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Featured
The Time I Bought Amex Gift Cards with My Target Card: Desperate Money Hacks to Avoid Payday Lenders or Missing a Payment
Feb 14, 2019
The Time I Bought Amex Gift Cards with My Target Card: Desperate Money Hacks to Avoid Payday Lenders or Missing a Payment
Feb 14, 2019

This list is intended to be for temporary financial situations - like a government shutdown, for example, or the time between graduation and a job start date. This list is not specifically intended to be used as a general money management strategy, but frankly, if it helps you get current on your bills, have at it. I’m not going to judge you improving your situation if improving your situation right now would mean a 16% interest rate on a credit card vs a 300% APR on a payday loan.

Feb 14, 2019
Surviving Semi/Unemployment: I Lived Off of My Credit Cards Because Spending an Emergency Fund is Actually Terrifying
Feb 10, 2019
Surviving Semi/Unemployment: I Lived Off of My Credit Cards Because Spending an Emergency Fund is Actually Terrifying
Feb 10, 2019

I know using credit cards will cost you money. And this may not be the solution for everyone, but it worked for me, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re facing some kind of paycheck interruption and you don’t want to (or can’t) rely on your emergency fund for any meaningful length of time. Do what you have to do to stay afloat.

Feb 10, 2019
2018 was The Year of Mental & Physical Health. 2019 is The Year of...
Jan 28, 2019
2018 was The Year of Mental & Physical Health. 2019 is The Year of...
Jan 28, 2019

2018 was the year I committed to my mental and physical health, pretty much no matter the cost. It was the year of 2x/week personal training, weekly therapy, binging ER, and letting my brain rest when I wasn’t working on my blog or doing things with my people. The foundation is sustainable enough that I can build on it BIG TIME in 2019 without spending nearly as much money.

Jan 28, 2019
2018 Recap: Champagne & Capital Gains is 9 Months Old! Blog, Money & Life Highlights
Jan 14, 2019
2018 Recap: Champagne & Capital Gains is 9 Months Old! Blog, Money & Life Highlights
Jan 14, 2019

Happy 2019, everyone! I’m looking forward to 2019, although I can’t believe it’s already here! 2018 seemed like it just started (and also like it was 85 years long…anyone else?) Can’t wait for new challenges and to build on everything I accomplished in 2018. The blog is nine months old, and I had lofty goals for the fourth quarter of the year, so let’s get to it to see how I did!

Jan 14, 2019
You Need Emergency Friends Just As Much As You Need Emergency Funds
Jan 7, 2019
You Need Emergency Friends Just As Much As You Need Emergency Funds
Jan 7, 2019

A lot of people talk about, and even celebrate, burrowing on their debt free journeys. They turn down social invitations. They revel in their nights in, alone. Don’t get so caught up in a debt-free, wealth-building, or self-improvement adventure that you neglect to build that community.

Jan 7, 2019
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Phoebe Buffay
Dec 3, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Phoebe Buffay
Dec 3, 2018

Phoebe really is the odd duck in the group. It’s like she dropped out of someone’s mental image of a stereotypical, leftover hippie from the Woodstock era and the rest of the group is a bunch of overgrown frat stars living The Life in NYC. But she certainly has a few moments that can teach us about finance, and that’s what we’re here to discuss, amirite??

Dec 3, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned From Friends: Chandler Bing
Dec 2, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned From Friends: Chandler Bing
Dec 2, 2018

One of the things I love about Chandler is his strong story arc. He learns to be in an adult relationship after he and Monica have their first fight and develops emotionally over the course of the show. He also ditches his corporate career near the end of the series to pursue something different, riskier, and more creative. And, of course, Chandler is a model of personal finance success.

Dec 2, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Monica Geller
Nov 25, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Monica Geller
Nov 25, 2018

Monica serves as a romantic foil to Rachel’s absurd dating successes, reminding Rachel that sometimes when men say they’re going to call, they’re not actually going to call. She’s afraid she’ll never find a partner. She’s particular about…everything. And she’s almost always right. I relate to Monica a lot. And she learns (and teaches) quite a few financial lessons to which I certainly can relate, and I’m hoping you can too!

