Two years ago I quit my marketing job in Pasadena and moved back to Santa Barbara for my ex-boyfriend. Huge leap of faith considering when I graduated college, I landed the job of my dreams. I've wanted to be a writer my whole life. I studied copywriting in college and spent my first year in the business world doing just that. But something was a little off. I thought it was my personal life.
I interviewed for various marketing jobs in Santa Barbara and was offered a couple of positions, but none of them seemed right. My favorite was a job offer that followed the CEO of the company telling me that he would treat me like an asshole, but if I could handle it I would have a great career.
HAHA. Thanks bud... so on board. Right?! Uhhhh. No.
Then a crazy thing happened. I started looking at hospitality jobs. Not completely random (throughout college I worked in the hospitality industry), I had just never thought of it as a career path. I found a job, no, I found the perfect job.
When I started working at my hotel, I realized what had been missing in my life. I literally started to skip into work every day (yes, slightly embarrassing, but you just can't squash pure joy). Despite my love of writing, working a traditional 8-5 job is not for me... and will never be for me. I can't sit at a computer screen and type for 8 hours on end. That to me is torture.
Major career/life change right? I think my parents probably thought I was crazy. I mean up until this point I had my life mapped out, what classes I would take in high school to get me into the right college. What classes I would take in college to get into the Writing Minor at UCSB, what internships and clubs and connections I needed to get the right job out of college. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. I told my parents I was going to work at the hotel while I studied for the GMAT, so I could go back to school to get my MBA. Make them proud, you know?
One year passes in Santa Barbara. I take the GMAT. Six months later I apply to schools. I get in to all of them. That was this past April. Fast forward three months. I choose Pepperdine. I want to stay in hospitality-- so why leave my job when I can keep working, keep getting experience and earn an MBA all at the same time? Hmmm?
Fast forward two months. I break up with my boyfriend. I get promoted. I reevaluate... I defer...
TO BE CONTINUED....
Jildo
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wells You Did Me Dirty
I am not a huge fan of Wells Fargo right now. Working in hospitality has set my bar for customer service very high, because I know how easy it is to provide great customer service. Its simple really: treat people the way you would like to be treated!!! Come'on people! Seriously, this is not rocket science.
Remember when I lost my credit card back on August 1st or so? Wells Fargo expedited me my new card... except it never came, so despite paying the rush fee I was still without a credit card and had to order yet another one?! Well the new one did not arrive until August 17th. Meanwhile they have removed the lost card from my online bank account. So I ask you, can I make a payment on an invisible card? Hmmmm... I know such a tough question. NO!!!!
The new cc finally comes on the 17th, which is a Wednesday. I activate it immediately. Wells Fargo informed me when I ordered the new cc, that it would show up on my online account after I activated it. They said my previous balance would be automatically transferred to the new card. Thursday I check my bank account the new cc isn't there yet. Friday comes and goes too without any change to my account. On Saturday I get nervous. It is the 20th. My bill is ALWAYS due on the 20th. Still no cc. At this point I think well it's the weekend the bank isn't open, maybe it won't show up on my account until Monday and they will waive the late fee on the payment, since they did not add the credit card to my account until August 22nd.
I can't sleep at all Saturday night. I am NEVER late paying off my credit card. I may spend money on things I shouldn't (coffee, colorful bras that you really can't wear with anything, zebra loafers made with real hair), but nothing and I mean nothing will get between me and my amazing credit... except maybe my motherf***ing bank. Excuse me. Sunday I wake up in a cold sweat (ok not really, but I thought it sounded good) and run to my computer. I log onto my bank account and scour the entire website for a good thirty minutes. After poking around in dark corners and clearing out cobwebs, I figure out how to add my new credit card to my online account...
