GI Jane Finances

I moved

2008-08-24T14:55:00.000-07:00

to wordpress....gijanefinances@wordpress.com

There you have it...

2008-08-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

Admin note: Well, I have been hacked! Someone stole my template and ruined the look of the blog. I have been mulling over moving to Wordpress due to having problems registering this site on various feeds.

I have decided to hold back paying off my student loans and focus on building the emergency fund. If I find a buyer, I would have to cough up about $10K in realtor fees and taxes. Did I say I cannot wait until this house is sold? My realtor's daughter is getting married on 16 Aug, so nothing is really happening until that is over. I do need until about Oct to build up the reserves. I almost paid it off until I posted the question on MSN's your money message board. The consensus was to not take out a loan for the $10K and stop paying on the SL. It was not a prudent move, rather an emotional one to pay of my SL.

Anywho, will keep you upadted once I figure out what to do with this blog.

GI Jane

Credit card shuffle

2008-07-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

My travels in the states are coming to an end. I have one more pit stop to make before heading back to Japan on Thursday. It has been pretty expensive--with the rental cars and shopping sprees. First, on the rental cars, I will have to pay $287.50 for Maryland and about the same for Chicago. Budget rental car was the business. There was not a line, my car was a brand new Hyundai. They were very efficient and close to the BWI airport.

I had decided to use Thifty at O'Hare. The distance is a many more miles away from the airport. They took nearly an hour to process the three people in front of me. Handed out the wrong car to the person in front and then later to me. The Chrysler Town and Country minivan was nice, but did not need that much room and do not want to pay to fill that tank. So, I promptly returned it, dragging my luggage behind me. In return, I got a cigarette stained and smudged Chrysler Sebring, for the same price it would have cost for the mini-van. If I did not have a 1300 hrs hair appointment, I would have returned it. A complete nightmare. Note to self, do not ever rent from Thrifty again.

I went on a final shopping spree at my favorite mall. A beautiful dress from Banana Republic was calling my name, along with several other blouses. The final damage was $500 dollars, until I applied for a Banana Republic card and received 20% off. It works out well, because I pay off the card promptly and close it. I also got some stuff at the BR and Ann Taylor outlet in Maryland for about $600.

Vacations are always a setback. Especially if I live somewhere where stuff my size are not readily available or stores I like are not there. My budget right now is a joke. But, I still need to aggressively pay off Sallie Mae in August.

Maybe, my per diem will be a little windfall.

GI Jane

Budget Part II

2008-07-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

I reevaluate my budget every two weeks.

Upcoming Budget:

Salliemae: $500
Current balance is $4951.95

Amex: $1076.81
I plan on clearing this off in a couple of days. This includes the New York trip and spa visit. I tried a body wrap Tuscany treatment. The treatment had me slathered in volcanic mud and rinsed off with a Vichy shower. The Vichy shower was cool. I also had a massage due to my neck killing me for the past couple of weeks. The deep tissue massage was very painful. The spa visit was $240. In Japan, a massage is like $20 without tip, for an hour! The Onsen (spa) with an hour scrub/massage and entrance fee is about $56. Can't wait to get back.

IRA: $198.41
Emerging Markets, European Stock fund and Bonds (30% of the money)

Auto/house Insurance: $145.59

I may make an extra Salliemae payment of $500 to bring the balance to $4451. My property tax payment of $1,600 is due in August. The good news is that I expect about $1,000 in per diem after I file my travel voucher.

I have one more week of class. I plan on flying to Chicago on Saturday, staying there for 6 days and flying to Japan. I am so not looking forward to the long plane ride. United Airlines suck big time. The lack of leg room was like sitting in a box for 10 hours. I do not know how obese and tall people can deal with that.

Once I make it back, my cash impulses should settle down. Yesterday, I stayed in and did not spend one dime. Today, I plan on going to a birthday party in D.C. for one of my classmates. It should be fun.

GI Jane

New York, New York

2008-07-08T04:10:00.000-07:00

I just saw a wonderful play, "In the Heights," on Broadway this past weekend. I always make sure to see a show when travelling to the east coast. It was not cheap. Here's my expenses that will be out of my cash flow:

$230 for the Millennium Hotel
$135 ticket for Broadway show (already paid)
$250 round trip Amtrak (could not believe how expensive it was)

Regular expenses:
$ 767 mortgage on house up for sale
$933 rental house
$145 house/auto insurance
$400 Roth IRA
$1000 Salliemae
$39.15 cable
$15 O'club dues

Grand total: 3299.15

Anticipated utilities for house on market ???

Gotta to run...more to follow.

GI Jane

Family ties

2008-06-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

I adore my baby brother. We are seven years apart, but he is turning the big 3-0 in a couple of months. I always worried about him since he started ditching high school. He was on the wrestling team, until the absences proved too much for the coach. I think attending high school regularly is a life skill of stick-to-it-tiveness. He also underachieves and easily distracted.

Finally, he started working full-time for the past year. It does not pay much...about $9.50 an hour. He has been living like a rock star for so long, that it actually works a 9-5 now is great progress. I just want to step in and rescue him from the minor debts ($5k student loan and collection debt), so he can restart his life unencumbered.

Brother can make more at my dad's job, but he is so hard headed. My goal is to try and convince him when I visit in a couple of weeks. Wish me luck, he needs it.

