Her First $100K

This article was originally published on Bravely.

One time on the internet, a man on Twitter accused me of being sexist because my company is geared towards women. Another time, a man remarked that I was able to save at a high rate because I earned my money working street corners. Still another time, I was told that the wage gap only exists because women become mothers.

As a woman who talks about money on the internet, I’ve opened myself up to criticism from people who don’t believe that women are a marginalized group of people. These people are offended that I point out discrepancies women face in pay or treatment, and sometimes, are offended that I talk about things that women specifically can do to strive for financial equality in the world.

Here’s the thing about all of that.

We don’t live in an equal world. We don’t live in a world where marginalized communities have the same access, the same tools, or the same opportunities as non-oppressed communities. Do I believe men are inherently better at using money than women? No, of course not. But do I believe that men are socialized to be decision makers and are given more chances to work with money? Yes, absolutely.

And the fact that men get such opportunities, and are treated like they can handle them, leads to a world where men are in charge of money. Women led companies received 5% of venture capital funding in 2016. In an even bleaker statistic, women are only 2% of the CEO’s in the S&P 500’s financial services firms. Women aren’t given money to work with, and women aren’t in powerful positions at financial companies.

We’re up against more odds than men are. And let’s not forget that those odds get worse for women of color, disabled women, or immigrant women. And you know what that means? It means that women need a financial playbook that addresses these barriers and helps us crush them on our way to getting paid.

To quote my friend Claire, “It’s hard to be proactively badass when most of what you’re doing is reacting to barriers.”

So, with that in mind, here are the ten financial commandments that women should live by.

1- You shall always negotiate your pay

Yes, negotiating is uncomfortable. Yes, women can be penalized for seeming too aggressive. Yes, negotiation requires research and actual skills to back it up. DO IT ANYWAY.

Women live an average of 5 years longer than men. We need money to live off of. Women pay a pink tax on lots of stuff, from razors to car insurance. We need money, and we need to ask for it.

2- You shall talk about money with friends, peers and loved ones.

Transparency around money is one of the most powerful tools women have at their disposal. Talk about how much money you’re trying to save. Ask your partner how much they make. Ask your friends if they’ve negotiated at work and what tips they have. Sharing actual numbers can highlight when you’re getting screwed, and can help you bring home more.

We’re all crunched for time, especially when it comes to everything financial.

My friends will often do anything (make up ANY excuse) to avoid looking at their credit card balance, savings account, or loan statement. It’s often too painful, too embarrassing, or both. But a “set it and forget it” method for your finances is seriously hurting you and your funds.

Here’s 11 financial check-ups you can do in under 5 minutes. Try them this weekend, or when you have an extra moment on your commute.

Check your credit card statement for fraudulent charges

Calculate your net worth [assets - debts = net worth]

Login to your investment portfolio and see how your stocks are tracking

Increase your 401k contribution by 1%

Call your insurance company and negotiate a better rate

Research your market value (are you being underpaid? Here’s your ultimate guide to asking for a raise!)

They say the first $100K is the hardest. And it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

About a year ago, I realized that if I pushed myself — got a bit uncomfortable to save and earn more while spending less — I could hit six-figures saved by the end of my 25th year. I turn 26 in July 2020, so the countdown is on!

Saving six-figures is a huge feat, but I feel especially proud of my journey -- I live and work in Seattle (one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.) and have never made above $80k a year. In the time before turning 26, I’m saving and hustling my butt off to get to $100k. Here’s exactly the choices I’ve made and the opportunities I’ve had to get me here.

I  made tens of thousands side hustling

This kick-started my journey towards six-figures. In addition to saving the majority of my 9-5 salary, my first year of freelance social media marketing made me quite a bit of cash that I could immediately save. This first client honestly overpaid me for the work I ended up doing (the scope ended up being less than I thought it would be, and I also negotiated more.) I was able to establish both a SEP IRA and a fully-funded emergency fund with my earnings.

