Home > 2009 > September

Tonight’s Dinner: Salmon Pasta with Veggies

Written by on · 3 Comments

Prep:

  • Chop 2 zucchinis, 1 package of crimini mushrooms, and 1/3 of a large red onion. Set aside 1/2 cup mushroom pasta sauce and 1/3 can of sun-roasted tomatos.
  • Measure 2 cups pasta shells.
  • Cut 1 filet of Alaskan salmon (Morey’s) into small chunks. Save the oil and seasoning from package into a small bowl.

046 300x225 Tonights Dinner: Salmon Pasta with Veggies

Cook:

  • Boil water. Put pasta in and cook according to direction (usually 8-9 minutes).
  • Saute veggies all with a dash of olive oil. Then put in pasta sauce and tomatoes.
  • Meanwhile, pan-fry salmon chunks until fish is cooked through. 
  • After the salmon is done, mix the salmon with the veggies and the pasta sauce.  Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes.

050 300x225 Tonights Dinner: Salmon Pasta with Veggies

051 300x225 Tonights Dinner: Salmon Pasta with Veggies

052 300x225 Tonights Dinner: Salmon Pasta with Veggies

Serve:

Pour sauce over pasta, and enjoy!

054 300x225 Tonights Dinner: Salmon Pasta with Veggies

Freedom Fund – It Gives Me Freedom (or, How I Really Feel)

Written by on · 12 Comments

A long-timer commenter, Onegirl, asked some insightful questions on my previous post. I imagine other readers might have similar questions, so I wanted to offer my thoughts on the subject.

It seems that all of your posts lately have been talking about spending money or remaining on a budget. Are you sad you don’t have a job? Are you trying to remain positive for your readers? I’m sure some days you are feeling bad or sad, but I’m not really getting that vibe. Do you not want to share that with us? Just curious. How is your freedom fund coming along? Is unemployment enough to keep you happy for now? Are your parents helping you especially since you just moved into the cool new place?

Everyone deals with not having a job differently. Here’s how I chose to respond to my situation: I gave myself 3 days of “free-for-all”: sleep in until noon, mope around if I wish, watch TV online, eat whatever I want. Then, the free-for-all is over. I’m not going to feel so bad or anxious that I impede myself from the next goal, the next opportunity.

Financially, I am not worried about the next 9 months (I sincerely hope my job search doesn’t extend that long – I’m working on a few opportunities that I hope will bear fruit before then. One involves living overseas). Unemployment benefits cover all of my day-to-day expenses, and I have cash savings that will go quite a ways, especially if I move back home. My parents treat me to dim sum more often, but other than that they don’t give me any money (although knowing that I have their support is invaluable). 

I said before that the uncertainty is unnerving, but the possibilities are exciting. I stand by that. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be rah-rah earning no income is great - I want to be progressing in my career and making money. But here’s where having a Freedom Fund is so wonderful – it allows me the opportunity to conduct my job search aggressively, not desperately (I don’t write about interviews because they fall into the no-blog-about-work policy). If I need to travel to hold informational or formal interviews, I can afford the gas or the plane ticket. If I want to take advantage of my free time by taking classes that will be personally and professionally enriching, I can do so. It gives me peace of mind.

So, do I feel bad or sad sometimes? Yes, I have my moments. But they are just that - moments. They don’t overwhelm me nor stop me from doing what I need to do. Do I want a job? Of course. Am I enjoying the chance to do things that I haven’t had time to do before (travel, dance lessons, etc.)? Well… yes. Does having a Freedom Fund, being young, and having the emotional support of my parents make me feel eager and ready to embrace what might come tomorrow? Heck yes. icon smile Freedom Fund It Gives Me Freedom (or, How I Really Feel) I’m determined to take advantage of this time the best I can so that when I look back on it, I can say, wow, I really did something cool, and not, wow, I had all that time and did nothing.

Putting Your Passion on a Budget

Written by on · 21 Comments

When there’s a mismatch between what you love to do (passion) and what you can prudently do (budget), it’s difficult to limit your passion to your budget.

