D-Day aka Delivery Day

D-Day aka Delivery Day

Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?

Our furniture has arrived

We arrived here on July 4th from America (ha-ha) and it is now September 12th; our furniture just arrived via freighter.
A friend that moved to Europe last year recently visited and told me her furniture was delayed also. Our furniture was due to port on August 11th. So yeah, almost a month late. Not to mention the fact that it had to clear customs.

It's just stuff

That's what I kept telling myself. I don't need it. But actually, your belongings are more than just "stuff" they are a part of your history, your story.
Okay, maybe not all your stuff is important. But there are items that I missed dearly over the months. And no, it wasn't my bed or my dishware. It was the small things:

• Yoga Pants - yes, I missed my comfortable, stretchy lulu's. Never shall I make that mistake again!

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• Jewelry Box - I traveled with most of my jewelry but did not bring the organizer with me. This actually led me to have a little anxiety as my earrings, necklaces etc. all were mixed together and not in their proper place. Next time, I will buy one of those roll-up things for storage

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• Art - I love art and having it hung up around my home makes me feel at home

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• Socks - my long wooly socks that I wore around the house. The socks I brought with me were mostly athletic socks and did not provide the same snuggle comfort

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• Wine Glasses - the reason is obvious

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• Couch - nothing makes you feel more at home than spreading out on your own sofa

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• Leather Jacket - I don't wear it that often so I did not bother taking it. But for some reason, it symbolized San Francisco to me. Fake leather btw, strictly veg here!

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• Boots - summer quickly became fall here and I fantasized about sliding my faux-leather leg lovelies

Life Update: Living Abroad in London

Where can I hang my hat?

I hope this blog isn't making me sound like a negative-nancy about moving abroad. It's just been a bit of a challenge hitting the restart button on life.
Most recently, it's been flat-hunting here in London. People told me living in London would be expensive, but less costly than San Francisco. Yeah.. no. It's about the same.
Coming from a 2-bedroom apartment in Marin County, to a "2-double bedroom" in London was basically comparing a postage stamp to a 4th graders' diorama (do they still do those in school?) Basically, the cost for a flat in London is the same or slightly less to it's equivalent in San Francisco but you lose a lot of floorplan.
We decided to get a little more bang for our buck and search the neighborhoods on the outskirts of London - this really did the trick because we found a great place within our budget. The next step was applying for it..

Application Process

In the states, applying for an apartment is a quick credit check, a pay stub, and a handshake. I found that not to be the case here. The company the landlord had hired to do our 'reference check' should seriously consider being private eyes part-time.  Even though we had signed a lease, we could not move into the apartment until our references cleared. The references consisted of:

• A form my CEO had to complete
  • A phone call from my CEO confirming that what he put on the form was true
• A form my former landlord had to complete
  • A phone call from my landlord confirming what he already wrote on the form
• My old lease from the U.S.
• 6 months worth of bank statements
• Pay stubs
• My NHS number (why this I am not sure)
• My passport, British permit, and visa letter
• A utility bill in my name from my old apartment

Obviously, some of this is needed to verify you as a renter, but what really was astounding to me was the phone calls. The company hired to do the reference check was expecting someone from the west coast to call them back at 10:00 GMT. When I explained to them that it was unlikely someone from California was going to make phone calls at 2AM, they told me that was basically my problem.
Panic had really started to set it since we had paid a large deposit and part of the month's rent already.
Luckily, I have a very kind boss in the states who was definitely willing to go above and beyond helping me out and other rental fairy godmothers who swooped in with wands full of paperwork magic ◊
At last, we got our place!
But a word to the wise, especially those coming from the states, it was a stressful, hair-pulling process to get approved. There is a lot more paperwork here- and unless you have UK references, expect the reference checking to take at least two weeks.

∴ Sighs of relief  ∴  

Travel 102: Eating on a Budget

British Food...

As those that are close to me know, I love food. I love everything about food. Coming from San Francisco, the land of avocado stuffed, queso cheese-filled, sushi-rolled, dumpling deliciousness, I was a little skeptical of the food in London.

My first duty, while my partner was at work, was to discover the grocery store. The "grocery store" in central London was about 1/10th of the size I was used to seeing in the states, but I did appreciate how the Europeans seem to stuff their store with the essentials and not overstuff with products that are unhealthy and wasteful. 

