2013 In Review

I do this every year. I total my finances into several categories to see where I am at year-end. I know my weaknesses (cooking) and I know my strengths (stretching money). Now comes the fun part. Here are some photos of what I did this year on $18,000 - this is everything I spent from medical bills to rent, CPA Exam fees to groceries, vehicle maintenance to clothing, and local as well as European travel. I do not make much money and I have struggled to find a decently-paying job with any benefits at all in Butte. With little to work with, it's still quite possible to do all of this and then some. I remain debt-free and always live within my means, even if very little. 

I had fun spending $$$ in 2013:

Weekend trip and lodging within Glacier National Park 

Weekend at Flathead Lake

My first purchase from Tiffany & Co. in Las Vegas (visit #2 of the year)

Las Vegas (visit #1) with my Mom

Investing in CPA Exam fees

European holiday to London

Holiday to France

*Priceless* meeting of my Great Aunt Catherine for the first time in Liverpool, UK.

Front row tickets in the pit to see my favorite band, Rascal Flatts. 

Spent over $200 to see "Book of Mormon" on the West End in London

This 5 Star French meal cost me over $200

Paying for my CPA license

128 GB iPad with cellular data

The famous $200 meal

I traveled to Europe with my Auntie Pam.

Train riding in Europe (some of it First Class!)

Sipping Afternoon Tea at Harrod's in London (this cost me about $80)

Flathead Lake

I am able to travel the world because I thrift. All of this was stuffed in a bag for $1!!!

My beautiful Tiffany's purchase

I love sharing my spending habits because anything is truly possible on a tight budget. It's about prioritizing and sacrificing where you are more inclined. Happy 2014!

Another CPA

My best friend and college roommate, Elizabeth, passed her LAST section of the CPA Exam last week! She took it on Dec. 5th and found out Wednesday the 18th that she was DONE with the Exam.

Her story is a bit different than mine. After graduating in May 2009, she was on Staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Colorado for two years. With this full-time job in campus ministry, she didn't practice accounting whatsoever. Life decisions led her back to Bozeman, MT to pursue her Master's degree in Professional Accountancy. While working part-time at a public accounting firm, she also attended graduate school part-time and began taking the CPA Exam nearly two years ago. Even with all of this on her plate (as we say in the industry), she graduated with her MPAcc this May and finished the Exam this month. I am so proud of her!

I knew that the day she passed I would want to drive to Bozeman to celebrate with her. If anyone understands the mix of emotions and dedication, it would be me. So- last Friday, I spent the evening with Liz and family celebrating. 

We had drinks and went to dinner and I snapped this photo of Liz on the left, which looks an awful lot like the one taken of me when I passed, on the right. This was not planned or intended, and neither were the identical expressions on our faces. 

My Christmas e-Card

I have always wanted to send out Christmas cards, but without a husband, kids, or pets, it has always seemed a bit odd. This year, I had every intention of doing so and including a few photographs from my holiday abroad. Blame it on busyness or lack of motivation or too much wine, this is as far as I got - writing the summary letter. Instead of mailing out, I will share online.

November 2013

Happy Holidays!

This year of 2013 has brought many blessings and good cheer my way. I hope that your year has been a happy one as well.

Each January, I tend to make an unreasonable amount of New Years’ resolutions. Each February, they are all broken. One year in college, I vowed to work out 5 days per week, which was quite the lofty increase from a workout routine of… never. It’s needless to say that after just 3 visits to the campus gym, I was done.

Since beginning my quest to pass the CPA Exam in early 2010, it was my yearly goal to pass the exam in its entirety that year. 2010 came and went, as did 2011, and 2012, with a heartbreaking loss of two of my exam credits.

I vowed to myself that I would concentrate on two goals for 2013. If I accomplished both things this year, I would mark it a success. 1) Pass the CPA Exam, and 2) Return to my beloved England. A vacation to England had been in discussions with my Aunt Pam for a few years. On January 16^th, it all became real when we booked our airfare for a 3 week holiday abroad. Just three days later, I sat for my fourth and final section of the CPA Exam on January 19^th. It had been my dream to treat myself to a trip to England after passing the entire exam. Little did I know, I actually did pass my last section after 9 attempts.  I received news of my passing score on February 5^th. After nearly 3 years and sitting a total of 19 times, I passed the CPA Exam! It was merely one month into the new year, and I had accomplished everything I had wanted this year. I cannot express the joy I felt then and continue to re-live as I no longer have to study.

