Hello there, this is your pilot speaking! (Why yes, I am calling myself a pilot.)
Today, our Jet Setter Interview is with Janine, of My Pennies, My Thoughts fame.
This series covers Passengers on the Jet Setter Manifest, so we can all learn more about money from the experiences of others.
Drop me a line to be featured in an upcoming Jet Setter Interview, we would love to have you on board.
Welcome on board! Who are you?
My name is Janine, and I’m a recently graduated accounting student from the University of Alberta! As an accountant I find numbers a lot of fun! I’m currently pursuing my CPA designation and have a real passion for helping people with their finances. On a more personal note I love to travel, and on any given day I have a terrible case of wanderlust. This means I need to find a balance between saving for the future and exploring this beautiful world we live in. In my eyes it’s all about balance; you can have anything you want… just not everything. Outside of the excel spreadsheets that consume my life and my passion for writing I am enjoy coffee, ballet, love, sunflowers, rainy days, sunny days, travel, cooking, friends, wine and a good book. “Everything in moderation, even moderation”
Money is for buying stuff, what was the last purchase you made?
I actually just bought some jars from Crate and Barrel to organize our cupboard… boring I know and so adult like.
Why did you buy that stuff, in particular?
The cupboard was driving me nuts, we like to buy seeds, grains and dried fruit in bulk and keeping them in those plastic bags just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
We like airplanes around here. When was the last time you were on an airplane and where were you going?
I’ve been on so many airplanes this year (17 flights in fact!) but my most recent travels took me to Los Angeles to celebrate my sister’s 20th birthday!
What is your current financial goal and how did it come to be your goal?
Right now I’m trying to get my RRSP to five figures and get my personal net worth to 50,000. I think saving for your retirement when you are young is important, so that you are making a habit of it. I like round numbers so that’s how the $50,000 net worth came to be.
Who is your favourite person in Top Gun?
Never watched it =(
This is unacceptable!
Many people harbour some sort of fear of flying. What do you find the most overwhelming or scary about money?
Never having enough. There are so many things I want to do and accomplish in my life and so many places I want to visit, I always want to have the means to do so but life gets expensive.
If I was super-rich and gave you $50,000 with no strings attached, tomorrow, what would you do with it? (I’m pretty benevolent.)
Take the boyfriend to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, he has been wanting to do this for years, and then I’d probably invest the rest.
Lots of things “cost peanuts,” what is a small expenditure that you just can’t live without?
I don’t know if I have one in particular. There are lots of things that are little expenses. I like Starbucks coffee but I don’t buy it everyday… but I will treat myself on some occasions. The same goes for patio drink and lots of other things, I don’t think I can pick just one.
How long have you been the pilot of your own money? Did you have a job as a teenager? Did you have a lightbulb moment at a certain point in time and take control of your finances?
I was 19, trying to pay for gas and I had no money in my chequings account and only $10 on my credit card. It was so embarrassing and I vowed to be responsible from then on. It took some time but that was definitely my lightbulb moment.
Pretend you have a sky-writing airplane (that can write as many words as you want.) What is the main money message that you want the world to hear?
You have to take control of your finances, no one else is going to do it for you. You may think it is the most boring thing in the world but unfortunately money makes the world go ‘round. PAY YOURSELF FIRST!
Thanks for joining us today, Janine!
You can read more of Janine’s writing at My Pennies, My Thoughts. She’s also on twitter@apenny4athought, give her a follow!
Great questions (and answers!). It’s been quite awhile since I watched Top Gun (there are so many good movies to watch) that I don’t think I could remember my favourite character. I do remember Con Air and Alive a bit more though. Does that count?
debs@debtdebs recently posted…Cutting Cable – Will it Payoff?
Love this interview! Great questions, too. I am so envious of all your travel. Also, you are not alone — I have not seen Top Gun either! It looks so cheesy. Maybe it’s so bad, it’s good?
Melanie @ My Alternate Life recently posted…Eating Healthier and Staying On Budget
Anne these questions are gold! Janine, clear your weekend because Tome Cruise is about to take over, epic movie 🙂
hahaha ya i guess i better watch it asap!
Wow 17 flights! I probably have only been on about 20 flights in my entire life (maybe just under 20?). Anyway, that’s pretty awesome!
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…Should You Share Your Salary?
Yes, I definitely got my fill this summer… oddly enough I’m still craving more travel!
Janine recently posted…Comment on Buying glasses doesn’t have to be expensive by Elaine
Great interview! And Janine, you really need to watch Top Gun! GET IT TOGETHER!
Really happy to hear that at 19 Janine started to figure out how to be financially responsible!
Kassandra recently posted…Is Your Spare Room Costing You?
Thanks Kassandra, I definitely don’t know where I would be today if I hadn’t figured it out…
Janine recently posted…Comment on Buying glasses doesn’t have to be expensive by Elaine
Hasn’t watched Top Gun… for shame.
17 flights?! That’s awesome! Where have you been going??
Will recently posted…How Elon Musk Can Revolutionize Your Finances
I’m pretty sure that’s a sin of some sort. Quite confident.
Ya i better get on that ….
I was all over Europe, in Hawaii, Montreal and L.A this year!
Janine recently posted…Comment on Buying glasses doesn’t have to be expensive by Elaine