I am no cook, but being the one at home during the day, I knew this responsibility would fall unto moi. We definitely do not have the budget to eat out each night and London's menu prices were not much different than what I saw in SF. So it was up to me to figure out 1. how to create edible food, and 2. keep to a strict budget. 

Oh and one more challenge.. we're vegetarian. But the great thing about being here is that it seems like pastry and bread-like items are taken a bit more seriously, which I appreciate. As soon as I headed down the cheese aisle, I thought "I can work with this."

Oh and the other challenge.. we're in temporary housing, so the kitchen is not fully equipped. We have a hot plate, microwave, and fridge to cook with. I am usually not one to shy away from a microwaved meal, but that really isn't a thing here. 

Here are a few recipes I created that satisfied us veggie lovers:

Breakfast

Oatmeal:

No Quaker oats to be found so, make your own!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats or old fashioned oats 
• 1 cup water
• Dash of Milk
• Trail mix - nuts and dried fruit (no chocolate) 

Steps:

1. Add oats, and water to a saucepan (or microwave together)

2. Boil for 5 minutes, remove from heat and cover

3. Stir stir stir! Add a dash of milk or cream, (everyone has their own preference on how creamy they like oatmeal) 

4. Once the oatmeal is the texture you want, drop in a half cup of a trail mix that contains nuts and dried berries, this will save you money because you're not buying each nut and berry individually. Also, there is a fair amount of salt in most trail mixes, this gives the oatmeal a bit more flavor. 

This meal cost me about £2.89

Homemade Lattes

Long gone are the days of my daily Starbucks run :sigh:

This recipe does require an espresso machine, which is not common in households in the states, but quite common in homes and hotel rooms here. 

Ingredients:

• Espresso pod
• Handheld frother (under £10)
• Milk
• Brown sugar
• Mug (tall)

Steps:

1. Heat milk, we do not have a fancy steamer, so my alternative was to gently warm some milk but keep stirring it like crazy to keep it frothy

2. Make espresso while milk heats

3. While milk is heating, add a just a dash of brown sugar, it should melt a little into the milk

4. Place espresso into a tall mug, gently pour sugary milk over the expresso

5. Use the frother to create that yummy foam!

Tip: Heat up your kettle and add a smidge of hot water

Cost £0.52 per day (10 espresso pod pack)

Lunch

Olive & Hummus Pita-Pockets

Lunch is actually the hardest meal for me as a vegetarian. It's so easy to stick a piece of bologna between some white bread, but sandwiches are hard for veg-heads! And putting veggies on bread can get soggy and gross. I usually turn to ciabatta rolls or pita bread instead because it absorbs more. 

Ingredients:

• Pita bread
• Pitted olives 
• Tomato
• Hummus - plain
• Sliced mature cheddar
• Sprouts & avocado (optional)

Steps:

1. Slice the pitas into halves, making two pockets

2. Slip a slice of cheese into each pocket and use the toaster or microwave for a few seconds to heat cheese

3. Once the cheese is nice and gooey, spoon in and spread hummus on one side of each pocket

4. Slice tomato thin and slide into pockets

5. Chop or leave olives whole and stuff into pockets

6. Top with sprouts, or just a nice side of crisps!

This meal cost about £3.00 and I was able to make 4 sandwiches

Dinner

Mushroom Cheesesteak Boats & Tomato Soup

I usually am good with one of these boats, but a cup of soup on the side can round out this meal nicely. 

Ingredients:

• 1 package White Mushrooms diced
• Sharp cheddar or something equivalent
• Salt & Pepper
• Rockets (greens)
• Tomato diced
• Wholegrain mustard
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 tsp vinaigrette dressing 
• French baguette

Steps:

1. Heat oil into a medium saucepan

2. Saute mushrooms adding salt and pepper - bring to a medium heat

3. Begin shredding or adding slices of cheese on top of mushrooms - low-medium heat

4. In a large bowl mix rocket, diced tomato, and dressing- set aside

5. Slice up baguettes, I did fourths removing the ends

6. Remove the centers of the sliced bread making it boat-like in shape, in the hollow spread a very thin layer of the mustard

7. Once the cheese has melted into your mushroom saute, remove liquid and scoop mushrooms into the hollows of the bread

8. Take salad greens with tomato and place on top of the mushroom

Serve with a side of tomato soup! 