2. I started investing early

Knowing that compound interest is so important, I wanted to start investing early to have my money work for me. Once I started my first big-girl job, I opened my first Roth IRA. Starting to save for retirement at age 22, I was able to max out my Roth each year and also contribute to the SEP IRA and a non-retirement investment account. My first job out of school had a 401(k), but you couldn’t contribute until you were there at least a year. Knowing I wasn’t planning on staying long — I was at that job for a year and a few months — I opened a Roth 401(k) and then rolled my earnings to my Roth IRA. {TOOL: Use Status Money to compare your spending and saving with your peers to see if you’re on track.}

You’re trip planning, and looking to save money on a luxury hotel (because we all on a budget, okay?) Chances are you’ll end up browsing Expedia for what you think the best deals. But if you’re checking out that jaw-dropping boutique property with the chic decor and fantastic food, those third-party sites are not the way to book.

As a money writer and speaker, I am constantly trying to find the best value for the best price. I love being able to stay with boutique hotels when I travel – I feel like it’s a more intimate look at the city and the community — while on a budget. But I want to make sure I’m able to stay at these gorgeous hotels (and support them!) for a reasonable price.

I had the pleasure of staying with the Paramount Hotel in downtown Seattle, which was such an incredible experience. I work a block away in the Convention Center (it was my shortest commute ever!), and loved being right in the heart of Seattle for restaurants and activities. The bathroom was an absolute DREAM (y’all know how much I love bathtubs), and the view of downtown out my window made me feel so sophisticated. It’s also been so hot in Seattle lately, so it was a beautiful thing to have A/C (I slept so well!)

Since staying at the Paramount, I’ve learned so much about the booking process with these boutique, luxury options. While many are on sites like Expedia or Trivago, booking through those sites is not always the best option. Here’s why you should book directly when staying with a boutique property to get major perks.

1. Better customer service

Imagine something happens with your flight or car (that ish happens all the time, you know it does.) Or maybe an emergency comes up and you need to cancel or change your trip. Now picture calling Orbitz or Hotels.com with this development. Sounds like hell, doesn’t it? Booking directly through the hotel’s website means you are THEIR customer for the entire process (from booking to check out.) They’re able to be more accommodating with special requests or emergencies, because they have full control of your booking. And this includes the fun stuff too, like a room upgrade or a special surprise for a partner — they’re more likely (and have more leeway) to make it happen! If this is a place you travel often (I go to Portland all the time, and there’s a Paramount Hotel in Portland too!), boutique hotels also commonly reward you for coming back with even more perks. Heck yes!

2. Better price

Boutique hotels want to incentivize you to book directly through their website. These hotels, like the Paramount Hotel, offer discounts on room rates, dining credit, free valet parking, or other options. These benefits are specific to their website (which means those third-party sites can’t offer them.) Booking through the hotel’s website means you’re getting the best price, plus some awesome perks.

If you know anything about me, you know I’d BLEED for Costco.

As a native of the Pacific Northwest, I grew up on Costco pizza and Saturday Sample Days. My parents still go to Costco for no specific reason, but rather to just browse (and maybe buy bananas for my dad’s protein shakes.) We’re a Costco family, and the price of a $65 annual membership (that I split with my grandma) is absolutely worth it.

But beyond just the packs of toilet paper, huge bagged salads, and boxes of La Croix, here are some lesser known values of a Costco membership that make it totally worth it. Grab yo' samples and let's do this.

1. Cheap rental cars

I honestly don’t know how they do it, but Costco has the absolute best deal on renting a car. Every. Time. If you’re taking a trip where you need a car, I highly recommend checking Costco first. They’ve got all your reputable brands (Hertz, Alamo, etc.) but for steep discounts. They also waive a second driver fee, if you're traveling with someone else. Booking through their website is the best way to go: it's very easy to compare companies and deals.

2. In-store coffee grinder

I never get the pleasure of buying bulk coffee beans — even though they are fresher, better tasting, and cheaper — because I do not have a coffee grinder at home. But lo and behold, what did I notice a few trips ago? A huge in-store grinder right by the soda machine in their food court. GAME. CHANGER. Buy your huge bag of coffee beans, and then on the way out, head to the grinder.

You guys, I love talking with customer service reps.

Most people find that super weird. Why would you like to be put on hold? Why would you like battling with reps only to be told that “there’s nothing we can do?”

Why do I love it? Because I understand how to do it. Nine times out of ten, I succeed in getting what I want (and sometimes, more than what I want.) I’ve literally saved thousands of dollars, and sometimes earned money/perks, by simply taking a few minutes to call or tweet customer service.