GI Jane

Globetrotting

2008-06-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

OK, it has been a week back in the states. It was a horrific 10 hours to Chicago. The seats had no leg room whatsoever, and I am only 66 inches. United decided to add an additional section called Economy Plus where you can get 5 more inches of legroom. I seriously considered it at the kiosk, but not at a price of $700 more. United is on crack. I really need to figure out the point system, so I can upgrade to first class.

This school I am in has a lot of homework. I have to write a massive essay that is due tomorrow. The instructor had the nerve to email more case studies to read over the weekend. Today's goals are to:

1. Write essay/read case studies
2. Do laundry
3. Exercise

Yesterday, was my free day and prep for the essay. I saw Wanted--which was awesome. I decided to update my wardrobe for a mere $350. I purchased three dresses, one skirt, two Romeo and Juliet t-shirts and two necklaces. Not bad, love being next to an outlet mall. I actually got a coupon for Of 5th Ave: buy one, get one item 50% off from 30 Jun-6 July.

Last night, before drifting to sleep, I remembered all of the bills awaiting me upon my return home. My property manager emailed me about owing her $129 for fixing the washer. I still owe $1600 in property taxes in August. The good news is my student loans will be about $4900 on 1 July. I have about $6000 in emergency savings. I wish it could be used to wipe it out entirely. But my house is still on the market, and will come out of pocket. Today, is an open house with another price reduction--the same amount I paid for it in 2004. Sigh.

At least I found my missing decoration.

GI Jane

Traveling woes

2008-06-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

I have no idea how to pack lightly--tons of toiletries, 4 pairs of shoes and Japanese souvenirs for family/friends. I am 100% sure that I will have excess baggage fees. Thankfully, my orders authorize reimbursement. This will be the first time that I will be travelling with a laptop. So, I have one big suitcase (my uniform items took up 50% of the space), small one, laptop briefcase and a mid-size purse. Whew!

I was told last week that the Air Force Personnel Center is missing two decorations for my upcoming 2 year Below the Zone promotion board. I have a snowball chance in blue hell of being pick up. However, my school board will be meeting next week and I was rated as a top pick. The board will look at my records and the missing decorations may be a red flag. If I was allowed to ship all of my goods instead of 2,000 lbs, I would not have to call all over creation looking for it. Plus, the Military Personnel Flight here no longer holds hard copy records as of 2007--when I moved here. Very frustrating.

Nevertheless, a bunch of my friends, co-workers and I will be heading downtown for fine dining at a really cool restaurant. We will be spending the night; and I plan on taking a shuttle to the airport the next day.

Until next time,

GI Jane

A Seller's hell

2008-06-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

(Apologize for lack of posts...I will be traveling soon and having problems with feeds for several months.)

Anywhoo, my house is still on the market from April to now. I decided to lower the price again. I am anticipating paying about $10k out of pocket for realtor's fees and taxes. Not a fun place to be at all. I have no equity to speak of and my ARM expires next September. Yuck.

Update on student loans: balance $5400.

Emergency Savings: $6k.

I would love to knock out the SL in one fell swoop. However, I still have a house on the market with anticipated costs to unload. Plus $1,600 of taxes to pay in September. As Dave Ramsey would say, "forget the cheese, let me out of the trap."

The good news is that I will be heading to school in the states for a month. The bad news it will be a little expensive, even after the per diem. I have a ticket for "In the Heights." The last show I seen on Broadway was "Chicago" with Bebe Neuwirth in 1998. She was flawless and it was a magical experience. Hopefully, I will be able see the 8th and I production in D.C. at the commandant's house. So before leaving for the states, I went to an awesome Onsen (Japanese bathhouse) for a scrubbing, massage and soaking. I am so hooked, can't wait to start that up when I return. It was only $6 for the sauna, salt scrub room and baths. The sauna and salt room even had a TV in it. The Korean scrub and massage was $36 for a half and hour. They also had outdoor baths and a heated slab of stone that had water flowing on it. Also, for $4 you can have a steam/sauna room experience. I am so hooked and it is only 10 min away.

All this to say, when the smoke clears upon my return to Japan in August, I will be able to gain some traction without a lot of financial distractions/upheavals. Just in time for the Onsen.

GI Jane

The Working Rich

2008-05-26T04:48:00.000-07:00

Yeah, finally received my stimulus check! I was expecting it to be direct deposit, since I paid the IRS through DD. So, if you did not receive a refund and paid taxes instead, the IRS will mail a check. The money was supposed to be used to pay off my AMEX from the recent Sheila E. concert. Instead, I used my discretionary fund and cash flowed $1000 to the card.

The good news is that my Salliemae balance after 1 Jun will be $6400. I cannot wait to be finished with SM. It really should have been done a long time ago. My recent purchase of Furla handbags, a Gucci wallet and two pairs of shoes do not help matters much. But, I did buy a new book written by Dr. Lois Frankel called Nice Girls Don't Get Rich--75 Avoidable Mistakes Women Make with Money.

She called, "the working rich," are people who must work to maintain a certain lifestyle. If the check stops, then they would be in real trouble. I definitely fall in that category, just never heard it called that before. Dr. Frankel also wanted women to max out their 401k plans, like today. The year is half way over and I would need to contribute $1500 in order to be current. I already have enough discretionary income (ref paragraph 1) to have made this happen already. But, I like discretionary income, need a bigger emergency fund, sell my house and be finished with Salliemae before maxing out the TSP.