Since I have developed a slight case of Argentine tango fever, I’ve been taking 2-3 classes per week. The classes cost an average of $15, which means that if I go to class twice a week, I’d be out $120 a month. Ideally, however, I’d be attending class 3 times a week, or spending almost $200 a month.

That’s just one type of dance. Sometimes I need a break from the intensity of tango by jumping in the fun and sassy salsa, which also costs $15 per class. So add on one session of salsa to three Argentine tango classes a week, and suddenly, my “ideal” monthly dance budget has ballooned to ~$250 a month.

To be honest, I don’t particularly crave top brand names or fancy cars or cool new tech gadgets (okay, maybe except for the iPhone). My day-to-day guilty pleasures are food and books, which I’ve always found that I didn’t have to be too disciplined when it comes to spending money, because delicious food can be found for cheap (dim sum, tacos, etc. even nice restaurants have deals once in a while), and books are free at the library, or available for under $5 at used book sales or on Amazon.

But dance is completely different. It’s an activity that requires a consistent schedule. It’s difficult to not do something (or not to do as often as you’d like) you love because of budgetary restraints. Every week I can feel myself getting better – I’m still in the stage where every slight improvement yields a big marginal benefit, because I’m starting off so badly! The more classes I go to, the quicker my process. If I miss a class, I feel the back-sliding. And I want to get better because as fun as tango or salsa is right now, it will be so much more fun when I’m a better dancer.

In many ways, I suppose I’m fortunate. I could have fallen in love with skiing, or mountain climbing, or sailing, or horseback riding – hobbies which all cost far more than tango or salsa. So, it’s okay if I indulge in a few more classes a week, right? icon wink Putting Your Passion on a Budget

Do you have an expensive hobby / passion? And how do you limit your hobby expenses?

Calling All NYC Readers: Free Dessert & Dessert Wine at French Bistro in Astoria, New York

Written by on · 5 Comments

Recently, the owner of Bistro Les Minots, a cozy French bistro in Astoria, Queens, contacted me about writing a post on the restaurant.

bistro les minots 300x190 Calling All NYC Readers: Free Dessert & Dessert Wine at French Bistro in Astoria, New York

Normally, I don’t respond to commercial pitches unless I’ve personally had a good experience with the product or the service. But, I have a huge weakness for food, especially French cuisine (crepes, duck a l’orange, coq au vin… need I go on?), and I’d like to support small restaurant businesses when possible. So I negotiated a special with the owner for all my New York readers and now am very happy to announce my first restaurant special on this blog.

From now until December 31st, 2009, the owners of Bistro Les Minots will be offering a complimentary dessert and a glass of dessert wine to each guest with the purchase of one entree (entrees are priced around $12 to $17, from what I can see). All you have to do is to mention “Well-Heeled Blog” when you go into the restaurant. I love dessert and dessert wine, so I’m a bit sad that I’ve already left NYC and therefore cannot partake in Bistro Les Minots’ cuisine. The menus are already reasonably-priced, so if you throw in the free dessert and dessert wine, it’s a good deal for a nice evening out or a fun brunch date.

If you don’t want to order a la carte, Bistro Les Minots also offers prix fixe lunch and dinner menus for less than $20 during select hours. The restaurant is located on 30th Avenue between 47th and 48th streets, in Astoria, New York. Free delivery with $15 minimum and within a limited area (please call 718 606 2535 for more information).The restaurant has a 4 star rating on Yelp, so I feel comfortable that I’m sending readers to a good place.

On the website, Bistro Les Minots is described as a combination of Paris and the French Riviera. The menu “takes the better of these two beautiful regions of France so as to satisfy all tastes and desires at very affordable prices. The inviting front dining room coupled with the warm and romantic back room, provides the perfect atmosphere for any occasion, personal or corporate.”