I get it: you don’t want to be that person who complains about every little thing, and I totally understand. But you’re paying for an awesome customer experience (if it’s a major purchase, then even more reason for them to make it right!) That is your hard-earned money, and if you weren’t satisfied in any way, you should have no problem asking the company to fix it.

I just took a trip to Costa Rica with a friend (learn about our life-changing trip here!) and literally earned over $350 in miles, travel credit, and perks by contacting the airline’s customer service when something went wrong (first, a major delay and second, our seat-back screens didn’t work on our international flight.) At a time when companies are putting more stock in loyal customers -- and airlines especially are scrambling to earn your business -- demanding what you paid for just makes sense.

When I tell my friends about my mini-obsession, they say they’d love to do it too, but have no idea how. I’ve prepared an exact script for you, whether you’re on the phone or on social media/email, that has been proven to work.

1. Be polite and jovial...the entire time

If you’re on the phone, the customer service rep will usually state their name and ask how can they help you. They will be more willing to go out of their way to help if you treat them like a real human (shocking, I know.)

Here’s what you say: “Hello NAME, how are you? I’m doing fine, thank you for asking. I’m having an issue and I would love for you to help me.”

By asking them to help, you’re immediately giving them an opportunity for a win. Their brain should go, “Help? Yes! I can do that! That’s what I’m here for!”

2. State what happened

No matter how angry or fed up you are, make sure to still be kind and calm. You want to mention what you expected to happen (being billed a certain amount, a smooth flight, etc.), and why that didn’t happen. Say why you’re frustrated by it, but do not get upset. Mention that you’re disappointed or dissatisfied with the service you received.

I know. You’re skeptical.

This isn’t a pyramid scheme, and I didn’t sell a kidney. Making money in mere minutes is much simpler than that, but there is an art to it. It’s called negotiating. And I’m not even talking about big life things, like negotiating a raise or a house or a car (all of which I’ve done.)

For the vast majority of people, negotiating terrifies them, especially for more every-day things. It gets a bad rep (so let’s call it “haggling” from now on, yeah?) They worry about appearing overly aggressive or too pushy. And many people simply don’t know how to do it effectively.

“Haggling” isn’t being rude — if you’re being rude, you’re doing it wrong. Instead, haggling is demonstrating facts, being well-prepared, and having the confidence to ask for what you want.

Many people think prices are set in stone and for certain things, you’d be correct. Here’s a list of just some of the everyday things you can haggle for:

A flight, your seat, a checked bag fee, or airport lounge access

Your insurance bill

Your phone bill

Your cable bill

When I tell people I don’t use a debit card, they give me this look like I’m utterly crazy. “You don’t have a debit card?” they ask me incredulously. “How do you get by?” I literally do not have a debit card. I never have. There are many debit card risks people fail to think about, and it may not be the best choice for you financially. In response to the dozens of people who have asked me, “why?!”, this post is for you.

1. Security

What happens if you lose your debit card and don’t figure it out for awhile? What if someone figures out your pin? If theft were to occur, someone has direct access to your bank account (and everything in it.) It’s much harder to prove fraud with a debit card, and much more debilitating should something terrible happen. If fraud occurs on a credit card, I simply dispute it. If I see any suspicious activity (I’ve had multiple double charges this year) I simply flag it and let the credit card company handle it.

2. ATM fees

Ever been in a pinch and needed to use a non-bank sponsored ATM? If you’re not careful, ATMs can charge you a lovely fee for getting your own money out (which has always seemed crazy to me — I have to pay YOU to get MY money?!) By not using a debit card, I don’t have to worry about ATMs at all

After compiling The Ultimate Guide to Managing Your Money (in Under 10 Minutes), I had one response in particular that was so useful, it deserved it’s own post. Here is Thomas from City for Millennials with his advice for how to manage your money in under 10 minutes (it’s absolutely GAME-CHANGING.)

Personally, my favorite way to improve my finances in under ten minutes is to have a conversation with your partner (or yourself) each Sunday before the week begins.

The most effective way reduce costs and get a hold of your finances is to focus your conversations on the top three spending areas (Housing, Transportation, and Food). Verbalize these questions, and try to answer them:

Housing: How are we going to reduce housing costs this week (or month)? Would we be comfortable downsizing in the next few months? Can we rent a room out this week? Who can we talk to to learn about the local real estate market?

Transportation: Do we really need to drive this week? Do we really need a vehicle at all? What are other ways we can get around this week? Can we rent out our parking spot?

