http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com A glimpse into life as an Alpha female Sat, 05 May 2007 23:13:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Sincere apologies to my (theoretical at this point) readers for the extreme lack of posting in the last couple of weeks.  This alpha female has been laid off and is seeking gainful employment.  Wish me luck! http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/05/05/apologies-and-updates/ "I found love on two-way street/but lost it on a lonely highway..."  While quiet storm jams rarely have life-altering wisdom to share, these words are quite insightful and deserve a second read (listen?).  When you're the primary or solitary earner in a two-plus person home, resentment can arise.  In fact, it's ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/23/a-one-income-household-is-still-a-two-way-street-part-1/ Everyone's got their kryptonite--even butt-kicking alpha women.  Mine is making the bed.  It's not that I hate it or that it takes too long.   The fact of the matter is that I just don't do it.  I've come to accept this, much as I accept that I will never stop ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/20/home-hacks-invest-in-attractive-linens/ I'll be the first to admit it: housekeeping sucks.  It's redundant.  It's futile.  It's moderately degrading.  (There's really no other way to describe mopping up dog urine.) It's the ultimate act of optimism when you clean a surface and actually expect it to stay clean.  Even though I've got my ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/19/home-hacks-underground-housewife-ninja-moves/ Mom always raised me to be independent.  Though she didn't beat it into my brain or lay out too explicitly, I grew into adulthood knowing that being financially independent (i.e. not reliant on a parent or a man) was a vital part of being a grown-up.  While I took this advice ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/18/moms-advice-pays-off-financial-independence-is-critical/ On a normal day, my husband and I work pretty well together.  I get up first and make the coffee, we take turns taking the pooch out, and he fires up dinner once I'm done with work.  On other days, it falls apart.  I've a) done my taxes, b) completed ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/17/trying-not-to-pull-my-hair-out/ Working at home is a wonderful opportunity. You'll  have freedom, extra time, and blah, blah, blah.  Once you're over the joy-high of telecommuting, you realize the truth: working from home can be a real bitch.  No one respects your "office hours," your furniture is not that comfortable, and you don't ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/13/stay-focused-with-a-work-at-home-job/ Since I expect this blog to take a personal finance twist from time to time, it seemed relevant to provide some background on my own financial philosophy.  The most accurate description of my financial personality might be "Frugal Yuppie."  I pride myself on being a conservative spender and a black ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/12/my-alpha-financial-philosophy/ The Alpha Myth has been passed down for years, particularly since the feminist revolution in the 1960s.  Everyone from Betty Friedan to Barbie has espoused the alpha myth.  This myth states that women can do anything--which is not only a fabulous philosophy, but also absolutely true.  So why the "myth" ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/12/the-alpha-myth/ While you may be shocked to hear it (cough*sarcasm*cough), I am not thrilled by being able to bring home the bacon and fry it in a pan.  I'm much happier to have the bacon fried for me and served with a frosty beer.  But, such is life as an accidental ... http://www.alphafemalebetaworld.com/2007/04/10/my-alpha-origins/