It will definitely happen in 09.

GI Jane

House of cards

2008-05-02T23:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I am getting ready for my Sheila E. concert at the Blue Note. In between listening to Dave Ramsey's rants against credit cards, some valid and some scare tactic, I decided to check my fico score online. Mainly, because Ramsey is advocating freezing your credit bureau scores for $10 (free in some states) to prevent identify theft and curb increasing debt load. I am not out of control when it comes to credit. You never know when it needs to be pulled for insurance or whatever. Plus, in some jobs where you need a security clearance or even if you apply for a job and they need to pull it, you are stopped in your tracks. So, I think he is getting a little "Rev Wright" on the whole credit issue.

However, I was a victim of identity theft recently and it did give me pause to at least check credit scores in the even that thief managed a hold of my info. I haven't check them in a couple years, so now it is time. Myfico used to charge $39.95 for all three bureaus and now it is a freaking $47.95.

Nevertheless, I am pleased to report that now I am in the 800 club. Two bureaus had me at 775-788 range and Experian had me at 806. My credit history was not enough for the other two, I have 16 years and they want 19 years for them to award 800. Oh, well...color me happy.

GI Jane

Random notes

2008-05-01T04:37:00.000-07:00

Well AMEX cleared the fraudulent charges off of my account. I decided to close it since you cannot simply cancel the card to avoid future charges. I signed up for an AMEX travel card instead of earning pure cash. You earn a point for every dollar spent, points never expire and for every 7,500 points is $100 off any airline, hotel or rental car. Since, I am so cheap when it comes to travel, it should work out.

My house is listed for sale finally. The realtor expects it to be on the market for 6-9 months, so I will suck it up. I want to be done with it forever. The tenants will be out at the end of May, and the upkeep and mortgage will be my burden until it gets sold. Hopefully, it won't take half a year!

This Saturday, I will see Sheila E. at the Tokyo Blue Note--my childhood idol. I used to love "The Glamorous Life." I so wanted to be her. Very excited and will take photos. It is a little bit expensive, but you only live once, right?

GI Jane

Student loan forgiveness program

2008-04-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

Interesting read...but of course does not affect me.

Student loan forgiveness program a blessing and a curse
Kathleen Pender
Sunday, September 16, 2007

Abroad swath of public service workers - including school, government, health care, nonprofit and military employees - can have their remaining student loan balances forgiven after 10 years in public service and 10 years of loan payments under a bill awaiting President Bush's signature.

The program, however, will benefit future public servants more than existing ones because payments made before Oct. 1 will not count toward the 10 years of repayment. Only payments made after Oct. 1 will count.

That infuriates David Rapaport, a history teacher at Palo Alto High School who has been working in the public sector and paying off his student loans for 12 years. "It doesn't reward the people who are in the trenches, doing the job, paying back their loans. It should reward the people who have already made the commitment to do the job. The people it's going to help haven't even committed to public service yet," he says.

Rapaport says the cost of the program won't start coming due for 10 years, by which time many of the people who voted for it will be out of office. "It's a very blatant attempt to do a feel-good bill," he says.

Rachel Racusen, a spokeswoman for Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, one of the bill's sponsors, says, "The bill provides loan forgiveness for public service workers after 10 years of service and loan repayment, which will rightfully reward millions of workers for their vital service to our country and will encourage students to enter critically important but typically lower-paying fields."

The loan-forgiveness program is part of the sweeping College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which has passed the House and Senate. Bush is expected to sign it.

Like almost everything Congress cooks up, it is shamefully complex. Public-sector workers who are paying off student loans should do their best to understand it, however, because there are two things they should do now to get the most out of the program.

The lower your income and the higher your debts, the more benefit you will get from the program. People with higher incomes might not benefit at all. For a student with $100,000 in debt, "Once you hit about $55,000 in income, the benefits phase out pretty quickly," says Philip Schrag, a law professor at Georgetown University and ardent supporter of the program.

The bill covers government workers plus employees of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, which includes most hospitals and private schools. About 25 percent of workers are in occupations covered by the program, according to census data.

To qualify, employees must make 120 monthly loan payments while they are employed in one or more eligible jobs and they must be in an eligible job when the loan is forgiven.

The program covers only government guaranteed Stafford, graduate Plus and consolidation loans that were issued under the U.S. Department of Education's direct lending program. A minority of colleges offer these direct loans.

Most students get their Stafford and Plus loans from banks and other private-sector lenders through the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Loans made through this program are not eligible for the forgiveness program. However, a student with what are called FFELP loans can consolidate or reconsolidate them into a direct loan, which would be eligible for forgiveness. Perkins loans are eligible only if they are consolidated into a direct loan.

Private student loans are not eligible for the new program. Neither are Plus loans taken out by parents. Normally, Stafford and Plus loans are paid off over a 10-year period that starts after the student has left school. A student who pays off loans over the normal repayment period will have nothing left to forgive after 10 years.

To take advantage of the program, borrowers would have to stretch their payments beyond 10 years. One way to do this is by entering an income-contingent repayment program. This program is open to anyone regardless of occupation, but it is restricted to federal direct student loans, so a borrower would have to have or consolidate or reconsolidate into direct loans to participate.