Please share & tweet. Go, eat, be merry! icon smile Calling All NYC Readers: Free Dessert & Dessert Wine at French Bistro in Astoria, New York

Business Insurance Experts Premierline Direct

iPhones and Peer Normative Behavior

Written by on · 16 Comments

iphone iPhones and Peer Normative Behavior

It’s no secret that iPhones (and the various ilk of smart phones) are popular tech gadgets. I tend not to be an early adapter of technology. When iPhones first came out in January 2007, I thought they were cool, but never felt a deep desire to buy one.

So I’ve made it through almost three years since iPhone’s debut (and watched scores of friends and acquaintances jump on the iPhone train), but now, I’ve been bitten by the iPhone bug. And I think I know why.

One of my good friend, “Ellen”, recently got an iPhone. But why would Ellen’s purchase affect me when I was so unaffected by the purchases of other peers?

A wholly unscientific examination of my thought process shows that Ellen is a greater influence because she 1. is down-to-earth, 2. is very good with her personal finances, 3. considers big purchases carefully before making the move, and 4. just got an iPhone.

In my mind, then, if the iPhone is deemed necessary and worth the money by someone as financially savvy and practical as Ellen, it must be necessary and worth the money. Ellen’s purchase just elevated iPhone from a “nice fun gadget” to a “necessary product” in my subconscious. Hence my sudden wanting for the iPhone.

The more I think about it, the more I’ve convinced myself that an iPhone (or a smart phone) is not a luxury but a necessity (which, of course, it is not. At least not in my present situation). It’s funny – a few years ago I would’ve never thought it vital to have internet access everywhere, but now I can think of a thousand reasons why it’s essential that I can check for directions or nearby restaurants or email out on the road.

Just like before the invention of the cell phone, people got along fine having answering machines and landlines, but after cell phones came along we can’t imagine how we ever lived without it. If I accidentally leave my cell phone at home while I’m out, I always worry about who might be trying to get in touch with me.

The more technology can do, the more we realize we need.

Figuring out the source of my sudden iPhone-fever doesn’t diminish it completely. But I’m resisting, for now. Perhaps in a year or two, when there are more carrier availability and the prices go down a little…

New York City: Boon to Tastebuds, Bane to Wallet

Written by on · 9 Comments

The New York City restaurant scene was so very good to my tastebuds, but far more unkind to my wallet.

Perhaps I haven’t been quite fair, because I was on a trip. And on this trip I ate out almost every single meal (a few of my friends also very generously treated me to dinner). Perhaps if I actually lived in New York full-time, I would not be quite so indulgent with myself.

On second thought, I would most likely continue eating out every meal. It’s just so easy to do so. A great new restaurant is around the corner, every corner. Going out is a much more involved, calculated process in a car-dependent locale (i.e. 98% of America) than in New York City. The subway makes it so convenient to just drop in at a restaurant somewhere, and all your friends are probably doing it too. The ease of ordering drinks without scheming and worrying about designated drivers (as is the case in almost any other city in the country) is another major factor.

While I was working, I would be so tired after work that I didn’t want to drive anywhere at all. Once I made it home, inertia made it far easier for me to whip up something quick than to battle traffic for a nice dinner. Now that I am in between jobs, I’ve taken to cooking more and holding dinner parties because I’m trying to stick to a budget, I’ve discovered that I love to entertain at home, and I have a lovely outdoor space to do (three plump birds, one big stone!).

At home, I measure an activity’s worthiness in terms of the time it would take to drive there and the stress I would endure through traffic and parking. Is Restaurant ABC worth driving 30 minutes? 60 minutes? What if I can’t find parking and it takes an hour-and-a-half? If I plan to have a few drinks, do I have someone to take me home? If I have to get my car in the morning, did I make sure to park it somewhere there’s overnight parking allowed?

In New York City, no such math is necessary. I haven’t quite realized how many of my dining decisions were based on drive time and parking availability… New York City makes it so easy to go out to eat (and I imagine the small apartments and lack of outdoor spaces also contribute to the dining-out tendencies), and the food is so good.

But what NYC giveth (delicious food of every stripe and variety), NYC also taketh away (money). For this week at least, I suppose it was a fair trade. icon wink New York City: Boon to Tastebuds, Bane to Wallet

Why Argentine Tango

Written by on · 3 Comments

When people ask me why I like Argentine tango, usually I just say, “it’s fun”. But that one adjective doesn’t do the dance justice – in fact, I don’t think any one word can.

