Profile for Rainbow Kirby

He Said/She Said: Merging Lives

Rainbow KirbyApril 12, 2011 //

On a recent cold, damp morning, I woke up feeling anxious. My new job had been taking its toll, and when I found J. lying on the couch in the living room and not next to me, I became even more agitated. I ran out the door, shooting a snotty glance in his direction. Walking to the subway, I felt lost. Something was off and I couldn’t put my finger on it. J. called me repeatedly when I got to work, but I didn’t pick up. My mother finally IM’d me. “Answer your phone NOW.” And then I knew — my Mere, my grandmother, was gone. Keep reading »

He Said/She Said: Our First Vacation Together

Rainbow KirbyMarch 28, 2011 //

This love train continues to steamroll ahead, flattening my former single girl life in its path and chugging into serious couple territory. After only a month of living together, a few pre-planned events came to fruition all in the same week – getting our puppy, meeting his parents and escaping to the beach for our own spring break. Keep reading »

He Said/She Said: When She Moves In With Him

Rainbow KirbyMarch 18, 2011 //

I had just started calling J. my boyfriend when he asked me to move in – rather, told me I was moving in. He had posted my apartment on Craig’s List “just to gauge the response” and within an hour received six. At work when he delivered the news, I kind of freaked. I like my independence. I like my space. And when it comes to fight or flight syndrome, I’m like the Road Runner – Beep, Beep, Zroooooommm, I’m gone! Keep reading »

Money 101: Do Good With Charitable Donations – And Get Deductions, Too!

Rainbow KirbyJanuary 28, 2011 //

The onslaught of tax return documents starting arriving in my mailbox a few weeks ago — from banks and places of employment (I had a few last year) — and I began to feel the familiar and perennial angst; tax day is coming! I stuck most of them in a pile to be looked at later, you know, like in March. But when I spotted a letter from my church the curiosity got to me. What I didn’t expect was to be so disappointed in myself. It listed my total donation from the past year and it was paltry! Who the heck was I donating more to – my local bartender and hair colorist?

Going forward, I resolve to donate more, but I also want to find more charitable organizations that appeal to my passions and interests. Plus, I feel incredibly guilty for using those free address labels from Smile Train and not sending a check back. For some tips on how to align charitable giving with personal financial goals and be prepared for tax time, The Frisky reached out to finance expert and author Manisha Thakor. Keep reading »

Money 101: Identifying The Money Drains In Your Life

Rainbow KirbyJanuary 19, 2011 //

I’m amazed at how every time I walk out of my apartment, cash just seems to seep out of my wallet. So, this year, in a conscious effort to make my paycheck stretch a bit longer, I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on my miscellaneous expenses. Here are some common dollar drains I’ve found and tips to put a stop to them before more money flushes down the proverbial drain. Keep reading »

Money 101: Visualizing Your Financial Future

Rainbow KirbyJanuary 12, 2011 //

In January, many of us take the time to reflect on our progress and trajectory in life, mentally scribbling a personal scorecard for the past year. We analyze and comb through the personal, the professional, the spiritual and the financial. Did I crush that credit card debt? Increase my 401k contributions? Save more, spend less? Kick my online shopping addiction? Then we map out our new and improved goals, because it’s a new year, damn it, and we can do it! But by mid-March, just as the packed treadmills at the gym are free again, the air has deflated in our hopeful money balloons.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to planning one’s financial future: visualization and goal setting, or the most powerful, the combo. The Frisky turned to finance expert and author Manisha Thakor for tips on how to successfully accomplish both. Keep reading »

My Two Cents: I Resolve To Stop Renting!

Rainbow KirbyJanuary 7, 2011 //

Before the horns blew and the ball dropped, my friends went around the table sharing their resolutions for the New Year. More sex. Lose weight. Save money. Be a better person. Stop dating deadbeats.

One of those was mine. The other I shared with my boyfriend the next morning. “2011 is going to be a good year for us,” he kept repeating in that positive tone people mysteriously possess on January 1 of every year. “What do you want to accomplish?”

“I want to own something,” I told him. That simple. No word sounds sexier to me than equity. Keep reading »

Girl Talk: How A Happy Light Saved Me From SAD

Rainbow KirbyJanuary 6, 2011 //

After Daylight Saving Time ended in November, the old adage “spring ahead, fall behind” began to ring true. I not only fell behind in projects, socializing, and errands, all I wanted to do was fall asleep. Yoga after work? No energy. Dinner and drinks? No thanks; I’d rather go snooze on my couch. One afternoon, I was sitting at my desk at The Frisky office when I looked out the window and it was pitch black – at 5 p.m. Even though it was so early, I felt anxious, like it was time to go home; I could no longer be productive. The bitter cold outside only made me want to hibernate more. Keep reading »

Poll: How Much Are You In The Hole From The Holidays?

Rainbow KirbyJanuary 4, 2011 //

How Much Are You In The Hole From The Holidays?

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Poll: How Much Do You Contribute To Your Rent/Mortgage?

Rainbow KirbyDecember 3, 2010 //

How Much Do You Contribute To Your Rent/Mortgage?

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