In this program, borrowers can have their monthly payments capped. In most cases, the cap is 20 percent of the amount by which a borrower's adjusted gross income exceeds the poverty line.
The poverty line today (in the 48 contiguous states) is about $10,210 for one person, plus $3,480 for each additional family member.

Suppose a borrower has $40,000 in income and a family of four. His poverty line is $20,650.
His annual income exceeds his poverty line by $19,350. Twenty percent of that number is about $3,870 annually or roughly $323 per month. His monthly payment would be capped at $323.
Any amount over $323 a month is deferred. After 25 years, any remaining loan balance is forgiven.

This program exists today. The bill on Bush's desk creates a new, more generous program called income-based repayment, but it doesn't start until July 1, 2009.

Under the new program, loan payments are capped at 15 percent of the amount by which your
income exceeds 150 percent of the poverty line.

Under this program, the borrower in the above example would have his payments capped at $113 per month.

This new program applies to both FFELP and direct student loans and also forgives remaining loan balances after 25 years. Those who go into public service can have their balances forgiven after 10 years.

What can borrowers do now?
If you are in or going into public service and anticipate having low income and high debt, "you should get into direct lending now and start off with income-contingent repayment. When income-based repayment becomes available July 1, 2009, switch to that," says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid.com.

He adds that there are two "flaws" in income-based repayment, which Congress might fix at a later date.

Today, any loan balance that is forgiven becomes taxable income. Also, "there is an implicit marriage penalty. If you are married, the income used in the formula includes your and your spouse's income. "If you are in public service and you marry someone with high income, you get no benefit," Kantrowitz says.

You can calculate your maximum monthly payments under the income-contingent program and the new income-based repayment programs at FinAid.com (see chart for links).

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the public-service loan-forgiveness program is expected to save the government $110 million over 10 years. That's because more borrowers will switch out of FFELP loans into direct loans, which are cheaper for the government. The government subsidizes private-sector lenders under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

After 10 years, when the government starts forgiving public-sector loans, the costs will start to mount, but the budget office hasn't yet calculated the cost beyond 10 years.

Online resources
Text of bill:
links.sfgate.com/ZUY
Article by Georgetown Professor Philip Schrag:
links.sfgate.com/ZUZ
Income-contingent repayment calculator:
links.sfgate.com/ZVA
Income-based repayment calculator:
links.sfgate.com/ZVB
Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Under a bill expected to be signed by President Bush, public service workers can have their remaining student-loan balances forgiven after 10 years in a qualifying job and 10 years of payments.

Q: What jobs are eligible?
A: A full-time job in emergency management, government, military service, public safety, law enforcement, public health, public education (including early childhood education), social work in a public child or family service agency, public interest law services (including prosecution or public defense or legal advocacy in low-income communities at a nonprofit organization), public child care, public service for individuals with disabilities or the elderly, public library sciences, school-based library sciences and other school-based services, or at a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is tax exempt. This includes most universities and private schools.

Q: What loan payments count toward 10 years of repayment?
A: Only payments made after Oct. 1, 2007

Q: What loans are eligible?
A: Federal direct Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) loans, federal direct grad Plus loans, federal direct consolidation loans.

Q: What loans are not eligible?
A: Private education loans and parent Plus loans are not eligible. Stafford or grad Plus loans granted through the Federal Family Education Loan Program are not eligible unless they are consolidated or reconsolidated into a federal direct loan, which would be eligible.

Q: How can I take advantage of the program?
A: If you don't already have direct loans, consolidate or reconsolidate your FFELP loans into a direct one. Enter an income-contingent repayment plan. After July 1, 2009, switch to the new income-based repayment plan.

Latest and greatest

2008-04-17T04:11:00.000-07:00

Still waiting for AMEX to clear the erroneous charges from the id thief. I also need to dispute $4 in charges from Paypal. The idea that this has happened is sickening. It has been such a busy two weeks, so haven't invested too much energy in getting outraged.

On a different note, I turned in the paperwork and listed my house for sale. I am paying the mortgage a month in advance. I also have tenants who will move out at the end of May. Since I am very long distance, it may be a little bit challenging. Hopefully, the tenants did not tear up my house! I had to do a lot of painting and shampooing of carpets last summer. More to follow on that.

Wish me luck!

Identity theft is a b!tch...

2008-04-07T03:18:00.000-07:00

This morning I discovered that my paypal account has been compromised. I hardly ever use paypal. Thankfully, they had discovered something was wrong, but it did not prevent $299.00 from being charged on my AMEX. Some hillbilly decided he wanted an ATV battery from Ebay and managed to break into my account on 31 Mar. I had been very busy that week, hence no blog entries, so he was able to fly under the radar for 1 week. hmph.

Actions taken to remedy the fraudulent purchase:

Cancelled card and reordered a new one
Changed passwords
Disputed charge (it should reverse in next billing cycle)
Changed username

That is all I can do for the moment. I hope paypal report the thief to law enforcement. It goes to show that you should never use your debit card online. I need to load up the latest and greatest anti-virus software. And you should not save your credit card information online.

