Jana Says

A despicable act

July 18, 2011 by Jana 9 Comments

I give money to charity. I don’t mind doing it, I like doing it and I’ll keep doing it. While I don’t give gigantic amounts, I give what I can. I don’t expect anything in return for giving money to charity (except maybe a little good karma every now and again). In fact, this concept is a basic tenet of Judaism. It’s called tzedakah and it is one of the 613 mitzvahs.

I try to be a good person, and giving tzedakah is one of the ways I do that. And my job makes it extremely simple to give. For instance, I can have money taken directly out of my paycheck (it comes out of my net pay, not my gross) and given to any charity I choose (from a given list). I can buy Girl Scout cookies or other items from co-workers. I can even participate in fundraisers that directly benefit our employee charitable campaign, which is something I would do almost daily.

In my building, there was an ongoing snack sale where we could buy snacks and sodas for cheap ($.25, $.50). There was a little jar that we would put our money in and, at the end of the day, someone from the committee would collect money. It was a great system, and no one monitored the jar because–let’s face it–we’re adults and can be trusted. Apparently, not so much.

Last Friday, we received an email that the snack and soda sale would be discontinued indefinitely because someone has been stealing the money out of the jar. This infuriated me! First of all, in what direction does your moral compass point that you need to steal money from charity? Second, it’s not as if this was massive amounts of money; we’re talking maybe $20 at the end of the day. Third, and this is the selfish part of me, I’m pissed that I can’t get my $.50 sodas anymore! I did not mind paying $.50 for a soda because the money went to charity. I will not spend $1.50 for a soda from the vending machine for the money to go straight to the vendor.

Stealing from charity is deplorable. It is theft and the perpetrator should be prosecuted. Or at least be forced to pay the money back anonymously. I’m hoping that the shame he or she feels for stealing the money is enough punishment that public humiliation is not necessary. Though, right now, I’d love to put the thief in a stockade and throw tomatoes at him (or her).

Not so great expectations

July 14, 2011 by Jana 8 Comments

Back when I was in grad school, I had a gross salary of $11,000 for the entire school year. I made a little more during the summer months but not much more. It didn’t matter, though, because I never felt like I was missing anything. I had enough money to cover all of my needs and most of my wants (credit cards helped out with the rest but we won’t go there). I even had a small savings account and was able to pay for two spring break trips in cash (Cancun and Jamaica). When I reflect on how I was able to have so much on so little, it all comes back to one main point–lower expectations.

When you’re 22, 23, 24, the expectations that you and others place on you are less. You’re expected to live in a crappy apartment outfitted entirely in hand-me-downs. You’re expected to have a roommate. You’re expected to live on Ramen and pasta and beer. You’re expected to drive an not-so-nice car. You’re expected to have a crappy, low paying job.

I did all of these. And I loved every minute of it! I had my own apartment, shared with a roommate, which was supercheap, included most utilities and was on my school’s bus line (however, I either walked or used my car. The bus was utterly unreliable. But it was nice to know that it was available). I spent maybe $35 every two weeks on food. I went out with friends a lot more than I should have but we always found cheap ways to do it. There was not one minute that I thought there was anything wrong with my life. Then I graduated.

Upon graduation, I took a job paying almost 3x what I was making as a grad student. All of sudden, my crappy apartment with used furniture seemed beneath me. My taste in food and bars suddenly went up. So I adjusted my lifestyle and choices to accommodate my new salary for no other reason than now that I was a working adult and not a student. What was expected of me had changed. I was now expected to behave like a grown-up, with all the trappings that go with it (except for the car payment. I was able to avoid that for another 3 years). Reflecting back on it, I don’t know why that piece of paper saying I graduated also came with instructions for how I was expected to spend my money. But it did. And I acquiesced because I didn’t know what else to do.

It never ceases to amaze me how certain milestones imply increased spending and lifestyle adjustments. I would love to know why, as we get older, we feel so much pressure to up our expectation for our lives. What would happen if we didn’t? Would our lives really fall apart? Would our families stop loving us?

Believe me, I understand that as we get older and take on more responsibilities, it’s nice to have more income. And it is nice to have the money to afford “nicer” things. But sometimes, the stress that comes with more income just isn’t worth it. There are some days I truly don’t like the expectations that I own a home (which I do), should have more kids (which I can’t), or have plenty of money for nice furniture or restaurants or vacations or whatever society (and my parents) has decided I should have. I’m not one for making judgments about others; I find it ironic that I let the judgment of others influence the expectations for myself.

Though, I will say, it is nice to sit on my own furniture.

Has increased income changed your expectations for yourself?

