Off-topic

If I've learned anything in this last year, it's that I thrive when I have a project. Sometimes my projects are silly (watch all episodes of Scrubs in order; develop a great skincare routine; amass an enviable shoe collection). Sometimes - not often enough - they're a bit more lofty.

My new project is, of course, getting into grad school. Nothing excites me - or scares me - more than the prospect of getting my PhD. I have no doubt I will enjoy every minute of it.

While completing my undergrad degree, I didn't know that grad school was right for me. I enjoyed my studies tremendously, but I harbored the goal of going into journalism - and my extracurricular activities (freelancing and working at the student newspaper) reflected this goal. Now, of course, I work in marketing - Journalism Lite. I've proven that I can earn good money and live on my own with only a bachelor's degree under my belt, and I have a job that many people covet. Still, I want nothing more than to give up my current career and immerse myself in academia once again. That's what I've learned during my career thus far.

I've already written down all the baby steps I need to complete to accomplish my new goal - starting by speaking with a grad school adviser at my alma mater's Career Center (which I will do a week from today).

From now on, my life will consist of meeting with professors, researching schools, writing personal statements, and the like. And I couldn't be happier. I have a measurable, hopefully realistic, goal (get accepted to at least one PhD program) and I have broken down all the steps I need to complete to get there.

For the first time for quite a while, I have a three, six, and 12-month plan. It feels wonderful.

I tell you this for a few reasons. First, sharing this goal with other people makes it real. Second, because this is a fashion blog, and it's entirely likely I'll be thinking a bit less about fashion from here on out. Well, that may not be true. Thinking and writing about style is comforting and fun for me, and I will always make room for the (often frivolous) things that bring me joy - because without them, I would be a crabby shell of a person.

So...if anyone has any tips for getting into grad school, or surviving once you're there, I am all ears. My plan is to study Sociology, by the way, though I am also considering Gender Studies or Social Work.

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Tackling New Year's Resolution #1: Don't be a bastard about money

I'm getting my personal finances in order this year, and it feels so good. The feeling of living well, saving money and making wise purchases is so much better than the momentary high of retail therapy. At least that's what I tell myself.

Here's what I've done so far:

• Put $1,500 in an IRA with USAA
• Opened a checking account with USAA and put $600 in it solely for discretionary spending. Having my discretionary spending in a USAA account is ideal because USAA debit cards can be used at any ATM - USAA refunds all ATM fees (up to ten withdrawals a month, or $15 in fees).
  
• Tucked away my Macy's and Nordstrom gift cards, rather than spending them right away
• Not used my credit card at all (i.e. no online purchases, and I'm paying for gas and groceries using my debit card)
• Brought my lunch to work at least 4 of every 5 workdays, and eaten dinner at home
• Steered clear of coffee shops when I'm alone (i.e. not meeting a friend for coffee)

Next steps:

• Put at least $500 more in the IRA
• Track my discretionary spending, and budget accordingly. If I can stick to $100 a month that's great, if not that's ok, but I still want to give myself a limit each month simply for the sake of discipline
• Keep track of my Washington Mutual checking account (from which I pay bills) and transfer money to my savings account when I can. I do this anyway, but it will be more significant now since my credit card bill is smaller or nonexistent.
• Figure out how much I should aim to save each month. It's sad I haven't yet figured this out yet, but relatively recently I got a new job and a much more expensive apartment, so cut me some slack. By the way, my mother and other people say saving 10% each month is good, but I think that's way too low considering I don't have children or high transportation expenses, and my clothing budget is slashed.
• Do my taxes and deposit the refund into my savings account or IRA. (Note to self: need to find W-2 from previous job! Eek!)
• Consider moonlighting/other sources of income. My full-time job only requires 35 hours a week, so I might as well devote some of my free time to The Man, right?
  

And that's it! Probably the hardest part was assembling all my financial documents into one expandable folder. I'm terrible about keeping track of papers, especially those that come through the mail. I opened a USAA checking account awhile back, and lost the debit card before activating it. So I had to order a new one. I make stupid mistakes like this a lot - but luckily my mistakes don't include stuff like marrying a deadbeat or buying a BMW on impulse. Hee!

Amendment

As an amendment to my #1 New Year's Resolution:

Rather than setting aside $500 in a separate account for clothes, I'm going to set aside $1200 ($100 a month) in a separate account as a "slush fund" to cover clothes, jewelry, eating out (funds for groceries and food purchased at the farmer's market will come from my main account), and other miscellaneous expenses like movie tickets and bar tabs. We'll see how this goes!

Eat My Shorts, 2008

I sort of have a problem with resolutions. First of all, most people don't keep them, so they just became an exercise in bullshit posturing. Secondly, while I have no objection to self-improvement, I think some people take it too far. Always striving to be better can make you terribly unsatisfied with who you are, what you have and what you've accomplished.

So, keeping those things in mind, I'd like to strike a balance: 80% celebrating what I have and who I am, and 20% growing. So here goes:

1. Make more, spend less. Max out my IRA contribution and start being more vigilant about budgeting. Since my take-home pay continues to rise, I have no excuse for managing my money carelessly. Also, I am going to open a separate account for clothes purchases, with only $500 to last me the entire year. Oh yes.

2. Absolutely no shoe purchases. I'm not even going to go into DSW or the Nordstrom shoe department unless I am accompanying a family member or friend.

3. No hair-dyeing. I went in for beautiful red and brown lowlights a couple of weeks ago, and they've already faded. The cost just isn't worth it, especially since my hair is an attractive enough honey blonde in its natural state.

4. Get more involved with the community. This helps counteract the feeling of being an apathetic, entitled yuppie asshole, I'm told. I already volunteer at the Humane Society, but I should do more. I might get involved with the local group in support of my favorite presidential candidate, start tutoring children at the library, or get involved with the local lawn bowling association (hey, lawn bowling is hilarious).

5. Apply to grad school. (Getting in is quite another matter! Heh.)

6. Go abroad. Reconciling this with resolution #1 might be difficult, but I think I can manage a cheap trip somewhere.

7. Be honest yet kind. I've just about mastered honesty, but while I certainly have kindness in my heart, it doesn't always come through in my interactions with others.

8. Battle jealousy with gratitude. I've felt jealousy bubble up lately, and it's eating away at me. I think gratitude is a good way to keep jealousy at bay. Plus, counting your blessings is always a good idea. I might start making daily lists of good things that happened/things I can be thankful for. Totally cheesy, I know.

9. Make things. Cook good food, make beautiful art, take lots of pictures. Create beauty and capture it wherever I find it. This means going to the farmer's market EVERY Sunday (no excuses except vicious hangovers!) and wandering around the neighborhood taking pictures at least once a month.

(And if you'll excuse some kvetching...wait, actually don't excuse it. This is my own damn blog...)

Frankly, I'm fucking bummed right now. My rat is dead, my boyfriend keeps blowing me off which leads me to think he's screwing around, and after visiting Portland, I'm down about the insane cost of living here in SD. This year is not looking auspicious so far, though I will certainly not forget that it could be much, much worse. Sigh.