I survived another tax season (my fourth), but this time, with a new company. I was laid off from Anderson ZurMuehlen in September 2012, and found work preparing taxes at another Butte firm, Mary Walsh CPA & Associates. After a short hiatus to travel abroad, I was hired permanently and I specialize in individual taxation.

Our holiday to the UK and France with my Dad’s sister, Pam, was the highlight of my year. I first visited 8 countries in Europe in 2008 with my Mom and fell in love with England. Pam and I spent time in England and Wales, visiting family in London, Oxford, and Liverpool. I met my Grandma Ruth’s only living sibling, Catherine, for the first time. We also took the train to Paris and stayed in the French countryside for one week. Highlights include Monet’s Garden, Rouen, and of course – the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Upon returning from the ‘Holiday of a Lifetime,’ I met a wonderful man named Adam. He is an environmental engineer and owns a beautiful home in Butte that he has enjoyed remodeling over the years. Originally from Manhattan, MT, he moved to Butte 10 years ago to attend Montana Tech. He likes to cook and I love eating his food! He came to his first Griz game with me this Fall and I plan on hitting the slopes with him this Winter.

I visit home in Helena often to take photographs with my newest business venture, Kelsey Marie Photography. I offer professional photography services for portraits and events. I also freelance for the Montana Standard, Butte’s local newspaper. My work has been published several times, including the front page. My photographs have also been featured by Grizzly Athletics in marketing and publications such as fundraising calendars. My photography work has allowed me to visit my parents often and Griz games bring me to Missoula to see Kyle. I cherish this time with my family and I am thankful that they are so close.

May this Winter season bring happiness, joy, and celebration to your life. ‘Tis the season to raise a glass with loved ones and toast to a New Year. Happy 2014!

Love,

Kelsey 

Viva Las Vegas!

How about another trip to Vegas?! This time, I got to go for a work conference. For those of you counting, this was my 4th trip in 16 months. At this rate, I'll be back again during tax season (dream on). 

Here are some photos:

This is the same batch I uploaded to facebook so that's why my watermark is on each one.

And back to Butte.

Holiday to London

 

Ladies and gentlemen:

 

I am returning to London in 2014! Airfare has been purchased and lodging has been booked. This time, I am going with a friend my age. My previous two holidays have been spent with my Mom and my Auntie. This is sure to be yet another dream holiday to the UK. I imagine there will be many pub visits and staring at boys.

 

My friend Allison has studied in Europe, but has never seen London or the UK. This is my third holiday there and I cannot wait to show her around my favorite world city. We will also take the train to Paris for the day and spend some time exploring boroughs on the outskirts of London, perhaps Greenwich and Richmond.

 

We will be traveling after tax season, of course, when it is nicer weather but not too crowded with tourists during the peak travel season. I am thrilled to visit my favorite hot spots again, but also explore the hidden gems I haven't seen yet.

 

Cheers!

Cyber Monday only!

 

Kelsey Marie Photography shirts on sale TODAY only!

 

White long-sleeve tee $15

Black long-sleeve tee $20

 

Unisex sizes S - XXL

Email me kelseypoore@yahoo.com if you want one!

 

 

 

Hey Readers!

Yikes! It's been too long. Updates on my personal life and business to come more frequently. 

For those not in the Facebook world, here is the Black Friday deal I am offering through Cyber Monday:

There are 2 different versions, Montana & Butte. All profits will be donated to Mariah's Challenge, a local non-profit organization dedicated to education and the prevention of underage drinking and driving in Montana. The non–profit organization provides scholarships to students who uphold the foundation's ideals and supports education, events and dialogue in communities that promote healthy, responsible lifestyles.

Details and images in the calendars are available at these links:

Click here for the Montana calendar

Click here for the Butte calendar

If you would like to order one (or 2 or 3 or 10), call/text with your order, or you can send a message to me at KelseyMariePhotography@yahoo.com. 

These make terrific gifts for friends and family near and far! They are easy and inexpensive to mail. Take advantage of this deal before Monday. Thank you!