Food: What is our food plan for the week? Actually plan this out! Remind yourself that the average kitchen is 75-100 sq ft. If you live in a 700 sq ft apartment (say $2,000/month) then you are spending up to $280/month for your kitchen space. Make the most of this space, and cook in it more often! You can save big each month if you avoid eating out for one full week a month.

I verbalizing these questions, thinking about answers each week (takes 10 minutes), your money mindset will start to develop. Ultimately, you will find that you have a better grasp on your finances, especially if you reduced costs.

Another important questions to ask each week are as follows:  

What do I need to do this week to make more money and increase my revenue streams? If you truly want to get ahead, your mindset needs to be focused on making more money, quickly. Maybe this means getting a second job to increase revenue streams. Maybe this means leveraging your position at work to increase your salary at a competing firm. When considering side hustles, it’s important to think about scalability. Can this grow into something that requires less of my time?

What can we do to minimize our tax liabilities?: There are ways to decrease the amount of money owed to the government. It’s important to take some time to  understand how the tax system. What’s a tax credit versus a tax deduction? How do traditional versus Roth IRAs differ? Take some time each week to learn something new, and develop a strategy when it comes to taxes.

“Go through your email and unsubscribe to newsletters from stores and online retailers. Stores send those emails for a reason: they know there’s a chance you’ll open them up and buy something. Unsubscribe and remove the temptation of making an impulse purchase.” -- Budget Kitty

“Create a table of all your debts and calculate the weighted average cost of all your debt. Start repaying debts with the highest interest rate first to slowly reduce you weighted average cost of debt. Once that hits below 4.25%, then invest like crazy. Have urgency. Then, rinse and repeat until you are on a beach somewhere.” -- Millionaire Mob

“If you aren’t budgeting, sign up for a budgeting tool [Tori note: I like Charlie, and it's free!] that will pull financial data and tell you exactly how much you’re spending each month. It’s secure, free, quick to sign up, and you’ll know where your money goes. But knowing where it goes is just step one, step two is to make sure you adjust your spending so it goes to the right places!” -- Wallet Hacks 

“A great way to improve your finances is to bump your 401k contributions by 1% and see if that really impacts your life. You’ll find that you can adjust to the lower paycheck pretty easily and it won’t be that much lower since it’s pre-tax money. If the impact continues to be pretty invisible, bump it up another % and see how that feels. Your future self will definitely thank you.” -- Time in the Market

“What gets measured, gets managed. Looking at your bank statements, connecting to Mint or Personal Capital [Tori note: I love Personal Capital and Status for net worth tracking], and doing a little spreadsheet work can identify weaknesses and inspire change.” -- The Mastermind Within

You know that familiar feeling you get when you see that envelope from your health insurance company in the mailbox? Sure, you can avoid it for a while...but then comes the bill from your doctor's office. You finally build up the strength to open it and quietly scream "No! Stop!" You have insurance. It comes out of your paycheck every month. Why do you still owe $170 for a 5-minute appointment with your doctor who barely looked at you? It's ok. Calm down, take a breath. Let me show you some ways to save money on that bill and avoid the dreaded 'surprise' next time!

Before you schedule an appointment with any of your doctors, take a look at your benefits.

Majority of insurance companies have an online portal where you can see your benefits, how many appointments are you approved for (for instance, you may only get 24 physical therapy appointments covered a year), what bills have been processed and paid, and how much your deductible is. Review this a few times. If you don't have access to your health insurance's online portal or are confused, call the number on the back of your card. Also, make a note of what your 'in network' deductible looks like versus your 'out of network' deductible. Some plans cover specific treatments (like a yearly physical or necessary meds) 100% before the deductible has been met, some only do that if you go to an in-network provider.

When you call to schedule an appointment:

1. Confirm your network status. The office coordinator should be able to tell you if they are in network with your insurance (many providers also list this on their website). Remember, it is always your responsibility to know for sure- again this can be confirmed by calling their customer service number on the back of your card. If they are out of network, verify that they will still accept and bill your insurance. Some providers will always allow an out of network patient and bill you accordingly; some will not accept at all.