STOP. Don't you dare say it. I should have known that I needed to do this?! STOP right there or my eyes are going to POP out of my head. Maybe these days you have to manually add replacement credit cards to your account... but how was I supposed to know that?! This last credit card was not the first card I have lost. I lose things easily. I probably had 2-3 lost/stolen credit cards throughout college. Did I have to manually add those to my online bank account?
NO!!! WTF.
I paid my credit card bill immediately- unfortunately for me now it was August 21st. Joy. What do I find two days ago on my updated statement? HMMM?! LATE FEE!!! FUCK YOU WELLS FARGO!!!
I sent them a very nice, polite email assure you-- no, really, it was very nice. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they will do the right thing-- in this case waive the late fee. I mean they can look at my freaking track record. Up until this last bill I always pay my credit card off in time and in full.
They emailed me back this morning. Sorry, you were late on your payment.
I sent them another email. I can't repeat what was said, but lets just say I may start looking for a new bank.
Over you wells. Jildo
Remember when I lost my credit card back on August 1st or so? Wells Fargo expedited me my new card... except it never came, so despite paying the rush fee I was still without a credit card and had to order yet another one?! Well the new one did not arrive until August 17th. Meanwhile they have removed the lost card from my online bank account. So I ask you, can I make a payment on an invisible card? Hmmmm... I know such a tough question. NO!!!!
The new cc finally comes on the 17th, which is a Wednesday. I activate it immediately. Wells Fargo informed me when I ordered the new cc, that it would show up on my online account after I activated it. They said my previous balance would be automatically transferred to the new card. Thursday I check my bank account the new cc isn't there yet. Friday comes and goes too without any change to my account. On Saturday I get nervous. It is the 20th. My bill is ALWAYS due on the 20th. Still no cc. At this point I think well it's the weekend the bank isn't open, maybe it won't show up on my account until Monday and they will waive the late fee on the payment, since they did not add the credit card to my account until August 22nd.
I can't sleep at all Saturday night. I am NEVER late paying off my credit card. I may spend money on things I shouldn't (coffee, colorful bras that you really can't wear with anything, zebra loafers made with real hair), but nothing and I mean nothing will get between me and my amazing credit... except maybe my motherf***ing bank. Excuse me. Sunday I wake up in a cold sweat (ok not really, but I thought it sounded good) and run to my computer. I log onto my bank account and scour the entire website for a good thirty minutes. After poking around in dark corners and clearing out cobwebs, I figure out how to add my new credit card to my online account...
STOP. Don't you dare say it. I should have known that I needed to do this?! STOP right there or my eyes are going to POP out of my head. Maybe these days you have to manually add replacement credit cards to your account... but how was I supposed to know that?! This last credit card was not the first card I have lost. I lose things easily. I probably had 2-3 lost/stolen credit cards throughout college. Did I have to manually add those to my online bank account?
NO!!! WTF.
I paid my credit card bill immediately- unfortunately for me now it was August 21st. Joy. What do I find two days ago on my updated statement? HMMM?! LATE FEE!!! FUCK YOU WELLS FARGO!!!
I sent them a very nice, polite email assure you-- no, really, it was very nice. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they will do the right thing-- in this case waive the late fee. I mean they can look at my freaking track record. Up until this last bill I always pay my credit card off in time and in full.
They emailed me back this morning. Sorry, you were late on your payment.
I sent them another email. I can't repeat what was said, but lets just say I may start looking for a new bank.
Over you wells. Jildo
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Woman Seeking Homeless Person
Today was my Saturday. On my days off, I have waaayyyy too much time on my hands. Today was no exception. Despite not wanting to spend any money, after throwing together a sad attempt at breakfast (french toast, sans the french and basically sans the toast-- I don't think bread made solely from barley really counts a bread. Do you?), I decided a trip to the grocery store was definitely in order. $48 poorer, I found myself back at home again.
