Profile

I am twenty-nine years old. I work as an assistant production manager and my yearly salary is $52,000. I am about to acquire a ton of bills for the first time in my life when I move into my own apartment in January, so I suppose I better brush up on my budgeting skills.

Saving & Spending

Money-wise, this has been a super weird month.

I just got a new job working for a theater in NYC (the goal for years). It’s not 100% what I want to be doing, but as far as a step in the right direction, it’s probably the best step I’ve taken since I was 23. I’m working in an off-Broadway theater as part of the production management team and I get to meet tons of people who are doing exactly what I want to be doing (Broadway stage manager – if I’m going to dream, why not dream big?). Production management is definitely a step in a different direction, but a lot of the skills I’m learning here will make me more employable in the long run, and, like I said, the connections I’m making are pretty awesome. The $14,000 raise didn’t hurt either. Or the flexible schedule with a boss who encourages us to find outside projects during the slower periods of work. I’ve been working here about two weeks and already found a side gig making props for another theater, so I’m pretty excited about that.

That being said, while the $14,000 raise was really exciting, it’s really just going to pay rent – and after taxes, it won’t even cover that fully for the year. I applied this past week for an apartment in Inwood and am waiting to see if I get approved. So hopefully, by New Years, I’ll actually have my own home for the first time since I was in school.

So this month my main bills were one last overland with the circus that was a whopping 2 hours (score) and then driving from Indiana to New Jersey to stay with my parents while I sorted out my living situation. NJ Transit and Metrocards have been my other big ticket items this month.

Also, to be able to move into an apartment, I had to tap my emergency fund. So my $5,000 goal by the end of 2013 is definitely NOT happening. Maybe 2014 will be the year.

But you know, none of that matters because I made $64.30 side hustling this month.

All in all, I’d consider it a successful month for my career but a little less successful for my bank account.

So this year I had a crazy job working for the circus and living on a train. I got to see my oldest best friend get married. I started a blog. I finally celebrated Christmas with my family for the first time in years. Fingers crossed, I found an apartment (which is a post or 20 in and of itself – I haven’t done anything so frustrating in a long time). And I met my goal to max out my IRA and paid off all my student loan debt (which was another reason I was able to take on paying rent for an apartment).

Hopefully 2014 turns out even better.