I’ve always been addicted to Sims. Since Sims 1 came out when I was in middle school it’s been my favorite game. That was 15 years ago. There is just something so fascinating about building (and at times ruining) virtual lives. It was the ultimate sandbox game before Minecraft, and in my opinion is still a worthy competitor despite its focus being different.
Early last year it was announced that Sims 4 would be released that fall. I was ecstatic. I read every rumor and hint I could find about what the new Sims would include. I waited with bated breath until it was released in September…..for PCs. Only. A serious blow. Our fleet of computers are all Mac and I believe Mac has a greater share of personal computers than PCs. And yet Maxis and EA either decided to release PC first or, more likely, did not have the Mac version ready by the launch date. A serious blow. Continue reading “Sims: How I Beat My Tech Addiction” →
So far in my four years of work experience I have noticed a pattern in the four jobs I have received: they are all through networking. So I was surprised when after applying online for a position at a Seattle agency I received a note from the recruiter asking to set up time to talk. Speaking to an agency recruiter isn’t a complete rarity, but this woman’s response time was impressive. So far in my search for Seattle jobs while still in New York the few people that have reached out to me of their own volition have fallen off the face of the Earth after I mention where I’m located. But she didn’t. Despite having to reschedule several times we made it work. And I’m so glad I didn’t give up on her because this conversation gave me very valuable information that will allow me to cut my 10 years to financial independence to a slim 5 years.
Overall the tax code in this country, or more specifically the ways FI bloggers have presented the tax code of the US, seems pretty lovely. It understandably targets workers since that is a vast majority of the population and includes several complex ways that you can shelter money from taxes legally and then access it before standard retirement age. I’m still trying to make sure I understand how the tax code in this country works and how I can use it to my advantage. My favorite bloggers make it seem so simple, specifically the Mad Fientist, but when I go to IRS website my eyes still glaze over. It seems that everything has an exception and then an exception to that exception. 
Since I joined the workforce I’ve kept lists of what I enjoy and don’t enjoy in each job I’ve had. From these lists I’ve created the profile of what I thought would be my ideal job in advertising: flexible, constantly challenging with a boss I love and limited human interaction. I now have that job. I have had it for almost a year. And I am still not satisfied. I don’t know what it is about work that makes me analyze my satisfaction with it at every turn. Maybe because the general public seem to think ‘work’ is what you do for 40-50 years of your life. Other parts of life do not last that long: high school, college – all previous steps were 4 years long. Now that 4 has turned into 40. 
I am loving watching my net worth grow. I loved it before saving money was my main goal. That’s one of the reasons I love Mint.com. I can go back and see my money grow from $5,000 when I left college (from hoarding $20 bills in high school and not spending basically anything in college) to a new milestone: $60,000 as of today. Not only is this intoxicating to watch and the reason I now look forward to pay days with a childlike glee, but the mere fact that I achieved $50,000 net worth in November and have increased my net worth 20% in 3 months is insane. And so exciting. It gives me a high I can’t describe. Maybe this is what shopaholics feel right after a purchase. I have no idea, but it’s a fantastic feeling. 
I told my boss I’m leaving. It was a nerve-wracking experience. I didn’t really sleep and I threw up the night before. I ran into her in the elevator and was the only other person in the car. I was debating when to tell her that day and on the ride up to our floor she mentioned Seattle – a city I’d never heard her talk about before. So I took that as a hint and as soon as we got to our desks I asked if I could talk to her. The look on her face was worrisome, so I told her not to worry. And then I said my speech. She did not have any of the reactions I had practiced. Before saying anything she hugged me and said she was excited for me. I was shocked and excited. 
My mother taught me another important lesson from her work experience: Promotions have nothing to do with actual work. They have nothing to do with accomplishing tasks and little to do with how effective or pleasant your peers think you are. Promotions are the biggest lie in corporate america and possible in history (yes I’m being a little dramatic). 