Poverty Expirment 2011

I'm back. Still not 100% due to the crappiest nights sleep, but thats why they invented coffee, red bull and diet coke. Anyways about the title. My friend and I have decided that it's about that time to maybe be an adult and pay off our debts. This came about not long after I read an article about what living at poverty actually meant. The income for a family of 4 living at poverty is $22,350. I can barely afford myself, one person, and I make more than that! I cannot imagine trying to provide for a family on that income or imagine what it would be like to grow up living in poverty. Don't get me wrong this is not an attempt to make you feel bad for having money or spending it however you like. I work hard for every dollar I make, I'm not about to apologize for it. The stats are just what made me open my eyes that I have been wasting my money so foolishly. If a family can somehow get by on less than what I make a year there is no way I should be where I am with my finances.

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I don't ever see myself buying a home because as previously stated I enjoy nothing about home ownership, but I will eventually need a new car. I'd like to start throwing more money into my 401K, and I'd like to create a nice savings so that I won't have to rely on credit cards in the event of something unforeseen. This will probably have some impact on my many random travels and shenanigans, but I'm hoping not much. I'll just have to get creative and who knows where my creativity will lead me. Oh and random, I found out today that my mom and her bf now have a house in Florida. So it's like I became a rich girl....who is actually not rich at all and poor with student loan debts and fashion related debts. However, this means I get to spend my bday not in snowy Iowa but in sunny Florida so woooooo!!!!!!!!!!

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Pretty sure thats what the house looks like. I have that whole section on the left. If you're lucky, you'll get an invite to come party with me ;)

Cheers!

Marisa

Apartment Search: Day 1

So today I went and looked at my very first apartment. It was in my price range, had all utilities paid for except electric and internet. It also met my criteria for being close to downtown and in a historical neighborhood of Des Moines. It also is family run, which is really great as I've had much better experiences renting from families or individuals than with big property managers. I was also told that there are some "lifers" in the building. By that the property manager meant little old ladies on fixed incomes. Which translated to me as cool grandma's living down the hall. It's within walking distance to the library, Gateway Market, and some cool parks. The building was finished in 1922 and has a cool old style elevator which is still used and a antique intercom system ( not in use) that looks something like this

(I think it adds character)

Those are the pros. Here are the cons:

It's not super big but I knew that going into it, after all it is a studio. However it has a Murphy Bed. For those who may be to young to know what that is I shall illustrate.

(Does not add character)

Now while that one doesn't appear so bad, rest assured that is because it is new. This bed is not new. The bathroom is teeny tiny like so tiny I don't think I could put my tower that holds my make up and hair bins in it. That would be the biggest tragedy of all. It's a little run down looking, not at all what I'm used too. Did I mention the bathroom was teeny tiny?

Perhaps I'm being to picky, and I literally cannot afford to be picky. After writing all this down I can now see that the pros are greater than the cons. I haven't had to apartment hunt since spring 2006, so I'm a little rusty. Now that I know what I'm in for, I just need to come up with a game plan and be better at really really looking at the space. I'm seeing another one in the same building Friday afternoon, so I'm going to come up with a list of questions and do my best at looking at every inch. Wish me luck!

Christmas Christmas Time Is Here....

Which means it's almost my B-day! Yes dear readers this lady's B-day is none other than Christmas Day. I can hear you all now going "oh that must be awful", rest assured it is not. I resigned to the fact that Christmas is bigger and better than my B-day a long time ago. Anyway I enjoy the spirit of Christmas far more than the spirit of birthdays anyway. And as such I've begun decorating the house!

(I jest. D would never allow so much decoration.)

Yes I may or may not live with The Grinch. None the less I have hung a wreath put up some garland and lights and the stockings are in the works. I'm allowed at least that. I'll take some pics when all is said in done. Fair warning that it won't be as awesome as this pic, but hey. We can't all have fire places.....or Christmas Trees. Hope all your Holiday-ness is going fabulously! Now I just need to get on that present buying thing.....

EDEN

Time to talk about one of my most fav local shops here in the DSM. Eden is located in the trendy lil neighborhood known as the east village and while small in size it is packed with awesomeness and I can easily lose an hour in there. Eden carries some of the things I love most, number one being Caldrea products.

(I may or may not be obsessed)

They also carry Keihl's, L'Occitane, Molton Brown, Fresh and other various beauty and home goodies that I love to ogle and wish I could take them all home with me. When you come to visit Des Moines (and I know you will because who wouldn't) or already live here and haven't heard 'bout this gem go check it out now! It will soon become your fav place too. Oh and also buy some Caldrea dish soap. Seriously, it will change your life. And get the Rose Pomegranate, it is beyond perfect for the Holidays. Thank you Eden for carrying my number 1 household obsesh!

Craziness!

Wow been a while since a post. D & I have been super busy lately it's finally started to calm down. Lots of racing visiting the folks, and workin been goin on the last couple of weekends. As most of you know I'm a veteran at the BB Dubs ( or Bath and Body Works for all you non Limited Brands employees) and Holiday Season is upon us like whoa! I'm talking Christmas Trees, paper chains, snowmen, the works. So until approximately February 1st I will be a workin like mad. I don't mind it though, I like watching the basement remodel fund grown in it's bright and happy ING savings account. Oh homeownership how I loathe thee sometimes!

Anyway...

As we've been busy my wifely duties have been lackin. Which causes major anxiety in this lady let me tell you. I try to always maintain order in my house as much as I can what with the menagerie that resides here. The kitchen and the bedroom are my two main areas of focus. Especially the bedroom. Don't know why but it is supposed to be the safe haven. The door remains shut at all hours of the day UNTIL we go to bed. (This is mostly to just keep the dogs out of there so they don't get fur everywhere) So when I open it up to go to bed I expect it to be pristine and welcoming and ready for me to hop in and snuggle up. Needless to say when it is not in that condition, I have a hard time sleeping. So if you ever want me as a house guest, you better have a spotless bedroom for me to sleep in.

This is my dream. I'm a workin on it.

Until next time peeps.

<3