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this is why i don’t write a blog about finances
By heather | October 22, 2008
Did you hear there’s like, an economic crisis going on?
I haven’t written about it because, eh…everyone else is writing about it. People who pay attention to these things and have budgets and clip coupons and have much more valuable advice and tips like packing your lunch and then washing and re-using your Ziploc bags.
The insidious creep of bad news has finally broken through my self-imposed fog, and it mostly consists of mail on my counter shaking me and saying, “You better start paying attention to something other than HOW HAAAARRRRDDD it is going back to work! Or else you’re going to have to take on a second gig to feed your face cream addiction!”
I was pleased to learn that my 401K that I manage only (ONLY) lost 5%. I based that calculation on contributions for the year and the current value. On the other hand, my account that I PAY a large company to manage for me? Tanking at -22%.
The lesson here is the same one I try to teach Brett every year while making football picks – pretty colors and names count for a hell of a lot because that’s how I “allocated my assets”. I once invested in the Ariel funds (which are now defunct) because that was my cat’s name (cat also defunct). Coincidence? I like to think it’s sheer genius.
Yesterday in the mail, I got a Notice Of Change In Terms from one of our credit cards. Sounds ominous, no? It was…it said, “Soon, your interest rate is going to go up to 20.99%! And it’s variable! But don’t worry, it won’t go higher than 30%! Yippee!”
I had better interest rates when I was a year out of college with $25,000 in debt and a job that paid less than that in a year. But guess what stupid evil interest rate ratcheters? I don’t even use that card. In fact, I’m not even sure where it is. So I DO NOT accept your new terms. Which means you will close my account. Truthfully, I thought it was already closed which is maybe why I don’t deserve low interest rates. We shall part ways.
That also sparked a marital money discussion of “Hey now we really better be good about paying off the credit card we DO use because we buy everything on that card.” That $40 late fee ain’t nothing compared to the interest we’d pay on our cumulative monthly expenses if our other card’s interest rate went up. The notice of that event will probably be in today’s mail.
Does all this mean it’s time I start balancing our checkbook? I’m so hyper-tense about everything else maybe I should figure out how much we spend on Pampers and shoes and handbags and alcohol so that like all the educated financial writers I can ACTUALLY KNOW how much more things cost instead of just having a vague suspicion that cake mix at WalMart is cheaper than at the grocery store.
And then I can chastise myself for clipping coupons but not using them, and not being able to figure out that Drugstore Game so I can get free stuff, and shopping without lists, and buying handbags that I couldn’t afford if I weren’t working to make myself feel better about going back to work. And then my general sense of guilt can continue to mushroom into something that consumes me like the black mold on our shower curtain.
Never mind.
Topics: self improvement, this is why | 4 Comments »
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October 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
You should get paid to write. This is hilarious. Not really funny that it’s happening to you…
Vicki’s last blog post..Feminine Glory
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I know things are crappy right now but I’m not obsessing over it. Things go up, they go down, whateve I’m not retiring right now.
I try to do the coupons thing when I remember but eh, it’s not a dealbreaker. We do though pay off our balance on the credit card every month, we never pay finance charges. That is serious cash that can add up and compared to the couple of dollars coupons can save you is like Godzilla and Bambi.
skiplovey’s last blog post..Skiplovey eats with the fishes
October 25th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Pay extra every month. It’s a great feeling to pay off those credit cards. My husband and I use to carry balances and finally paid everything off and only have our mortgage to pay now. It takes time and effort, but the feeling of accomplishment and control is worth every bit of it. Good luck.
Joy’s last blog post..Searching for Pinky
October 26th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Stopping in from BPOTW. I feel your pain, and I’m right there with you in my fog of denial. I have a plan: Every time they start talking about financial crisis, interest rates and a depression I pick up my book and start reading about romance, adventure and other such escapism. Yep, I live in the Land of Denial, and I like it. Want to join me?
Brenda’s last blog post..Alzheimer’s Takes It’s Toll on G. G.