—–

The Saturday I went to dance the Argentine tango at Central Park, I wasn’t feeling so great. Some things have been running in my head, and try as I might, I couldn’t let them go.

I circled Central Park for 20 minutes before I finally found the Shakespeare Statue. As I sat down on a bench, I felt a little out of place – I could tell most of the people already there were regulars. But then the music started, I put on my strappy heels, and gentlemen came up to me to invite me onto the pavement.

And I danced.

Even though I stumbled over steps and missed certain leads, for a few moments here and there I felt as if I was walking on air, my feet crossing and gilding so swiftly and smoothly that I can scarcely believe that I’m the one dancing. It felt like second nature, as if I was meant to execute those very steps at that very moment.

As the time went on, my arms and legs ached (dancing is a full-body workout!). Still, tiredness didn’t diminish the wonder of the tango, in a beautiful Fall evening, in Central Park. For that hour I completely forgot about my worries, and all I concentrated on was the dance.

The event was free (donations are encouraged), the experience was priceless.

I loved so many things about my time in New York City – the wonderful restaurants, seeing my friends, the visit to Columbia, meetings about new and exciting projects, the convenience of the subway system. But that hour, beneath a lush green canopy, under the Bard’s silent gaze, dancing to the strains of old-time Buenos Aires… that hour was for just me.

That’s why, Argentine tango.

Visit to Columbia University

Written by on · 6 Comments

columbia university artistic 300x225 Visit to Columbia University

While I was in NYC, I took the opportunity to visit Columbia University and sit in a couple of business school classes. The Morningside campus, under the bright September sun, looked something out of a postcard. I spent 30 minutes just sitting on a bench, enjoying the sunshine, watching students walk by, soaking in the ambiance.

Must be the nerd in me – there’s just something about institutions of higher learning that makes me feel warm and inspired. Especially when said institutions have storied histories.

I sat in a marketing class that focused on customer segmentation, and a corporate finance class that discussed capital structure. Both were quite interesting, guided by enthusiastic professors and anchored by thoughtful in-class discussions. I came away from my visit thinking two things: 1. Everyone there is so smart and accomplished, and 2. I can do this, and I can see myself fitting in and contributing to the class.

I don’t know if those two thoughts seem contradictory or self-congratulatory. I suppose it’s this: it’s easy to be intimidated through any application process, because you tend to imagine your peers to be much more desirable candidates. It’s the achievement treadmill, and everyone else seem to have logged more miles than you. That’s where self-doubt creeps in to make a home, like a nasty cold virus that just won’t go away.

But the truth of school applications is akin to the truth of personal finance (indeed, and of life): there will always be people who are doing better than you (by any measure), and there will always be people who are doing not as well as you (by any measure). All you (and by you, I mean, me) can do is to make the best possible case, and stop worrying about everyone else.

So I sat in those two classes, I listened to the professor, and the students, and I knew: I can fit in here. I can succeed in this environment. I can contribute to the community and take the fullest advantage of my two years in graduate school. Doesn’t mean I’ll get in – but I know that if I don’t get into to my top choices, I will still do well for myself.

And it was a pretty good feeling.

Tales From the Friend-ing Jungle: She’s Just Not That Into Me

Written by on · 19 Comments

The difficulty of making friends after college / graduate school has been a popular one recently. Like FB said, making new friends is hard.

Let me tell you a story of my trek into the friend-making jungle, which I think might be even more difficult than the dating scene. There’s the lack of guidelines and the impression that it’s easy for nice people to make friends. Also, there’s no good way to say to someone, “I think you’re pretty cool, and I’d like to hang out with you. Would you like to be friends?” while there’s a totally legitimate way to say “Would you like to go on a date with me?”

