About Me

I've been reading personal finance blogs for about 2 years now and decided it would be good for me to start my own. I'm currently a 26 year old, married, college grad who is giving up her job in marketing/advertising to go back to school full-time and get her MA w/teaching certificate in Elementary Education. My program will not start until January 2008, so until then we'll be watching our pennies closely.

My DH (dear husband) and I live in Chicago, where prices are high and friends are always wanting to do something, so saving is hard! I've been told by "friends" that I am a cheap and this has led to many arguments. One this is for sure, is I'm not cheap, but I will admit to being frugal. I don't spend money unless I have it. An example of cheap is not taking your animals to the vet for checkups - I would never do this!

I grew up in the lower-middleclass side of life. My parents showed me how important it is to not make frivilous purchases (such as going out to eat for lunch everyday, buying new clothes just because, etc.) They didn't necessarily keep to a budget, but they usually didn't spend what they didn't have.

So, yes, I'm starting a new career and thought it would be good to track my progress with some blogging.

Here are some of our stats. Our joint income before taxes is about $70K, but once I go back to school this will go down to about $40K.

This is just an estimate as I don't have all the paperwork in front of me.

Savings:
We are usually able to save at least $750 a month.
- Emigrant American Dream $14000 @ 4.75 (i think)
- Emigrant My Way CD $ 5000 @ 5.15
-Chase Accounts $ 6000 @ 0.75
-Roth IRA (2) $8000 ?
-401K (just started) $1000?
-Chase checking $3000
-Money Market $8000?

Liabilities:
-School Loan $5000
-Car $12000 (?)
-Credit Card $240 (this will be paid in full in Aug.)
Monthly spending: $3600 (includes everything - rent, utilities, fun money, etc.)

I think we're doing ok, for now, but I do worry about how everything will NEED to change once I'm not making a decent salary. Anyway, wish me luck through this process, i'm hoping it will not be too much of a struggle.