Can someone please toss me a bag of money?

So I am in a transition mode which is costing me a buttload of money. Last night I decided to go out for drinks with a new group of women and what happens... my check engine light comes on. Of course it does--my car title is still warm from the hands of the banker so it's right about time that I experience car trouble.

Isn't this about a you-know-what!!??! Hopefully, prayerfully it's not something that will break the bank.

sorry, sorry, sorry...

Lately it seems as if I've been going through these blog phases. It's been weeks since my last post. And after making some new friends in the blog world, I fell so guilty about not keeping up my site.

So, here's what's been going on over the past few weeks....

#1 Sex in the City II - I didn't get dolled up to go see the movie. I didn't go with a bunch of girlfriends. Instead, I went to the theatre in my fabulous cropped jeans, black wife beater, statement necklace and flats. I grabbed my big Coach bag (filled it with goodies) and went to the matinee. Now, I tried not to pay any attention to the reviews--but I heard mumblings about "how bad it was." It was SOOOO not bad! The movie wasn't great but it fulfilled my expectations of fashion, sex, love, family and glamour.

#2 Work - Let's just say the dynamics of work are changing. For the past six years I have dedicated a lot.... A LOT of time to my career. That career has allowed me to meet so many successful people and now I am transitioning into the next phase of my life. I am setting myself up to be my own boss. So the past few weeks have been spent trying to nail down one big contract and a much smaller one that will boost my income by a little more than A LOT!

#3 Family - My family dynamic is taxing these days. I think that your family as a whole has its ups and downs. This is a down moment. There is just a lot of expectations from certain family members right now and I am not willing to commit.

#4 Love - Speaking of commit... whew, this love train is bumpy to say the least. Lately, me and The Mister have been playing the blame game about the smallest things ever. It's getting old and I'm over it and so is he... BUT we are not over us. So, we are weighing our options so we can give this love train its annual tune-up and make things work. But can I tell you, OMG, I am about to pull all of my hair out!

#5 Unit M - The condo is simply fabulous!!!!!!!!! It is now about 95% complete. You may remember my complaining about the hoge poge of things that ended up in my bedroom. Well this week I made it werk! Pics to come. It's super pretty...and super romantic. The Mister hasn't seen or heard about it yet. If he acts right, maybe he can stay the night;)

That's all for this post. It's already way to long. So put me back on your regular blogroll. I will make it up to you. I promise.

~Elise

Can I jump on my soapbox for a moment?

I am SOOOO sick of paying bills. It seems as though they come faster than I can pay them. I know it's a part of life and a part of being an adult. But it is NOT fun at all.

While I am blessed to have a job that pays well and a signifcant other who is also financially stable, we still hate paying all these friggin bills. Ugghhhh!!!

Okay, thanks for tuning in to this edition of my soapbox, now back to blogging.

Muah.

"It's not what you make, it's how you manage"

I know that I always post about fashion, decor and sometimes you even get a snapshot of my life BUT I need to be a responsible blogger.

I LOVE shoes and clothes and furniture...but more importantly I love being financially responsible.

So while I may urge you to check out a scarf or pick up a pair of shoes...please, please, please be financially fit!

There was a time (not too long ago) when I wasn't. Like many women my priorities were ALL wrong! I had to have new this and new that...but I didn't have money in the bank.

To this day, I have friends who I think live well beyond their means...but I have other friends who live within their means...and even some who live below their means who STILL manage to do it fabulously.

Today, that is how I live. BELOW my means.

While m$ney is not oozing out of the seams, I make a decent income for a semi-single woman with no children.

While I am not quite debt free, I have very little debt. No car loans, no credit cards, no outstanding medical expenses, no tax bills. Aside of student loans, I have about $5K of outstanding debt (and that will be gone within the next six months). More importantly, I no longer stress about money. You know why...it's because I've learned to prioritize what's important.

Prime example: I have a $200 dress in my closet that I bought when I didn't even have $200 in the bank. Three years later, I can appreciate that dress and many others....AND I have an E-fund.

Don't get me wrong, I still buy nice things..but nice doesn't have to mean expensive and I don't buy what I can't afford.

Some people think that because the money is in the bank, you can afford it. WRONG!!!! If you don't have an emergency account--equal to at least one month's salary...you can't afford ish!

That was so hard for me to comprehend as a young adult. NOW, I get it.

I get the bulk of my financial advice from my grandmother (MeMa) on a regular basis who has worked hard to be a six figure woman aside from my grandfather. She lives fabulous...but she stresses the importance of hard work AND money management.

She continues to help me through my journey of being a financially independent business woman, motivational speaker, soon-to-be wife, soon-to-be mother, soon-to-be real estate mogul. (Yep, that's the plan!)

And that plan does not include flushing my m$ney down the toilet. I work waaay too hard!

Her motto...and now my motto is: "It's not what you make, it's how you manage."

Here are a few tips I found over at Fabulous Financials. Many of these tips I live by!!!!

Saving Tips
$$$Open a savings account that doesn't allow easy ATM access

$$$Start small if you have to, $5 is better than nothing

$$$Do not 'binge save' or deprive yourself, it’s a recipe for failure

$$$Pay yourself first! Save before any other money is spent…even before bills

$$$To curb the temptation to spend, consider payroll allotments so the money never touches your hands

$$Establish a realistic goal to keep you focused

$$$Share your goals with your inner circle for support

$$$Surround yourself with positive people who will motivate you

$$$Save at least 1/2 of your found money (i.e. bonus, tax refund, gifts, etc.)

As with all other goals, saving requires discipline. It is hard at first, but it doesn’t take much to get started. Watching your money grow is the greatest reward. Imagine being fabulous AND financially savvy!