GI Jane

Temptations

2008-03-23T03:11:00.000-07:00

One of the advantages of living overseas is the various temptations that involve dropping some serious dough. I went to my first Persian/Oriental carpet auction on Friday. It was so much fun. I was not going to buy anything at first. I already owe a Nain carpet that is presently in my tiny living room.

They had a nice spread of food--tuna sandwiches, tuna bites, pizza and cheese sticks. The beverages included: wine, beer and soda. I was in heaven, right there. After an hour of viewing carpets, the auction began. The first carpet was a steal for about $150. I did plan on not spending more than $1,000 on any one carpet. In the end, the final damage was $1,700 on four carpets. I purchased three Afghan and one Pakistan carpets.

My poor little savings account! I will continue to revise my savings plan whenever serious amounts of money flow out. Especially, when today at a furniture sale, the only thing that prevented more purchases was having a tiny living space to work with. However, I will not leave Japan without several Japanese/Chinese pieces.

I love shopping.

GI Jane

Random humor

2008-03-16T03:15:00.000-07:00

Favorite best of craigslist post:

seeking a roommate
Date: 2007-11-24, 8:57PM PST

Hello, I am seeking out a roommate. I've had several the past 3 months that did not work out so well and am hoping to find "the perfect housemate." I think it can be done!

1. I am a plastic surgeon, single straight male, and am wealthy but rather lonely. I could keep this house to myself, and have for about a year, but I've realised that life is much better when it's shared with people who are conscious (as opposed to my clients and my nursing staff!). (This is not to say that my nursing staff is unconscious - obviously they are not! It's just very difficult to become friends with a staff that is somewhat dubious of my methods. I'm no rogue, but I do have Eastern-influenced techniques that some find odd and/or disconcerting - but I do have a 99% success rate! In any case, it doesn't make much sense to mix business and pleasure.)

2. I do have a dog, Basil Ironweed (yes that is his name, people seem to be confused that I have given him a full name like a person and some kind of laugh, but I assure you I take my dog very seriously and treat him with respect, and I ask that you do the same). It would actually be ideal if you have a female dog of pure pedigree (I'd need to see the papers though, for breeding purposes) and I'd prefer her to be a medium-sized dog (I will consider most breeds except absolutely no Australian Kelpies and no American Water Spaniels, please! The colouring of the mating dogs' possible kin would be horrendous if this were the case! Also, Basil is a Border Collie in case you were wondering!) If you do not have a dog, that is also fine. All other pets will be considered except: no cats unless they are of the outdoor variety, no arthropods, and all avians must be salmonella-free, clipped toenails, and tagged.

3. My house has only a one-car garage. It used to be a two-car one, but I decided to convert half of it into a micro-personal gym as I am rather health conscious. (I do have a gym membership, but my gym is not 24-hour, and sometimes at night I really need to get on the bowflex to burn off some of my energy since I have a lot of it! Also, after meals it's inconvenient for me to run off to the gym, and that is why I need one at my disposal. The gym membership is because they have a pool there, and swimming is really good for the joints. Just in case you were wondering.) That said, you'll have to use street parking, but I assure you that my neighborhood is quiet and safe, and there is usually a spot right out in front of my house! (The only time the spot is taken is when the lunch truck comes for the construction workers that are on the corner of my street. It only sits there for about 20 minutes between 1 and 2 pm during the week, depending on how chatty the boys are that day.) Anyways, I have a few rules that need to be followed, but other than that, we should get along fine!

I request that you listen to all music via headphones. I have mild tinnitus and the sounds from most Hi-Fi equipment sans headphones really irriate me. I am open to discussing music, but sadly we cannot directly share it as my ears can't handle rapidly changing frequencies. (If you'd like to share lyrics, I'd be more than delighted to oblige!)

If you are going to cook, please do not use the following spices: curries, paprika, anything Cajun, and dill. The smells of these things turns my stomach. (If you have any scents that you'd like to avoid, by all means let me know and I'll do you the same honour.)

You must brush your teeth at least twice a day. If there is anything I cannot stand it's filthy teeth. (Believe me, I've had a couple roommates who just could not handle this simple routine - your gingiva may not mind, but I certainly DO.)

If you are going to watch tv, please let me know in advance which programs you'd like to watch. I do have TiVo, by the by, and I have certain shows that I simply must watch when they originally air. I cannot be too flexible with this because I cannot stand to wait to see my programs. You have to understand that I simply have to watch them when they originally air or I will get a little batty. Most of my programs are on public broadcasting and do not tend to run during prime-time spots.

I do not appreciate unannounced house-guests. I need to know at least two days in advance that company is coming - I need to know the duration of the stay, and the nature of the visit. But, I am open to any and all visitors, I just need to know the specifics involved.

I have reduced rent drastically because I realise that some of my requests might seem slightly stringent. I will pay the bulk of the rent in exchange for your understanding, your commitment to the house, and your humouring of my quirks.

You must be ok with my upholstery hobby. On every third Tuesday of the month I request that you vacate the house between the hours of 4 pm - 11:45pm while I upholster various pieces of antique furniture. I am a perfectionist and require complete silence in the house. I've tried this with housemates who've promised to stay in their rooms, but this proved impossible as bathroom habits demand a regular schedule that interrupts my artisan work. That said, I will give you a small stipend on these days if it will assist you in finding something to do with that block of time.

