Evolving Personal Finance » Archive
How to Cancel Your Cable When You’re Addicted to a Show
I have observed two kinds of cable subscribers. Some cable subscribers love TV and watch many channels many hours of the day and feel they are getting great value out of their packages. Other cable subscribers hate their high bills and don’t think that they are getting a good value on the programming they consume, but they refuse to cut the cord because they are addicted to one or more individual shows. It may be … Read entire article »
Favorite Posts, Mentions, and Top Comments Week of 26August2013
I am finally taking a step back from my crazy work schedule! This week was much more relaxed. I was on my feet most of the time I was at work, but I didn’t stay super late any evening and I’m not going into lab at all this weekend! We had a very nice week socially. Last Sunday we went to a bring-your-own-lunch pool party at our friend’s house. That was the first time I’d been … Read entire article »
Filed under: weekly update
Side Hustle Story From A First-Time Freelancer
Today I am participating in a blog swap on lessons learned from side hustles. The post below was written by Pilgrim, who writes stories and gives perspective on the road to financial independence at FI Journey. You can find my post on the same topic over on his blog. Thanks for this wonderful post today, Pilgrim! As an IT Manager by day and father of 2 young children by night, I usually have plenty to keep me busy … Read entire article »
Filed under: side income
DECREASE IN PAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I received an email last week that gave me a bit of a scare! The subject line included my name and “Pay Decrease.” When I opened the email, the attachment was titled “DECREASE IN PAY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.” I kind of freaked out until I read the body of the email, but even after that reassurance I was pissed at the manner they let me know about this change! Even my advisor agreed that it was “unfortunately … Read entire article »
Filed under: grad school, income
Does Less Exposure to Commercials Translate to Fewer Wants?
Like many other Americans, I stopped watching TV commercials about ten years ago. Between giving TV up for years on end (college, early grad school) to DVRs to Netflix and Hulu, we were no longer forced to endure traditional TV spot commercials. Of course advertisers still want eyeballs, so our honeymoon from commercials only lasted a few years. Advertisers increased their efforts in other areas, most noticeably injecting commercials before and in between online video content. … Read entire article »
Filed under: spending
Favorite Posts, Mentions, and Top Comments Week of18August2013
I kept up my intense work schedule all this week but I am taking this weekend almost completely off! I’m just going in to take some quick timepoints and feed my cells. I’m going to scale back to a much more normal schedule for a while because I really ran my body down by not resting and sleeping enough. Other than that, not much is going on! Kyle went to a bachelor party on Saturday so … Read entire article »
Filed under: weekly update
Have You Even Been without Health Insurance?
Earlier this week NPR did a Q&A for clarifications on the ACA and there were a couple regarding college and graduate students, which caught my ear for sure. Apparently, it has been confirmed that university-provided student health insurance counts as having health insurance for the ACA – I didn’t know that was a question at all, but it’s good to know. I also found out that if you earn so little money that you don’t … Read entire article »
Filed under: grad school, insurance
Don’t Use Gifts to Avoid Joint Finances
I’m always surprised when married couples use gift-giving secrecy as a reason for having partially or completely separate finances. My opinion is that married couples should have joint finances (perhaps with “allowances”), although if a couple agrees to practice partial pooling or have separate finances I recognize it’s none of my business. I really think it’s silly when couples say that gifts are the reason that they don’t have completely joint finances. To be fair, I’ve … Read entire article »
Financially Surviving Your First Month as a PhD Student
First month’s rent up front plus a security deposit. A parking permit. Textbooks. Furnishing your new place. In the first few weeks of grad school you’re hit by one expense after another. On top of that, your department expects you to start orientation (followed by classes and research) five to six weeks before getting your first paycheck! How are you supposed to swing this? The best position to be in at the time you enter grad … Read entire article »
Filed under: budgeting, credit cards, food, frugality, grad school, housing, income, spending, taxes
Favorite Posts, Mentions, and Top Comments Week of 11August2013
As I anticipated, this week has been consumed by work work and more work. As often happens in these stressful times, something piled on top – Kyle came down with a cold and then gave it to me! Being in lab all day Saturday with an achey chest and stuffed nose is no fun! I’m falling behind schedule on meeting my deadlines so I need to push even harder this upcoming week to get it all done. 🙁 The one bright spot in my week (which Kyle unfortunately missed because of his cold) was the potluck we had in place of our normal church small group meeting. I got to eat a ton of delicious food (mmmm crab dip) and ended the evening sitting around a bonfire talking about life’s big … Read entire article »
Filed under: weekly update
Recent Comments
- Adam on Home Equity Is Funny Money
"Hi Emily - I just stumbled upon your blog. Great post! Up in Canada this is a…" - Emily on Home Equity Is Funny Money
"I agree that an appraisal is the best number to work with. I can't think of why …" - JL on Home Equity Is Funny Money
"I only note it as round numbers, in $50k or $100k estimates. I also usually upda…" - We Maxed Out All Our Retirement Accounts for the First Time! - Evolving Personal Finance | Evolving Personal Finance on Avoiding an Expensive 401(k) Plan through Self-Employment
"[…] was the first year that we contributed to Kyle’s expensive 401(k…" - Business Goal Tracking for Week 8 of 2022 - Evolving Personal Finance | Evolving Personal Finance on Business Goal Tracking for Week 6 of 2022
"[…] Done as of two weeks ago! […]…"