The experiences and exploits of a college grad trying to make it in the "real world:" leaving school and friends in New England, moving south, and living with her boyfriend. Watch as I pretend to be an adult.
I spent a good part of today crunching numbers. I have to confess these weren't for work. Rather, I was finding out exactly how much money I'll need to go back to school. For the total number, see above. Holy crap, that's a big number. And that's assuming instate tuition at Chapel Hill. I suppose I could go to State, but, well, their MBA program blows, and it's only 5 grand cheaper. Now that I'm pulling in a salary, I've decided I need to act like an adult...at least where money is concerned. I need to check out my IRA options. I need to replenish my sadly depleted emergency savings account. I need to start another savings account for short term saving goals like major car repairs, undergrad classes I want to take over the next couple summers, taxes and such. I would like to start a "house" fund to save for the down payment of the house I would like to buy in seven years. Yes, you heard me, I don't imagine owning a house for seven years. And then there's the "Grad School Fund." You see, I can save $45,000 in three and a half years...IF. IF I put away $700 a month, which I can do IF I maintain my current standard of living and don't have any unexpected expenses. And here's the really big IF. I can reach my savings goal IF and only IF I manage to put it someplace that gets me a 9% return. So that rules out your traditional savings and CD accounts. This means I have to do something with the stock market...which means that tomorrow I will be calling Daddy the stock market whiz. Damnit! I thought being an adult was supposed to be fun. Aren't I supposed to be living in a fabulous loft in SoHO, getting into crazy hijinks, and buying fantastic shoes? When is it going to be my turn to buy the fabulous shoes?!? Won't someone please think of the shoes?!
After 22 posted at 6:56 PM