Nov 25, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Joey Tribbiani
Nov 9, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Joey Tribbiani
Nov 9, 2018

Joey…I’m trying to find the words to describe this [guy] without being disrespectful. Joey doesn’t share food, but he does share his money with his friends when he has it (which is admittedly rare) and he learned a lot of money lessons the hard way.

Nov 9, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Ross Geller
Nov 4, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Ross Geller
Nov 4, 2018

One of Ross’s “things” is that he enthusiastically loads up on hotel toiletries and other “free” items in hotel rooms. Chandler gets into it and returns with some great items (USA Today, two apples - “Nice! We’re only 4 apples short of a bushel!” squeals Ross), but the record scratches when Chandler reveals salt and pepper shakers. Ross is beyond appalled and tells him: “You have to find the line between stealing and taking what the hotel owes you.”

Nov 4, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Rachel Green
Oct 28, 2018
Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Rachel Green
Oct 28, 2018

Anyway, I was thinking about my previous post about Minimalism in which I mention “everyone should have a Monica Closet,” and I thought about all the other things Friends characters taught me about money. Turns out the Friends dealt with money in their lives and with each other quite often! And not always very well…up first, Rachel Green!

Oct 28, 2018
Approaching Debt Repayment as a Moderator Instead of an Abstainer Will Make Your Life Easier
Oct 20, 2018
Approaching Debt Repayment as a Moderator Instead of an Abstainer Will Make Your Life Easier
Oct 20, 2018

Completely putting off entire types of wealthbuilding is NOT for everyone. And some personal finance gurus and bloggers preach Abstention from Wealthbuilding Until All Debt is Paid like it is the Gospel. So what are your choices and how do you know which one will work for you?

Oct 20, 2018
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Champagne & Capital Gains

Personal finance for young professionals who want to indulge their champagne tastes on a beer budget, optimize their everyday spending, and learn to invest for a financially independent future.

Welcome to C&CG!

I'll be your guide to all things money optimization, because I like to spend as little as possible on all the nice things, and invest as well as possible so I can have the freedom I want later in life. 

#TalkMoney to me at:
hello@champagneandcapitalgains.com

Must-Reads!

You Need Emergency Friends Just As Much As You Need Emergency Funds

When Does Self-Care Become Self-Sabotage?

Minimalism Is Not a Virtue

Why the Fitness Line Item in Your Budget Should Hurt

Mental Health Care Costs Should Be Non-Negotiables

Money Lessons I Learned from Friends: Chandler Bing

Join the Champagne Gang!

Get Champagne & Capital Gains updates and exclusive content via email!

Thank you for subscribing! C&CG respects your privacy and will only use your email address to communicate with you directly. We will never sell or provide your address to a third party, so you're all good! You're going to love C&CG content, and we promise not to overwhelm you with emails :)

