Over worked and under paid--the story of so many of us.....

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I feel really over worked or maybe it is more like I WILL be feeling over worked. I currently work at a local University and I started this job last year.  I came from a steady job at another University and with my drive and determination--- I landed this opportunity.  I beat all the odds-- I was offered a job making more money in one of the most challenging economical times in my country or the world :-S.

Immediately-- I was a busy bee because my department is very under staffed.  I always had my eye on the prize,  I was told we would be hiring another person to replace the old person, so I would be busy but not pulling my hair out busy.  So during the craziest moments of my job, I felt calm knowing that in the future I would have relief. 

Recently I was informed that now they have a University wide budget cut, which means a hiring freeze.  I'm really worried now. Just knowing what is on the horizon is stressful and I will be handling a work load of two people come this fall and onward. The projects are already piling in for the next couple of months and I foresee late nights and weekends working at home.  I know, I know, I should be happy to even have a job right now.

When I accepted this position I received a 7K increase.  It's something and it should help pay the debt down. This is where I am novice saver.  I didn't save the difference in pay and I didn't pay down more of my debt.  Instead I spent more money eating out and buying household items.  I think I've come to terms with this now (FINALLY) and I realize that I need a financial planner to help organize my financial goals.   

Questions for the financial planner: What debt I should be paying more on so I can begin my journey of trying to be debt free? Or how much 403B should I be investing?  Should I even bother investing right now with the debt ceiling fiasco happening in DC? How much will I need for retirement? Should I get a 2nd job?

The second part of my plan is to really establish myself at this job and gain real diverse experience and enjoy the process of learning more.  I have always been the type to constantly look for the next best paying opportunity.  I want to make more money so I can buy more things and live more comfortably.  This is where my sick cycle starts.  I earn more money to throw out more money...

I should be happy----I landed a new job and it pays more than my former job...  I beat out applicants who are unemployed and struggling. This is where my guilt comes in.....  Why do I need more money?  I have enough money to pay bills, eat and dare I say I even have spending money.  I want to make the change and to not spend my hard earned money on frivolous items. (Or basically this increase in pay was a waste.)

So my next step is to look over all my debt (again) interest rates and all-- to really figure out my action plan.  If anyone has advice or has experience with a financial planners, I am all ears.  These financial debt blogs are helping me focus on the prize. THANK YOU!

Couponing is problematic....

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So I'm pretty excited to save money on food this upcoming week.  I plan not to eat out at all and take my lunch to work everyday.  Today I picked up the Sunday early edition paper-- I hurried home and to my surprise the coupons available are really a disappointment.

Is it me or are manufacturer coupons distributing less now?  In the past I remember buying the Sunday paper and seeing a savings of $1,098+ dollars worth of coupons listed on the front page.  Now the coupons are so meek in savings that the paper doesn't even advertise the amount.  I'm already struggling as it is and I haven't even tried to grocery shop yet.  Tomorrow I plan to go to the market as my first attempt to get serious and shop with my coupons and combine them with store sales in order to maximize the amount of food I can afford on my budget.

So I guess all I can really do is try my best and make the most of what I have for this week.  Luckily we do have some food left over from last weeks grocery shopping trip.  It's a total bummer though.

One practical tip I do have for people looking to cut back on food cost is to write companies that you admire and ask for coupons.  It has worked for me in the past and they not only send coupons but will also mail freebie coupons that won't expire for several months...   I think I will start cashing in on these goods now.....

If anyone has advice on how to spend less on food---- please share. Just in case some of you are worried I will become a food hoarder, not to worry.  Extreme couponing is not practical for my time schedule.  I barely have free time as it is and the thought of spending 5 hours a day looking for coupons and walking the streets to dumpster dive is just not going to happen. 

Until next time...

Every little bit counts.....

So my new goal, starting on Sunday (because ahem my friend Aimee made me buy ice tea for $2.44 today)  is to only spend $25.00 a week on food.