This meal cost about £7.28 and I was able to make large 4 boats

Travel 101: Moving Internationally

Leaving the US & Living Abroad

Hello Readers!

Apologies for not posting for a while. I am sure you've been checking every day and constantly hitting the refresh button hoping for a new blog post. If so, today is your lucky day. 

Recently, I have made a rather large life transition. My partner and I have moved across the pond to London, UK. This decision was difficult. When you think of living abroad, your first thought is: Adventure! Travel! Explore!

Realizing only later that you're truly leaving everything behind: Family. Friends. Work.

We have now been living in London for about 30 days. It feels so different now compared to the dream-like first few days. 

My partner started work immediately, I was left to travel around town solo charged with finding us a place to live permanently. His company had set us up with temporary accommodations, but it was up to us to find a permanent flat to settle into. 

My first day free of jet-lag I set out on my home-seeking adventure. My heart was full of hope as I scanned my list of potential neighborhoods.
I hopped on the underground and headed north. After minding the gap, the Tube spit me out in one of the famously trendy northern boroughs of London. 

My heart dropped immediately. Outside the central touristy London, the neighborhoods become less predictable. One minute I was walking up a bougy high street, the next I was skirting through public housing. Being alone (and without a working cell phone yet) it made me realize how far from home I was. 
There were moments of excitement and moments I felt utterly alone and literally lost. 
By week three, we were touring apartments. Each flat we visited reminded me of when my college friends and I were searching for tiny two beds in Boston in the twilight of our college years. Similar to Boston, the apartments are old, small and not chock full of amenities. Basically, you do not get a lot of bang for your buck. 

Coming from beautiful California, it took all I had not to burst into tears during those tours. I was coming from the coast where it was easy to escape into nature for hours. I tried not thinking about the hundreds of hikes and trails as I paced over concrete and pavement. 

I convinced my partner to get further outside of the city, somewhere greener, slower.  I had found a little borough southwest of the city and we've put an application this week for a cozy spot in an old converted library. Fingers crossed we get it. I'll keep you all posted.

My biggest takeaways from this international transition can be explained in a few short thoughts:

 1. Change is hard. But, no I mean really, really hard. Not like in a Hollywood movie hard, but gut-turningly difficult. 

2.  Love is everywhere. I know this sounds corny, but I was lucky to be on this adventure with someone I loved. Also, my grief of missing my friends and family only made me realize how much I loved them even more; I took that comfort that someone out there was missing me everywhere I went.

3. Always invest in a good pair of sneakers, or 'trainers'. 

Finance 102: What is a 401k?

What is a 401k?

Hello Everyone! Apologies for not writing for so long... but I actually am really excited for this post because it's something I have been dealing with personally for some months now.

Retirement planning is a complex, complicated subject and if you're anything like me, you avoid thinking about for fear of early-onset depression.

For me, I had to really break it down. I did not even know what the "k" in 401k stood for. So let's start with the basics:

What is a 401k Plan?

Basically, it's an employer-sponsored retirement plan for employees. Not all employers offer this.

What Does that Mean?

It means your employer is going to help you save for retirement. Back in the day, this was a pension, but oh god you'd be lucky to see one of those nowadays.

How it works is, your employer will set up a plan for you so that you're able to invest towards the future. You, the employee, will elect to take a portion of your paycheck and invest it in a plan for retirement. Some employers will even match your paycheck contributions.

When I "Invest" in my 401k, What Happens?

Investing in 401k simply means you are taking money from your paycheck and putting it towards stocks or bonds, usually in an investment vehicle called a mutual fund (more on those later).
These mutual funds have been selected by your employer (or your employer's broker), which means your choice as to where your money is being invested can be limited. These funds fall under your overall "401k Plan".

So my Money is Invested, Now What?

You wait. Yes, you wait until you are literally old enough by law to withdraw your 401k funds without being penalized by the government.
It's important to understand that with traditional 401k plans, the money you are putting into your plan is tax-free. This means the government can't get its little hands on it until you withdraw it later in life. However, there are ways around this... more on "Roth 401k" later.

What are the Benefits of a 401k?

• Contributions to your 401k can lower your income taxes

Here is an example from NerdWallet.com:

"Pretax contributions to a traditional 401(k) lower your total taxable income for the year. For example, let’s say you make $65,000 a year and put $18,000 into your 401(k). Instead of paying income taxes on the entire $65,000 you earned, you’ll only owe on $47,000 of your salary. In other words, saving for the future let you shield $18,000 from taxation."