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  • Champagne & Capital Gains
    Where’s @amandabynes at? “Dude, Beckham does it all the time! It absorbs right up!” https://t.co/mwVjLKY22i
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    RT @debtstodreams: @champgains Today is pay day, hurray!
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Y’all, I’m really asking for it today but the idea that financial freedom is a linear, identical path everyone should follow just bakes my cake.
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Spent some time making recommendations to a friend today about an inheritance they are going to receive. In the course of the conversation, they asked how my suggestion would “fit into the Baby Steps.”
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This friend is savvy with money and very loosely follows Dave Ramsey’s methods, so I know they were just asking for my thoughts on where this type of asset would fit.
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But a lot of people take financial plans (whether Dave or anything else) and either refuse to deviate or spend a lot of time apologizing for their “missteps” or variations (to whom? The ether? Other people in the #debtfreecommunity?)
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Even in classical composition, some of the most structured music out there, composers write Variations on a Theme!
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Structured money management programs can be GREAT. Sometimes people need a swift kick in the pants and a reality check to get their butts in gear. But nobody’s situation is the same, and neither should their financial plans be!
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Take what serves you from a plan, follow that until it no longer serves you, make a new plan that serves you, and leave the rest behind. No apologies, no explanations. In the words of Herb Brooks in maybe my favorite movie (Miracle) EVER....PLAY. YOUR. GAME.
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Has anyone ever felt constricted by a financial makeover plan? Did you ditch it when it was no longer beneficial or stick with it? Would love to hear yall’s strategies!
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#debtfreejourney #debtisdumb #debtsnowball #personalfinance #moneytalks #fempreneur #daveramsey #financialpeace #moneymoneymoney #moneytalks #investing #businessbuilding #youdoyou #nestegg
Do y’all ever splurge on things like blowouts or hair/makeup for big events? I was a bridesmaid last weekend and the bride covered our hair & makeup for the wedding...it was THE MOST FUN! 💁🏼‍♀️
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Hair and makeup (and nails actually) are things I usually feel confident doing myself, so I don’t spend money on them on a regular basis. But after having such an amazing stylist, I may have to put that on my splurge list (or learn some new hair tricks of my own!)
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She was able to give me an updo (more predictable for pics than hair down for me) without the back & bottom getting bulky- that can be a challenge when someone has a TON of long hair like I do.
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If you always do your own, share your self-style hair tips for me below! Gotta stay in budget, right??
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#fempreneur #womenwhomoney #lifestyleguide #debtfreecommunity #pampered #weddinghairstyle #smallblogger #discoverunder5k #bridesmaidhair #bossladymindset #loveandmoney #happilyeverafter #spaday #splurge #blowoutstyles #debtfreejourney #spendsmart #fancynancy
Check out my new post to find out!
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How is the first month of 2019 going for y’all? Have you already “failed” at your resolutions? I actually don’t do “resolutions” so to speak, because I feel like having general goals with specific ways to implement them throughout the year works better for me.
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2018 involved a LOT of spending (a lot of saving too, but much more spending), and 2019 is going to involve a lot more growing without spending.
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It’s not always best to spend as little as possible. Seasons of money priorities come and go just as much as any other season of life. My spendy season was so good for me and it’s set me up for a less expensive & more productive 2019.
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2018 Recap & 2019 Goals post is finally up! (Link in bio)Clearly getting posts out in a timely fashion hasn’t quite happened, but we’ll get there.
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What goals do y’all have for 2019? How’s it going so far? If you’re still working on your goalsetting, it’s never too late to start! In fact, I kind of prefer breaking the New Year, New You rules & to make my goals whenever I want 😎
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#personalfinance #debtfreecommunity #debtfreejourney #debtisdumb #personalgrowth #savingmoney #womenwhomoney #letstalkmoney #fempreneur #bossbabe #bosslady #lawyerlife #discoverunder5k #moneyblogger #coffeetalk #bossladymindset #2019goals #newyearnewme #goalsetting
Does anyone think about the different life paths they could have taken? It hit me yesterday that I took the LSAT TEN years ago this year...the morning after my 21st birthday! (I obviously had a good dinner, went to bed early & had a goodbye LSAT/hello 21 party the night of the test)
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Part of my decision to go to law school stemmed from the poor job my undergrad business school did of presenting career opportunities to us (we had job fairs but there wasn’t a lot of discussion in class, from advisors or presentations on the types of careers you could have w/a BSBA).