2. Ask about estimated costs. Each treatment you receive has a billing code attached, and that code has an associated cost. This is where it gets tricky- not everyone's insurance pays the same amount for the same code. It depends on many things they are considering, such as your plan and where you are receiving treatment. However, when scheduling it's easy to ask about the estimated cost for an appointment, especially it's a routine appointment such as dental cleaning. If you are making an appointment with a more extensive health system (like a hospital group), you may have to talk to the billing department and press a little bit for more information. This is an important step to do regardless of your network status if you haven't met your deductible- you are responsible for every bill in its entirety until your deductible has been reached.

I know more women than I can count that let their male partners do the “big” and “important” financial tasks, like investing for retirement. Yes, relying on my personal anecdotal evidence is totally problematic, but there’s plenty o’ research to back up my observation: This study says married women take control of major financial decisions only 27% of the time.* (Though, this figure is up from 14% in 2006.)

AND I GET IT. Considering that women do way more than their fair share of the domestic and emotional labor at home, letting yo’ dude handle some money decisions isn’t lazy, it’s a goddamn survival tactic. If he’s willing to rake some leaves, grill some meats, and/or do some investments, sweet lord—we let him. It’s frustrating and predictable and OF COURSE I FUCKING KNOW that “not every relationship is like this,” but I’ve seen the pattern replicate itself enough to know it’s not some unfounded trope, either.

To be clear: We in a judgment-free household!! Always!! I know how it is to be a woman; to feel like Play-Doh being squished through a squeeze & sculpt dough machine, but also to feel left out of and intimidated by conversations historically reserved for humans that look like Alec Baldwin. Really, it makes perfect sense why we avoid Big Important Financial Decisions like they’re the expired cottage cheese in the fridge that we know damn well we need to throw out, but pretend not to see every time we swing open the door.

Though I am 100% sympathetic, I need to state my case for why relying on your husband or boyfriend to “do the money” is a no good, very bad idea. Will I be making fun of men? Of course I will be making fun of men. Will I make some people angry? I will likely make people angry. Will I inspire more women to learn about their financial lives so their livelihoods aren’t shredded by an outside party? THAT’S THE GOAL!!

TOP 4 REASONS THAT A MAN IS NOT A (GOOD) FINANCIAL PLAN

If you only have the energy for one reason, skip down to Reason #4. I cannot have your man cost you half a million dollars.

Reason #1: He Might Not Be Around Forever

You’ve heard this one before. It is most common to talk about the importance of a woman having a hand in the financial planning in terms of a potential traumatic event.

Death can happen. Addiction can happen. Abuse can happen. Plain ol’ change can happen.

Divorce can happen and in fact, is sososososo common. And usually, it’s NOT some crazy “my husband cheated on me with my sister and accidentally posted the video evidence to my Facebook wall” shit (but if it was, contact me—I’ll be your chief writer and dramatist, let’s get that Lifetime Movie Channel money!!)

It’s a helluva lot more likely that, due to the sometimes-banal, often-uneven pressures of a life, a marriage becomes a distorted, unfriendly version of what it once was. Job and money struggles, children or a lack of children, disagreements on things that range from “You gonna put your dishes in the fucking dishwasher for once in your life?” to “Who puts their career on hold to raise the kids?” can disease a relationship. And it can happen to anyone. You already know this, but it could happen to you.

Divorce rates seem to be on the decline, but trends still suggest that almost half of marriages will end in one. And here’s a WAY CRAZIER, MORE UPSETTING stat: Almost 70% of all divorces are filed by women. That’s a lot of heartbreak and disappointment on behalf of married women out there.

As if the emotional tariff isn’t enough, divorce and death can cost a person an amounticus grandicus (official measure) in terms of dollars and cents. And then, you’re on your own to manage your money, potentially for the first time ever. Wanna know the absolute worst time to sit down and really focus on learning about that topic you (understandably) hate and have been sidestepping for years and years and years? Yeah.

Do it before the proverbial excreta smashes the ceiling propeller. Get yourself into a position of money knowledge that is so comfortable that having to potentially sort it all out post-trauma is really no big whoop.

