Monday, August 30, 2010

Interview....

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

I have an interview at a firm on Wednesday. Please wish me well and keep me in your thoughts. The job means a nice six-figure salary and I will no longer have to work two jobs. I put off posting it here because I wanted to tell my family and friends first but I couldn't wait to share the news. I already have employment forms to fill out and my Mom is picking up my suit from the dry cleaners today.

This is also the firm where I decided to travel out of town for the charity networking event a few weeks ago. I hope the investment pans out.

I have to work tonight at Macys. I really appreciate the job but I look forward to having just one job that is both challenging and fulfilling. The schedule got posted on Friday that I was working not just the 4th Saturday in a row but also Saturday and Sunday next weekend, which is the second holiday in a row. I called the counter manager on Sunday and asked her about the rotation and also told her I was getting burned out. In 33 days, I would of only had 2 days off from working in some capacity at the Bank or at the Part-time job...it is too much. Plus, some weeks they have me on for more than 12 hours...more like 20. While I appreciate the extra money, it comes with its own cost. I am finding that I am not willing to pay that cost for too much longer.

So, please keep me in your prayers that I get this position. It's a great firm and I already met some really nice people there just through networking. Plus, the firm is still downtown so I can keep up with my Bank colleagues that I will surely miss.

P.S. I ended up in the Black again for August!!! More to come soon. =)

Friday, August 27, 2010

Weekend...

Wishing you all a very good weekend.

I have some wonderful things on the horizon. Can't wait to share with you. In the meantime, I only have to work on Saturday so I will definitely find something to get into this weekend.

Cheers!!! =)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Credit Card...

My CC balance will be under $20,000 next month. I am so excited!!! =)

Monday, August 23, 2010

Weekend and Weekly Status Report...

I had a good weekend. My friend came down with the stomach flu so we didn't get a chance to go out for drinks on Friday night. I think it was for the best since I had to be back at work by 8:30 the next morning. I was supposed to go to a birthday party on Saturday night but I ended up visiting my parents, playing with my nephew and watching the Chicago Bears game. It was perfect in my eyes. =)

Sunday was also cool. I was going to get up and hit the gym but my best friend needed someone to lean on and I was right there. We hung out and I hope I lifted her spirits a bit. She’ll be okay. She is a wonderful person. I took her over to my parent’s house and my fmaily just has a way of making any day just a little brighter. After we drove back to her house, I got my car and then went to visit my Grandmother in the nursing home. She even let my Mom take her outside after eating dinner. I was glad that she also decided to go to the cafeteria with all of the other residents when we were leaving so she wasn’t left alone in her room.

My Mom cooked dinner and my entire family came over and it was just…LOVE. I am so thankful. =)

Here is my progress report and I am still in the black. One more week in the reporting period and I get paid on Friday from the part-time job. I worked a little over 20 hours last week so it should be a decent payday.

Wishing you a wonderful day!!! In gratitude – Chitown




Thursday, August 19, 2010

My Truth Today...

Well, I put off coming here to tell you guys because I wanted a different outcome. However, it is my truth today so here it is...Chitown is Single once again. Yes, the BF and I broke up again a few weeks ago. The dust is still settling from his hasty departure from my life.

I choose not to have anything but love in my heart for him because I wish him the very best. I also choose to be thankful for every single moment I got to spend with him. He was my friend, my heart and companion. I do miss him but every day is better than the day before.

I have the uncanny ability to love unconditionally. I have found that I go out of my way for people and I love them with all of my heart and I am extremely loyal. I will go through the fire for the people I care about and I am used to being the "go to" person who takes care of everyone and everything.

Unfortunately, the people who claim to love me fall short in reciprocating that love, patience and attention to taking care of me in the same regard. So, I am taking care of me now and putting me first. I pray that I will one day have unconditional love and the kind of love that sticks, commits and shows up in good and tough times...A partner in this journey we call life.