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I feared going straight to the “business” work force w/no idea what my options really were would lead me to ending up as a secretary at a company w/no advancement or leadership opportunities. Granted, I could have done some research, but it was all very overwhelming.
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That was silly. I wouldn’t have been a secretary.
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But that fear of a muddled path led me to law school bc law is a combination of business & thinking - my two favorite things! - & the path to lawyerdom looked safer.
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If I’d known about consulting, I’d have jumped RIGHT on that. I would be debt-free, making six figures, traveling the world...and not in any way the person I am today.
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I wouldn’t know any of the people I know from law school/where I live now. I’d probably live in a different city. Would it be better? In some ways. Financially, probably. But in some ways I can’t imagine my life being different.
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When I decided to go to law school where I did, it was at the end of a weekslong internal battle over taking a scholarship or going to the expensive, elite school. I chose the latter and it’s one of the ONLY times in my life I’ve been 1000% calm, confident and at peace with a decision.
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I don’t regret law school, but it’s interesting to consider the alternative lives I could have lived! What alternatives did you guys consider? Do you regret or appreciate the path you’re on (PS regrets are ok! Just don’t dwell in them 🙂)
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#lawyerlife #lawschool #lawyerproblems #personalfinance #debtfreecommunity #bossladymindset #discoverunder1k #fempreneurs #ladylawyer #LSAT
New student loan principal numbers! I’m also including my investment account and emergency fund numbers since I’m building those alongside my debt repayment. It helps me see I’m making financial progress in multiple areas and makes that SL total slightly less overwhelming 😯Shoveling from both ends!
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After chatting with @liz_chiefmomofficer a bit, I decided to reduce my 401k contributions for at least a few paychecks to jump start my emergency fund savings and consumer debt repayment (which I haven’t listed here because woof).
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As I mentioned in a recent blog post, one of my 2019 goals is to “fired-proof” myself (link in bio!), which means building some cash reserves. It feels a little bit wasteful when I have a lot of debt, but I know it’s valuable in itself to have enough cold, hard cash to make it through a layoff or downturn.
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That said, my first 2019 paycheck didn’t increase enough to justify the high reduction to my 401k, so I will probably raise it back to a max-out level in a month or so. It feels too wasteful to have soooo much extra money going to taxes instead of going to my savings goals. If I go back to maxing out, I could easily have $75k by the end of 2019!
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What kind of savings/debt repayment goals do y’all have for the year? Is anyone else shoveling fe both ends like me? 🤗
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#debtfreecommunity #debtfreejourney #studentloans #daveramsey #womenwhomoney #budgeting #fempreneur #bossbabe #personalfinance #millennialmoney #progressnotperfection #careerwoman #biglaw #lawyerlife #attorneyproblems #moneysaver #bosslady #youngprofessionals
I am SO. hard. on. myself. A few weeks ago I was talking to my therapist about how I feel “lazy” because I wasn’t billing “enough” hours at work. This despite the fact that I was doing all the work my boss was giving me.
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She asked me, “Lazy compared to whom?”
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It got me thinking. The average office worker actually WORKS only 3-4 hours of each business day. I BILL at least 4-6 hours per day with the firm’s goal being 8 truly working hours (meaning I work more than that). And I feel guilty for any unproductive time during my day.
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My Biglaw friends bill even more. 10-16 hours of billable work per day.
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I considered what my therapist said and responded that I was comparing myself to other lawyers.
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It helped me see that I am objectively not lazy. I don’t have as much work as other people in my profession, but they are over working on average no matter what. I have a good work ethic (although it may not be consistent with the requirements certain law firms place on your time).
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My least favorite part of lawyering is billing because I am a work smarter, not longer, person and hourly billing is inherently contradictory to efficiency.
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Next time you want to criticize yourself, think about the person or ideal to which you are comparing yourself. Are you being fair to yourself?
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Sure, there are objectively good things to do or reasonable expectations to place on yourself. But if you are working out 3 times per week and feeling like a slob, reframe! You’re working out 3x more than most people already! Only saved $1,000 for emergencies? Better than most! Keep on saving, but don’t beat yourself up for where you are, especially if where you are is objectively on the right track.
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Stay consistent and try to improve yourself. Compete only with your former self as much as possible.
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Who else is their own worst critic? Any tricks you have to quiet that voice in your head?
