Comments on: The Money Diaries: The Slightly Lovedrunk, Bar Hopping New Yorker

By: The Arabic Student

The Arabic Student — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:57:27 +0000

“In sum: $347.11 spent”

And it would have been quite a bit more if she didn’t have boobs.

By: Dmitri

Dmitri — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:12:56 +0000

I would have to chime in with the many others above that have come in the defense of Jane. She’s really neither totally irresponsible, nor immature, nor certainly out of the norm in terms of a standard upcoming 28 year old professional in New York City. Perhaps the dynamics of this city alone are to blame, but seriously, people should stop having a moral high ground and just let her be. As you guys noted, she has her 401K and also doesn’t abuse credit cards. All of us are on this blog in order to become more frugal, and the fact that she not only recognises it but exposes it for our views must be truly commended. I would also note that her spending behaviour is by no means restricted to women, but men are equally fickle in their spending habits.

Ramit: our thanks should go to you for stimulating this debate and for the great blog in general. I am learning a lot and am encouraging other friends to look at this, at the cost of coming across as cheap.

Dmitri

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:18:39 +0000

I have to say it’s really easy to assume things about a person. I admit whilst I was reading I was tutting here and there but then noticed that you do have to spend money. Yes as many of you mentioned her spending ties into her emotions but who isn’t affected? We’ve all made silly mistakes but there is no sign in her diary of massive expenditures on needless things. In New York I can appreciate that the cost of living is high but this just consists of going to bars to meet people as Jane mentioned.

I also have to say that it just appeared to me to be a-not-so-average week of expenditure for Jane. Given the details of her savings and about 11% of her income going towards it she clearly does not spend like this every single day of the year. I think had it not been just after breaking up with her boyfriend and then during her rekindled relationship the spending would not have been frivolous.

One thing I would really like to say which sounds like common sense is try to make time for breakfast at home. Missing a meal is a really bad way to start the day health-wise and finances wise. It forces you to starve longer than you need to resulting in needing a quick fix usually in the form of a binge and can end up causing quite a dent on the finances.

Being a woman who has been threw a particularly difficult break up I understand that sometimes you aren’t yourself and it can be beyond your control for a short while.

By: nowjustaminute

nowjustaminute — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:16:22 +0000

Jane, IGNORE all the comments from the constipated money nerds in here. Carry on with what you are doing! Dating rich boyfriends, cabs, bar hopping, concerts, hangin out with friends.. keep swimming in all that craziness, don’t think twice about it. This is life, this is now, this is yours, no one can take it away from you. Do you want to be kicking yourself a decade later for having missed out on all the fun in your youth just to save a couple more grand a year?
Except er.. stay away from medication for your emotional problems. It can only aggravate those problems in the long run. Instead settle into some healthy exercise habits that doest need a gym yet will keep you emotionally and physically healthy and robust: 1) daily deep breathing exercise aka Pranayama 2) Yogic asanas for half hour daily, especiallly Suryanamaskars 3) daily jogging for half hour, you can even run back and forth inside your apartment if you can’t schedule going outside. 4) eat antioxidant rich food daily like green tea, papayas and grapes. Believe me if you gather the DISCIPLINE for the above daily routine, you willl find yourself at the top of your game, professionally and socially, plus stay young and beautiful loking well into your forties. The key word is discipline to stick to the healthy routine. To do that, keep reminding yourself of all the rewards that such disciplne will bring you. The pain for the gain is not really a pain, is it.

By: xmasy

xmasy — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:28:01 +0000

why does she need an accountant??
Turbo tax baby!! I dont think ur tax situation is complicated enough to need an accountant!!

By: George

George — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 07:03:22 +0000

“Also, readers, I am a “woman,” not a “girl.” Even if you don’t approve of my behavior.”

Jane, you are most emphatically a girl. Actually, I shouldn’t insult girls like that. It was hard for me to consider what improvements you could make to your spending habits because I was consumed with loathing for your lifestyle before I finished the column. A barfly mooch who relates to guys like a 17 year old girl. And the therapy was a crowning touch. Welcome to Yuppieville, Exhibit A. Don’t breed, whatever you do. Or at least wait until you’re 60.

By: Ada

Ada — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:44:29 +0000

Jane: Sounds like you’re getting it together. It’s huge that you’re saving and have no debt — so at least you’re not digging yourself into a hole. I think it’s really promising that you’re trying to find ways to increase your cash flow. Lots of people spend a lot more energy devising $0.75 spending cutbacks than figuring out how they can earn more. The former is often a losing strategy when you’re making so little money that it already guilts you out to enjoy a couple of drinks with friends, IMHO (cutbacks that force you to be less social are hard to sustain, especially if you’re single). Not that it’s not worth cutting back on frivolous things that don’t give you real satisfaction — e.g., I doubt you get hugely more satisfaction from a deli lunch than from a frozen entree from the grocery or a PB&J — but a lot of your spending seems to be social, and NYC can be very lonely if you’re stuck in your apartment every night.

For the record (responding to one commenter above), one can get an awesome slice of pizza in NYC for $3. As a matter of fact, a $3 slice on about any street corner in NYC is about twice as good as the so-called best slice in almost any other city. I’m not sure why (some people claim it’s the water), but it’s true!

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:31:57 +0000

I wonder if Jane has paid her accountant yet.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:30:02 +0000

Jane, I really want to know what gym you belong to that charges less than $23 a month!? I live in the city as well and based on my life and my friend’s lives this is pretty typical, although I have plenty of friends that do not have savings outside of automated 401k and that are also in debt. So despite other comments, I think you’re doing just fine. 50% of my income goes to just my rent as well. It’s hard to balance saving for your future and your social life in such an exciting/expensive city. My only recommendations is to pack yourself a healthy lunch (you’ll feel better and save money), take the subway more often, split cabs with friends, and occasionly cook dinner at home.

By: John

John — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:18:49 +0000

Anya –

My initial harsh comment was not so much at the spending choices – eating out here and there, overspending a bit – whatever.

The disgust came from the way the author’s relationship with money – complaining, stressing, feeling helpless, mooching off of others – and not seeing it within her own personal responsibility to change that. When I see someone recognize their situation – “I really shouldn’t spend more than $63.85 until next month” – then complain – “I continue to feel bad that he’s paying for so much” – then do NOTHING about it – “And a pina colada and a Corona, of course. We split the check four ways. My portion is $29.88″ is what disgusted me off so much.

It’s the “American Way” to buy stuff you can’t afford, and this blogger lived up to that in every way. I don’t feel bad about harsh comments at all. When you expose yourself on the internet, you better be prepared for the ugly reflection the mirror gives back. Rereading this for the second time (after reading everyone elses comments and agreeing with many of them), I would not change a word of my initial analysis.