Then I started thinking. Yes, my budgeting efforts thus far have been valiant, but have I really scared myself away from unnecessary spending? If I went downtown and found a smokin' hot dress, would I really not buy it? Even if I had no where to wear it to? No-- I have a weakness for colorful, need-to-be- worn, screaming-on-the-hanger, put-me-on and dance-all-night dresses. Something has to be done. I decided I need to teach myself a lesson.
Yes, that's right. Clearly the only thing left for me to do is shadow a homeless person. I mean how better to learn how to curb my spending than from someone that literally can't spend?
Ok, I admit, I am a little apprehensive of just walking up to random homeless people downtown and asking them if we can hang out. Obviously a withstand-able smell and sobriety are two major requirements. But, personal hygiene aside, I'm also a little gun shy because I'm a girl. Does this make sense? I realize that most homeless people are probably very kind and benevolent or at least just living in hobo-la-la land, but I am sure there are also some real whackos out there. That said I would like your help.
If you know, and by know I mean have seen the same homeless people around town, and they seem mostly with it and probably aren't axe murders, please let me know. I am open to traveling to shadow a homeless person as well-- I take my monetary rehabilitation very seriously. Obviously.
Anxiously awaiting your responses, Jildo.
Then I started thinking. Yes, my budgeting efforts thus far have been valiant, but have I really scared myself away from unnecessary spending? If I went downtown and found a smokin' hot dress, would I really not buy it? Even if I had no where to wear it to? No-- I have a weakness for colorful, need-to-be- worn, screaming-on-the-hanger, put-me-on and dance-all-night dresses. Something has to be done. I decided I need to teach myself a lesson.
Yes, that's right. Clearly the only thing left for me to do is shadow a homeless person. I mean how better to learn how to curb my spending than from someone that literally can't spend?
Ok, I admit, I am a little apprehensive of just walking up to random homeless people downtown and asking them if we can hang out. Obviously a withstand-able smell and sobriety are two major requirements. But, personal hygiene aside, I'm also a little gun shy because I'm a girl. Does this make sense? I realize that most homeless people are probably very kind and benevolent or at least just living in hobo-la-la land, but I am sure there are also some real whackos out there. That said I would like your help.
If you know, and by know I mean have seen the same homeless people around town, and they seem mostly with it and probably aren't axe murders, please let me know. I am open to traveling to shadow a homeless person as well-- I take my monetary rehabilitation very seriously. Obviously.
Anxiously awaiting your responses, Jildo.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Unprotected Texting Comes at a Cost
Growing up my mother taught my sister and I the value of being able to entertain ourselves. We learned to play by ourselves and she in turn was able to get some peace and quiet. I'm not sure how well this trait has transferred to adulthood. You would think that being able to entertain yourself would come in handy if you are trying to save money. I can spend hours planning trips I will never take, watch time fly researching new recipes that I will never cook (I inevitably print them and then throw them away a day later, because I hate clutter) or waste a whole day in a bookstore reading the backs of books and not buying a single one (this is probably my favorite pastime, which has now been thwarted by ereaders-- damn them!)
Unfortunately, when I drink my desire to entertain myself not only continues, but is intensified. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. You know what I'm talking about. Yes, the drunk texts. The texts you would NUH-EVERRRRR send if you were sober... well, unless you were really bored. Drunk texting sneaks up on you like a bandit in the night- and its soooo not cool. For me it's when everything is winding down and everyone is passing out; there is a moment of alone time when I find myself fighting to keep the night going before I succumb to my sweet, sweet, totally forgetable dreams. It is in these pivotal last moments of consciousness that I do the worst damage.
This was me last night... post, "post". I'm not sure if it was the two margaritas or the three glasses of red wine or the combo of both plus the hot tub. But, when it was time for me to pass out, did I let myself pass out like the responsible adult that I am? The adult that was working at 7:30am and needed all the sleep she could get? No. I fought. I fought to stay awake and send that one freaking, unneccessary text. Geez. Good job, Jillian. Gold star for you. So, while I managed to not spend money yesterday (minus the $2.15 I spent on coffee), I have to ask myself... at what cost?