Reason #2: Retired Women Live in Poverty More Than Men

If you are all are not committed to your own financial well-being, you’re putting yourself at major risk of living in poverty as a vulnerable (and adorable) old person. Just yesterday, a friend was telling me that she bought holiday presents for a local senior she “adopted” through the YWCA. Her lil bunny’s holiday wish list tells a crushing story: She hoped for a toothbrush and toothpaste, incontinence supplies, a space heater, and a blanket. This is no Christmas wishlist; these are survival kit supplies. Me, upon hearing this:

Women between the ages of 75 and 79 are 300% more likely to live in poverty than their male counterparts. This is so sad, and so scary. And we CANNOT HAVE THIS for our gang o’ #BadGrannies!!! I don’t know about you, but I’m going to be my own damn sugar mama (bring on the hot younger men and the hot candle wax) and I also need YOU to have money so we do fun shit together until we dead and gone.

And the statistics are even worse for women that are single, divorced, or widowed. ANY OF US could be ANY OF THESE THINGS. (I’m still single if you can even believe it. Mother certainly can’t.)

The happiest place on Earth becomes one of the unhappiest when you’ve paid $100 for lunch, you’ve been in the Radiator Springs Racers line for 50 minutes, and your child is crying. I feel you.

After repeatedly visiting Disneyland/Cali Adventure throughout my childhood (and being utterly exhausted each time), my mom and I decided to research the hell out the park in preparation for our trip in May. We put in the work, and boy did it pay off. Not only did we ride everything we wanted to (hello, Indiana Jones a whooping 6 TIMES! (look out for that rock, Indy)) and saved a ton of money, we did both parks in 2 days. After going back this Christmas for a second time in 2016 (and I don’t even live in California yasssss), here are my 10 tips for doing Disneyland smarter, not harder.

1. Get a game plan together

   A week or so before you leave, print out maps of both parks. Decide which rides interest you, and which ones you want to skip. Figure out which ones have single rider lines and FastPasses available. And always check ride closures on Disneyland’s website -- your favorite ride could be closed for refurbishment when you plan to visit.

2. Pack food and water

   You’d be shocked at how many people think Disneyland won’t let you do this. My boyfriend and I brought our backpack with 2 refillable water bottles, granola bars, fruit, and enough PB&J sandwiches to feed an army. You’ll save a ton of money on water and snacks, and won’t annoy your family with your hanger.

We’re all crunched for time, especially when it comes to everything financial.

My friends will often do anything (make up ANY excuse) to avoid looking at their credit card balance, savings account, or loan statement. It’s often too painful, too embarrassing, or both. But a “set it and forget it” method for your finances is seriously hurting you and your funds.

Here’s 11 financial check-ups you can do in under 5 minutes. Try them this weekend, or when you have an extra moment on your commute.

Calculate your net worth [assets - debts = net worth]

Login to your investment portfolio and see how your stocks are tracking

Increase your 401k contribution by 1%

Call your insurance company and negotiate a better rate

Research your market value (are you being underpaid? Here’s your ultimate guide to asking for a raise!)

Add up your discretionary spending from last month — can you cut back?

Read a blog post from some of my favorites: The Financial Diet, Bitches Get Riches, Half Banked, Britt and the B’s, The Feminist Financier

Take the $20 you would have spent on a dinner out, and add it to your loan payment

Research high-yield savings accounts or CDs

Download Trim, your personal finance assistant (get cashback on groceries and restaurants, and have Trim negotiate your cable bill!)

Got more ideas? How did these tips work for you? Comment below!

They say the first $100K is the hardest. And it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

About a year ago, I realized that if I pushed myself — got a bit uncomfortable to save and earn more while spending less — I could hit six-figures saved by the end of my 25th year. I turn 26 in July 2020, so the countdown is on!

Saving six-figures is a huge feat, but I feel especially proud of my journey -- I live and work in Seattle (one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.) and have never made above $80k a year. In the time before turning 26, I’m saving and hustling my butt off to get to $100k. Here’s exactly the choices I’ve made and the opportunities I’ve had to get me here.

1. I  made tens of thousands of side hustling

This kick-started my journey towards six-figures. In addition to saving the majority of my 9-5 salary, my first year of freelance social media marketing made me quite a bit of cash that I could immediately save. This first client honestly overpaid me for the work I ended up doing (the scope ended up being less than I thought it would be, and I also negotiated more.) I was able to establish both a SEP IRA and a fully-funded emergency fund with my earnings.

