Thoughts during procrastination

Actually, I should probably be doing LESS thinking and more DOING right about now. Procrastinating a mere four days before leaving for New York University's Summer Publishing Institute probably isn't such a great idea, considering I still have boatloads of homework to do. And packing. As well as the intense "psych-ing up" process that has to occur before such a drastic life change.

Perhaps it's because the way I cope with change is to ignore it, but work has been moving pretty slowly around here--even though my plane leaves 7 a.m. Sunday morning. I could chalk it up to all the mental preparation I've been doing: mentally going through the whole "flying to NYC by myself" thing, practicing my cab-getting skills, memorizing the layout of LaGuardia airport. And all that is for simply getting to the dorm! I'm actually not as nervous about the day-to-day of the Institute itself. Everyone is meeting in the lobby of Palladium (the dorm where we're staying) an hour before orientation so that we can all take the subway to the Woolworth building together. And then, for all the classes, I'll be with the same group of people--some of which (I'm hoping) will also be new to the big city. What does make me anxious are all the things I'll have to do myself: flying, negotiating the airport, finding a way to 140 E. 14th Street. For many my age, these things are second nature. However this is only the second time I've flown, the first time by myself and this is, by far, the biggest city I've ever been to. Call me country mouse, but I know I'm going to be dumbfounded by what I'll find in New York City this summer.

The problem is, I am determined to succeed at the Institute. This means taking everything new in stride, projecting an aura of confidence, and believing that the world of professional publishing is something a small-town girl from Ohio can not only handle, but kick everybody's ass along the way. I want to impress these big-city editors and prove to them that this IS the career for me. To do this, I really need to get over my insecurities. I try to tell myself that I am fulfilling a lifelong dream in coming to New York City--especially to study book publishing (my dream career besides being an award-winning writer). Hopefully I'll make some friends while I'm there, go sightseeing, go out a few times, learn a few things so that I'm more tempting to future employers, and experience everything I've ever dreamed about New York.

Getting there is still a ways away, though. These past few days have been ... eventful ... but I definately haven't accomplished everything I could. Tuesday I did my manuscript editing assignment, sending that in on Blackboard. It wasn't too hard considering its resembled the critiques we did in my journalism, narrative non-fiction, capstone. Today, I got some important errands out of the way, things I needed to do before leaving: got my hair cut, got my glasses tightened, bought make-up, bought a new water bottle, spent some time with Kim. Tomorrow, I really need to finish the rest of my homework. It's actually not too difficult except for the fact that's it's creative: I have to come up with one "terrific" idea for a new magazine launch, and then five ideas for potential book launches. Yikes. I guess I'll really sit down and brainstorm tomorrow. I also need to do laundry, pack and organize everything I'll need for six weeks in New York.

The money situation has been stressful, though. Like I told Kim tonight, I get anxious when I don't have a steady paycheck. I spent quite a bit of money today, but that's because haircuts and good make-up is so expensive. I've been DSW twice and (miraculously) didn't buy anything, despite the $10 gift certificate burning a hole in my purse. I think I've convinced my mom to make a I'll-miss-you purchase, since I would really like new brown sandals (the Old Navy flip flops just aren't cutting it anymore). We'll see about that. Other than that, I've been holed up at home for three weeks now, wasting post-graduation time doing puzzles, reading Stephen King, watching way too much Law & Order and HGTV ... the usual. I've also been anxious about Joel up at GM. GM is expected to go into bankruptcy next week and Joel is almost certain he'll be laid off. Hopefully this isn't true (his co-op position hasn't been cut yet!), but if it is, at least he'll be home this summer. God, I keep holding out for the stockholders to save the company at the last second. I only hope GM comes out of this alive; Joel really loves it there and it would be simply fantastic for him to have a job offer waiting after graduation next year.

Well the times, they are a-changin'

I'm thinking of changing things around here on the Penny Foolish blog. While the spending idea is great, I don't think I have the stamina to keep it up. What I do have is lots of silly thoughts and ideas for a regular blog, and so I think Penny Foolish will become something new entirely. Hopefully it won't become as trivial or personal as my Xanga of yore, but I hope to expand to new topics and discussions of the world around me as a recent college grad. Of course, money will play into this worldview as I will be poor, thereby keeping my title as Penny Foolish.

I'm sorry if anybody actually reads this blog and enjoyed its previous format. I promise to continue talking about my financial situation in depth, as it still pertains to my life, but hopefully you'll enjoy the other thoughts bouncing around inside my head as well.

Austere Times? Perfect

An interesting article from the New York Times about scrimping and saving.

In an Age of Austerity, the Misery Thrive

Millions of Americans have trimmed expenses because they have had their jobs or hours cut, or fear they will. But a subset of savers are reducing costs not just with purpose, but with relish. These are the gleefully frugal. (read more)

I find this article fascinating because more and more I find myself researching different ways to save money, even if most of the tips are not feasible for a college student. Just last week I spent hours on a site with healthy and cost-saving recipes, planning (of course) for living on my own next year. I actually think this is a problem, and more than an obsession. Who knows if it'll fade once the recession disappears. Hopefully not, because I'm learning a lot!

Good news of Friday? I haven't spent a dime all week, and I got paid this week!