Lesson Learned: Entertaining oneself is ALWAYS done at your own expense. MRRRR.
Over and out. Jildo
Unfortunately, when I drink my desire to entertain myself not only continues, but is intensified. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. You know what I'm talking about. Yes, the drunk texts. The texts you would NUH-EVERRRRR send if you were sober... well, unless you were really bored. Drunk texting sneaks up on you like a bandit in the night- and its soooo not cool. For me it's when everything is winding down and everyone is passing out; there is a moment of alone time when I find myself fighting to keep the night going before I succumb to my sweet, sweet, totally forgetable dreams. It is in these pivotal last moments of consciousness that I do the worst damage.
This was me last night... post, "post". I'm not sure if it was the two margaritas or the three glasses of red wine or the combo of both plus the hot tub. But, when it was time for me to pass out, did I let myself pass out like the responsible adult that I am? The adult that was working at 7:30am and needed all the sleep she could get? No. I fought. I fought to stay awake and send that one freaking, unneccessary text. Geez. Good job, Jillian. Gold star for you. So, while I managed to not spend money yesterday (minus the $2.15 I spent on coffee), I have to ask myself... at what cost?
Lesson Learned: Entertaining oneself is ALWAYS done at your own expense. MRRRR.
Over and out. Jildo
Monday, August 22, 2011
Ground Control to Major Jill
It has come to my attention that I do not blog enough anymore. Let me explain. I ended a 5 year relationship. I am trying to stay BUSY. Too busy too blog. Right? No. You are right, I am letting myself and you down... I should be more on top of my budgeting/blogging. I should be telling you all about the embarrassing purchases I make. Like this morning: Large Sumatra Dark Coffee. Yes, I may have drank it this morning, but my eyes are still rolling back in my head. **BLISS**. God. Coffee was God's gift to man. Truly.
Coffee aside... I am getting more on top of my budgeting as we speak. Today is my Thursday. Naturally after work I wanted to go to El Paseo and get $2 margaritas... but what do I do? I come home, grab the shaker pour myself some cuervo and strawberry lemonade and shake. Just as good. Better. FREE.
Budgeting is going well. I can make drinks at home. Also, I went on a walk tonight and walks are FREE. Hot tub now... Hot tub is also FREE.
Cheers. Jildo
P.S. Yes, this is post marg, marg, wine, wine, wine. I'm ok with this. Are you?
Coffee aside... I am getting more on top of my budgeting as we speak. Today is my Thursday. Naturally after work I wanted to go to El Paseo and get $2 margaritas... but what do I do? I come home, grab the shaker pour myself some cuervo and strawberry lemonade and shake. Just as good. Better. FREE.
Budgeting is going well. I can make drinks at home. Also, I went on a walk tonight and walks are FREE. Hot tub now... Hot tub is also FREE.
Cheers. Jildo
P.S. Yes, this is post marg, marg, wine, wine, wine. I'm ok with this. Are you?
Friday, August 19, 2011
Good News, Bad News
I know when I stop checking my bank account its a bad sign... I will let myself go about a week without checking it when I know I've been bad. And, yes, I have been bad. I haven't made any too outrageous purchases, but I have driven down to LA the last two weeks in a row to see friends and then there was the $130 I dropped to sign up for a charity golf tournament. But, I figure money spent on charity is good karma and bound to come full circle, and if not at least I'm helping someone else out.
So, here's the damage:
Wait...Good News first:
1. I have upped my 401K contribution to 5% of my salary (so in 80 years, if I'm not dead, I can retire)
2. My savings is up to $1,300 (I know this is nothing-- but considering I started at $750ish back in June I'm happy)
3. I've been working a lot of overtime in the last week (so the next paycheck will be awesome)
4. My birthday is in 3 weeks... birthday money, woo!!!
Bad News:
1. My coffee addiction is back in full force, possibly even worse than before (sometimes I make TWO trips to Coffee Bean in one day. BAD. SO BAD.)