Unconditional Love: Once upon a time, there was a person who said they would love you forever. Their love moved on, but your love stayed in the same place. Consider the opportunity to love the greatest of all blessings, even when love doesn't go your way. The love you give is the love you get, and it is all good no matter where love takes you. Let the ability to love another belong to you forever and ever because real love stories never end. - Philosophy

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Financial Update...

My mortgage payment is going up $100 starting next month for property taxes so it's back to the drawing board with the budget.

I found a discounted parking garage directly across from the part-time job for $12.00/day. It's just like the garage I park in now and will be a much safer option at night. Great!!! I wish I had someone willing to pick me up once or twice a week and bring me home. Then I wouldn't need to drive downtown or pay for parking. Maybe soon.

I get paid $139 on Friday from the part-time job, bringing my total part-time income for the month to $486. I will earn about ~ $200 this week and get paid the last Friday of the month on the 27th. Since I get paid from my banking position on the 30th, I will probably put the entire $200 into savings or split it and put $100 towards my credit card and $100 into savings.

I have to work tonight, Friday night and Saturday. No biggie. I may go out for drinks with a friend on Friday night and then I am done on Saturday at 4:30pm. Weather permitting, I may walk over to Navy Pier and the Lake to hang out. I haven't been there in a couple of years.

I may try to get in a round of golf on Sunday and see if my Sister wants to take my 17-month old nephew to the Acquarium. I really can't wait to have a husband and start a family of my own. I stopped by my parent's house last night on a whim and ended up playing with my nephew for about 2 hours. The little guy just brings so much joy and love into my life. I have so much love to give so I look forward to when my day will come. In the meantime, I will hug, kiss and tickle my nephew and watch him grow into a wonderful person.

Have a great day!!! With gratitude - Chitown =)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Philosophy: Amazing Grace

All is better in my world. I am enjoying falling in love with ME all over again. I feel stronger, more confident and proud. I am so thankful for God's Grace and the Grace that my family and friends show me every day to push me to be the best woman I can possibly be. =)

Life is a classroom and we are both student and teacher. Each day is a test and each day we receive a passing or a failing grade in one particular subject: Grace. Grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, tolerance, and the list goes on and on. It’s something money can’t buy and credentials rarely produce. Being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest, or even the poorest, can’t help. Being a humble person can and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude. - Philosophy

With Love…Chitown. =)

Monday, August 16, 2010

Weekly Status Report...



Not much to say. Halfway through the month and so far so good. =)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Networking Trip...

I am having a great time in Wisconsin for this networking event. I played my best round of golf yet and had so much fun in the sun. After the golf luncheon, I went to thank the Chairman and he asked if I was able to meet the Partner in his firm that was in my foursome. Come to find out, this Partner is on the hiring and executive committee. I got along well with him and all of my team. I was probably the second best golfer too in our foursome. Thumbs up!!!

I feel like a lightbulb started to go off in my head when I took the day off on Tuesday. It really went off on Wednesday morning after I had a long and serious talk with a friend. I am going to be just fine, I have so much to offer and I am can add so much to this world and my relationships than any shortcomings I can perceive that I have. I mean come on....I'm Chitown. I am one bad chick!!! =)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Just Me...

Hi Everyone!!!

I took off from work yesterday because I felt like my world was crumbling down around me. For a little over a year, things have been spiraling out of control for me and I am having issues with my family, my relationship, my health, my employment situation and of course my finances. I decided to get some help and counseling to figure it all out and I am finally excited about my future and what lies ahead. I have a pretty good support group around me and of course it can only get bigger if I allow my walls to come down, relax and open up a bit. Strange that I can come here and put my finances on blast but I don't do that anywhere else in my life. Of course this blog is anonymous so there is some sense of security and privacy.

I am going through the Employee Assistance Program here at work and the help and everything is confidential. I am bit of a late bloomer but I know that I am going to be stronger, more successful and even more beautiful on the inside and out very soon. So watch out...Chitown is turning a corner and moving in a better direction. =)

Monday, August 09, 2010

Weekly Status Report...