No newspapers or magazines. The ink gets everywhere and the gloss irritates my eyes. Sorry! You are free to read them on the front porch, but they must be stored outside of the house (perhaps in your car?)

This is not to sound discriminating, but, if you speak either French, Urdu, or Afrikaans, I kindly request that you not speak them in my vicinity as the cadences used in these languages are grating to the ears and nerves, for me. I have fresh produce delivered from an undisclosed location to my home every Wednesday afternoon.

Please do not purchase fruits or vegetables and bring them home. You can request any that you desire and I will add them to my order queue. (I am fastidious about potential-GM produce and pesticide usage - I will not tolerate either!) Also, if you insist on preparing red meat dishes in the home, do cook the meat thoroughly. IT MUST SIZZLE.

No cellphone tones in my home! Please use silent mode only! You are not to use paints in the home. The noxious odours will aggravate my allergies!

That's the summary of my requests! I do actually have a handbook which I will provide for your perusal during our interview (yes, there will be an interview for final-stage candidates) that outlines all of my more particular requests. If you are interested, please email me the following information:
1. Name
2. Occupation
3. Age
4. Allergies
5. Favourite author

Cheers!

Random notes

2008-03-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Thank heavens it is Saturday (at least in Japan)! This week, I finished my Japanese 112 class with a 6-page final. We had to give an oral report and write in Hiragana and Katakana. I needed to translate the test in English to even answer the questions.

I signed up to be member of a professional organization. They are having a really awesome conference in San Antonio in May. I used to live there for 3 1/2 years--but it would give me a good chance to visit a dear friend there. I was also impressed with the caliber of the members and where they work. It will be a handy networking tool in the future.

Even though I am excited about living here in Japan, next year there may be an opportunity to move to Europe. More importantly, to Belgium...my dream tour right before the Lt Col board. I was excited about the possibility of moving to Germany, but there is someone I dislike moving into one of the billets. I think (a) if working with her will make me want to poke my eyes out and (b) I would extend here another here. Option "B " wouldn't be bad and actually better for my finances. It is expensive moving, even though you get an allowance. Plus, my language training would not have been in vain. We will see...

Tomorrow, I will attempt to cook all of my meals for the week in advance. Today, I will need to research a 5 or 6 day menu. It sounds get in theory, but the commissary here does not have the greatest selection. I couldn't even find chicken stock for my yummy chicken piccata.

I may be going to Beijing, China for the Olympics this summer. I hate crowds, but this sounds too exciting. It will, of course, derail my well-intentioned student loan reduction plan. But I think it is worth it--I've heard great things about China.

One of my property managers has yet to deposit my rent for March. I wish they could be "fired," but I would need to sell the stupid house first. Still contemplating, even though it is a slow market.

Ja mata,

GI Jane

Bills, bills, bills

2008-03-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Why oh why, do I have $73 in my checking account?

This is what I have after paying on two mortgages. I have laid off AMEX by using cash for 90% of my purchases. One property manager, was being pretty prompt for a while, the rent was deposited by the 7th. The other one is usually chronically late.

I cannot wait until one house is sold or Salliemae paid off.

Update on Salliemae~
Account information

Next due date:
03/16/2009

Monthly payment amount:
$288.95

Past due amount:
N/A

Late fee(s):
N/A

Other charges:
N/A

Present amount due:
N/A

Pay this amount:
N/A

Original principal balance:
$41,176.29

Capitalized interest:
$2,921.84

Outstanding principal balance:
$9,280.96

Accrued interest:
$11.57

Total amount outstanding:
$9,292.53

I feel good about the amount--especially when you look at where I started from. I began paying my loans in 2002 at 6.5%. In 2002, I also had $7500 left on my car and $8000 credit card debt. I remember opening my SM bill and nearly collapsing. My head was in the sand for years as I deferred the undergrad loans for 5 years (it is where the $2,921 interest capitalization comes in). The undergrad was the cheap part--the bulk came from graduate school circa 2000-01. I would say at least $20-25,000 came from graduate school.

Grand total of non-mortgage debt in 2002: $56,676
Grand total of non-mortgage debt in 2008: $9,292.53

I had also maxed out Roth IRAs for the past 8 yrs and contributed to TSP in the last 6 yrs. I used to be so clueless about money and now it is somewhat my passion. I used to fantasize about being rescued by a knight in shining armour. But, he never came...and that is just fine by me.

GI Jane

End of Times?

2008-03-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Interesting article that was posted on the Early Retirement forum. The proposal would only go in effect for new recruits if passed:

Panel also recommends combining active, reserve retirement systems
By William H. McMichael - bmcmichael@militarytimes.com

A congressionally chartered commission has called for scrapping the entire military retirement system and making active-duty troops wait until at least age 57 to begin drawing retired pay. The proposal, which would spell the end of the current active-duty system that pays nondisability retirement immediately after a service member completes a minimum of 20 years of service, is among 95 recommendations in the final report of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserve, which went well beyond its original charter to review the structure and management of the reserve components and delved into personnel policies for active-duty members. Under current retirement rules, an active-duty member is eligible for retired pay immediately after completing a minimum of 20 years of service, which can be as young as age 37.

