We Got Married!

Chris and I got married on Saturday, June 30th. We decided to make it legal before our Thai wedding ceremony later this month. Overall, it wasn't too bad financially. Here's a cost break down.

A bouquet of purple roses. Love!

Costs:

• Marriage license: $30
• Justice of the Peace: $100
• Rose bouquet: $50
• Wedding rings: $180
• Dress: $10

Total = $370

That's not bad at all. Too bad this wasn't everything. Later in the month we're going to have a Thai wedding ceremony. There will be Thai orchids, Thai food, appetizers, wedding cake, decorations, and servers/helpers to pay. There's also a donation to the monks and the temple - my wedding will be held at my Thai temple. The good news is that my mom will be making the food and cake. The Thai wedding party's outfits, wedding favors and some of the decorations were purchased in Thailand and given to us as a wedding present from my aunt and my dad. 

Chris and I have estimated that it's going to cost us about $2000 for everything my mom hasn't already paid for in advance. My mom has probably spent $500 of her own money. My dad and uncle will also be contributing to the cost of the Thai wedding, probably another $1000-2000. Any funds left over will given to us as a wedding present. I plan on paying my mom back for the money she has spent on the wedding. 

That's about it for now. Once the wedding's done, I'll write another update about the final cost. I told my mom to save all her receipts, but I have a feeling she only saved some of them.

How I Got My Financial Life In Order

It wasn't always easy for me to deal with my finances. I used to be happy spending money every weekend on things I didn't need. It wasn't until my student loan payments were due that I realized that I needed to change my ways or I'll end up in a bad financial situation.

Here's how I got my financial life in order:

One Year After Graduation: Advice for College Students

Today is May 1, 2010. It's been exactly one year since I graduated from college. Where did the time go? It's been an interesting year to say the least. Going to college was great and all, but the one thing I wish they taught me about was personal finance. There should be a mandatory freshman year course on personal finance. If not during freshman year of college then during senior year of high school. So many college student graduate with huge credit card debts and even bigger student loans.

Growing Up with Mommy

My childhood. Growing up almost poor but not knowing it...

When I was 4-years-old my mom remarried and moved my family (I have a younger sister) to the United States. My stepdad was an engineer working in Manhattan. We lived in a one bedroom apartment in Jackson Heights, NY. It small, but cozy in it's familiar way. It was a normal childhood really. Nothing changed until the day my stepdad had a heart attack. That's where this story really starts.