The answer is puppies. And excellent financial advice.

Last night’s episode featured a glimpse into the financial life of Jake Peralta. He’s looking for a loan to buy his place, since the rent-controlled apartment he currently lives in (formerly owned by his now-deceased Nana) is going co-op. He petitions the Captain for a loan of $430,000 and is promptly turned down, at which point Gina steps in an attempt to help him (read: school him) manage his finances and afford to buy the apartment, all while dispensing some amazing advice.

1. Stop burying your head in the sand.

Jake stores his unopened bills and statements in a beautiful clawfoot bathtub. How is he supposed to have a clear picture of his finances if he hasn’t opened a bill in years?

Gina fix: open your damn bills – the anxiety of not knowing what your financial picture looks like will be quelled once you actually know the numbers.

2. Stop spending your money on STUFF.

Upon surveying the living room, Gina notes that Jake has six massage chairs, only because “they don’t make a massage couch.” A cable bill surfaces that shows Jake rented Olympus Has Fallen on demand 12 times, and he inexplicably owns three turntables (on which he plays his Nana’s old polka records, horribly). Make sure you’re spending your hard earned money on things you enjoy, but don’t be stupid about it. With iTunes and Netflix, nobody needs to pay seven dollars a pop for movies on demand.

Gina fix: no more stuff you don’t need.

3. Compromise is key.

In Jake’s mind, he would rather take a loan for $430,000 than entertain the idea of moving to a different apartment. He has a sentimental reason (he and Gina basically grew up in his grandmother’s apartment and doesn’t want to part with it), but in reality his financial situation is not conducive to staying.

Gina fix: she can buy the apartment and rent it to Jake, thus keeping it “in the family” so to speak and saving him from a move. And a loan from a weirdo sea witch. Double fix.

4. Saving a boatload of money in your 20s can get you far.

Gina’s lived in the same crapbox apartment since she was 20 and has been saving like crazy for 13 years, and also cuts back on takeout by eating Scully’s lunch every day (resourceful!). She didn’t let lifestyle inflation get the best of her and now she has a fat wad of cash to show for it.

Gina fix: none. She is the master of thriftiness.

5. Getting it together means eating a little humble pie.

After initially rejecting Gina’s offer to buy the apartment and rent it to Jake via temper tantrum, Jake has a rare moment of clarity and introspection. He runs the numbers on what he can actually afford for rent, and decides that he should sublet Gina’s apartment (at a profit for her) and she can buy his grandmother’s place.

Thus making Gina a landlady. Bam.

So there you have it. Despite being a constant source of gif-able hilarity, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has now delved into personal finance with some fantastic advice.

Do you watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Do you love it (and Gina) as much as I do?

If not:

Over the past year, I’ve been having the career-crisis that many in our age group are familiar with: what am I going to do for the rest of my life? What does my career path look like? What do I WANT to do? I even secretly took courses (finance and accounting), which were great, but didn’t immediately spark a clear career path. So I started looking. I had been at my position for five years and although I had a great relationship with my bosses and a fantastic wage, I felt like I had reached my peak in terms of job development. I took on more responsibility and learned how to do new things (which I love doing), but there wasn’t really a way up and out of that position promotion-wise within the company. I wanted a cool job, with social media and flexible work hours. You know – the mythical millennial job you read about online but have never actually known someone to have.

I found the account coordinator posting while scrolling through twitter one day, and it was hard to hold my excitement in (but necessary – I was on a city bus). Every point on the job description applied to me. This was my job. My golden rainbow-pooping unicorn millennial job. I’d never wanted something more in my whole life, but my first thought was that someone else would be the successful candidate. I didn’t have any experience in the digital marketing industry, I had been working in a hospital for five years! What did I know, anyway. The negative thoughts took over for a day or two, until I decided (with the help of Mr. Dollars) that if I applied, it could pay off in a life changing way. If it didn’t, I would be proud of myself for even taking the risk to apply. I knew I had to write the cover letter of a lifetime and submit a stand out resume, and I had two amazing friends help me make my cover letter strong and eye-catching while simultaneously highlighting all my mad organizational skillz. One of those friends was Bridget from Money After Graduation, whose three part series on The Dream Job  was instrumental in how I crafted both my resume and cover email.

