I have a dilemma...
So, my coworker is taking a 10-day trip to Thailand and Cambodia at the end of April. I had been looking for ideas on where to go, and he suggested that I travel with him. We'll be joined by two other people for parts of the trip - my brother (who lives in Hong Kong) and his roommate (who is currently backpacking around SE Asia).
I'd love to go - Thailand and Cambodia have been on my list of places to see for a long time and this is one of the few chances I'll get to travel with a group of guys (I wouldn't feel safe traveling in SE Asia alone or with girls).
I have the vacation days and the money in my savings fund. But, plane tickets from Boston to Bangkok cost $1,200 alone and I'm budgeting at least another $1,000 on food and accommodations and probably $800 on inter-SE Asia travel. Plus, another $5-600 on all those little things (clothes, immunization shots, etc.). In other words, I'll be depleting my savings fund with this trip and I'll only have $3,500 or so left in savings, $3,000 of which is my emergency fund. My job seems secure, but is this wise given the recession?
Argggh, must make up mind soon. Plane tickets have gone up $100 in a day :(. Help!
-Bacon
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Looking forward
My 24th birthday was a success! I managed to bring together 3 groups of friends - old college friends/sorority sisters, coworkers, and cousins - and everyone had a blast!
Here's a recap of the night:
We started with pre-dinner drinks and housewarming at my new apartment, then moved onto 28 degrees for bellinis and dinner, and finished the evening at a nightclub. So much fun :) Though, the nightclub was a little more euro than I would've liked...haha.
All in all, my birthday cost me around $1,000 (yeah, i know! ouch!):
I budgeted around $800, so I might have to dip into my savings to cover my cc bill, but it was totally worth it!
There are a couple of items on my wishlist for the upcoming months, and I should start budgeting:
-Bacon
Here's a recap of the night:
We started with pre-dinner drinks and housewarming at my new apartment, then moved onto 28 degrees for bellinis and dinner, and finished the evening at a nightclub. So much fun :) Though, the nightclub was a little more euro than I would've liked...haha.
All in all, my birthday cost me around $1,000 (yeah, i know! ouch!):
- Robert Rodriguez dress ($300, incl. alterations)
- Prada clutch and Burberry cardholder ($450)
- 2 rounds of patron (16 shots?) at the club for friends ($180)
- Wine and spirits for pre-dinner drinks ($120)
I budgeted around $800, so I might have to dip into my savings to cover my cc bill, but it was totally worth it!
There are a couple of items on my wishlist for the upcoming months, and I should start budgeting:
- Digital SLR camera (my point-and-shoot just doesn't cut it, unfortunately...), $600
- Vacation (probably home for a bit or Hong Kong to visit the bro), $500-$2000?
- Britesmile laser teeth whitening, $400
- Spring wardrobe re-vamp, $400
-Bacon
Thursday, March 5, 2009
I love pretty dresses.
I just splurged on a dress for my birthday. It's from the Robert Rodriguez 2008 Black Label collection.
It's half a size too big, so I'll need to get it tailored. But I just love love love the color and the detailing. Robert Rodriguez's dresses are like pieces of art :)
Robert Rodriguez Black Label Cate Silk Dress, retails for $695 but I paid $215! Now I just need cute shoes and a clutch.
-Bacon
It's half a size too big, so I'll need to get it tailored. But I just love love love the color and the detailing. Robert Rodriguez's dresses are like pieces of art :)
Robert Rodriguez Black Label Cate Silk Dress, retails for $695 but I paid $215! Now I just need cute shoes and a clutch.
-Bacon
Monday, February 23, 2009
On networking.
In these uncertain times, when it seems like everyone and their mother is getting laid off, it's very important to get yourself out there and network your butt off!
I know, networking is not as easy as it sounds. Back when I lived in California, I went to quite a few silicon valley young professional meet-ups. It was actually part of my job - my team and I were required to attend social events. Man, were some of the conversations awkward! I felt like I was back in college and participating in sorority rush all over again! Actually, I feel like sorority rush prepared me pretty well for post-college networking because I already have my 60-second elevator pitch down and I feel comfortable making small-talk with strangers.
One of the best places to start networking is online. A great site is LinkedIn, which is like the Facebook of professional networking. You start by creating a profile with your work experience, education, skills, etc. and add "connections" like past colleagues, classmates, and business partners. People who are 2-3 degrees away from you (i.e. a recruiter working for your buddy's firm) can view your profile and contact you. I know plenty of people who have gotten headhunted through LinkedIn. Case in point, last week I was asked to recommend a few people to the hiring manager at my firm (yeah, we're hiring...even in this economy! go team!). Guess where I looked first? LinkedIn.