2. I started investing in early

Knowing that compound interest is so important, I wanted to start investing early to have my money work for me. Once I started my first big-girl job, I opened my first Roth IRA. Starting to save for retirement at age 22, I was able to max out my Roth each year and also contribute to the SEP IRA and a non-retirement investment account. My first job out of school had a 401(k), but you couldn’t contribute until you were there at least a year. Knowing I wasn’t planning on staying long — I was at that job for a year and a few months — I opened a Roth 401(k) and then rolled my earnings to my Roth IRA. {TOOL: Use Status Money to compare your spending and saving with your peers to see if you’re on track.}

You guys, I love talking with customer service reps.

Most people find that super weird. Why would you like to be put on hold? Why would you like battling with reps only to be told that “there’s nothing we can do?”

Why do I love it? Because I understand how to do it. Nine times out of ten, I succeed in getting what I want (and sometimes, more than what I want.) I’ve literally saved thousands of dollars, and sometimes earned money/perks, by simply taking a few minutes to call or tweet customer service.

I get it: you don’t want to be that person who complains about every little thing, and I totally understand. But you’re paying for an awesome customer experience (if it’s a major purchase, then even more reason for them to make it right!) That is your hard-earned money, and if you weren’t satisfied in any way, you should have no problem asking the company to fix it.

I just took a trip to Costa Rica with a friend (learn about our life-changing trip here!) and literally earned over $350 in miles, travel credit, and perks by contacting the airline’s customer service when something went wrong (first, a major delay and second, our seat-back screens didn’t work on our international flight.) At a time when companies are putting more stock in loyal customers -- and airlines especially are scrambling to earn your business -- demanding what you paid for just makes sense.

When I tell my friends about my mini-obsession, they say they’d love to do it too, but have no idea how. I’ve prepared an exact script for you, whether you’re on the phone or on social media/email, that has been proven to work.

1. Be polite and jovial...the entire time

If you’re on the phone, the customer service rep will usually state their name and ask how can they help you. They will be more willing to go out of their way to help if you treat them like a real human (shocking, I know.)

Here’s what you say: “Hello NAME, how are you? I’m doing fine, thank you for asking. I’m having an issue and I would love for you to help me.”

By asking them to help, you’re immediately giving them an opportunity for a win. Their brain should go, “Help? Yes! I can do that! That’s what I’m here for!”

2. State what happened

No matter how angry or fed up you are, make sure to still be kind and calm. You want to mention what you expected to happen (being billed a certain amount, a smooth flight, etc.), and why that didn’t happen. Say why you’re frustrated by it, but do not get upset. Mention that you’re disappointed or dissatisfied with the service you received.

You’re trip planning, and looking to save money on a luxury hotel (because we all on a budget, okay?) Chances are you’ll end up browsing Expedia for what you think the best deals. But if you’re checking out that jaw-dropping boutique property with the chic decor and fantastic food, those third-party sites are not the way to book.

As a money writer and speaker, I am constantly trying to find the best value for the best price. I love being able to stay with boutique hotels when I travel – I feel like it’s a more intimate look at the city and the community — while on a budget. But I want to make sure I’m able to stay at these gorgeous hotels (and support them!) for a reasonable price.

I had the pleasure of staying with the Paramount Hotel in downtown Seattle, which was such an incredible experience. I work a block away in the Convention Center (it was my shortest commute ever!), and loved being right in the heart of Seattle for restaurants and activities. The bathroom was an absolute DREAM (y’all know how much I love bathtubs), and the view of downtown out my window made me feel so sophisticated. It’s also been so hot in Seattle lately, so it was a beautiful thing to have A/C (I slept so well!)

Since staying at the Paramount, I’ve learned so much about the booking process with these boutique, luxury options. While many are on sites like Expedia or Trivago, booking through those sites is not always the best option. Here’s why you should book directly when staying with a boutique property to get major perks.

1. Better customer service

Imagine something happens with your flight or car (that ish happens all the time, you know it does.) Or maybe an emergency comes up and you need to cancel or change your trip. Now picture calling Orbitz or Hotels.com with this development. Sounds like hell, doesn’t it? Booking directly through the hotel’s website means you are THEIR customer for the entire process (from booking to check out.) They’re able to be more accommodating with special requests or emergencies, because they have full control of your booking. And this includes the fun stuff too, like a room upgrade or a special surprise for a partner — they’re more likely (and have more leeway) to make it happen! If this is a place you travel often (I go to Portland all the time, and there’s a Paramount Hotel in Portland too!), boutique hotels also commonly reward you for coming back with even more perks. Heck yes!