“Hello, Erin!”
In case you were wondering about that witty, wildly talented Erin chick that wrote this and this…she’s me! The newest staff writer for Money After Graduation.
Who Am I?
I’m a 23-year-old accountant living in the U.S. Midwest. I graduated in December 2011 with my Bachelor’s degree and then proceeded to take half my MBA classes before I came to my senses. My senses being – I don’t have money to pay for my MBA. I’ve worked in a public accounting firm since January 2012 in the tax department. I live with my husband of three years in an apartment in the suburbs. Holy shit, that was incredibly boring. I’m going to have to get a face tattoo now just to shake things up!
Money is my Boyfriend (Excel is my Lover)
I’m a really big fan of money. For spending purposes, not hoarding (which will become obvious as you read this post). I have 6 bajillion spreadsheets that I use to keep track of every dime that has ever existed anywhere on or around my person. I make a decent income and I have the means to have a respectable amount of disposable income, except for the fact that…
My Income Was Already Disposed Of
I gave you all a glimpse into how exactly I got into debt in my post, How to Wreck Your Finances in 4 Years. I told you that I owe approximately $40,000 in student loan debt. My total debt load is more than that – including financed furniture, a financed car, my husband’s student loans, and credit cards (racked up by both reckless spending and a business we owned that is now closed). Awesome, right? I get to test my self-control every month by choosing to put a huge chunk of my “already disposed of” income towards what feels like nothing. Live and learn.
Crap! So What’s the Plan?
- Stop financing/charging/borrowing. Credit cards do not put people in debt. People put themselves in debt. I am not an evolved being who can use credit cards “just for the rewards” at this point in my life. Until I am, I need to not use them.
- Learn balance. I’m all or nothing. I’m either totally gazelle intense or I’m spending $300 at Sephora. Just like a diet, success is highly unlikely both in cases of extreme deprivation and total gluttony. Ah, gluttony – my favorite of the seven deadly sins. Though I’m a fan of sloth as well. But I digress…
- Decrease expenses. I’m doing this masochistic awesome thing where I track my expenses. My findings? I eat (and drink) a large portion of my income. I also have an intense fear of clearance racks – I’m sorry, but clearance is clearance for a reason. Clothing items did not make the clearance rack cut for being awesome. I need to work on that…
- Increase income. Since cutting back sucks, I am prioritizing making more money. Why? Because I enjoy wining, dining, and traveling. (If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m not really the make your own laundry detergent and ration toilet paper squares kinda gal) I am working on this by freelancing and selling crap things I don’t need.
- Do free/cheap things. I have a problematic bias where I don’t think fun and free can coincide. I have to work on that as well. A combination of Netflix, Hulu, my library card, and my smoking hot husband are helping me with this.
- Pay off my freaking debt. This should be self-explanatory…
Anything else?
I don’t know. Is there anything you want to know about me? Ask me anything, I’m an open book! *Ducks to avoid being hit with tax questions*
Nice to meet you Erin!
Thanks, Michelle!
Hi Erin! I like the idea that your income was already disposed of…mine too.
I’ll ask a tax question :) Aren’t you in the midst of your busy season right now? Seems like a rough time to start freelancing
Yes, I am. Last busy season I worked 75+ hours a week and took three online MBA classes. This is a piece of cake :). Thanks for reading, Sara!
*throws tax question*
*hucks another tax question*
You know you opened yourself up to that seeing as it is tax season, right? Wouldn’t matter, I’m in Canada anyway. Nice to meet you Erin, looking forward to more of your posts :)
*Ducks*
*Ducks again*
Nice try!
Thanks a lot, Cassie :).
Haha, luckily we’re meeting with our tax guy on Monday to take care of all our 2012 tax questions. So no need to dodge bullets from me today!
Looking forward to another voice at Money After Grad. So am I getting this clear now – you’re the youngest one writing here, yet you’ve already been married for 3 years? Wow!
Whew!
You know, I swore up and down throughout my teens and into the beginning of college that I would never get married. Marriage looked like it sucked. Then I got married at age 20. Cue Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love”…
Thanks for reading!
I literally said the exact same thing about my wasted money. I’m excited to see an American writing here :) I enjoy Bridget and Gillian’s posts, but sometimes they don’t apply to me (or just don’t make sense, although I think I know more about RRSP’s than most Americans!)
Hi there, Desi! I hear ya, I’m pretty sure the first time I heard about RRSPs was actually on Money After Graduation.
I’ll try to do America proud :).
Welcome Erin! I have the feeling that your posts will be highly entertaining at the very least lol!
Thanks, K.K.! I try :).
Tax department and living in the midwest? Sounds like you are a glutton for punishment. If you can handle tax season and the wild swings in the weather in this neck of the woods, you will be able to pay off your debt in no time!
Welcome aboard!
Seems that way doesn’t it? Thanks, Brian!
Hey… hey.. HEY NOW! You can’t take both money AND Excel. You have to choose one or the either so that I can have one. If not, we’ll just have to share. =P
I’m sorry but my needs cannot be met by just one object ;). I guess we can share! #financialorgy
Haha, thanks for reading!
Sounds like you realize what’s going on and have a plan so that’s great! I look forward to following your journey!
Thanks, Lance! I try to get better each month :).
I treat clearance racks like going to a thrift store. Sometimes it is full of items that are just specifically cut to not fit the traditional body type but that doesn’t mean it’s the worst. Clothing stores manufacture so many pieces that just go to waste, not all clearance items are unflattering potato sacks :D You just need to have a good eye.
This is true, Danielle. I don’t have the eye. I have a hard time putting things together.
Good for you for being able to find the gems on clearance racks. I’m sure your wallet appreciates it :).
Another Midwestern! It’s great having another voice on this blog. I’m 22 and married, so I can relate to you Erin!
Bridget, you just need a southerner to complete your blog! :)