Let's talk $$$

Oh it's monday? Let's talk moneyyyy!

One of the biggest things I've had to conquer since becoming a mom is getting and keeping my finances in check. That means, cutting back on some things, buying quality over quantity, doing alllotttt of window shopping, and having an eye for sales amongst other things. So far, so good. Obviously there is always room for improvement so I want to use this space for a dialogue. 

Via

Here are some of my secrets:

• American Express Personal Savings Account: I am a firm believer in saving money. Nowadays, savings accounts are not accruing as much interest as they use to which has caused many people to keep their money in their checking accounts for easy access. I am a fan of free money so I keep most of in my personal savings account. American Express has the highest interest savings account with no strings (i.e minimal balances, maximum transfers). I highly, highly, recommend opening an account. The only downside is that its online only so its not for those who are technologically challenged.
• Ebates: I was super skeptical about ebates before. I mean... have you seen their commercial? it seemed a bit sketchy and sort of like a scheme to me. But one day I decided to visit their website and I am sooo soo glad that I did. Ebates allows you to get cash back for shopping at selects stores and also alerts you to discounts and coupon codes. This month alone I got $50 back for doing what I was going to do anyway -- online shop! If you are a big online shopper, this website is a MUST.
• Amazon Prime: I don't know if I'm lazy or just plain crunched for time all the time but Amazon Prime is a life saver. I literally order all of my essentials from Amazon and prime allows it to get here in two days. Most of the time Amazon's prices are MUCH BETTER than the competitors so buying from Amazon makes sense. Prime cost $89/year but if you are a big online shopper (think: buy bulk diapers, shoes, make up, shampoo/conditioners, or baby supplies from the web) then you eat this expense easily within the first two months. 
• Store credit card: This is going to go against all common knowledge but if you frequent a store very very often and have good willpower, go on and open a store credit card. I love the gap and it's pretty much where all of Ian's clothes comes from. I virtually get everything from the gap 30-45% off because I own a gapcard. I also get reward points/certificates that I can use at some of their 'higher in' stores such as banana republic or pipperlime. Since I was going to buy these clothes anyway, these $$ rewards are just icing on the cake. I recently used my rewards to buy this for $20. The catch is, the interest rates are crazy high and if you cannot or chose not to pay the balance IN FULL, each month, then the card is simply not worth it.

Those are my tips!

Did I alert you to anything you didn't know?

Do you have any tips? Please leave them below!

Throwback Thursdays: 8 months.

Ian turned 8 months yesterday. So yes, that's my throwback post. LOL :)

Not much to report here. This last month Ian has become such a fun loving guy. He screeches all the time and does some babbling. Still as mobile as tree stump (read: not mobile) but loves to sit, jump, and twist his body in ways that causes him to almost fall. Yep, he is not afraid of gravity what.so.ever.

He is still a boobie baby and can now pull my shirt down (or up) to get to his milk supply. He doesn't care if we are in public. If he doesn't get his boob when he wants it he resorts to making chimpanzee noises. It's really funny. He also fake coughs to get attention. The moment you look at him he bursts out in laughter.  Where does he learn this stuff?

He is a big boy. His unofficial weight is 21 lbs (according to our home scale) and 30.5 inches (according to our tape measurer). I feel like I'm going to die anytime I hold him for longer than 15 minutes but the silver lining is that my arms have never looked better.

The most exciting news (for me) is that Ian now only gets up ONCE A NIGHT for a feed. Holy irtueojlwksdnfmdgklsea. Dreams do come true.

Happy 8 Months Ian Jonah!!

I. Need. A. Vacation.

First off, thank you guys for your amazing tips on my Postpartum series post and your congratulatory messages on my celebration posts. I swear you all are friends in my head. LOL :)

I've always been the type of girl that needed to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, taking the bar (hopefully passing) and becoming an esquire is the light at the end of these long, exhausting days but the bar is not till the end of July, We wont receive our results until November, and even then I won't be sworn in as an Attorney until 2014. I needed something more definite. More final. So we booked our first family vacation for August!!!! 

YAYYYYY.

At first we were planning a trip to Portugal, as a couple. But the thought of lugging a breast pump and leaving my child (who I have never left for more than a few hours) has proven to be mentally too much so we instead decided to do a beach vacation WITH HIM as a compromise.

Because we aren't going to Europe, we had some extra money (not really) to spend on our vacation so we decided to splurge on the resort and also get a suite with a Jacuzzi in the room, and outside on our Balcony as well. This way when Ian goes down for naps, or to bed, we won't also be bed-ridden. 

I'm so excited & nervous. 
     

Please share with me tips and tricks of flying and traveling with a ten month old! Did you bring a carseat? Did you bring a stroller (if you stayed on a resort)? Did you let the baby eat any of the fruits or food from the buffet? Any other advice?

 

Celebration Week Recap

I've been meaning to do this post earlier but haven't had the time. I thought when school ended all of a sudden there would be a million hours available in my day but boy was I wrong. I jumped from finals, to a hectic grad week, straight into Bar studying :( 

[Sidebar: May I say that bar studying is proving to be super tough already. So much material to cover and It is moving so fast. My brain needs a break and time to chill out but I guess that comes in August. Oh well.] 

Back to the topic at hand -- Celebration week! As I alluded to earlier, this past week has been full of celebrations. Here are the deets, as told through my iphone. 

 First up is Barrister's Ball:  

Originally when planning what I was going to wear for Barrister's Ball, I sent Zanele (my best friend and blogger at Urbane Diary) on a wild goose chase to find me a ball gown in my budget. She found the perfect dress and when I went to buy it the next day, only a size xxs was available. I'm a 'small' girl but even I knew that was pushing it. On the day of the ball I made a desperate trip to bloomingdales and decided to go with this cocktail dress instead. It is a bit outside of what I wanted to spend but I ended up loving it. Scott paired a grey suit with a red tie so we ended up being that couple. LOL.

Two days later it was Graduation (& my birthday)!

Graduation was quite the day. Scott and I were both exhausted. He stayed up all night finishing up some work & I rose at 5am because Ian wanted to make sure to get up early to celebrate with us ;) Still, it was a day to remember. It's surreal, even now, that I have a J.D. 

Underneath the gown was this little birthday outfit.

Dress: Aqua / Shoes: Prada / Necklace: Stella & Dot

The next day was a small Birthday brunch

I was surprised by some friends and sorors who came to New York (from Michigan and DC) to celebrate my birthday and graduation, despite insisting that no one come. They truly made my weekend -- I felt so loved and was so glad to see everyone. Ian also made it to his first brunch (of many to come). Missing from the photos is my best friend Z who has been the leg to my table these last 10 years, and my friend Dee who I probably wouldn't make it through law school without.

FINALLY, Memorial Day arrived.

Scott and I went to his parent's home in New Jersey so that we could have some rest and relaxation. It didn't quite turn out that way because Baby Ian decided that he didn't like the pack and play, insisted on sleeping in the bed curled up right next to me, and refused to take naps. We made the best of it by going on walks/hikes, indulging in wine, and just enjoying everyones company.

All in All, these last few days have been long, exhausting, but yet absolutely perfect. May has been soooo busy but I'm glad I took some time to be still and cherish the moments.

How have you all been?!

Anyone else looking forward to a (hopefully) slower June?