Food is my vice and it's not nice.  Tonight I looked over my bank statements and besides bills and more bills, most of my money goes to food.

Here is where I spend my money during the work week.
Cheese croissant and french press coffee (breakfast) = $ 4.15
$4.15 x 5 = $20.75 a week.
$20.75 X 4 = $83.00 a month.

Lunch gets even better.... (weekdays)
anywhere from $5.00 - $10 a day
$100 - $200 a month

Dinner during the week is much better because we tend to eat in and that saves us money.

Starting on Sunday (because we need to food shop)---I plan to only spend $25.00 on food/beverage a week. It will be difficult but with a little common sense and a lot of coupons, I think I can do it.  AS a matter of fact, I know I can do it.  I sometimes shop at Trader Joes and for $20.00 I can usually get a weeks worth of food and this includes poultry, veggies, milk and cereal.  I just need to buckle down and eat breakfast at home, bring my lunch and keep making dinner at night.

P.S.  I also eat out all the time on the weekends.  Brunch, dinner both weekend days.  Before the weekends over--- we spent $100.00 bucks on just food alone..

Welcome

Well Hello World,

New blog here and I'm 100% positive no one is reading this yet.

I am a 30 something female living in Philadelphia. I titled this blog SimpliCity because what living in a city means to me-- simple living.  No car needed in the city of brotherly love.  No car = savings on gas and car payments. Work is only a 15 minute commute.

A little bit about myself.  I will always remain anonymous on this blog.  I plan to share my financial life with all of my readers, which is very personal.  I hope to help myself and others by being frank and sharing my payments on my debt and to myself.  On a personal note, I'm newly married and I live in a small house in South Philly.  I have no credit card debt but I am a somewhat new home owner and I have school loans, yes still = UGH.

My goal is to continue living a simple life, finding bargains for necessities, saving money and paying down my own debt.  My husband and I have separate bank accounts and while he helps me with bills.  It is still a struggle to find the balance on living frugal and saving money.  I want this blog to be about my journey to financial freedom, not my husbands.  He is frugal and does not carry any debt.  I would like to contribute to our comfort too.  I recently started couponing, which helps with cost of toiletries and food.  Don't worry I will not become one of those wacky extreme couponers------ but I probably should.

I use to be overly extravagant with my money and sometimes I resort back to my old self...  I'm hoping this blog helps me stay focused and see the bigger financial picture.

Unfortunately, we all live in a time where the rich get wealthier and the poor can barely swim above water.  Right now, my 403B account is pathetic and I have 28.5 more years of mortgage payments.  My house is just shy of 1,000 sq ft and my backyard fits a table, flowers and a grill, that is it.  I don't need 3,000 sq ft to prove to the world that I have made it.  Yes, space is nice but I inspire to feel comfortable enough that if I loose my job tomorrow, I would be OK for 8 months. Based on Suzie Orman advice, I should have 8 months of emergency savings.  Right now I have 1 month... I also plan to make extra payments on my mortgage so I can reduce my 30 year mortgage to 19 years.  I am now keeping a spreadsheet on every time I save money at the store or bills in general. The monthly amount will go into my savings account at the end of the month.

So here is the blog plan.

Every week I will post how much I saved on food shopping and bills and give you tips that I learn along the way.  This might include couponing, 403B-401K, mortgage payments, the list will go on and on.  This first entry is just a hello and explanation of my blog attempt.

I'm inspired by my brother who is the frugal king and has been counting and crunching numbers since he was an infant.  I am impressed with my old college roommate. She paid for college on her own, managed to work full time and save 20K when she was only 25 yrs old.  Both of them have always had a 5 year plan.  I am not that girl.  I live for the moment and spend in the moment. Not any more....  I want to be as focused and driven as my friend and brother.

So Atsuko and Al i dedicate this blog to you.  The savvy savers and the 5 year planners.