2. I have recently made some unnecessary purchases: i.e. pastels and canvases (i've always wanted to pretend to be an artist-- i bought them a week ago and still haven't touched them--I don't want to fuck them up... which i obviously will, because I don't have an artistic eye like my mom and sister)
3. I have no idea how much I owe on my credit card. Ok thats a lie. When I lost it I think the balance was around $900, but then when I canceled it they removed it from my online banking. How am I supposed to pay it off, if I can't freaking see it?! All I have to say is they better not charge me interest if the payment isn't on time, because I don't know when or what the payment should be!!!! ARGGHGHGHG. So frustrated right now... mostly because I know my credit card payment is usually due on the 20th of the month... which is tomorrow. Oh happy day.
Oh, Happy Day.
And the war with money continues...
xoxo Jildo.
So, here's the damage:
Wait...Good News first:
1. I have upped my 401K contribution to 5% of my salary (so in 80 years, if I'm not dead, I can retire)
2. My savings is up to $1,300 (I know this is nothing-- but considering I started at $750ish back in June I'm happy)
3. I've been working a lot of overtime in the last week (so the next paycheck will be awesome)
4. My birthday is in 3 weeks... birthday money, woo!!!
Bad News:
1. My coffee addiction is back in full force, possibly even worse than before (sometimes I make TWO trips to Coffee Bean in one day. BAD. SO BAD.)
2. I have recently made some unnecessary purchases: i.e. pastels and canvases (i've always wanted to pretend to be an artist-- i bought them a week ago and still haven't touched them--I don't want to fuck them up... which i obviously will, because I don't have an artistic eye like my mom and sister)
3. I have no idea how much I owe on my credit card. Ok thats a lie. When I lost it I think the balance was around $900, but then when I canceled it they removed it from my online banking. How am I supposed to pay it off, if I can't freaking see it?! All I have to say is they better not charge me interest if the payment isn't on time, because I don't know when or what the payment should be!!!! ARGGHGHGHG. So frustrated right now... mostly because I know my credit card payment is usually due on the 20th of the month... which is tomorrow. Oh happy day.
Oh, Happy Day.
And the war with money continues...
xoxo Jildo.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
This Little Piggy Went to Market
It has been far too long since I have told you about all the money that I am spending-- money that I should not be spending. I think its been 11 days. A lot can happen in 11 days. I am not going to lie, I honestly haven't wanted to write another post-- I don't really want to write one now-- because I haven't been good. And, I hate it when I don't stick to my own guns... I want the GOLD stars damnit! Mrrrr.
So, let's see where to start. Saturday, July 30th I had the bright idea that I did not need to take a purse downtown-- the plan was to go dancing and I HATE carrying a purse or HEHNETHING when i'm dancing. You just can't be free when you have things in your hands (this is also why I prefer shots to drinks-- drinks just get in the effing way). Anyways, I decided that instead of taking a purse or a wristlet I would just hold my credit card in my hand. YEA. I was obviously a wee bit intoxicated when I made this decision.
Next thing I know I am outside EOS with my friend Ashley with no credit card. I have no idea where it is. I start feverishly blowing on my hand, I think that I have become a magician and that I can make my card magically reappear. No matter how hard I blow, no card.
Sunday I wake up... I see a jack in the box wrapper on the floor. FUCK. Well, obviously I found cash somewhere last night. I stretch my hand toward my nightstand... eh... eh... (comeon can't I reach my freaking phone without having to get out of bed?). UHHH... got it. I hit speed dial. "This is John with Wells Fargo, how can I help you?" (Yes, I have my bank on speed dial).
I open my mouth "Mumble Mumble card... mumble mumble lost... Mumble merrrr."
John: Ok, we can cancel your old card and get you a new card. Would you like us to expedite that for $16?