-Bacon
I know, networking is not as easy as it sounds. Back when I lived in California, I went to quite a few silicon valley young professional meet-ups. It was actually part of my job - my team and I were required to attend social events. Man, were some of the conversations awkward! I felt like I was back in college and participating in sorority rush all over again! Actually, I feel like sorority rush prepared me pretty well for post-college networking because I already have my 60-second elevator pitch down and I feel comfortable making small-talk with strangers.
One of the best places to start networking is online. A great site is LinkedIn, which is like the Facebook of professional networking. You start by creating a profile with your work experience, education, skills, etc. and add "connections" like past colleagues, classmates, and business partners. People who are 2-3 degrees away from you (i.e. a recruiter working for your buddy's firm) can view your profile and contact you. I know plenty of people who have gotten headhunted through LinkedIn. Case in point, last week I was asked to recommend a few people to the hiring manager at my firm (yeah, we're hiring...even in this economy! go team!). Guess where I looked first? LinkedIn.
-Bacon
Thursday, February 19, 2009
On being a trophy wife.
On Valentine's Day, Megan from When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Trophy Wife wrote a guest post on Living Almost Large about why her goal in life is to be some financier's arm candy.
Being a modern, independent woman, I cringed when I read Megan's post. But it's kind of entertaining, in the same way as Dating A Banker Anonymous is entertaining...because these girls are so f*cking delusional.
Megan dreams of becoming an Upper East Side socialite. Okay, I suppose that's a worthy aspiration, but social climbing (especially of that sort) requires a lot of planning and is virtually impossible for those who don't have the money/social connections.
First off, most society women, whether they are born or marry into their positions, have spent a good deal of their young adult and adult lives amongst people like themselves. They went to private schools in NYC (like Dalton, Trinity, Chapin, etc.), followed by Ivy League undergrads, where they pledged the most prestigious sororities that socialized with the elitest fraternities. They tend NOT go to state school in Minnesota. They summered in Nantucket, had deb balls, and were pictured in New York Social Diary in their teens.
Her boyfriend is an analyst working for a boutique investment bank in Minneapolis. Are there even investment banks in Minneapolis? What kind of deals do they work on? Agricultural M&A?! Society women are married to real financiers and, sorry, an analyst making $100K does not count. Hell, even Managing Directors don't count. Real financiers have net worths north of $50 million.
Being a trophy wife sounds like it would be stressful. If your husband marries you because of your looks, I guarantee that he'll trade you in for someone 20 years younger as soon as your looks start to fade. Even if he doesn't divorce you, rest assured, he'll have a gaggle of mistresses on the side. Plus, when the divorce rate is 50%+, why oh why would you stop working and let your skills become outdated? Having to get a job at age 40 after being out of the workforce since age 25 is not going to be easy. But if you're willing to deal with all of that just to get a weekly Bergdorf's allowance and a Park Avenue address...well then, I guess - to each their own!
-Bacon
Being a modern, independent woman, I cringed when I read Megan's post. But it's kind of entertaining, in the same way as Dating A Banker Anonymous is entertaining...because these girls are so f*cking delusional.
Megan dreams of becoming an Upper East Side socialite. Okay, I suppose that's a worthy aspiration, but social climbing (especially of that sort) requires a lot of planning and is virtually impossible for those who don't have the money/social connections.
First off, most society women, whether they are born or marry into their positions, have spent a good deal of their young adult and adult lives amongst people like themselves. They went to private schools in NYC (like Dalton, Trinity, Chapin, etc.), followed by Ivy League undergrads, where they pledged the most prestigious sororities that socialized with the elitest fraternities. They tend NOT go to state school in Minnesota. They summered in Nantucket, had deb balls, and were pictured in New York Social Diary in their teens.
Her boyfriend is an analyst working for a boutique investment bank in Minneapolis. Are there even investment banks in Minneapolis? What kind of deals do they work on? Agricultural M&A?! Society women are married to real financiers and, sorry, an analyst making $100K does not count. Hell, even Managing Directors don't count. Real financiers have net worths north of $50 million.
Being a trophy wife sounds like it would be stressful. If your husband marries you because of your looks, I guarantee that he'll trade you in for someone 20 years younger as soon as your looks start to fade. Even if he doesn't divorce you, rest assured, he'll have a gaggle of mistresses on the side. Plus, when the divorce rate is 50%+, why oh why would you stop working and let your skills become outdated? Having to get a job at age 40 after being out of the workforce since age 25 is not going to be easy. But if you're willing to deal with all of that just to get a weekly Bergdorf's allowance and a Park Avenue address...well then, I guess - to each their own!
-Bacon
Monday, February 16, 2009
Updates, updates...
I moved into the city about 3 weeks ago. I live in a brownstone in the South End neighborhood of Boston, really close to bars and restaurants and a stone's throw away from Back Bay Amtrak/T station - which means I'll never have to drive to New York again! HAH!