I had a good weekend. I met up with some friends on Friday night for drinks. I played two softball games on Saturday and took a pretty hard hit during the game. Somehow, I managed to peel myself off the ground and keep going. I did however develop a massive headache later that night which made the comedy show pretty unbearable. My friend and I left early and I got to bed just before midnight.

Sunday was cool. I got some sleep. My sister and brother in law passed on the water park since it looked like it was going to rain. So, I went with my Mom to see my Grandmother in the nursing home instead. She isn't doing so great. She is very combative and can barely stand on her own anymore. A couple of weeks ago, she was rushed to the hospital when she fell and hit her head. So, the nursing home is taking some extra precautions to keep her from falling again. Alzheimers is just a very sad disease and while I know my Mom wishes she could care for her, she needs 24-hour care. After dinner, my Dad and I got in 9 holes of golf last night which was pretty fun and a great way to wrap up the weekend.

I have to work late tonight and Wednesday. I also have to work all weekend. I need to find the discounted parking garage closer to the part-time job because it's getting dark earlier here in Chicago. It will be safer for me to find a closer parking garage so that I am not walking across downtown late at night by myself.

Here is my progress report for August. Have a wonderful day. =)

Friday, August 06, 2010

July Recap and Weekend Plans...

My July recap is below. Sorry I haven't been blogging much lately...been going through some stuff. Finally finished my quarterly reporting at work on Tuesday so I feel like I can breathe a little easier.

I am a little ticked off with my part-time job. I got there yesterday thinking I had the weekend off to find out I may have to work on Sunday. The counter manager said that the official schedule didn't make sense because it had too much overlap. I should have stood up right then and there and told her I couldn't work on Sunday. I was already fine with the schedule for the week. I called the top manager and told her I needed Thursday and Friday off a couple of weeks ago since I am traveling out of state for a networking opportunity. She put me on for Monday and Wednesday evening and Saturday which was just fine by me. I was actually planning to go to Indiana with my sister, brother-in-law and nephew to a water park I've been wanting to go to for years. They said this wouldn't happen again so I think I am going to call her and tell her that I already had family plans that can't be broken. The schedule I already had gave me 11 hours and that is just fine with me. They can work on the overlap issues going forward. Yes...I am going to call as soon as I finish this post. Gotta start standing up for myself more!!!

Anyway....What are your weekend plans?

I already mentioned the water park on Sunday. Tonight I am supposed to meet up with two of my friends for drinks after work. I have a softball game on Saturday and then I am going to a comedy show on Saturday night with another friend. Should be a fun weekend...provided I don't have to work on Sunday.

Be safe and have a wonderful weekend. Don't forget...July's recap is below. =)

*** Update: I called and I don't have to work on Sunday!!! Yeah!!!

Thursday, August 05, 2010

July 2010 Recap...


See the change in my cash balance? Well I realized that I inflated my cash balances by including my monthly paycheck. Since pretty much the entire thing goes to pay bills, I decided not to include it going forward.

Debt levels are slowly but surely going down. Everything was paid and paid on time. I cannot wait to see the credit card balance gone...maybe early next year. Chase asks me for $425 but I make sure that I pay the accrued interest and $400 towards principal each month. I am going to try to make it $500 in August. Wish me luck!!!



***A further budget breakdown is below.

This is the first month I stayed within budget....probably since I started working 10 years ago. The part-time helped out a lot. I made a few adjustments in July. For starters, I decided to pay for my transporation costs including parking, train and gas with my credit card so I can better budget that category each month. Secondly, beginning in August, I started to save each month for my quarterly water bill and my annual home insurance so that I don't have to pay the lump sums I had to pay in July. Those expenses can be budget busters for sure (see below).



My credit scores are great and steadily improving. They have never been this high before so I know I am moving in the right direction. My goal is to continue to pay everything and everyone on time, to keep improving my credit ratios, to improve my spending habits, pay down debt and learn to balance living and financial responsibility.

Not a bad month Chitown!!! =)