About Me
Posted onWho is krystalatwork?
Hi, and welcome to my blog! :)
I started this blog in late February 2007 because I felt like I needed an outlet in which to talk about personal finance issues, and to keep myself honest and accountable for my spending. I am an ex-shopaholic, and I love(d) spending money. Unfortunately, it all caught up to me, and coupled with my daunting student loans, I found myself trapped under a mountain of debt.
I am a college graduate (April 2006), and I hold a 2-year degree in communications. I also have 2.5 years of education in Sports Marketing at a university in Michigan. Before I turn 30, I would like to have completed my B.A. in Communication Studies through correspondence classes at Athabasca University.
On May 11th, 2007 I became 100% debt-free, and my goal is to live well below my means for the rest of my life. Financial independence is very important to me.
About Give Me Back My Five Bucks
This is a personal finance (PF) blog. I try to keep all of my posts somehow related to my finances in every day life. Among other things, I am interested in investing, real estate, being frugal, and smart shopping.
My online name, krystalatwork, does not refer to the fact that I'm blogging while I'm at work (well, sometimes it does) ... rather, it's that I'm always at work, trying to achieve my financial goals and trying to better myself as a person.
The name of my blog, Give Me Back My Five Bucks, refers to a conversation I was having with my sister while I was in the middle of creating my Blogger account for this site (and was having the hardest time trying to think up a creative name for it). I honestly have no idea what we were talking about, but for some reason, that phrase stuck in my head ... and I decided I wasn't going to come up with anything better on my own, so my blog was born!
While creating the header for this site (May 2007), I really wanted my graphic to incorporate what I was all about, as well as play on the name of my blog. Yes, that's my real wallet in the picture. I actually had to "borrow" the $5 (and change) from the BF for the photo shoot, which I thought was pretty funny. And he actually kept saying "give me back my five bucks!" I took it as a sign that I really had chosen the perfect blog name for my site. :)
I try to keep this blog anonymous for privacy reasons. I've never officially disclosed where I live (although I assume most people know what city I'm referring to when I write about my day-to-day life), and I've also never mentioned specifically where I work, or any names of the people that I write about. And if I post any pictures, I do make sure to blur out the faces of everyone in them. In this day and age, I'm sure it's possible to track down even the most anonymous blogger, but hopefully I'm doing my part to keep myself safe.
This blog is also kept private from any of my friends and family in my "real life." Only those closest to me even know I have a PF blog, and I would like to keep it that way. There's something comforting in knowing that this blog is mine, and it makes me feel free to talk openly about my finances.
Blog disclaimer
I am not a financial adviser. I am not an expert. In fact, I hardly know anything about personal finance ... but I'm learning. My posts are a reflection of my life experiences, so please do not make any financial decisions based on what I have said or done.
Labels: blog
Where's my 5 Bucks!
Also refers to the classic paperboy in Better Off Dead.
Actually its "I want my two dollars."
Hi Krys - I was wondering if it was at all difficult for you to find a job doing graphic design with a two-year degree in Communications? I'm about to graduate with a BA in Asian American Studies, with just a couple of Art classes under my belt, and so I'm looking at going back for a degree in graphic design or something. Was just wondering. :( Thanks!
Francesca: Through my 2-year communication degree, I studied all facets of communication (graphic design, radio, television, photography, writing, etc), and took a class in each form of media every semester. So when I graduated, I had a good understanding of graphic design. Granted, I was nowhere near the level of someone who would have studied just graphic design for 2 or 4 years, but I was proficient enough to do enough for most employers.
After graduating, it took me 3 months to land a job in graphic design. I handed out A LOT of resumes, because I'm sure you know that everyone and their dog nowadays is a designer of some sort ... but eventually I did get one!
Even though I've stepped back from graphic design as my full-time job, I still have the skills to keep doing it as a side business, which is really helpful in making extra money!
I hope that helped a little bit, and good luck with it!
Thanks for always answering my questions, Krys. :) I should say I'm a great fan of your blog - reading about how you're putting your life in order makes me feel much calmer!
Hi Krystal,
I think that you "getting out of debt"is sensational!
Congratulations for a job well done. Just discovered your blog and reading it.
Marie
Krystal -
A big CONGRATULATIONS on paying off such a large amount of debt in a disciplined manner in such a short amount of time! Very impressive indeed.
Keep going! I have an article at my website re: something I created called the PowerWealth Debit Score. You might find the article and the Debit Score concept interesting now that you are credit card debt free (some other articles on the site might interest you as well).
I've bookmarked your site so that I can keep up with your progress as you march on to financial freedom!
Thanks for sharing your financial experiences with everyone,
Logan.
Hi Krys,
just wanna say chancing upon your blog has given me HOPE to be debt-free. We roughly have the same amount of debt, same pits that brought about the debt.. the difference is that you took action and i am still getting nowhere.
Am resolving to take steps to achieve $ freedom!
Thank YOU from the tiny island of Singapore where the working class is getting into debt faster.
I just ran across you blog by chance.
I like it and just subscribed.
Congratulations, fantastic to see the fruition of your hard work in such a short period of time! I love to shop too, and getting the balance right is achieveable. Best of luck with your long term goals.
I see you are debt free. That must be an awesome feeling, and I'm very jealous. You're an inspiration that it can be done!
Glad to see you're out of debt..keep growing your savings and let compound interest work its long term magic! :)
-Raymond
I just found your blog on Fire finance (congrats on making the list). Well done on paying off the debt! It's so hard to do and you've done an amazing job! Good luck with not going out to lunch at work - that's so hard for social people too!
Your are an awesome girl. Best regards from Germany.