Me: Mumble yes... I'm going to Vegas in two days.
John: (so judging me right now)
Two days later. Still no credit card. FUCK IT. I'll just go to Vegas with my debit card- hey, I'll do less damage that way, right?
Heh. Maybe... so the whole idea for Vegas round two happened out of the blue. My room mate and I work together, we got our schedules, we had the same days off (this NEVER happens) and we said "Dude, Vegas" (obviously). The plan was to work Tuesday till 3:30pm, drive straight from work to Vegas get there by 11pm and then party, party, party. Perfect plan.
We found a good rate for a hotel, so that was pretty much the only thing we would have to spend money on-- that and gas. But then, Tuesday morning my boss asked me to go down to HR with him... they offered me a promotion. So, now not only was I going to Vegas (a celebration in and of itself), I was also celebrating a promotion. Of course, now I had the mindset that hey, I could spend a little more money, after all I would be making more, right? Right.
Sigh. So, I spent some money in Vegas-- I wanted to buy new work clothes (I was totally investing in my future!) I am not super proud of myself, but, I am still up from where I started. I think I have $1,300 in savings now-- as opposed to the what, $748.49 that I started with on June 11. Still a long way to go, but I'll get there someday. If I stop going to Vegas every other week.
I will. No more Vegas... for awhile.
xoxo. Jildo
So, let's see where to start. Saturday, July 30th I had the bright idea that I did not need to take a purse downtown-- the plan was to go dancing and I HATE carrying a purse or HEHNETHING when i'm dancing. You just can't be free when you have things in your hands (this is also why I prefer shots to drinks-- drinks just get in the effing way). Anyways, I decided that instead of taking a purse or a wristlet I would just hold my credit card in my hand. YEA. I was obviously a wee bit intoxicated when I made this decision.
Next thing I know I am outside EOS with my friend Ashley with no credit card. I have no idea where it is. I start feverishly blowing on my hand, I think that I have become a magician and that I can make my card magically reappear. No matter how hard I blow, no card.
Sunday I wake up... I see a jack in the box wrapper on the floor. FUCK. Well, obviously I found cash somewhere last night. I stretch my hand toward my nightstand... eh... eh... (comeon can't I reach my freaking phone without having to get out of bed?). UHHH... got it. I hit speed dial. "This is John with Wells Fargo, how can I help you?" (Yes, I have my bank on speed dial).
I open my mouth "Mumble Mumble card... mumble mumble lost... Mumble merrrr."
John: Ok, we can cancel your old card and get you a new card. Would you like us to expedite that for $16?
Me: Mumble yes... I'm going to Vegas in two days.
John: (so judging me right now)
Two days later. Still no credit card. FUCK IT. I'll just go to Vegas with my debit card- hey, I'll do less damage that way, right?
Heh. Maybe... so the whole idea for Vegas round two happened out of the blue. My room mate and I work together, we got our schedules, we had the same days off (this NEVER happens) and we said "Dude, Vegas" (obviously). The plan was to work Tuesday till 3:30pm, drive straight from work to Vegas get there by 11pm and then party, party, party. Perfect plan.
We found a good rate for a hotel, so that was pretty much the only thing we would have to spend money on-- that and gas. But then, Tuesday morning my boss asked me to go down to HR with him... they offered me a promotion. So, now not only was I going to Vegas (a celebration in and of itself), I was also celebrating a promotion. Of course, now I had the mindset that hey, I could spend a little more money, after all I would be making more, right? Right.
Sigh. So, I spent some money in Vegas-- I wanted to buy new work clothes (I was totally investing in my future!) I am not super proud of myself, but, I am still up from where I started. I think I have $1,300 in savings now-- as opposed to the what, $748.49 that I started with on June 11. Still a long way to go, but I'll get there someday. If I stop going to Vegas every other week.
I will. No more Vegas... for awhile.
xoxo. Jildo
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)