The job closed on July 19th and I submitted my application after I wrote what seemed like thousands of drafts of both my resume and cover letter. It was different than anything I’d written in any other application, and I had fingers and toes crossed hoping that my personality would shine through and Kick Point would notice me. And I was anxious. I had never been so anxious in my entire life, and even though it was out my hands at that point I couldn’t help freaking out a little.

I got a little crazy. I did things I never thought I would do. Dirty, BC hippie things, like: putting positive vibes into the universe, thinking positive thoughts, meditating to keep my heart rate down, visualizing Kick Point’s partners laughing as they read my email and cover letter, etc etc. The day I got the interview was the day my life changed. After I hung up the phone with Dana, I shut my office door and did the most enthusiastic happy dance I’d ever done. I think I maybe even teared up a little because I was so elated they even wanted to meet me.

The day of the interview, I was sweating bullets all day. I tried to prepare as best I could, but I was a ball of nerves. I don’t think the Kick Point team knows this, but I was early for the interview. I didn’t want to be super early, so instead of oh I don’t know, waiting in the interview location (seriously how cool is it that I got to interview in Cavern) like a normal human being, I decided to duck into an alley and hang out. In an alley. Like a creeper.

Since this post is about how I landed my dream job, you can guess how the interview went. I work at Kick Point! How do my savings factor into this, you ask? Well, I took a pay cut. Having my emergency fund (as well as my additional savings account) gave me the financial security to take the edge off a pay cut. I also went into the job search knowing that what I made at my old position was an extremely cushy wage and no matter where I went (even within the company) I would probably end up making less. I was more than prepared to take a leap.

Is it worth it? Absolutely. Saving equals freedom. Not once in this whole process have I ever regretted taking the risk and doing something new, and if I can do it, anyone can.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Did it pay off?

I’ve taken it to a new level.

I set a goal, and I met it, but I completely forgot I’d even set it in the first place and only realized I’d made it today. I didn’t even write it down! It was a five figure savings goal that I’d had in mind for awhile and set a rough deadline of achieving it at the end of June. I didn’t think it was going to happen, but thanks to automatic withdrawals to my savings accounts and some slight spending restraint (although not much), it did! At the end of June, just like I’d hoped, like some magical PF fairy just sprinkled savings dust on my pillow to make all my savings dreams come true! It just took me almost two weeks to realize my shiny savings goal was completed.

Worst. PF blogger. Ever.

Along with that goal, the final payment went into my travel account at the end of June as well. Now I have the $2500 for  NYC with my mom in October! The only reason I knew about that one is because ING sent me a congratulatory email for achieving it.

Now that I’ve realized these goals, with my luck if I set any goals for the remainder of the year and forget about them, they probably won’t even happen. I won’t tempt fate.

So there you have it, savings is my life and it’s so ingrained in my day to day existence that I do it subconsciously.

Well, they did it again. Except instead of a line of credit, they offered me an increase in my credit card limit. That’s all fine and good, because hey, sometimes increases are warranted. The problem lies in their sales pitch and the way they’re framing an increase.

Oops, they did it again.

They tell me a higher limit would give [me] a little extra for everyday shopping, larger purchases, travel, entertainment, and anything else. BUT they then go on to say that You’ll also enjoy peace of mind knowing you have available funds in case of an emergency.

Oh no you did not, BMO. Did I hear you try to play on my fear of an emergency? 

Two things: you’ll see I’ve handy dandily crossed out “funds” and helpfully written in “DEBT”. Because that’s what it is. Let’s call a spade a spade. Secondly, the way I prepare for an emergency is to build up a proper emergency fund. It took me awhile, but I did it and I’m proud of it. One of the main reasons why I did it was to ensure I didn’t get myself into a debt trap during a stressful time, and that works for me. I’m a type A, ready-for-every-scenario person and I do a lot of worrying so it’s natural for me to have a substantial safety net.

