Laying My Financial Soul Bare

In applying to take the bar exam, you have to disclose any bankruptcies, defaults, revocations and other credit stuff. This is of course my one bugaboo. No lawsuits, no criminal activity to report, but I do have financial stuff to report. Luckily I do not have any bankruptcies, or defaults, but I do have credit card revocations that I had to list. But I pay debts off, even though I may pay late. And my amount of debt is high. Not unbelievably high like some people, but high. This will not look good. But what does not look good is really not that bad. As I mentioned, I have never defaulted. I will be out of debt within two years of graduating if not sooner. Hopefully, they will be able to ascertain this.

The Rebate Checks are Coming Early!

At least that is what the news said. They may start coming as early as next week. That is good news for me, as I will need the money to tide me over during bar exam study. I don't have enough vacation saved up and will have to take some time off without pay. I would have still loved the check if it came in Sept. but it wouldn't have helped me as much then. As soon as the money lands, I'll have to grab it out of my checking and put it into my credit union account until July. That is when I will need it.

What My Wallet Says

I read an article today about what a wallet says about its owner. I would say off the top of my head that mine says "I need more money!" But, I don't even have a wallet anymore, so I have to rethink my answer. The point of the article was does your wallet reflect that you respect money or not? Since I don't have a wallet, I put my money in my change area of my purse. Like the article pointed out, my money is thrown in there, with change sometimes collecting at the bottom of my purse. That would indicate, the article said, that I don't have respect for money. Hmmm. That may actually be true. Not sure what it means. It either means that, or that I don't think money is important, therefore I don't take pains with it. I may not think money is important, but lack of money is important. Note to self: Treat money better.

I Really Don't Like Wal-Mart

Just when I think things with Wal-Mart are getting better, they pull another boner. Back in my previous job, I heard a speaker who had been a consultant to Wal-Mart's CEO say the CEO wanted the company to be a more socially responsible company. Like being more environmentally aware and being a better employer, i.e, providing health insurance and such. It warmed my heart. I was hoping it was true. Well, maybe it is true on some level. But I have never seen a company step in it more than Wal-Mart. The news about them suing the woman who was their employer who had had an accident and is now brain damaged is beyond belief. She won a settlement that will help ease her now horrible life a little. And Wal-Mart wants to take that money from her! It is not that they are not entitled to it. Of course they are. That is not the point. They look like the greedy bottomless scum that they are. Apparently, they have never heard of public relations before. They really suck at it and deserve the bad rap they are getting.

Disclosure: I did get a Wal-Mart gift card for Christmas that I used the other day. I had to hold my nose the whole time in the store. Yes, they do offer low prices that do help out poor people. But that is about all you can say about them. And they could be much more.

Coupon Fun

Well, this wasn't really a coupon, but an IOU of sorts. I had gone to Firestone a while back for an oil change, and had a coupon, and the man forgot to figure in the coupon when he rang me up. And for some reason, he couldn't ring me back up with the coupon figured in. But he gave me a business card with his signature on it, saying I could have a free oil change.

My problem, good or bad, is that I get very tunnel-visioned. Which is good when you are on a deadline at work or school. But bad when you are on a deadline and still have to think about personal things--like making sure you change the oil in your car.

I had forgotten to change or add the oil in my car for a long time because of my focus on work and school! I was driving my boss on an errand, when I saw my oil light flick on quickly and then disappear. My stomach went into my throat. I almost said, "Let's stop the car," but I was worried about him thinking poorly of me for forgetting to add or change oil! I knew if it just flicked it was momentarily OK. I dropped him off and went immediately to a service station, where they gave me a huge guilt trip. Said I was close to ruining my engine. Put two and a half quarts of oil in. I felt like a chump.

So I knew I had to get my oil changed soon. I am also tight on money with all of my law school and bar expenses. But I remembered that free oil change IOU that was in my glove compartment. I overslept this morning and didn't get to Firestone early enough to get in the lineup. I had to be back at school this afternoon for a PMBR review, so I couldn't leave my car.

I asked if I brought my car back after the review, could they do my oil change before they closed? He said yes, give it a shot.

So I drove back, late in the afternoon, not so sure that they would be able to do it that late. But maybe having that card with the manager's signature on it did the trick. They had me in and out in 30 minutes. A record! I promise to take care of my itty bitty car. I wuv it.

I Did It Again.

Yes, I did it again---argggh. Overdrawn! I am so mad. I even had a little extra money in my check this time which just went to what is obviously my favorite charity--my bank! (just kidding of course--they don't need my money!) I had made an online phone payment. They had always taken two days to clear before, but of course, this time it just took one day, which was one day before my paycheck was deposited. Just can't believe it. I don't have time to get depressed about this--just press on! (And try not to do it again.)

In Re Bar Application

As I have mentioned, I have slow credit. I have had slow credit for years, followed by periods of great credit, followed by periods of slow credit again. I have been worried about this in regards to my bar application. It is important for lawyers to be financially responsible. We were told to call the lawyer's assistance program if we thought we had any red flags that we needed to worry about, so that we could start working with them before the bar examiners start working with us. I called them today to see if I needed to make an appointment. He said no. That they have never denied a bar application because of slow credit. (Wipes brow. Relief) But I need to be transparent, which of course I will be. I just have to be a big person about my stupidness with money. But what a relief overall.