For the Records

This past week, my new Blackberry and I have gotten to know each other. We’re already very close. I find myself adding new information (task: get hair cut!, appointment: interview 1 PM Friday; new phone # for friend X) all the time. I’m trying very hard to stay strong and not get the unnecessary data plan ($30/month). But I want one.

Still haven’t bought any clothes since early February. This is big for me. I’m testing myself to see if I can actually wear every item of clothing I own before buying anything new. So far so good, though I do feel the itch to shop. Seriously.

Target took back the shelves with no problem. Ah, Target. Now for the walls.

Work’s going fine. We’re busy, I love my coworkers, spring has given us daylight to drive home in. But I’m still thinking, wondering about what I want to do in the future.

My tax refund came last week, auto-deposited into my account. I sent it all to the ER fund.

And those are my latest updates. Sometimes I feel these boring little bits of info aren’t worth posting, but I figure: it’ll be nice to have this to look back on.

Home Decorating = ER Fund Spending

Sometimes I really feel like an idiot.

I got this idea in my head that I really wanted some of those floating wall shelves on this vacant wall in my bedroom. I looked around at prices, comparing Target, Amazon, Linen N’ Things, Wal-Mart, Meijer and all the other discount home-type places. Target was the winner.

Tuesday night, I bought three 36-inch shelves, each for $25.

Tonight, I tried hanging them, and I’ll spare you the details except to say this: now I have two rather large holes in the wall, drywall I had to vacuum, a broken shelf and busted screws. Two other people were involved, and they’re not happy either.

It’s just a big, disappointing, frustrating pain in the neck. Now I have to pay to fix the wall, on top of trying to talk Target into letting me return their shoddy stuff.

Good thing I have an emergency fund.

expert says: forget the ER fund

Just as I begin mine, someone says it’s not that important.

“The whole idea that everyone needs a big pile of cash, and needs it right now, should be rethought. In reality, the failure to have a fat emergency fund isn’t inevitably a crisis. At the same time, those who feel safe because they have three or even six months’ expenses saved up might be kidding themselves.”

Read the rest here.

Emergency Fund Decision

I’ve decided to go with the ING Orange Savings account (Thanks, GB, for the referral!). I deposited $250 last night and am just waiting for them to verify my bank account in order for everything to process.

Thanks to everyone for the advice—you reminded me what I love best about the PF blogging world.

emergency fund

Through the pf world, I’ve been reading for months about emergency funds. A lot of bloggers have sections in their sidebar that track their progress. I’ve decided it’s a good idea and want to start one.

Help!

If you have an emergency fund, what are you saving the money in? An ING? Something else? I want it to be something that gains interest and something that I can liquidate easily. Any advice/suggestions are appreciated. If I can get you a referral bonus or something, let me know.