Hello people! To my newest subscribers: WELCOME! I’m glad you’re here.

In this issue, I muse over how my money game has tightened significantly since becoming a developer, and how I have repurposed Mondays to help me ease back into a workweek. Enjoy! 💃🏽

The Financially-Responsible Developer

#NonTechLife

I get asked a lot if I regret not choosing computer science as my major in college, and thereby becoming an engineer sooner. One of the reasons I answer “no” is because I probably wouldn’t be as intentional with my money as I am today.

While I was a homemaker, I learned the elusive art of really stretching a dollar, living minimally and enjoying simple, inexpensive pleasures. I also developed (pun intended!) an appreciation for financial wisdom and foresight. For example, having 6 to 12 months of living expenses saved up; maxing out 401k contributions each year; building up college funds; paying certain bills from wise investment dividends (instead of straight income).

While learning these behaviors, I had no money. Zero. Zilch. But I created budgeting spreadsheets in anticipation of the six-figures I’d soon be making. Beyond my bills, I decided what my finance goals were, and in which order I would fulfill them.

So once I landed my first developer job, I went to work. Each dollar of each paycheck had a purpose before it even hit my account. Beyond my set bills, my top priority was paying off my coding bootcamp tuition: it was $6,000 with change at 10% APR, and I paid that off in under 9 months. After that, my focus was building a $1000 emergency stash and 3 months of living expenses. I hit those pretty quickly because I allocated my tax refunds to them. Then it was time to stretch my 3-month living-expenses buffer to 6 months. Then start maxing out my 401k contributions (which I was behind on due to homemaking for 6 years). Then create a healthy buffer for the kids’ daycare fees (which fluctuate pretty regularly). And my list goes on …

I freely pamper myself on the regular with spa treatments and massage therapy, because I have been graced to make consistent, clockwork provision for the more important things. I’m passionate about empowering people in tech, especially women, because the financial benefits can be a great blessing when handled purposefully and intentionally.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Comment below.

Weekend-ish Mondays

#WholeCare

I have shared before how #remotework has improved my work-life balance in significant ways. One such way is how I approach Mondays now. When I worked on-site at my old job, I generally started my week at a hundred:

Battle other frustrated, exhausted commuters
Handle tasks carried over from the last week
Attend meetings that felt more urgent simply because they were on Monday
Plan the upcoming week while sobering up from the weekend

Caveat: I should say that the above was my unique situation. I understand that the Monday experience can vary wildly based on the company’s policies, culture and ethos.

At my current remote job, I have the autonomy to decide just how I will commence my work week. Forem practices No Meeting Fridays, so I typically end my week on a mellow note. Still, come Monday, I like to take a day and wake my mind back up, re-orient myself with my projects, and review the coming week. I hold my 1-on-1’s with my manager and mentors on Mondays; I hardly ever schedule a project deliverable for Monday. I generally get back into actual coding on Tuesday, by which time I’m primed and ready for several high-quality work days. 🔥

How do you approach the start of your work week? Comment below!

Arit Developer Newsletter

My Mind On My Money 🎵🎧