Natalie McNeal - The Frugalista Files

First and foremost, I have to thank everyone who has ever readand especially who commented onmy blog. I really wrote this book for you. You have listened to my fears and celebrated my triumphs, and I am so humbled. The many conversations that weve had on Twitter (yay, #dealchat), the Facebook group and on my blog have meant the world to me. If anyone had told me that when I started blogging, it would be life changing, I wouldnt have believed them. I am a believer now!

Id like to thank Harlequin for giving me the opportunity to pursue the dreams of a Frugalista.

Thank you to all my friends and family who have been patient with me throughout this whole book-writing experience. You all are peppered throughout the book, so you know who you are! Id also like to thank the very patient and loving team of people who have helped me end up here: Ayesha Pande, Marlon Hill, Sarah Pelz, Harriet Bell, Cynthia McNeal and Coco.

C HAPTER 1
January

C HAPTER 2
February

C HAPTER 3
March

C HAPTER 4
April

C HAPTER 5
May

C HAPTER 6
June

C HAPTER 7
July

C HAPTER 8
August

C HAPTER 9
September

C HAPTER 10
October

C HAPTER 11
November

C HAPTER 12
December

For the majority of my life as a working adult, Ive had the nasty gift that keeps on giving: debt. Credit cards, a student loan and a car loan. It shouldnt be a shocker. I was a promiscuous spender, charging trips, dinners, shopping sprees and whatever else on my credit cards. All of this on a print reporters salary. It wasnt a good look.

I am Natalie P. McNeal, and I created and run my blog Thefrugalista.com, all about living frugal and fabulous.

This book is an up-close look at a very pivotal year in my life: 2008. This book chronicles the year that I decided to beat my debt monster once and for all. It was the year I became a Frugalista, a woman who lives within her budget without sacrificing her fun, fabulous lifestyle. (Yes, it is possible!) To stick to my Frugalista mission, I started blogging about the ups and downs of trying to manage my money, career and life over all.

Becoming a Frugalista, hands down, has been one of the best things that Ive ever done in life. It started out as a way to pay down debt and manage my money better. Over the course of the year, as I kept blogging and connecting with other people who were going through the same things I was going through or had advice on how to live better, being a Frugalista became empowering. Social media played a big role in helping me connect with the right people to help me on my frugal path.

I wrote this book for everyone who knows they could be doing a little bit or a lot better by their finances but isnt quite sure where to start. Im just a regular girl who had a vision that she could be debt free. Trust me, if I can be a Frugalista, then you can, too. This book details my journeythe good, the bad and the drama-filledof trying to reach my goals. I hope it will inspire you to reach your own.

J ANUARY 8

This morning I did the walk of shame. Oh, not that kind of walk of shame. The one some women do after leaving some random cats house in the early morning in yesterdays clothes for all the neighbors to see. No, this walk was a slow, dread-filled stroll in flip-flops, painted toes and pjs to my mailbox. My Visa bill was in my mailbox. My $6,000 Visa bill that showed my shameful, embarrassing, out-of-control spending.

I admit it.

My name is Natalie.

I am a spending slut.

Theres more. This isnt the only debt I have. Another credit card shows a $3,785.24 balance due. (Well, that was my balance at the beginning of the week. In the time it took me to walk from my mailbox to the 1-bedroom apartment that I call home, the bill probably jumped an additional $75, thanks to interest.) As for savings (I use the term loosely), I have about $1,000 in a savings account that I use to cover bills.

My emotions about this mess range from feeling pretty pissy to being downright scared. I work hard. Real hard. I daresay, Im a working stiff. Dont I deserve those mani-pedis? Why shouldnt I buy those marked-down Kate Spade shoes? On the other hand, how did I become this crazy, out-of-control walking ATM machine?

I thought that when youre depressed, you crawl into bed and sleep for weeks. But I couldnt sleep a wink last night.

Every year I say Im going to be better about my spending and my bills. I worry that Im starting to sound like a broken record. Enough, all ready. I cant keep this act up. When will my credit card debt be gone for good?

The worst part of it is that I dont even know where the moneys been spent. What is on these credit cards? And what in the hell do I have to show for it?

I wont. I will not. I cannot keep this act up. This is the year I will get really serious about my money. I cant keep living like this: professional, broke and in debt. I am not living like an extra on Sex and the City. I am living like the workin, frontin POOR!

J ANUARY 9

Is there something wrong with me? Not only is my spending out of control, but Im stuck. Ive been at the same job for almost 8 years. I live in the same 1-bedroom apartment I first rented when I was 24 years old. The rent, which started at $818 a month, is now $995. My apartment complex went condo, so Im one of the few renters left. The cheap, ugly linoleum floor is cracked, and my landlord is in no rush to replace it.

How did I end up here? Why do I always feel like Im slogging through an endless Florida swamp when it comes to my life?

I was sure that by the time I was 32 years old, Id be married, have a top-notch job at a major newspaper and be nominated (at least once) for a Pulitzer Prize.

Being stretched so thinfinancially and emotionallygot me here, melted on my couch. And while sitting on my couch, I noticed the new rug, coffee table, TV stand and fake-assed tree hanging in my living room, all courtesy of a late fall spending spree. Right before the Youngster came to visit, I started sprucing up the home, thinking a hip house would make me look more professional and together. It was about time I had big girl furniture, not a footlocker as a television standor so I rationalized. I mean, at least, he has an excuse for his bachelor padhes still in his 20s.

At age 31, Im not poised to jump the broom any time soon. Im dating a man 7 years my junior. Okay, so he lives in New York City. Weve been seeing each other for the last 3 months. The Youngster works full-time and is finishing up his undergraduate degree. Damn, Im a cougar. Well, maybe a pumaI dont troll bars in tacky leopard print dresses, looking for young boys. We instant message each other. Hes the one who got me into Facebook. For Christmas, I FedExed the Youngster an adorable $100 Sean John jacket. He sent me a Tiff any silver heart bracelet, which arrived on Christmas eve. I wear it every day, and every time I look at it, I smile. Its been a while since I got some hardware from the male species. So sweet.

He came to visit in December, right before the holidays, and took my mother, who was in town, and me to P.F. Changs for dinner. Its one of her favorite restaurants. Said the maternal about the Youngster: Hes very polite. You can tell he was raised. My mother is from the South and is a retired schoolteacher. Having raising is like saying he is the Second Coming. Yep. She was hooked. He slept on the couch that night and she slept in my bed. Talk about family togetherness! He doesnt complain about me, either. Jeez. You date some guys, and they always find a problem with you: weight, hair, personality. He is a hand holder. Reads my articles in the newspaper, even when I am bored with them. He sent me flowers just becausejust because I am breathing. He says, Lets think long term.