1. I know how to count it.
2. According to my dad and Nick, "You should always live below your means." [You meaning me]
3. Also according to my dad and Nick, "You [meaning me] have to learn how to differentiate between needs and wants." (Since when is a Circle E candle not a NEED?!)
4. In the words of shrewd financial guru Michael Scott, "Mo' money, mo' problems."
5. And lastly, according to my grandma Scat, ladies don't discuss it. Or politics. Or our age.
Oh! And one hazy night in college my good friend Casey taught me about something called "the cookie jar reserve." But that was only because we were testing our theory that people remember things more when they've been drinking because they are trying really hard to focus and pretend like they haven't been drinking. My clear recall of that whole thing shows just how right our theory was.
Anyway! I've been thinking a lot about my lack of knowledge lately as I listened to two of my good friends at school discuss their crafty Dave Ramsey ways and as I read Kelly's post. Nick is really, really good at handling our money and budgeting. (Thank God!) It's what he does for a living, and he enjoys it. I access our accounts online and see our automatic bill pay and basics like that, but truthfully, it's just a bunch of numbers to me.
I've gotta give him credit, Nick has tried to teach me. Many times. I can't fault him for that. But when he starts talking about our 4031KBs and Roth (Chicken Broth?) IRAs and all this other nonsense- I just don't get it.
When I was single I did okay. I didn't rack up debt or anything like that, and I had a savings account [albeit small and often empty].
But I have taken it upon myself to rectify this situation. I joke about it, but really, if God forbid, something ever happened to Nick, I would be completely lost with our finances and financial planning. I guess my dad would have to help me out, and I'm just not okay with that.
I was thinking about this very thing at lunch today, so after school I went to Barnes & Noble and bought Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Revisited. I am going to start at square one and educate myself in the ways of money. While I was there, another gem caught my eye, Don't Get Caught With Your Skirt Down: A Practical Girl's Recession Guide. Now THAT is speaking my language.
The introduction is titled "The Distraction of Soccer Games, Pedicures and Perez Hilton." Chapter 2 is "Why A Martini Costs $30" followed by "Buying Less Junk and Embracing the Authentic" and "But Economics is Boring!" Real legit book I'm sure. I like it already.
Nick was so excited when I came home today with these books and my new quest for knowledge. He told me he is really excited to talk about my books together and even offered to let me read one of his college Finance textbooks if I'm interested. Tempting offer, but I'll stick with my two for now.
I really think nothing but good can come from this. It will be good for me and also for our marriage. I want to be able to hold an educated conversation with Nick and have some input on where our money goes. Like Don't Get Caught With Your Skirt Down says, "Your man is not your financial plan."
So tonight I will begin my journey of financial wisdom that is likely not to end well for our housekeeper or my expensive shampoo.
But this cute face can stay. Regardless of the cost.
3 comments:
LOVE IT!!! Way to go!!!
I may have to look into that book!!
I'm the same way. I always worry if Lane dies I'll be screwed because I have no idea where all the accounts are! I told him he needs to write them down for me.
So, to learn how to use money correctly, you went and spent money? Don't you have the internet? (When you finish them, send them my way)
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