Bad news? I wrote a check for my car payment, which I plan on mailing tomorrow. Expect an update soon. Plus, I gotta shell out some dollar bills for a haircut tomorrow as well.

Paying for a big city experience

So awhile ago, I said I’d let everyone know how I was planning on paying for my time at NYU this summer. Of course, that involves a lot of work so I delayed the task for as long as possible. Unfortunately, now that I’m spending my Sunday working an eight-hour supervisor shift at the university library (I’ve worked here for four years, which allows me to supervise as an undergrad), I have the time to tell you. Be excited.

Like I mentioned (or may not have mentioned…I can’t remember) before, I was recently accepted to New York University’s Summer Publishing Institute, where I’ll be getting a six-week crash course in the book and magazine publishing world. I’ll be living in a NYU dorm in Greenwich Village and then taking classes downtown in the Woolworth Building (located right next door to Ground Zero). I’ve been planning on attending the institute (if I got in) for more than a year now, so when I received my acceptance e-mail, there was no question as to my response. I admit, I did have one moment of pause when I considered how much it was really going to cost, but I survived that and am now happily enrolled.

Let’s get down to the basics. Tuition for the program costs $4,900. To live in a NYU residence hall costs $275 a week, or $1,100 a month (good by NYC standards!) I could have paid for a meal plan, but opted not to considering that I will be spending the majority of my time away from NYU’s campus (and therefore NYU dining halls), it was expensive and even the program itself recommends against it.

To confirm my place in the program (you had to respond within two weeks of receiving your acceptance letter, or else risk losing your spot), I had to send in a $500 deposit that will go toward my tuition, as well as payment for the first three weeks of housing ($825). The remaining housing payment is due by June 1, and I’m not sure exactly when the rest of tuition is due, but I assume it’s around that time.

Here’s my plan to pay for it all:
-My parents have agreed to pay for my housing. I initially had to write the check for $825 (which about gave me a heart attack, seeing my checking account drop that fast), but my mother recently paid me back. I didn’t record that expense in here because, well, it wasn’t really an expense at all.
-I have around $3,000 in my savings account and I plan on withdrawing $2,000 of that to go toward tuition.
-I expect that my grandparents will give me $1,000 for a graduation present (since that is the amount they gave my cousin), and that money will also go toward tuition.
-I have entered a competition in Miami’s English Dept., with monetary awards given out for big winners. They may have decreased the payout because of university budget problems, but originally first prize was $5,000, second place $3,000, etc. IF I win one of these awards, the entirety of it will be used to pay for the program.
-If I don’t win an award (which is more than likely), I have plans to save at least $1,000 in my checking account by the end of the school year, which will go toward the program as well.

That totals $4,000 on my dime. Now, we’ve already paid $500 on tuition, so all that’s remaining is $400. My parents said they would pick that up as well.

Now while I’m there, I’m going to have to pay for food (the dorms have kitchens, but I’ll have to supply the basic ingredients) and a Metrocard to get around. There’s also the inevitable cost of living, which is obscenely high in NYC. I understand that I will have little capital upon returning home, but I will have at least a part-time job/internship at Dayton Daily News awaiting me, which does pay (minimum wage). I’ll be spending the rest of the summer looking for full-time jobs, in the hopes of making up the money. However, the experience will definitely be worth it and I have high hopes that graduation from the program will help me land a (better) job quicker than if I had never gone. It will definitely provide me with that leg-up that’s so desperately needed in this job market, plus there’s no replacing six weeks in the city.

To offset this, I do have some good financial news. My checking account received a flush of cash recently, with my mother paying me back that $825 as well as bringing me my state income return check ($114). Also, when I originally did my taxes, I thought I owed Uncle Sam $274. I wrote the check, glumly, but thought that was the end of that. Then, my mom tells me that we did my taxes wrong and that instead of owing the government, I was getting a return of nearly $400! That means in the upcoming months I will be paid back the $274 I originally sent the IRS, and then returned $400 more! How exciting! Add that on top of the fact that during this pay period, I will work 30 hours for the first time since leaving my old job at the student newspaper, and it’s been a good few weeks. Well, let’s just say it’s been a financial rollercoaster but at least I’m now on an upswing.

Grocery trip

Amount spent: $33.29
What: Groceries

So my groceries cost a little bit more this time around, but hey, I'm trying to be healthy. I bought some dried cranberries and cashews to make trail mix, and I'm planning on taking it (in little baggies) to work for a healthy snack. Oh yeah...that's what weeks of watching the Food Network will get you. Plus, now I'm pretty much stocked for food until the end of the year.

Night out

Amount spent: $7.00
What: Starbucks

Amount spent: $6.00
What: movie

All I can say is that...it's the end of March. Thank God.

Errands!

Amount spent: $15
What: medicine

Amount spent: $4.50
What: toothbrush and orange juice

I said there would be more, but look! I went to the grocery store and only bought what I truly NEEDED. No extra goodies allowed. Hopefully this will be the last of my spending this month. My boyfriend is visiting tomorrow night but hopefully we can keep that cheap as well, perhaps even spend-free for me!

Oh, and how did CVS know I needed a refill on my prescription...yesterday? I technically don't even run out of pills until tomorrow, but when I called the pharmacy to put in a refill request, they said it was ready for pickup! Hmm, very strange.