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#lawyerlife #lawlife #lawstudentproblems #attorneylife #womeninspiringwomen #personalfinance #debtfreecommunity #debtfreejourney #debtisdumb #debtsnowball #fempreneur #fempire #bossbabequotes #inspiredaily #bekindtoyourself #lifestyleblogger #mindsetiseverything #mindsetquotes #biglaw
Christmas NYC the first week of January is the best Christmas NYC: all the lights are still up, but most of the crowds are gone! ✨🎄
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Surprised at how much I like the city each time I visit. I feel like it could eat you alive but there’s something magical about the constant bustle of activity. Even the conversations you overhear on the streets sound like the participants are Doing Things That Matter (DC is the same in that way), whether it’s true or not. You feel a part of something in New York, even in the mundane.
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I’m not moving to NYC, but it’s quickly rising on my regular visit list from its place at the very bottom only a couple of years ago (one weird weekend like 10 years ago ruined my first impression of the city, but it’s quickly overcome the stigma). It also helps that one of my very best friends moved to Brooklyn and gives me a great excuse to visit often! This time, my excuse was her wedding.
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Happy end of the holidays from The City That Never Sleeps!
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P.S. I chose a less expensive hotel than I wanted (which was still very nicely appointed and located), because this year I’m making better $$$ choices 💸🥂
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#oldnewyork #debtfreecommunity #debtfreejourney #debtisdumb #personalfinance #rockefellerchristmastree #newyearnewyou #makebetterhappen #newyorklike #feminista #womensupportwomen #thecitythatneversleeps #midtownmanhattan #christmasinthecity #2019goals #2019plans #successhabits #mindfullife #travelblogger #moneyblogger
Student Loan Balance Update!
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UNDER $300K!
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Ok this is actually super depressing, right? But this number was growing for the first 3 years of my professional life. I had some personal/professional turmoil and two expensive surgeries, so my loans were either in deferment or I was paying less than the interest each month on an income-based plan. (That’s called “negatively amortized” if you didn’t know, and it’s as awful as it sounds).
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In September of 2017, I finally refinanced (payments started in November, which is why the post starts there). I refinanced again in mid-2018 to get off of a variable-rate loan when the Fed started raising interest rates.
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Since refinancing, I’ve paid off $12,000 of principal and I’m planning to accelerate this year! There’s no way I’m paying this thing for 20 years.
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Who else is paying student loans? Have you considered refinancing? Let’s discuss!
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#moneygoals #debtisdumb #studentloandebt #studentloans #lawlife #womenwhomoney #lawyerlife #attorneyproblems #lawyerproblems #biglawdropout #fempreneur #moneytalks #daveramsey #debtfreecommunity #debtfreejourney #bossbabequotes #2019goals #moneygoals #feminista #newyearnewme
courage (n.) “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty”
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2019 is the Year of Courage.
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2018 was a great year for me in a lot of ways (which I will review sometime soon!), and I wanted to carry that momentum into 2019. I thought about my improvements and efforts in 2018 and identified that the common denominator in my “needs improvement” areas was fear.
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FEAR. Anxiety.
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Everything I overcame and accomplished in 2018 was a direct result of pushing through anxiety and fear (ok, and a bit of laziness and bad habits...but those can be scary to change!). @debtstoriches was asking people for their words of the year and to be honest, I hadn’t yet set an intention, but I got to thinking. For awhile I considered choosing “Fearless,” but fearlessness to me implies a bit of recklessness: ignoring real danger or the reality of my own feelings and how they affect me.
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You can’t wish your fear/anxiety away, and choosing “fearless” would have been defeating AF for me because I am naturally an anxious person. But you can FACE your fear and move courageously THROUGH the fear to the other side. Recognizing the fear is the first step to defusing it.
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I considered similar words, remembered the definition of courage and knew instantly that was my word.
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I’m not much for New Year’s Resolutions, but I am for evaluating myself, growth, and change. January 1 is just a good time to do that. And I have big plans for my personal life and the blog in 2019. So let’s do this!
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To 2019! Champagne, Capital Gains, & COURAGE! 🥂🍾
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Did anyone else choose a word or intention for 2019? Are you more of a New Year’s Resolutions person? Share them in the comments!
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#januarychallenge #personalfinance #personalgrowth #debtfreecommunity #debtfreejourney #debtsucks #newyearsresolutions #2019goals #newyearnewyou #slaying #fempreneur #womenwholead #womenwhomoney #feminista #blackeyedpeas #2019intentions #intentionalliving #intentionalcommunity #couragequotes #courage #wordoftheyear #courageous #moneytalks #seizetheday #bossbabequotes #auldlangsyne #champagnetoast

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