Wedding Costs: Part 1

Yeah, I've been putting up a few posts today... trying to give my new readers enough to keep them busy while I'm of town this weekend, so hopefully they will want to keep reading next week when I'm back!

I'm now in the 7th inning of planning my best friend's bachelorette party and bridal shower, with my other best friend who is co-Maid of Honor. Luckily all of the girls coming to the bachelorette party are participating with the assumption that they will be paying their own way, and co-MOH and I have done a good job at finding a cheap hotel, nice-but-inexpensive restaurant, and VIP limo deal in the DC area.

Bridal shower planning has not gone as smoothly. Co-MOH and I had initially expected to pay for the shower ourselves, but we asked some former bridesmaid friends and consulted some etiquette websites, all of which suggested that bridesmaids help the hostess in splitting the cost of the shower. We sent a friendly email to the bridesmaids attending the shower about splitting the costs, and we received a less-than-friendly reply. (The other two are throwing a separate "stock the bar" party, so we did not expect them to contribute to this one) The bridesmaids we emailed happen to be the bride's sisters, and they responded that they will not be contributing, as it's inappropriate for siblings to throw the bride a shower. Um, you're a bridesmaid, and just happen to be her sister. Plus, as a sister, shouldn't you be more inclined to contribute?? Co-MOH and I were stunned at the response, and sent back a polite response explaining why we asked (etiquette appeared to indicate that bridesmaids split the cost) but said that we will ultimately respect their deicision. I am hoping that we can guilt them into contributing something, anything.

Otherwise, Co-MOH are using our bargain-hunting skills, yet again! We purchased all of the champagne using a coupon to a new liquor store, and when we were checking out of the craft store with her memory book supplies, they gave us a coupon for 25% starting that Sunday... so guess what we did? We politely put all of our items back on the shelf and returned Sunday! Haha... Now that we're on our own financing this shower, we'll be looking for even more money-saving ideas. We're cooking all of the food ourselves... coupon clipping, anyone?

Introduction

I'm a 25 year old chick living in New York City, and when I first started my job in finance (after earning a mechanical engineering degree!), I became interested in making my net worth grow as fast as possible. Who doesn't like to have more money, and so making the most out of my buck, while still enjoying the simple pleasures that money can buy, has become a personal hobby. Over the years I've developed my own tricks and methods of saving and making the most of my money, which I will try to share here. I've been following PF blogs regularly now for almost a month, and I'm feeling left out! I'd like to share my thoughts here in hopes of engaging in a broader discussion on various topics.

Disclosure #1: I don't budget. (Yet.) I keep an eye on how much money I spend, and but I think that budgets are too inflexible for my spontaneous life. I don't want to miss out on life just because it costs money (within reason).

Disclosure #2: I LOVE BARGAINS!!! Yes, I am a bargain shopper, almost to a fault. I love 99 cent stores for everyday things like ziploc baggies, sponges, dust wipes, you get the idea- love love love it! I love sales, coupons, everything- the Sunday paper is my favorite because of all the coupons! I don't buy things I don't need just because they're on sale, but I do use it as an excuse to get what I really want but otherwise might not buy ;) I will proudly discuss my bargain effectiveness on this blog, haha.

Disclosure #3: I love to travel. This year has been enormous in terms of travel expenditures, but I've been to places I've never been before, and have seen a lot of family and old friends. Places visited this year so far have been: Ft. Lauderdale, Boston, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, Albuqerque, Portland ME, Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Harrisburg PA, and later this year I will be in Richmond VA, San Francisco, and back to Las Vegas (maybe twice). Yes, I gamble, but not very much. I've been out of town every weekend for the last 2.5 months with the exception of 1 weekend, and it will continue for another few weeks from this posting (or maybe longer, as my weekends get filled up with more exciting travel!) Thus, plane tickets/ hotels and even rental cars have been my biggest spending category.

Disclosure #4: Sorry guys, if you love PF chicks, this one's taken ;)

My first series of posts will probably come frequently as I word-vomit all of the PF situations I've had recently, hope you don't mind! I appreciate your readership and your comments!

Best,
CB