• Uncle Sam can't touch any of your money until you retire

Keep in mind that the point of investing is that your 401k won't act as a savings account. It will hopefully provide you more money based on how well the mutual fund performs (again, more on this later).

While that plan is earning money for your retirement, the government is not taxing you on these returns. It is only when you withdraw the funds - and please don't do this before the legal age.

The Downside to 401k?

1. Your employer could choose crap funds to invest your money in. It's worth speaking to your employer to obtain information on the broker and funds related to your plan. 
This could lose you money and not get you ahead in your retirement planning. Just look at what people lost in the 2008 housing crisis! 

2. If you need the money for something, you will get a penalty for withdrawing money from your 401k early. Remember! This is not a Savings Account, a 401k is an agreement with the Feds where you are simply putting away money tax-free so you can retire one day; if you decide to take the money out to say, buy a house or pony the Feds will want their cut.

Comments? Questions? Please post!



More to come soon... 
oh and one more thing:



What Does the 'k" stand for in 401k? Not an interesting story... it's from the tax code.

Sources: NerdWallet.com

Political Science 101: Democrat & Republican Party History

Democrats vs Republicans - A Brief History

Hi All, I thought with everything going on in our country right now, it would be a good idea to brush up on some Poli-Sci 101.  I think often people get bogged down between conservative versus liberal, Democrat versus Republican, due to hot topic social issues like gay rights, abortion, healthcare, death penalty etc.

There is a divide in this country, and we wrongly assume that it's 50/50 - half of us are conservative and half liberal. This simply is not true. It's much more complex than one side versus the other.  Believe it or not, there are Republicans out there that believe in say, abortion, and yes there are democrats that do not support abortion.  It's not like there are only two islands and you have to choose to swim to one or the other, and then be forced to obey all the rules of your conservative or liberal island. Let's give ourselves a little more credit than that, we are humans with complicated emotions, beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, all based on our experiences, background, culture, religion etc.

I think our differences are pretty cool and it makes this country pretty GREAT.  In my opinion, it does not have to be "great again", because one person's idea of "great" doesn't have to be someone else's idea of 'great', that incongruity truly is freedom, and freedom is great.

Anyway, my main goal of this post was to break down the fundamental differences between the two big political parties in the US: Republican & Democrat. I would like to leave those big social topics out of this one because let's just focus on fundamentals:

History of the Democratic Party: 
So turns out "Democrats" used to support slavery, who knew?

In 1792 (keep in mind America won its independence in 1783), everyone was losing their shit over a guy named Thomas Jefferson and a few other guys like George Washington. For people who really, loved Thomas Jefferson, they actually called themselves Jeffersonians.  Why did they love Jefferson?  Because TJ was, despite being unbelievably loaded himself, a man of the "working class" or at that time, anti-aristocrat.

Things started to get even dicier on the eve of the Civil War; southern democrats believed that slavery should continue to be a thing in any new American territory.  Republicans, like Abraham Lincoln, disagreed with slavery expansion.
When Republican Abe Lincoln won the presidency, Democrats were pissed.  The Democratic Party identified itself as the "white man's party" and demonized the Republican Party as being "Negro dominated."
What we think of as the Democratic Party did not emerge until after the Great Depression. This was a really bad time in America and the party, which has claimed to always be "for the everyday people," wanted to get laborers back to work, and organized labor led to unions, which is the idea that the government should have more of a role in peoples' day-to-day lives ... like maybe one-day healthcare, or marriage or education... see where I am going here?

History of the Republican Party: 
Republicans Punished the South after the Civil War

The Republican Party was formed in 1834 (almost 100 years after the Democrats). Originally called the Whig Party, the soon to be Republicans hated President Andrew Jackson (someone who does not deserve to be on the $20 bill, but that's another blog). The Republicans did not want the new territories like Kansas, Nebraska to allow slavery. 

Then the Civil War comes along with the Republican Party being anti-slavery, they banded together behind their Republican President Lincoln. After Lincoln's assassination and winning the war, the Republican north punished the south with a Republican filled Congress for years to ensure the "south could not rise again," and in my opinion, the southern states never fully recovered economically/psychologically.