A while back, I met a girl, “Leia” through a volunteer organization. Leia was funny and smart and we hit it off pretty well. We had dinner at a great Spanish tapas restaurant. It was a wonderful night – great good, good conversation, plenty of laughter. I remember thinking how exciting it was that I’ve made a cool new friend.

A few weeks after the dinner I emailed Leia to set up another dinner / drinks. But Leia was busy. That’s okay. A few more weeks passed and I suggested something else. Again, Leia said she was busy, and didn’t really offer any alternative time we can meet. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I didn’t get the hint at all. I would touch base with her every month for 3 or 4 months to check if we can get together, and our timing just never worked out.

So several months later, at a used book store, I flipped through a copy of He’s Just Not That Into You. Voila – I got it! The signs are all there: She doesn’t want to go to a dinner – check! She never calls me – check! She’s always busy – check!

The conclusion? She’s just not that into me! (I know the book gets mixed reviews, but after that light switch moment I’m convinced of its power).

The realization left me feeling a little bummed, because I really did think we had a great connection and I thought I had found a cool new friend. Oh well. I guess she just didn’t feel the same way. (You can’t get the “let’s just be friends” speech if you don’t even want to be friends).

But at least now I have a funny story to share. Forget about dating and mating, there should more guides on tending and befriending. icon wink Tales From the Friend ing Jungle: Shes Just Not That Into Me Because, as I’ve learned, it’s a jungle out there.

A (Book)worm in the Big Apple

Written by on · 11 Comments

worm in apple A (Book)worm in the Big Apple

Tomorrow I will check out a few book stores. On my short-list are Idlewild Books and Three Lives. Otherwise, I’ll probably just walk around and pop into whatever store that catches my fancy.

I love books, and I love bookstores – old, new, big-chain, mom-and-pop. That’s why even though the Kindle has gotten rave reviews, I couldn’t quite bring myself to make the move to digital books. I like flipping the actual pages! And the feel of aged paper! And the book itself – a satisfying rectangular box that, once opened, can bring you into a different world.

Tomorrow, I’ll try hard not to buy too many books. But I figured one is okay. icon smile A (Book)worm in the Big Apple

One thing that I’ve noticed about New York is that it’s a city of readers, more so than Southern California – or at least NYC has many more public readers. I’ve seen people reading on the subway and in parks and it makes me feel so great to be in such a literary city. I think SoCal has its shares of readers too, but like everything else in that area, we are just much more dispersed.

I did see a driver reading an entire book on a freeway once. I hope to never see that again.

***And speaking of reading, the current Carnival of Personal Finance is up! Please mosey on over for a dose of scintillating personal financial literature.

Price vs. Value: Are We Conditioned to Cheap Prices?

Written by on · 14 Comments

Magazines have long touted handbags and purses as an “investment” – a piece in your wardrobe that should be high-quality, classic, and long-lasting. I can never quite bring myself to call a depreciating asset an investment, but I’ve realized the cheap bags aren’t exactly the deal that I thought they were.

The average price of all my purses is probably around $20. But even though I always found cute and cheap bags, those in the sub-$50 range are usually not made to withstand frequent use. I have some great fabric bags that have lasted, but faux leather totes? Forget it! The lining is easily torn, the stitching falls apart at the seams, the faux leather cracks after a while. I begin to wonder how much a bargain a cheap bag really is if it falls apart in less than a year… then there’s the waste and the clutter.

So I went to a couple of off-price retailers and found a dark brown leather satchel by B. Markowsky at Marshalls. It had a beautifully rich color, supple leather, understated but interesting hardware, and just the right dimensions. In short, it’s a bag that I can probably carry for the next 5+ years. I also appreciated the discreet branding on the bag – no giant logo, thanks.