So in short, BMO is plain old wasting their time on me. I’d say I want them to stop sending me mail, but I really enjoy writing posts about how wrong they are, and I take an unhealthy joy in shredding ALL the things.

It must’ve fell out of my pocket on the bus, therefore I had absolutely zero chance of anyone actually turning it in. I waited a couple of days, got ridiculously upset with myself, and looked everywhere I could think of but I definitely lost it. I think the most infuriating thing about it was that I was now going to have to pay around $150 to ride the Edmonton Transit System to and from work, which is NOT worth it given its many inefficiencies. I didn’t want to give them any more of my hard earned money! But I had to get to work somehow, so I bought $68 worth of bus tickets (it was too late to buy a new monthly pass for $89). That $68 was my stupid tax, and coincidentally I had just read Cassie’s post about stupid tax on my way to work, about eight hours before I lost my pass! I’m still very upset with myself for being so careless, but I’ve learned my lesson: bus pass will ALWAYS go into my purse after I show it to the driver. Not my pocket, not my lunch bag, my (secure) purse.

The $68 I spent on tickets actually helped me save money by not being able to go anywhere after my transfer expired. I’m guessing I saved at least that much (if not more) by being restricted to a walkable radius near my apartment. I’m willing to admit it now, as it may have been a blessing in disguise.

Which leads me to my February summary and March goal. I saved 49% of my net income in February (seriously, who am I, I don’t even know anymore), and since I pay my credit cards from my first cheque in March, I’m on track to save about 50% in March as well.

I love seeing my savings grow, but I’m probably going to have to shell out for a few things in March considering that while I was walking home from work one day, I realized that my left boot was no longer waterproof. It’s actually pretty good timing considering winter boots are on sale right now, so I’m hoping to find a good deal. I also need a couple of new clothing items (mainly a black cardigan), so hopefully I can find something reasonably priced in that department. I may or may not be getting my hair did in March, because I’m now officially closer to 27 than I am to 26, so the greys are taking over in full force. The worst thing I might have to shell out for is taxes. My return last year was small, and I didn’t get my T4 on time to do anything extra on my RRSPs (maybe it’ll be in the mailbox tonight!), so I might be owing this year (yuck).

What’s the biggest stupid tax you’ve ever paid? Do you have any big goals for March?

Yeah. That’s why I didn’t post about my January goal.

I mentioned in December that I was going to try and control my Christmas spending and actually hoard money throughout the Christmas season! Well, I got carried away with Christmas consumerism and vacation spending, and didn’t manage to save that much.

But in January, I decided that I would save as much as possible – no more frivolous spending. It was a new year, and it would be a new me. I was tired of never having extra savings, and knew it was because I wasn’t giving much thought to my day-to-day purchases. I had a hard look at my spending, and my paycheques, and decided that I could save even more than the 29% of every cheque I have deducted via automatic savings plans.

And I didn’t tell the blog about it.

For some people, public goal setting is beneficial in that it motivates them to do well or face the embarrassment of admitting to everyone they failed. Not me! Have you seen some of my goal setting posts? I basically fail every single goal I set and laugh it off/make excuses, except for the automatic savings plans. That’s money I know I can’t touch.

After I decided to save as much as possible it was like a switch flipped inside me. I gave every purchase a second, even third or fourth thought. I stopped going to the mall, I stopped getting sushi for dinner on a whim, I stopped reloading my Starbucks card at every opportunity. I slashed my disposable spending in half.

I feel like the worst personal finance blogger ever, because I can’t tell you why or how it happened. For some reason I just stopped, and I ended up saving 44% of my net income last month. That’s my motivation to continue this spending holiday into February, because I’ve already cut my spending in half so I can just keep it going (and February is a short month!). In fact, I found it so easy to keep going that I’m on track to save 52% of my upcoming paycheque. Seeing the boost in my savings account is my motivation, even if I’m not setting SMART goals for dollar amounts, I’m still seeing the balance in my accounts go up. That’s good enough for me.

Have you ever done a complete 180 when it comes to your spending or saving? What precipitated it? Have you made it a habit or did you go back to your old ways?

