About Me

Denise T.

Denise is a freelance journalist and crafter who dreams of starting her own business-- a hometown Tiki bar. She is a former New Orleans Bourbon Street bartender.

The challenge: I can't use my primary income to fund the tiki bar. I can only use money I earn in other ways. Part of the challenge will be to develop new, creative revenue sources. It's like a pumped-up,long-term $20 challenge.

***2008 Tiki Fund goal: $1,500***
$990.56 in fund, $509.44 to go

***Monthly Tiki Fund Total***

June: $2.21
$2.21 interest on tiki saving act.
: (

May 2008: $98.70
$9.00 Web sales
$87.61 Google Adsense
$2.09 Tiki savings interest

For a full breakdown of Tiki fund money, visit my $20 challenge page.

***Personal Savings Goals for 2008***
$5,000 into my IRA
$2,000 into hubby's Roth IRA
$2,000 into 529 plan
$6,000 into savings account
$3,600 into brokerage account
$650 into new car fund
Total: $19,250

***Progress Report***
$4,199 in my IRA, $801 to go
$1459 to Roth, $541 to go
$1100 to 529 plan, $900 to go
$5200 to savings, $800 to go
$1995 to brokerage, $1605 to go
$357.25 in car fund, $292.75 to go
Total: $14,310

***
Debt to pay off:
Student Loan: $14,841.42
(Down from $40,000 in 2001)

***
No Drive Days (where me AND the hubby don't drive! Since May 15):2

New car fund balance: $285
For a Hybrid Honda Fit!!

***
All of these goals will be a little harder to reach this year because I am now a self-employed journalist and the hubby and I had our first baby in April. Last year, I was a staff reporter at a major metro newspaper so saving was easy.

We have always lived on one salary only. But we aren't quite sure how a new baby is going to affect our finances.

***The Big Picture***
Me 33, Hubby 35
-No credit card debt
-No car loan
-House paid off because we moved to a cheaper city

My Pages

$20 Tiki challenge

Do any of you read TheStreet.com?

March 26th, 2008 at 09:03 am

I am new to that site, but they just called and asked if I wanted to be a regular contributor. (I'm a financial journalist by trade.)

Just want to get your thoughts on their personal finance section.

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Do any of you read TheStreet.com?”

merch Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 09:16 am

I have read their articles and have been less then impressed. I usually get my financial news from Bloomberg, WSJ online, and FT.

I haven't look at their personal finance section
luxlivingfrugalis Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 10:06 am

I do check in there from time to time. Jeffrey Strain, one of the co-owners of our very own SavingAdvice.com is a contributor there as well.
Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 10:07 am

I've read it before, but do not read it at all regularly.
adreamwarrior Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 10:11 am

hello,
while i haven't read any of your articles on that web site, what i have read here is most impressive. i like the style and would look forward to reading other things from you.
good luck with your dream business and hope you continue to contribute here. if for no other reason then to maybe put a different perspective out there.
thriftorama Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 10:17 am

Gee, Dream warrior. You are too nice.
Broken Arrow Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 10:57 am

Yes, I've read it before, and still glance it from time to time.

I think this would be a wonderful venture if you have the time and energy for it (don't know what else is going on in your life).
Maismom Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 11:45 am

I read it sometimes, but I don't find it too interesting.....
thriftorama Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 11:55 am

I'm guessing-- and most of your comments back this up-- that they are trying to beef up their personal finance section and are recruiting new writers to help them with that.l

Thrift-o-rama and the quest for a Tiki Bar

One girl's quest to shore up her personal finances and save for her own business

Do any of you read TheStreet.com?

8 Responses to “Do any of you read TheStreet.com?”

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