Frugal recipes: lentils and zucchini

July 13, 2011 by Jana 5 Comments

I am a huge advocate for sharing recipes. We all need to eat, right? Since most of us have a budget and can’t afford enormous grocery bills, sharing frugal recipes is even better! When I come across such a recipe, I feel the need to share.

I mentioned earlier this month that my family is participating in a food stamp challenge (update coming on Friday). To keep with our budget, I’ve been using the $5 Dollar Dinner Mom’s cookbook (borrowed from my mother for free!) and website for good, inexpensive recipes. On Monday I made BBQ Lentils with Zucchini Parmesan for dinner. Of course, I’m the only one that ate it as my husband was away for work and my daughter ate leftover grilled cheese from our restaurant meal on Saturday night (this will be discussed in Friday’s update as well). But it was so freaking good! Especially the zucchini. The whole thing took 1/2 hour to make and I had enough leftovers for 2 days of lunches.

BBQ Lentils (from 5 Dollar Dinners by Erin Chase)

Ingredients

1 cup lentils
3 cups water
pinch salt
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey (I used honey)
1 garlic clove, crushed (I used the jarred equivalent)
1 cup brown rice

Directions

Bring lentils, water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat and let lentils cook for 20 minutes.
While lentils are cooking, prepare brown rice according to directions.
Add BBQ sauce, brown sugar or honey, and garlic to pot. Mix thoroughly and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Serve lentils over brown rice

Zucchini Parmesan (from 5 Dollar Dinners by Erin Chase)

Ingredients

1 large zucchini (adjust based on the number in your family. I used one small one for just me)
1-2 tbsp fresh shredded Parmesan cheese (not from the can/shaker thing)

Directions

Cut the zucchini into slices or chunks.
Microwave, covered, for 4-5 minutes.
Sprinkle shredded cheese. Let sit until melted.

That’s it. It’s simple, delicious, really filling and nutritious!

Money Tune Tuesday: Money Changes Everything

July 12, 2011 by Jana Leave a Comment

Cyndi Lauper is a wise woman. Sure, she may look like a clown who put on her make-up in the dark and her speaking voice makes me want to mute the TV but she can sing her ass off and her songs are amazing and timeless. Now that I think of it, I need to put her on my iPod. But I digress. Today’s money tune is Cyndi Lauper’s Money Changes Everything.

My favorite lyric? Is this:
   They shake your hand and they smile
   And they buy you a drink
   They say we’ll be your friends
   We’ll stick with you till the end
   Ah but everybody’s only
   Looking out for themselves
   And you say well who can you trust
   I’ll tell you it’s just
   Nobody else’s money –

If I Had $1,000,000

July 11, 2011 by Jana 13 Comments

Sandy @ Yes, I Am Cheap has posed the question: What would you do if you inherited $1M from your cousin Bertha, a cousin who you haven’t seen since you were a baby?

The first thing I’d do is wonder why on earth this woman I haven’t seen in 34 years has left me $1M. Then, I’d call my parents to find out how I’m related to Bertha and if she’s legit and not something akin to the Nigerian prince schemes. Once I find out that she’s kosher (and a relative), then I start making a plan for the money. Here’s what my plan looks like:

Hire an attorney. I’m not exactly sure why but I remember reading somewhere that if you win and/or inherit a large sum of money, you should hire a lawyer. So I’d do that.
Pay my taxes. I’m not cut out for jail and I don’t want to go, even if it’s good enough for Wesley Snipes and Martha Stewart. I like not having a criminal record.
Set aside money for retirement and my daughter’s college education. This is because I need to be responsible. $1M, while a lot of money, is not enough for us to retire on. Both my husband and I would need to continue to work but we could work a little easier knowing that our sad little retirement accounts and our daughter’s pathetic 529 have sufficient funding.
Pay off our house, car, and my husband’s student loans. These are our remaining debts and I’m tired of them. So I’d pay them off.
Donate some. There are several charities that I know could benefit from donations, so I’d give about $25K (each) to 4 different charities. I’d handpick them, and I wouldn’t make them compete for the money a la trashy reality shows. I’d just fork it over. ‘Cause I’m awesome like that.
Be completely irresponsible. For one month. Lest you think I’d go all Brewster’s Millions, I wouldn’t. I’d buy clothes that fit properly for both my husband and I, outfit my daughter for the upcoming year, book my dream vacations, put aside money for my dream kitchen and buy Mets season tickets. And I go spend a weekend getting spa treatments.

(See, Dave Ramsey? Even in a hypothetical scenario, I still follow the spend, save, give mentality. It is at this point I kindly ask you to extract yourself from my head)

While I think that the Barenaked Ladies had an admirable plan, what with their macaroni and cheese and monkeys and green dresses and Elephant Man bones, I like my plan better. But I may buy some mac and cheese anyway.