Cube-Mate

The millennial workplace strikes again. I keep hearing conversations about our student loan debt and who is taking it seriously. My new cubemate just started paying on her student loans after a period of deferment. She’s just a year older than myself, but put off the loans for some extra time. I’ve been paying on mine for over a year now. Her total balance is at about $33,000, which I’ve heard is about average. I owe about $47,000 in student loans and even more when adding in my auto loan. 

This is her first student loan payment. I only knew because I heard, “ughs I have to make my loan payment today.” I asked her why she isn’t on direct withdrawal, which can save you in interest. She kept going on,  “I’m just going to be broke the rest of my life. I’m going to be in debt.” I wanted to point to my progress chart on my desk and say that she has no room to talk, but that would be kinda mean. 

It sucks that people get into a negative mindset. There are so many ways this can affect you. Not only in your work habits and financial life, but also your relationships too. Personally, I don’t want to be around someone who is such a Debbie Downer, but so is cubelife. 

Cracks in the Plan

On my way to work one day this week, a bigger rock flew out of a dump truck and right at my window. It didn't seem to make too bad of a crack, so I was hoping I could get a tool and fix it. Nope. I went back out at lunch and it had spread across the front of the car to about a foot total.

I called my insurance and the deductible is $500, so I didn't submit a claim. Then I called the area auto glass people to get quotes. I waited to hear back and mentioned to my mom about the price. We called a more local place and got it down another $20. I ended up spending about $220 on a new windshield. It sucked. No lies there, but what was good is that it came right out of my auto fund. I'll be putting money back into it as soon as I can. 

The whole week of work my new teammates are asking me, “Why don't you just move closer?" When things like cracks or bad weather happen I really consider it, but then when I hear about someone paying $800 a month for their apartment I remember why. 

I'll keep my car repairs and free rent. Thank you very much. 

June Net Worth

May was a pretty successful month. I moved into another new role within my company and started on a new team. I also spent time with my family for mother's day, memorial day, and most importantly my mom's birthday.

I've started a new payment system for my Parent PLUS loans. I am paying about $200 out of each paycheck towards the balance. In exciting news, I found out today that the provider has updated their system. It will now allow me to decide where the extra funds after interest will go. Previously, I had to call when I made my extra payments. It's small, but definitely will streamline the process.

I made a good amount of progress this month. I am up $911.72 from last month. I also am at a -$55,689.53, but that's better than before. I'm still on the upward trend, so that's a positive note.


I've enjoyed spending time with family and friends this month. June will be a challenge because one of my favorite music festivals happens at the end of the month. Look forward to posts about what strategies I came up with.

Vacation Dreams

A work friend of mine just got back from a trip to Europe. She visited France and Italy. The Instagram pics were beautiful. 

When she came back, we recapped over lunch. She asked about my travels. I've mostly been on family vacations and one trip for a wedding, but it's all been within the US. 

I've started to think about what life will be like when I've paid off all my debt. I'll have about $900 a month to do with my choosing. I've wanted to travel, but it has always seemed like something I can't afford. If I'm able to stay out of debt and pay off all of my current debt, I want to go on a trip. A real out of the country vacation. 

I explained this dream to my friend and she asked me why and how I can wait that long. Since I'm not used to lavish vacations, I know waiting won't be too hard. My first and most important goal is paying off that debt, so I want to stay focused. As it gets closer, maybe I can start saving earlier for my trip. Overall, I want to finish one thing and then reward myself at the end of the long trip. 

Here's to thinking in the long term. 

Living on the Edge

I have $5 until payday. I know right? Pretty scary. I've put myself in a position where I'm still technically living “paycheck to paycheck”. 

The FI goal is to be a month ahead in your account for all of your bills/expenses. I'm not quite on that level. I really have more than $5 to my name. I have funds in savings for my extra loan payments, auto mishaps, and medical needs. I have needed to dip into those accounts a few times when I miscalculated, but I always repay it first thing. 

Maybe the thrill of only having $5 for the next two days excites me. Maybe I like allocating every cent. And maybe I accidentally put a little too much into savings. Whatever the reason, I'm so thankful I have wonderful home cooked leftovers for lunch the next couple days. 

Bi-monthly Payments

This is my first month of a new loan strategy. I will be paying on my PLUS loans twice a month instead of just once. I've heard this will help reduce the overall interest paid. 

I paid $250 from my first monthly check and just paid another $250 from my most recent check. Now I'm paying more overall, but it feels like less initially. 

I'm constantly looking at my Google Spreadsheet for my Debt Avalanche tracker. It will be nice to update it another time each month. I have noticed that it's taking off smaller amounts each time, but all together it makes a difference. 

I will be putting less overall to savings. With my recent raise, it should offset some of that difference. I am moving toward putting ALL extra funds right to the loans, but I still need more confidence to do that. 

Overall, it's a new strategy to keep things fresh and challenging. I know I'm starting to get comfortable. 

Party On

Summer time is the season of weddings, parties, and barbecues. I'll be throwing my best friend from forever a gender reveal party. It's her first child and I'm hoping for her to have a little girl. She has four sisters and only a couple boy cousins. Everyone else is pulling for a boy, but I know a girl would be a handful if she is anything like her mother.

We've been planning this party for about two months or so. We have multiple sweets and decorations picked out. I've been trying to make this party as fun and thrifty as possible.

• Plan out your party menu ahead of time. I've been picking up two liter sodas and blocks of cheese for the past three weeks as they are on sale at my grocery store.
• Invest in decorations where they make the biggest punch. I have bought only three or four “boy or girl” gender reveal specific decorations. I'll put these up in highly visible places to look the most spirited.
• Go to your local dollar store. I picked up more decorations, paper products, and even balloons there. I came home with a car full for about $30.
• Be ok with asking others to pitch in. I asked my friend if she could get some of the food, since it will be at my family's home and I'll be making the deserts. She was completely understanding and is excited to be involved.
• Don’t spend on games or music. Everyone will be talking and getting to know each other anyway. Pandora in the background and an old Catchphrase or Apples to Apples game will work well as icebreakers.

Overall, I am most excited to start the “new baby” festivities. Adding another member to our crew will only bring new stories and excitement.