The Republicans we think of today did not truly emerge until after WWII with the election of Dwight Eisenhower, and the threat of Communism. Eisenhower was a Republican, but a centrist, who signed the civil rights acts of 1957 & 1960 and increased the minimum wage. However, as a war hero, he was wary of a war against Communism.

The southern whites had been mumbling about integration, especially now that the military was fully integrated post WWII, and these guys were favoring a party that was pro-states' rights.  They did not like the idea of the Feds telling their states what to do - but at the same time, wanted a strong military.. just in case right? Hence Nixon, and then the charismatic and charming Ronald Reagan who really gave a modern yet, conservative voice to the party.

The Republican party made a slow shift from its founders, as did the Democratic party; both have flip-flopped their views on governments regulation: Today's Republicans would prefer states to make decisions mostly on their own, while Democrats believe the federal government should play a large role to keep the country unified.  Republicans believe in low taxes or a flat tax rate, and businesses and individuals should be stimulating the economy via a free market, Democrats believe that higher-earners should be taxed at higher rate, and a healthy economy needs government's support.

Comparison Chart

Finance 102: Credit Score

What is a Credit Score anyway? Damn you Equifax!

• I realized I wrote an entire segment on getting a credit card, and even mentioned credit score... but did not explain it. 

• Also, if you are abreast of current events, you may have heard that one of the big 3 credit agencies, Equifax really screwed the pooch. 143 million pooches.

1. What is a Credit Score?

Well there are these things called credit reports, these reports keep track of:

• Payment history
• Total amount owed
• Length of credit history
• Types of credit
• New credit

In a nutshell, did you pay back your debt on time? This could mean student loans, cards, anything where you have accrued debt. 

From these reports, you get a Credit Score, calculated similar to how you'd get a GPA.

2. Who Does All This?

The big three: Experian, Transunion and Equifax

• These are United States credit agencies that do our credit reporting
• Do they all calculate it exactly the same? No, but, pretty much

3. What is a "Good Score"?

• Excellent: 750 and above
• Good: 700 to 749
• Fair: 650 to 699
• Poor: 550 to 649
• Bad: 550 and below

4.  What Happened with Equifax?

• One of the big three, Equifax, was hacked in July 2017 potentially exposing the data of 143 million Americans. Yes, the people who have your entire history, were hacked- 
• Equifax has not be clear about next steps and isn't giving much consumers to go on
• Best Advice: call each of the big 3 and ask them TO FREEZE YOUR CREDIT
• Freezing your credit will ensure that someone with your stolen information can't take out a loan or get a mortgage in your name (or any other crazy shit!)

5. How do I get my Credit Score?

• You can request a free credit report from the big three once per year

Questions? Please comment.

Food & Wine 101: Pretending You're a Sommelier

Food & Wine: 101: Easy Food + Wine Pairing Tricks that Make You Look Good

Imagine you are on a Tinder date, the waiter brings over the wine menu, your date says something casually such as "oh I never know what to order..." Shwing Shwing - You're about to lay down some vino knowledge...

I am definitely one of those people who orders wine, and when the waiter returns with the bottle, pouring a taste into my glass, I sit there and pretend like I know what I just ordered. I lift my glass slightly, sip, bash my eyelashes a little, and say "oh yes, that will do." But in reality, I just want some damn wine.

However, in my 30 something years, I have overheard people smarter than I, lay down some excellent advice on easy wine pairing tips. I have also done a little research of my own:

Trick #1 - Match the Wine Color to your Food's Color

You can use this trick especially if you know what food you are ordering or making in advance. For instance, the darker or richer the color of your food, color match the wine with a dark red like a full bodied Cabernet or a Sirah.

• Reds: Red Bolognese Sauce, Steaks, Lasagna, Stews
• Whites: Chicken, Mac & Cheese (and other white pasta), Pizza and of course the ultimate adulting food Grilled Cheese!
• Light Reds / Rose: Pork Chops, Tuna Steak, Salami/Proscuitto

Having a salad? White wines have a tinge of green as well - but you can also use the accent colors in salads to help you - heirloom tomato salads have reds and pinks, Cobb salads have white chicken and cheese etc.

Trick #2 - Sauce!

