purse with some denim. Very similar to this..

(via refinery29)

I love the whole Paris street style.

Black, White & Grey

2009-12-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

(via fashionspot)

Not sure if it's a baggy sweater or a layered look, but I'm feeling the outfit. And her hair! Love the hair.

First Things First: The Stripes

2009-12-15T04:40:00.001-08:00

Here we go again. This is my 4th attempt at a blog. Yeah so most of them were personal blogs dedicated to writing about my daily life. This one is different. Here I will post inspirations, desires, dreams, and just whatever I find out there in the internet that I want and/or need.

Hope you enjoy it.

But like I said, first things first. Why cardigans and stripes? Easy. I adore cardigans and stripes. You can never have too many cardigans and stripes are just too hard to pass on. So for my first blog entry, let me show you some striped items on my wishlist this holiday.

BDG Sailor Stripe Cardigan
in cream stripe
available @ Urban Outfitter
$38

I have about 4 similar cardigans like this in my closet right now. What I love about striped cardigans is that in the spring, you can wear it as your outerwear and in the fall (and winter), you can layer it underneath a peacoat or blazer and absolutely cute.

Multi-striped knee-high socks
in camel
available @ Gap
$7.50

I am a sucker for knee-high socks. I wear them all the time to sleep in spring with some pj shorts. And if I said that I love that the toes and heels of the socks are in a solid color would you think I was crazy?

Stripe Dolce Sweater
in pewter ivory
available @ J.Crew
$58

Perfect pullover for all seasons. I don't have a single yellow striped item in my closet.

Stripe Asymmetrical Chiffon Bow Pullover
in navy sandstone
available @ J.Crew
$88

Another J.Crew item. I'm a huge fan of J.Crew and nautical-inspired pieces.

Jo Gordon Striped Gloves
in natural/burgundy
available @ Barney's
$98

Sometimes I get jealous that it never gets seriously cold here in Southern California. I miss out on wearing really heavy coats, boots for a long period, those warm hats, and earmuffs. Oh how I would love to wear earmuffs. But one things for sure, I do wear my mittens and gloves for about a good 2-3 months. My fingers get cold a lot and I would die to stick my little phalanges into these cozy looking gloves.

Sammy Hassy Scarf
in denim/peach
available @ Barney's
$98

When the weather hits 60 or below, us Californians pull out those scarves and put them to good use. Yes, it might not be necessary 50% of the time, but if it makes your outfit a tiny bit cuter, what's a girl to do..