After looking around for a studio for about a month, I realized that I couldn't live on my own and achieve my pf/savings goals (a studio in Boston is around $1,600 a month), so I started looking for a roommate. Well, I got really lucky, and found this place - my roommate's really chill, also 23 and a young professional. Plus, she's done a great job decorating the place. The best part of my new apartment is that I'm paying only $800 a month :)
My 24th birthday is next month and I plan on having a big bash - or at least a really great dinner party! My favorite part of party planning is picking out the perfect outfit, lol. I like structured dresses (think Leanne from Project Runway), and sexy numbers that don't show too much skin. If money were no object, I would totally buy this Herve Leger number for my bday:
Herve Leger, Banded Ombre Dress, $1,590
Isn't the dress gorgeous?! *drool* Too bad it's 2x my rent! Must resist...
-Bacon
After looking around for a studio for about a month, I realized that I couldn't live on my own and achieve my pf/savings goals (a studio in Boston is around $1,600 a month), so I started looking for a roommate. Well, I got really lucky, and found this place - my roommate's really chill, also 23 and a young professional. Plus, she's done a great job decorating the place. The best part of my new apartment is that I'm paying only $800 a month :)
My 24th birthday is next month and I plan on having a big bash - or at least a really great dinner party! My favorite part of party planning is picking out the perfect outfit, lol. I like structured dresses (think Leanne from Project Runway), and sexy numbers that don't show too much skin. If money were no object, I would totally buy this Herve Leger number for my bday:
Herve Leger, Banded Ombre Dress, $1,590
Isn't the dress gorgeous?! *drool* Too bad it's 2x my rent! Must resist...
-Bacon
Friday, December 26, 2008
Nov and Dec in a Nutshell
To my readers - I'm sorry for being MIA for the past two months. Work really picked up toward the end of the year and a combination of friend and family obligations had me going out of town almost every weekend. It all feels like a blur.
Anyway, since I'm home for the holidays (and snowed in!), I thought I'd give you guys a re-cap of the last few months.
Career
I'm still gainfully employed! Yes! All kidding aside, I finally feel like I'm in a good place with respect to my career. The learning curve has been pretty steep (baptism by fire!), but it's made me stronger and more confident in the process. My end-of-year reviews were great and I even got a bonus! I'm excited for what 2009 holds in store. I've already been staffed on two projects for Jan-Feb, so I'll be insanely busy, and I'm on a proposal for a big project in China. I really hope we win the project, because that means I'll be living in Shanghai for a couple of months!
Finances
I've been way too lax with my spending lately. While I had some big start-up costs from moving to Boston (like a new bed), a lot of my purchases were irrational, like fancy dinners and $300 boots. To make up for my bad behavior, I've decided to save all of my bonus. It never hurts to have liquidity, especially in this economy.
Guys
Things are still blah in the guy department. I saw NY guy again over Thanksgiving. He was sweet, but the encounter still stirred up a bit of drama. He's like Justin Bobby from The Hills. The quintessential bad boy. That guy who just keeps on coming back into your life, and the guy you keep on letting back in even though you know he isn't good for you.
Life, etc.
I've been looking at apartments in the Back Bay area of Boston and I hope to move out by Feb. Real estate is pricier than I anticipated - about $1600 for a studio, plus another $300 for parking - but it'll be nice to have a place of my own. I can't wait to decorate :) I'll keep everyone posted on my apartment-hunting saga.
That's it for now. Happy Holidays everyone :)
-Bacon
Anyway, since I'm home for the holidays (and snowed in!), I thought I'd give you guys a re-cap of the last few months.
Career
I'm still gainfully employed! Yes! All kidding aside, I finally feel like I'm in a good place with respect to my career. The learning curve has been pretty steep (baptism by fire!), but it's made me stronger and more confident in the process. My end-of-year reviews were great and I even got a bonus! I'm excited for what 2009 holds in store. I've already been staffed on two projects for Jan-Feb, so I'll be insanely busy, and I'm on a proposal for a big project in China. I really hope we win the project, because that means I'll be living in Shanghai for a couple of months!
Finances
I've been way too lax with my spending lately. While I had some big start-up costs from moving to Boston (like a new bed), a lot of my purchases were irrational, like fancy dinners and $300 boots. To make up for my bad behavior, I've decided to save all of my bonus. It never hurts to have liquidity, especially in this economy.
Guys
Things are still blah in the guy department. I saw NY guy again over Thanksgiving. He was sweet, but the encounter still stirred up a bit of drama. He's like Justin Bobby from The Hills. The quintessential bad boy. That guy who just keeps on coming back into your life, and the guy you keep on letting back in even though you know he isn't good for you.
Life, etc.
I've been looking at apartments in the Back Bay area of Boston and I hope to move out by Feb. Real estate is pricier than I anticipated - about $1600 for a studio, plus another $300 for parking - but it'll be nice to have a place of my own. I can't wait to decorate :) I'll keep everyone posted on my apartment-hunting saga.
That's it for now. Happy Holidays everyone :)
-Bacon
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