Most meals have some sauce on the side - so you can use that as a queue to wine selection as well. Sauces like ketchup have the main ingredient of vinegar, which is acidic/salty, and because white wines are very acidic, you may want to counter the taste with a darker red -

• Mayonnaise - a light sauce, can be better balanced with a zesty white! (maybe a Pinot Gris)
• Soy Sauce - super salty, pair with a sweet wine
• Ranch - tangy but mellow, goes well with a Chardonnay white

Basically, judge the level of acidity in the sauce, then choose a wine that counter-balances that acidity.

Trick #3 - Know Your Geography

This is a last resort trick, but can help you if you need to make a decision rather quickly 

Use the food's country of origin, look at the wine menu and try to match up.

• Italian Food like lasagna? Pick an Italian wine
• Cheese Plate? Choose a French wine
• Hamburgers & Fries? California Red will do just fine!

And that's it! Reminder: these tricks are just that, shortcuts in a jam. 

For more sophistication check out winefolly.com or other serious food blogs :)

Please feel free to comment! 

Networking 101: Every Introvert's Nightmare

Networking 101:

When I moved to the west coast in 2012 I literally knew no. one.

I am naturally, a very shy, not outgoing personality type. So I really had to step outside my comfort zone in order to:

1. Get a damn Job
2. Make Friends
3. Find Roommates (at least this was me at the time)

"Networking" was a word that sounded like it was for fun people. Or the type of person who randomly talks to strangers while waiting for the 'walk' signal.

So I had to adapt. Here is how I learned to network (and feel free to add to this):


1. Be Yourself

• I know this sounds cheezy, but it works. Like I said, I am more of an introvert and assumed that I wouldn't meet people like me. Wrong! I found just as many people who were on the quieter, shy side that I bonded with quickly because we saw that trait within each other

• Be yourself, but be willing to get uncomfortable too. If you find yourself in a conversation where the topic isn't particularly interesting, or you feel to have nothing to contribute, stick it out. People like being listened to and their appreciation for your eye contact and patience will come back to you - unless the guy is a weirdo

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2. Nuggets 

• Whether you're engaged in a conversation already or simple eavesdropping, listen for nuggets or buzzwords that can get you in.
• For example, I once was at a nail salon and overheard two women talking about how they were understaffed at their workplace. They were discussing the job title which sounded like something I had been applying for. I waited for the appropriate time to butt in with a big smile and ask if I could inquire about the job. I walked away with both their business cards.

• Nuggets can be non-business related as well. Most people actually prefer not to talk about work, so even if you are not networking for a job, it's better to start the conversation with some light nuggs instead of perhaps the heavy duty stuff.

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3. LinkedIn / Informational Interviews

• For those of you looking for career networking, do not discount the power of the almighty internet. Create and LinkedIn profile and find your future boss. 

• Just don't start a LinkedIn conversation by saying: "Hi my name is ____ I'd like to have a job now, thanks..." Message your new LinkedIn friend asking if they would have time to give you an "informational interview" aka explain the line of work you are interested in, and if they could answer a few questions via email or phone?
• Best case scenario, they agree to meet with you over coffee (but this may take a few messages), this could lead to either a job or some really good advice

• LinkedIn is career Tinder, so do not be disappointed if someone doesn't respond, and don't harass people, it's creepy. Also, no matter how big the city, people talk.

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4. Sometimes, you HAVE to be that Weirdo in the Corner

Yes. It must be done. Depending on how desperate you are. 

Yes. I have done it.

Get a book and get to the coffee shop or the wine bar... 

• I have done this when I was trying to get a feel for my new neighborhood. At 4pm or so I made my way over to my local watering hole that seemed fairly clear of dingbats on a regular basis. I ordered a glass of wine and ended up chatting with the bar tender who knew the WHOLE scoop of the neighborhood. I literally had one drink and walked away with good info.  

If you go this route, bring something with you like a book or laptop. It's your prop in case you need to look cool or escape. 

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Finance 101: Choosing the Right Credit Card

Credit Cards 101:

There is a time and a place for everything in the various stages of adult life, and having a credit card is something you should think about early on. Which clearly I did not, hence why I am doing the research now.

Credit Cards, those scary thin pieces of plastic, can actually save your ass later on in life when you're in need of a credit check. The key is to pay. them. off. 

Paying off your credit cards will leave you with a good credit history which can set you up for a loan, mortgage, apartment, and clear background checks.