The leather satchel retails at $250+, but it was marked down to $150 at Marshalls. Add in a couple of gift cards I’ve been saving, the total comes to just under $100. I know $100 isn’t unreasonable for a quality leather bag, and certainly is a fraction of the prices of designer handbags. But it was still difficult to put down the money. I started thinking, “but I can buy 3 bags for this price. No, maybe even 4…”

Have I become so conditioned to cheap prices that I don’t want to pay for quality? After 30 minutes of internal deliberations, I did purchase the bag. This is the old “quality vs. quantity” / “price vs. value” debate. Instead of adding another falls-apart-in-one-year bag to my closet, I invested in purchased a versatile leather tote with solid construction. I struck a balance between price that I can afford and quality that I’ll be happy with. I don’t think that good quality is unaffordable – you just have to 1. buy fewer items and/or 2. look for reasonable prices, which can be found at sales, sample sales, thrift stores, or off-price retailers.

This is a consumer lesson I’ve learned: Don’t look at only price, also consider value.

My New York Friend Date

Written by on · 13 Comments

Tonight I had dinner with “Jane” – a friend whom I met as a result of the blogosphere. I began reading her blog about almost 2 years ago and sent her an email saying how much I enjoyed her writing. And somehow we became internet pen pals, trading long emails almost every month (which is a much more committed schedule than chats with some of my friends who live in my area).

Then a while back, we learned each other’s real names, then we exchanged pictures, and now, finally, we have met for the first time, amid the lush ambiance of a SoHo bistro! Some producer should make a movie about our story. It’d just be like a romantic comedy, except it’d be a lot more realistic. icon wink My New York Friend Date  

Jane, who looks Parisan chic (and could be played by Kate Hudson, Brittany Murphy, or Jennifer Aniston in the movie treatment of our story) generously treated me to dinner: bacon-wrapped dates, a delicious crispy duck salad, and a banana and gelato dessert. The whole evening was wonderful - Jane was even cooler in person than I imagined possible. And the night made me think about the intersection of friendship and technology.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote in her Little House series that letters, sent in the Fall, may reach their destinations in the Spring (if at all). When families set off for the migration from one state to another, they embrace as if they will never see each other again, because that very well may be the case. The friends you make on the road (like Mr. Edwards) you may never see (or hear from) ever again. People are lost from each other, so easily.  

Now we have Facebook, Twitter, email, texting, telephone, cheap transatlantic airfare, cars and trains. We have almost unlimited ways (short of teleportation and unlimited financial resources) to see our friends. But many times, we don’t.

Of course, sometimes friends grow apart. Sometimes connections drift away. I think that’s fine if it is a conscious decision (i.e. the friendship is unhealthy or if it has just reached its natural end). But many times friendships just fade because of a lack of time or attention. I’ve been guilty of that as well - sometimes it just seems easier not to reach out, not to make an effort. I find that a little sad.

Isn’t it a paradox? The same technology and modernization that push people further and further into their own respective little worlds is also what makes it possible for friendships to start and continue when you are thousands of miles apart.

Job Fairs: How to Prepare So You Stand Out

Written by on · 17 Comments

jobfairs 300x280 Job Fairs: How to Prepare So You Stand Out

Job fairs can be a great opportunity for applicants to interact with many different companies. But if you don’t prepare adequately, job fairs can be a disaster. Last week, I attended a job fair – prior to the event I debated whether I should go. I had heard the horror stories about long lines that snake twice around the city blocks and the paltry company-to-applicant ratio.

In the end, I’m glad I decided to go. I had a good experience because the job fair had a good ratio of companies to candidates and I had very clear and realistic expectations going in (make contacts with Companies ABC & XYZ), which I fulfilled.

Here’s how to figure out what job fairs are worth a visit and to prepare for job fairs so you stand out among the other applicants.

Before Job Fairs:

1. Determine if this job fair is worth your time and effort. Look at the requirements for attendance – for example, some fairs require a 4-year degree, others don’t. Some fairs are specialized (i.e. teaching professionals or high-tech workers only), others are general. Look at the location (is it 15 minutes away? 3 hours away?).

2. Go over the company list (most job fairs would offer this information online) and pick 2-3 companies that are your top choices.

3. Spend 30-40 minutes researching your top choices, particularly on any programs / specific functions you are interested in. Spend another 10-15 minutes studying a few other companies that you are interested in.

4. Print out copies of your resume. Make sure your contact information is correct! I’d suggest 2 copies for each company you plan to visit. Then add another 5 just in case.