However, reservists must wait until age 60 to draw retired pay, although a law signed Jan. 28 by President Bush allows reservists to draw retired pay 90 days earlier than age 60 for every 90 days of mobilization in support of a contingency operation. Under the commission’s plan, a revamped retired system would grant limited retirement benefits starting at 10 years of service, although payments would not begin until age 62. Those who serve at least 20 years could receive payments at age 60; those who serve 30 years could get them at age 57. Under the plan, troops could begin drawing retirement pay at earlier ages, but the annuity would be reduced 5 percent for each year that a member is under the statutory minimum retirement age.

The commission said that would bring the military in line with the Federal Employees Retirement System. The commission concluded that combining the training, promotion and management of active and reserve troops into one integrated manpower system is the only way the nation’s military can become a truly efficient operational force for the future. “The increasing cost of personnel, and the challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified individuals, will, we believe, inevitably require reductions in the size of the active force,” states the 432-page report, released Jan. 31. “This shrinking active force will necessarily be accompanied by an increased reliance on reserve forces for operations, particularly for homeland missions. The overall effectiveness of those forces will depend on greater integration of the reserves with the active component.”

The commission argued that modifying the 20-year retirements would give the services an incentive to retain troops whom they want to keep for more than 10 years but for less than 20. Additional pay or bonuses would be needed to keep such troops in uniform beyond 10 years to maintain retention rates. “As part of the reformed retirement system, retention would be encouraged by making service members eligible to receive ‘gate pay’ at pivotal years of service,” the report says. “Such pay would come in the form of a bonus equal to a percentage of annual basic pay at the end of the year of service, at the discretion of the services.”

Matching funds for TSP
In addition, the report says Congress should expand current law to permit all service members to receive up to 5 percent of annual basic pay in matching government contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan. Service members currently receive no government matching funds for TSP contributions. “The government’s contribution would vest at 10 years of service, and the Thrift Savings Plan benefit would be portable and thus capable of being rolled over into a civilian 401(k) account,” the report says. Among the report’s other recommendations:

• The military’s promotion system should be competency-based versus time-based.
• Active and reserve officer personnel management systems should be merged into a single system.
• The number of duty statuses should be reduced from 29 to two — on active duty or off.
• The Defense Department should implement a combined pay and personnel system to eliminate problems with incorrect pay, low data quality, multiple personnel files and inaccurate accounting of credit for service.
• The Guard and reserve should be given the clear lead in Defense Department homeland security missions within U.S. borders. The recruiting and job market landscape has shifted in dramatic ways, the commission said, which means the Defense Department “must recruit, train and maintain a technologically advanced force in an era that will be characterized by ever-increasing competition for a shrinking pool of qualified individuals whose expectations about career paths and mobility are changing dramatically.”

“We need to look at our manpower assets with a totally integrated approach,” commission Chairman Arnold Punaro said. For active and reserve service members, such a system would create a “seamless” transition to and from active duty — “on-ramps” and “offramps,” as Navy personnel officials have described the concept. Basing promotions on competency rather than time would keep troops competitive within the system.

Reserve reorganization

The 95 recommendations in the report also include a call for the reserves to be reorganized into two formal categories: operational and strategic reserve forces. The operational reserve would consist of Selected Reserve units and individual mobilization augmentees who would deploy periodically. The strategic reserve would include Selected Reserve personnel and augmentees not scheduled for rotational active-duty tours and the “most ready, operationally current and willing members of the Individual Ready Reserve,” the report says. The commission also calls for scrapping the Standby Reserve category and said members who are not “viable mobilization assets should be excluded from the total reserve force.” The Defense Department would have to consistently provide the support needed to ensure the sustained viability of both forces, and Congress and the Pentagon would determine the missions each would perform. “There used to be an understanding that if you were ready for the away game, you were ready for the home game,” Punaro said. “Most everyone admits that’s not the case anymore. We need a very ready force at home in peacetime, just like we need a ready force for the overseas mission.”

The reserves were conceived as a strategic force that would be called to active duty only in national emergencies. But they have morphed over the past 18 years, beginning with the 1991 Persian Gulf War and spurred by the military drawdown of the 1990s, into an operational reserve that is now regularly called upon to meet the demands of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “It’s clear that if you hadn’t had an operational Guard and reserve, you would have had to go back to the draft, which I think everyone agrees is ... pretty unacceptable,” Punaro said. Punaro is “very bullish” on the prospects for the commission’s work to receive serious attention. Half of the 95 recommendations “can be done immediately,” he said. About 40 will require congressional or presidential action, according to the report.

Dog eat dog

2008-03-08T01:22:00.001-08:00

I am in a state of shock. The Lt Col board selection list was posted a couple of days ago. A very good friend of mine did not get picked up. She is an Academy grad, fluent in German and selected as an attache. Until we lost touch last August, she was my inspiration as a single woman doing her "damn" thing. My friend will get one more bit at the apple, but it is a long shot. If you are twice non-selected for promotion, the military will give you a severance package equivalent to one year's salary. Therefore, that person is usually 5-6 years away from receiving a pension for the rest of your life worth millions if you live to about 80.

