Writing from LA about my personal finance issues.
Background.
I regularly update this post w/ any significant financial or personal events ~
2006.
- I purchased 50 shares of VG at 14.94/share + 19.95 trader's fee for my Roth IRA
- I sold 60 shares of MOSS at 8.02/share
- I purchased four stocks w/ my TD Ameritrade account. I had a balance of $2010. I purchased the following: ADBL 45 shares at 11.06/share; CTAC 40 shares at 13.79/share; MOSS 60 shares at 8.09/share; and VRSN 20 shares at 23.45/share
- I purchased 500 shares more of CERP at $1.40/share + $19.95 trader's fee through my Fidelity Roth IRA.
- Opened TD Ameritrade Brokerage acct – $2010 + 15 free trades
- Opened GMAC Bank 1 yr CD – $1000 at 5.2%
- Opened GMAC Bank 6 mo CD – $500 at 4.93%
- Starting to look around for new work
- Purchased ASHW, PRVT, NOOF stocks
- Opened Hilton HHonors Amex CC
- Purchased CERP For Roth IRA
- fully funded my Roth IRA
- Purchased FEU for Sharebuilder
- Opened Sharebuilder account w/ $50 bonus
- Purchased FFFFX for Roth IRA
- Moved most of my savings from ING to HSBC
- Start part-time gig – photoshop tutoring opened a free checking acct with HSBC to link it to my ING Direct acct
- opened a free checking acct with HSBC to link it to my ING Direct acct
- opened a Fidelity Roth IRA
- received end-of-year bonus from company
2005.
- day trip to Santa Ynez
- checked my credit report for the first time. I’m in excellent standing.
- opened HSBC Online Savings acct + $25 bonus
- opened ING Direct acct + $25 bonus
- freelance turned full-time w/ livable salary (includes health, personal days, but no retirement)
- trip to Santa Barbara
- trip to Palm Springs
- trip to San Diego
- moved into a shared apartment
- freelance work for three projects
- trip to Vegas
- buy $550 monitor
- opened Amex Blue Cash CC
- opened Wells Fargo Checking
- 1-year contract with T-mobile w/free sucky Motorola phone
- left Asia and left $1400 in my checking acct there
- 2 wk trip to Japan
2004.
- give dad $300/mo
- full-time work w/ corporation
- personal sabbatical in Asia for 2 mo
2003.
- freelance & part-time work
- close all my credit card accts (I had a spending & managing problem)
2002.
- graduate in the arts field from a public college
After getting my dose of ass-kicking in Asia (work, weather, cultural differences), I realized I took LA for granted. I needed to return to this diverse, kick-back city with Mexican food joints on every corner (did I miss my Enchiladas~).
As soon as I returned to LA, I sought to clean up some mess: finish coursework, throw out unnecessary junk, read up on self-help books on emotional, financial & personal destiny. And, set some financial & life goals.
As I started working on projects, I figured out that saving is a good thing. And, that saving with competitive interest rates are good.
I now try to stretch each little dollar I earn. Conversely, try to make up for lost pleasure (?) happiness (?) during my time in Asia by taking local trips, enjoying a good meal or two, etc.
I am now responsible for my living expenses with one exception–I bum off of my mom’s car insurance because she suggested I do so since I have a couple smudges on my driving record. Good thing for me since it saves me a couple hundred bucks a month.
I should mention that I have no school loans since I went to a public college and used my grants and part-time jobs to pay my tuition and some living costs. No loans. Additionally, I was given (?) lent (?) a car. No car loans.
Ok, so it begins. I came back in March 2005. It’s now November the same year. Let’s see how much progress I make.