In my research, I have found that a certain credit card can serve a certain purpose depending on where you are in life:

1. College: A Card for the College Kids 

For you kids still in school, or even high school graduates who have earned the right to get in some good old fashioned American debt, here are some suggestions:

Use a Local Bank - since you likely have not built up a credit score, your best resource may be your local bank. They may have known you or your family for a while now; if you have an existing savings account there etc. any may be able to advise you best

Card w/ No Annual Fee - annual fees are likely not in your budget

Low APR - of course, every human wants this: a low 'annual percentage rate' (APR), this is a charge made to you if you do not pay your balance off on time. 

• Say you bought burritos and beer and put it on your card, and oops, you forgot to pay off your card that month. Welllll the credit card company is going to charge you interest for not paying them on time

Skip the Rewards - The credit cards that offer reward programs which can be enticing, usually have higher APR's which could catch up to you. 

Recommend: Discover it® - "card for students"

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2. Youngish Adults: Post Grads, "Working Adults", 20-30 something year olds

For those of us who have either a full-time job or a couple of part time jobs, you have what is called "income" and although it may not be much... you are more likely to pay off that card.

Cash Back - Believe me, I do not have one, but I need one. 

• If you are working in a city with good coffee/buying lunch every day/living for happy hours .. you will likely reap the benefits of a cash back card if you pay for these daily purchases with a rewards card. 
• Since younger folk usually have a broader array of stuff they are buying, they are likely buying stuff within those "Bonus Categories".
•  -- Let's talk about those real quick: A lot of cash back or rewards cards will fulfill the cash back promise, but have rotating categories (gas, restaurants, etc) where the card can be used only at certain times for certain purposes. 
• If you are a young professional who pays your card balance online, you are likely to be more on top of the bonus category schedule. (I am not, hence why I do not have one, but most of my responsible friends do)

Skip the Travel Rewards Cards - Unless you are traveling A LOT, or your putting business trips on your personal card and getting comp'ed by your company later

Recommend: Chase Freedom

Security: I have a Chase Credit card and have found them to be almost annoyingly secure in making sure I am not a victim of fraud. But, hey, better safe than sorry. 

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3. Retired Adults: Empty Nesters, Retirees

As someone who has recently had some family members go through this, I can safely say I was very, very envious of their card choices. Here are folks that are likely paying their bills every month, can afford a yearly fee, and don't really need to worry about APR.

So my advice is.. TREAT YO SELF! Your credit rating is probably bomb by now (hopefully)

Cash Back + Rewards: Dooo it. Why not? Well, ok. Don't go too nuts now, because if you are indeed retired then you may be on a fixed income. So make sure when you are looking at reward cards you are smart about it. 

• For folks that are enjoying things like golfing, they likely aren't going to pay too much attention to any cash back bonus categories. So I'd recommend settling for maybe a 1% cash back bonus program so you can enjoy your time of leisure and not worry about if you bought gas with your card this week.

0% APR Introduction Offers: If you are planning on retiring, or slowing down. You are likely putting bigger than usual purchases from time to time. For example, cruises, vacations, a new set of irons.

• Take advantage of a new card that offers a 0% interest within the first year or so - make a big purchase and pay that puppy off in small increments interest-free.

Recommend: Citi Double Cash

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So there you have it, my first recommendation to starting your adualting journey.
If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to share in the comments!


Sources:
Nerd Wallet: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/chase-freedom/ 
US News: https://creditcards.usnews.com/discover/discover-it-for-students
CS Monitor https://www.csmonitor.com/

Introduction to: "Help I'm 30ish" #adulting for Beginners

Help is Here! (Sorta...)

If you are anything like me...

→ 30 something years old / single-ish / attempting to adult ←

Then you have come to the right place

Current Mood

As a 30 something myself who is slowly facing the fact that I have responsibilities, I have always prided myself on figuring shit out the easiest way possible. If it's something that sounds complicated.. it usually is (at least to me).

In this blog, I hope to help others (and me) develop easy 1, 2, 3 steps to adulting.

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For example:

• What is a 401k? What's the "k" part all about?
• How do I brew coffee when I no longer can afford Starbucks?
• Balance a checkbook - my parent used to say things like that
• Parallel Park - yes.I am still learning this
• Not yawn when talking to boring people

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I invite you to master adulting alongside me. I promise to break things down into simple terms because clearly, I need this too.