Where do you live? City and State (or Country if outside the U.S.)
East coast, FL
Do you like where you currently live? Why or why not?
Yes, we are very close to the beach, my husband is retired and swims almost daily, weather permitting. We are close to shopping, restaurant, a state park to hike in, doctors, hospitals, all the conveniences we would require or desire.
Do you have any hobbies? What are they?
Yes, exercise, yoga, bike riding, reading, gardening, sewing home decor like pillow covers and for our only (newborn) grandson, trying new crafts and going in Instagram for new ideas. listening to music, organizing rooms in my home and I work part time.
What is your highest level of education?
high school an AIB for banks
Are you currently employed?
Yes
What is your current occupation?
Customer relations and accounting asst.
Do you like your current occupation / job? Why or why not?
Yes, because I only work the season and have summers off, its great!
What is your yearly salary (or approximate yearly compensation)? Feel free to include any bonuses or other compensation perks you may receive this year.
I only work specific hours, so each week is different and I am hourly due to being a seasonal employee, and no benefits. Around $17,000 plus a nice Christmas bonus which varies.
Have you ever been promoted at work? What position(s) were you promoted to?
No, but I was given a raise and I do more work as needed.
Have you ever negotiated your salary? If so, how did that go / what was the outcome?
Yes, I got a raise.
Do you have a second job or side hustle? If yes, what is it and what do you do?
No, but I like the idea! last summer I helped a friend and we did house watches for homes of snowbirds. They need people to make sure their homes are not losing an A/C or fridge is still on, flush toilets. It was easy and I made good money.
What is your relationship status?
Married
Do you and your partner have joint or separate finances?
We have seperate accounts but our names are on each other’s accounts.
What is your *monthly* rent / mortgage for your household?
Mortage $1,200 a month/ low % rate helps
Do you have any children / dependents? If yes, how many?
3 sons, 2 still live at home, pay rent-we love it!
Do you have any pets? If yes, what kind?
2 Aussies, a girl and boy
About how much do you spend on groceries *each week*?
varies too much to be exact…$150-$200
Are you debt free?
No
What kinds of debt do you have?
Other
How much *cash* savings do you have currently?
$10,000 +
Are you currently investing/saving for your retirement?
Yes
About how much money do you have invested/saved for retirement? Are you satisfied with this number?
Roughly $400k or more. My husband invests in our retirement and has stocks and we have a retirement planner. Our house would sell for almost 1 M and where we are are living it is not cheap to buy a home.
What’s been your favorite purchase this year?
I bought an antique cupboard to put in dining area because I don’t like to dust and or have clutter on display and my hutch was too much.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Explore more careers. I am the daughter of bankers and went to school for that and when I had my children I left that career. I have no regrets but I should have looked at what else I could have chosen.
What current goals do you have? (ex. Health goals, Fitness, Money, Career, Travel, etc.)
Work out more, lift weights more often. Keep working…hard to travel with our dogs bc our male dog is a velcro dog. We have property in NC and my husband and sons go up there to see it.
What are you currently struggling with, if anything?
The high cost of living in FL, high insurance rates, property taxes even though we have homestead exemption.
What accomplishments of yours are you most proud of?
Our 3 sons and having a mostly positive outlook on life until I listen to the news! Turning off the tv, it can help. Having a healthy marriage and friendships, although 5 of my friends have moved away and seem happier out of FL. My co-workers are very fun and make work fun!
What makes you imperfect?
Talking to myself about what I want to do and not following through. I found that writing things down helps me focus on what I need to do instead of wanting to do. I try to write a gratitude list every day and think positive, it helps.
It’s Personal is an anonymous blog series about the personal lives and finances of women.