Nope, definitely not.

Me and Gail Vaz-Oxlade. Or, the best day ever.

Not only does Gail have a wicked sense of humour (I tweeted a few of her quotes last night, but there were many more that were less than PG), she is kind, gracious, and thoughtful. Her talk was filled with passion and humour, and afterward at the book signing, she greeted everyone warmly. She gave advice to anyone who asked, and signed dozens of books. I was her official post-it writer (she makes sure they’re all personalized), and chief PF fangirl for the event (thanks Bridget!). I can’t tell you how fantastic it was how she engaged with every single person who approached the table, even giving her email address to one person and asking her to email her story. She gave one woman a post-it note to settle an argument between spouses, and along with books, signed a grocery money jar and a wallet (!).

Gail Vaz-Oxlade speaks on Money Truths at the UofA.

I even got my own special validation hug when I told her I had a $10K Emergency Fund and no debt! It was an amazing night. Then, like the Personal Finance Fairy Godmother she is, the clock struck 7:00 p.m. and she was whisked away to the airport, to impart personal finance wisdom to another group of University students.

Money Truths. Image from moneyaftergraduation.com

Not only is Gail giving a 100% free lecture, she’ll be sticking around afterward to sign some books! Bridget made sure that copies of both Gail’s new book, Money Rules, along with Debt Free Forever will be available for purchase at the event so after you listen to an inspirational get-your-ass-into-gear talk by Gail, you can buy her book and get her autograph (which, let’s be honest, is priceless)!

I get to help out with the event (I’ve asked Bridget for a headset and clipboard, no word yet on whether she’s going to deliver) and I could not be more excited. If you’re in Edmonton, you don’t want to miss this!

I am ridiculously excited for this day. Remember when she tweeted me and it was the best day of my life? And then she wished me a happy blogiversary and I almost died? Yeah. I don’t think I’ll make it through the night. As I told Bridget when she asked me to help, I don’t want to math, I just want to fangirl. And that’s what I’ll be doing.

Grumpy cat “celebrates” Christmas. imgur.com

Needless to say, I’ll be happy to be done my shopping and out of the malls (anything else I need will be coming from the internet), and my one goal for December is to save as much as possible outside of Christmas gifts. Groceries should be better since I won’t be here for the last week of the month as I’m heading back to the West Coast for Christmas. We’re doing our mini-Christmas the weekend before I take off. I only have nine more days of work left before my (12 day) vacation!

Lord love a duck, 2013 is almost here!

November’s major goal was a major success. We planned our meals for the whole month. Naturally, we went out for dinner last night to celebrate. We did go out once in November, but it was on a weekend and it was a late brunch, so we didn’t count it as a strike against our goal (also it was at the restaurant of my people, De Dutch Pannekoek House, which opened recently and I really really wanted to go. So we went).

November’s food spending. Yowza.

Overall, we spent 93% on groceries and 7% on eating out. We spent more than I thought for groceries for the month ($570.49), but that’s because the numbers a) aren’t separated out into groceries vs. toiletries & personal care, and b) we had a lot of dishes with meat, which really drives up the cost of a meal. We’ll be working to get that cost down in the future by shopping more of the flyers.

I found that planning meals also yielded a lot more leftovers to bring to work for lunches (Mr. Dollars doesn’t always have access to a fridge, but I do, so if I can I bring something). I only bought lunch twice, and both times it was a soup that is utterly irresistible to me and is served only on Fridays (it’s called Wicked Thai by Campbell’s – you can’t buy it in store but if you see it in a kiosk BUY IT your stomach will thank you). Nutritionally speaking, I think our meals were WAY better than what we had been eating before, ie: crap. Just by virtue of eating at home we increased our nutritional intake immensely. Something to work on in the future is buying more fruits and veggies to snack on and making sure to incorporate them into our daily diet.

For now, we’re going to keep meal planning. We’re on a roll (we actually planned two weeks of October too, to prepare)! I’m also heading out to the coast for Christmas, so December will be a little choppy, but we’ll get back to it in January I’m sure.