Today, the best full-time job I’ve ever had is ending. Don’t get me wrong. I’m going back to a pretty fantastic one. But as I pull out of our driveway and say goodbye to my maternity leave, I can’t help but think about the sixteen-pound drooling baby bossman who made that job so wonderful. I’ve … [Read more…]
After a weekend at FinCon, I’m filled with inspiration and renewed sense of purpose for my blog. My mind has been racing, and I can’t fill my notebooks fast enough. I am going to make things happen. But first, I’m going to pause. Today marks the final week of my maternity leave. And as much … [Read more…]
It’s #FinCon17 time! Unless you’re like me, and you’re arriving a day late. In that case, it’s live vicariously through Twitter time! If all goes according to plan, I’ll have plenty of time to introduce embarrass myself this weekend to many of my money idols. Because that is the plan. Repeat after me, Penny. You … [Read more…]
Cue the confetti! She Picks Up Pennies, otherwise known as the little slice of cyberspace that you’re currently visiting, is a finalist for the 2017 Plutus Awards. Specifically, my blog was nominated in the best frugality blog category. Whaaaaaaat? I know. That was my exact thought when I first found out as well. Actually, I … [Read more…]
This blog post is part of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Month blog tour in partnership with Debt Drop. If you are feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741. You are not your money or your debt. No matter how many figures show up on your bank … [Read more…]
I struggle with minimalism. Not only do I think there is an under-discussed amount of privilege involved, I just plain stink at it. Case in point? I wrote my come-to-shoe-gods confessional post months ago, and I still have too many shoes. But it’s not just that I can’t get over the sunk costs or the … [Read more…]
I lost my voice. Not in the sense that makes my students celebrate. I lost my voice in the sense that for a long time, I wanted nothing more than to quit blogging. If I’m being downright honest, I didn’t lose my voice, so much as I allowed myself to be silenced. While I wrestled … [Read more…]
It was just before 11 am on the day of the total solar eclipse. A quick rap at the front door let me know that my dad arrived. He engineered a viewing party of sorts, offering to take turns holding HP and glancing outside, so I could experience the eclipse. It was, after all, a … [Read more…]
It’s back to school time. School supplies are on sale, parents are snapping photos, and students are celebrating. Or not. It also means that legions of professionals are about to roll up their sleeves and welcome another crop kiddos with open arms and unabated enthusiasm. With school on the brain, a very thoughtful neighbor of … [Read more…]
There’s no shortage of people doling out advice on the interwebs. In fact, there’s no shortage of advice on this very blog. While I’m long been a proponent of the fact that there’s nothing one-size-fits-all about personal finance, this is the first time I’m going to say something so explicitly. I hope you ignore me—and … [Read more…]