5. Get to the job fair early if you can. It’s an advantage to be among the first group getting in the door.

At Job Fairs:

1. Hit your top 2 or 3 companies first – they might become much busier later in the day (this was my experience).

2. Be attentive, engaging and personable.  Be proud of your accomplishments and don’t apologize for being out of work. Ask good questions that let recruiters know you’ve done your research, but don’t act like a know-it-all. Try to get at least 5 minutes of quality time with them, but don’t monopolize their time if there are other applicants waiting. Get a business card and thank the recruiters for their time.

3. Avoid job fair burnout. It’s probably unrealistic to go to each company’s booth – don’t pressure yourself to do so. It’s better to present yourself well to a smaller handful of companies than try to go see every company just for the sake of doing so. I decided that I had 3 places I wanted to go see, and everything else was just gravy.

4. Mingle with other candidates. I met a couple of nice people and exchanged information. Who knows, I might see an opening that they will be interested in, and maybe vice versa. Good karma never hurts.

5. Be nice and professional to everyone, including the hotel staff. One lady angrily exclaimed at the front desk that she won’t be paying for hotel parking because she has been out of work for a year and can’t afford the $10 fee. If a recruiter overhears her, what impression would that lady have created? (The job fair advertisement didn’t mention a parking fee, but a quick call to the hotel would have resolved that question).

After Job Fairs:

1. Follow up with recruiters from your top 2-3 choices and/or with whom you have established a rapport. A short and sweet email will do the trick.  Just remind them of where you met (job fair and date), reiterate your interest in the company, and thank them for their time. Attach a resume.

2.  Stop at the yellow light, especially if the intersection is in a revenue-hungry city has a Red-Light Camera. Seriously. Or else you will be end up like me and be out $500+. Hence rendering it a very expensive job fair, indeed.

Autumn in New York

Written by on · 22 Comments

Here are my plans for my little jaunt to NYC:

1. Eat! (but I also want to keep to a budget, so this will be difficult) – please give me your suggestions for places I must try (preferably under $25 a person. Triple points if it’s under $15 a person).

2. Night Tour to Statue of Liberty: $29 – according to officials, this is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. So I guess I’m seizing my chance to see the Statue of Liberty at night.

3. Tango: I already have a couple of classes and milongas scoped out, thanks to the wealth of information provided by newyorktango.com.

4. Office visit & informationals with a startup I’ve been doing on a freelance project for. Very excited to put a face with a name and meet some new people.

5. Campus visit to Columbia University. When I was in middle school, Columbia was my top choice for college. I once went to sleep with a copy of the brochure tucked under my pillow. Since I’m in New York City, I figured it’d be a good opportunity to check out some MBA classes and see if the school is a good fit for me when I go back to graduate school down the road.

6. Lots of walking around during the day time, just taking in the sights and sounds of the city. A little bit of window shopping thrown in, but probably no actual shopping for the sake of my wallet. 

7. Brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails with friends. Again, did I mention that I think about food 24/7? If in doubt, please refer to 1.

8. Broadway show. I hope to get one of those cheap tickets at a kiosk 4 hours before the show starts. I really would love to see Mary Poppins, Wicked, or Chicago. Does anyone have suggestions on where / what kiosks to look for and what’s the er, strategy I should employ?

9. Shop for a little something for my landlady. What should I buy her? I don’t want to get her a cheap touristy trinket that she’ll just throw away after a few weeks (mini Statue of Liberty, I <3 New York snow globes, etc.)

10. Get souvenirs for CB, Mom, and friends. Again, ideas appreciated.

11. Catch up on Chinese homework. Because I have 3 classes the week I get back… But to make myself feel better about it, I guess I’ll budget $10 here and there to do so in a cool NYC coffee shop. icon wink Autumn in New York

After New York City, my destinations (w/in the continental US) are Austin and D.C. I don’t have any close friends in Austin though, so I might have to budget for hotels. But Austin seems like such a cool city that I really want to visit!