My mother was astonished that someone could actually lose their job if he/she is not promoted. She thought you can just continue on as long as you want. Even when I told her about the personnel cuts in the recent years--in her mind the military is not based on merit. So for the rest of you who may have no clue:

Air Force
2d Lt: Bachelors degree and professional military education: Aerospace Basic Course
Capt: Squadron Officer School
Maj: Air Command and Staff College (it took me about 1 year to complete)
Lt Col: Masters degree (to even be competitive for this rank)

If you do not have any of these things, you will be non-selected for promotion or other words, self-eliminated. Your annual reports also have to be written well: recommendation for developmental education/higher level job and most importantly stratified amongst your peers (i.e. you are 1 out 30 Majors ). Also, your reports should include any annual/quarterly awards, outstanding/excellent ratings from inspections, pass/fail the physical fitness test (1.5 mile run, sit-ups/push-ups, etc... Everything positive that has been documented in the performance reports will be represented in a promotion recommendation form. Then the promotion board looks at a person's whole career in about 3-5 mins.

The good news is that my friend will definitely find a career on the outside world. She is so accomplished and savvy. It is just that you jump through a lot of hoops and sometimes risk your life, she even received a bronze star in Iraq, to be passed over in the end. The military can certainly build you up and chew you out.

Above all.

GI Jane

Audacity to hope

2008-03-05T03:22:00.000-08:00

I am slightly disappointed that Obama did not win Texas and Vermont. Clinton has gained some momentum after capitalizing on Saturday Night Live's skit on how the media treats her. I still have hope that Obama will recover. This is such a heady and exciting time, I practically skipped to the mailbox and registered in my home state. I will be devastated if Obama does not when the primary.

With that said, I was slightly annoyed with Huckabee speech in where he recounted how someone hocked their wedding ring to contribute. It did not elicit any sympathy. I think it is taking it a bit too far in pledging allegiance to a campaign. If I ever do get married and is strapped for cash, my favorite candidate will have to forgo any yen from me. Sorry, that is just a bit too fanatical.

GI Jane

I'm baaack!

2008-02-27T04:49:00.000-08:00

Wow...what a busy 10 days it has been. The dust has now settled and it is back to the grind. I had the big boss's retirement dinner, his change of command ceremony, Japanese 112 mid-term and a co-worker farewell luncheon to boot! I cannot wait to decompress this weekend with Zumba, mani/pedi and karoke (Japan's national pastime) on Saturday.

I made a really good investment in purchasing $200 worth of Japanese language material. Also, last I night I refreshed my hair product supply for about $175. Both purchases contribute to my whole-person concept--being well-groomed and learned:

I have this lofty goal of becoming fluent in Japanese. If I score well on my language test, not only will it increase my pay, but also make me more competitive for Lt Col. I anxiously await to see how this last board fared. The results will be released 4 Mar--I know a couple of people who have been passed over. But actually, I am more curious about the statistics...it should be around 70%. My board will not meet until 2010. And I am all about hedging my bets.

The hair products save me $70 a week in salon treatments. My Pibbs hair dryer was the purchase of the year in 2007. I have relaxed hair that requires plenty of TLC and more importantly, moisture/protein. I am so in love with the Salerm's Balancing Shampoo, Wheat Germ treatment and B5 Leave-in. I lost two hairs from the last treatment--one was from shedding. I usually lose a lot more than that with more broken than shedding hairs. The line is made in Barcelona, Spain. It is definitely a keeper.

GI Jane

Rant

2008-02-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

Today, I decided to check out the Dooney and Burke sale at the BX. I really do not care for them, but my mother does. She has a rather decent selection of handbags and still adds to the collection. My fear is that I buy something she already has. She was disappointed that the small D & B pocketbook I gave her did not come with a change purse. Actually QVC pretty much spoiled her in thinking every D & B comes with a little change purse. *shrug*

So, I head to the BX at 1000 hrs and picked up a D & B pocketbook for $78 (regular price $195) and $29 Calvin Klein sunglasses (regular price $120). I finished my shopping at 1030 hrs and went home, so I could return at 1100 hrs for a Subway sandwich. Previously, I had banned Subway because they always put in too much mayo and would run out of stuff. I actually started to like Quiznos toasted sandwiches better. Nevertheless, I discovered on Saturday that Subway expanded their bread selection and had an option of having your sandwich toasted. It was so delicious that I decided to have it again today.

I show up at 1110 hrs and there was a line. I waited for about 15 minutes, only to be told that they only had wheat bread. The other breads will take 30-45 minutes to bake. WTH! One would think that at 1015-1030 hrs, that they would bake the bread needed in time by 1100 hrs.
I left and headed over to the other Subway shop, where they had plenty of different types of bread. And no wait. Jeez louise.

GI Jane

Living life like it is golden

2008-02-17T00:40:00.000-08:00

Here's the chef cooking up my lobster and beef tenderloin at a Japanese restaurant in downtown Tokyo on Valentine's Day. We decided to have a nice meal before the Police concert. I went all out and had a glass of white Zinfandel, sushi, salad, miso soup and grilled surf and turf. I finished it off with a lovely sorbet. Yummy. The bill with tip ended up being $55.00. We ended up a half and hour late to the Police concert.

My friends did not enjoy the performance as much as I did. As long as I heard, "Roxanne," I was fine. They wanted a strict rendition with no change or improvisation. I can't imagine playing a song the same way for decades. Nevertheless, Sting looked fabulous and everyone played well. It was worth the $130. If I am going to spend that much money, I will make sure to enjoy the experience.

GI Jane