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Generalized Update

by mapgirl on August 20, 2010

I am on fire tonight after not blogging decently for weeks. (n.b. this post was drafted approximately 2 weeks ago. I’ve just been metering them out.)
I’ve been traveling every week for work. It’s been ages and ages that I’ve said ‘Hello, Darlings!’ and really meant it. I miss you all.
Let’s recap a few things:
1. I [...]

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Happy Anniversary, Condo o’Mine!

by mapgirl on August 18, 2010

Six years ago, I closed on my condo. It’s been an interesting ride.
Let’s recap some highlights:
1. Flooded kitchen due to dishwasher problem in unit above mine. (Drain flooded and poured down into my dishwasher and spilled out onto the floor.)
2. Water damage from the exterior windows due to poor maintenance by HOA.
3. Collapsed bathroom ceiling [...]

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Heading Towards Strategic Foreclosure

by mapgirl on June 28, 2010

Not me. But someone I know. Not really surprised. It’s on a property in suburban DC where the taxes have tripled in the past year. My friend can afford the payments but due to some unfortunate vandalism after a renter moved out, it’s starting to become an albatross around his neck.
After doing some calculations, my [...]

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Per Diem Accounting

by mapgirl on June 1, 2010

Anyone have any tips? I’ve got a corporate card for work expenses. I am not sure what to do with Quicken and per diem.
I made a work expense category for when I spend out of my own pocket and transfer payments to that category when I pay the bill. I’ll also be able to see [...]

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Revisiting My Budget

by mapgirl on May 26, 2010

I started my new job, and as expected, I am having some difficulties.
Main problem right now is that I have an expense account, and the reimbursement process is off-kilter. I will not have enough cash to cover my expenses from the get-go because of the check reimbursement cycle. I have plenty to cover the first [...]

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Gifting, Handouts & Big Life Events

by mapgirl on May 12, 2010

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last week. It’s a big effing deal at a time when few people stay married to the first person they picked to tie the knot with them. I took them out for a lovely meal at a local restaurant in suburban Philadelphia. (My mom refused to drive into [...]

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So about three weeks ago I posted about my Happy Stock Portfolio Allocation. I was pretty confident that I was on cruise control, but oh how wrong I was.
In the post I mentioned something about selling my GME holdings and I successfully liquidated my shares at a price that gave me a very good rate [...]

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April 2010 Goals Update

by mapgirl on May 7, 2010

2010 Goal #1
Pay down credit card debt by $5000
FAIL – Things are still in flux with my payroll situation. I’m being paid, but I haven’t settled things out. I’ve paid off $1830 of it so far this year. I guess that’s on target for the first third of the year, but I don’t feel like [...]

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I Love Direct Deposit

by mapgirl on May 6, 2010

I might have to switch the account which receives it, but I got my first paycheck last week via direct deposit because my new company asks us to fill out that paperwork before we even start.
One thing that has always bothered me was losing a few days worth of interest because I was sending my [...]

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Articles I Liked This Week

by mapgirl on April 16, 2010

I haven’t been collecting up things I’ve been reading due to work commitments, so a sampling for you this week:
The Supreme Court on Mutual Fund fees for 401k participants
The Black Suit
Boston Gal has the Depreciating American Dream series from WBUR in Boston. (Where else?)
Revanche remembers her grandmother. I think this is an amazing woman.
Krystal’s boyfriend [...]

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