Giveaway: Win Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

Written by on · 19 Comments

After a busy day filled with work and a never ending “to-do” list, any woman can appreciate a product that adds some convenience to her life. Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes can at least make having clean, radiant skin easier.

So, I am happy to announce a giveaway for one lady to win a FREE package of Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes. Both US and Canadian readers can enter!

ponds wet cleansing towelettes 300x138 Giveaway: Win Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

According to http://www.ponds.lifestyle.msn.com, Pond’s Towelettes remove up to 40% more dirt, oil and make up than other leading products and even waterproof mascara. The Pond’s exclusive cleansing system, with oil and dirt trapping fibers, works like a magnet to lift away impurities. Available in three varieties, Pond’s Towelettes are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested.

Everyone can enter multiple times. To enter:

1. Tweet this giveaway (please refer to @wellheeledblog and the URL for this post so I can count you). I’ll count each separate tweet.
2. Leave a comment here on why you want to win.

This giveaway will end Monday, September 21 at 7 PM Eastern. Good luck!!

What’s Better Than Roasted Corn & Chicken Sausage Soup?

Written by on · 4 Comments

Eating said soup while perusing the Carnival of Personal Finance (hosted at SimplyForties), of course!

001 300x225 Whats Better Than Roasted Corn & Chicken Sausage Soup?

004 300x225 Whats Better Than Roasted Corn & Chicken Sausage Soup?

003 300x225 Whats Better Than Roasted Corn & Chicken Sausage Soup?

Should Parents Pay For College Education

Written by on · 21 Comments

A college education has, for a large percentage of society, become the de rigueur entry-level degree. “Should parents pay for college education” is a question where the answer is always, “it depends.” In today’s economic climate, I imagine that many parents are having the difficult talk with their kids as tuition savings have fallen or parents have lost jobs. The Wall Street Journal reports that because of recession, many parents are deferring saving for their children’s college educational expenses.

Because of the economic crisis, 47% of parents are saving less or aren’t saving at all for their kids’ education, according to a Gallup survey released in May by student-loan provider Sallie Mae.

college savings 300x200 Should Parents Pay For College Education

No, parents shouldn’t pay for college education:

Some say that paying for one’s own education through scholarships, jobs, or loans instills a true appreciation for the education and gives the kid the satisfaction of “making it on his/her own”. Parental financial responsibility doesn’t extend to college. Parents should focus on their retirement first.

Yes, parents should pay for college education:

Others argue that colleges and the government expect a certain level of family contributions. The cost of attending college dramatically outpaced inflation in the past 20 years. Too much work during college may delay graduation and a heavy debt load is crippling after graduation. Parents have a responsibility to prepare to contribute to tuition.

My thoughts:

My parents experienced the Tech Bust of the early 2000s right before I went to college. They still paid for the bulk of my college education, but I knew they made huge sacrifices to do so. Mom has also indicated willingness to give me some money for graduate school when the time comes. Education is one of the ways that my parents show they show their support, and I’m so grateful for that.

So it is with that background that I would like to (and plan to) pay for a large portion of my kid’s college education (educational costs is one reason why I’m strongly considering having a single child, if I do have children). Of course, I expect he/she to work hard, apply to scholarships, and take out  loans, but I would also expect that as a parent, especially one who has received so much educational support from her parents, to offer substantial financial assistance to my child’s education.

I don’t see kids in my future for a long time, but by the time I become a parent, I want to be financially prepared. I definitely think that retirement should come before kids’ educational expenses, but with proper planning, I hope to save for both goals.

Some personal finance bloggers have opened 529 plans for their children. Overachievers that they are, some (such as Jonathan of MyMoney Blog) even open 529s BEFORE they have kids. That’s my plan of action as well. I’m going to focus on saving for my future and investing in myself, so that once I decide to have a child, I can appropriately divert some resources to the Grand Enterprise of Kid-Raising (which will probably be more expensive than I can fathom. But I’m NOT going to start saving for my kids’ diapers right now).

Are you planning to contribute to your kid’s college education? How does your experience with your parents influence your thoughts on the subject?