Dear Money Spender

The Martin Family Banker

When it comes to financial freedom as an expat wife, I consider myself pretty lucky. I have a joint back account with my husband at a Brazilian bank. This gives me my own debit card, checks, and ability to get cash from the ATM when I need it. That might not seem like much, but just getting a bank account in Brazil can be difficult and having "almost" full access as a spouse is a luxury.

It's the "almost" that seems to be the inconvenience. You see, there's this great little service in Brazil that allows you to pay people, services, businesses by directly transferring funds from account to account, but for some reason, only David is able to do it from our account. So every time I have a "bill" to pay, I have to, *gasp*, ask my husband for money. Worse, he actually has to do the paying. It really makes it inconvenient to sneak a few bucks by the banker.

Last week was a particularly large "outflow" (of cash) week and at weeks end I once again had to beg for money. What better way than to forward the "bill" and ask for it to be paid. Here's the sweet email I sent my husband and his equally sweet response.

Dear Personal Banker,

Please pay my INC dues when you have a chance.

Thank You,

Your loving money spender

Dear Money Spender,

We are sorry to inform you your request for funds has been denied. You will receive an official notification in the mail indicating reasons for this denial. The initial feedback was “insufficient funds”.

We are sorry for this inconvenience.

This is a system generated email. Please do not respond.

David B. Martin

South American Regional Controller

Leave it to my husband to trump my wittiness with his cottonmouth sense of humor. Needless to say, I laughed out loud all afternoon and forgot to remind him to SERIOUSLY PAY MY DUES!

Portuguese word of the post: conta which means bill, as in "pague a conta" (pay the bill), but used most often to request the "check" after a meal as in "conta, por favor".

Year Two...

I just heard on the news this morning that social networking like FB is detrimental to your self esteem. People are constantly striving to keep up with the virtual "Jone's". I have to say I agree, but know that very few FBookers are willing to tell it like it really is. Even I hesitate to post anything negative or controversial for fear I'll be attacked or ridiculed. For me, FB is a real "time waster". It sucks me in for hours some days with nothing to show for my effort. God forbid you update your status and no one "likes" it or comments. LOSER with a capital L.

So here I go into "year two" in Brazil and I'm not sure where FB will fit in. I know in "year one", it saved me from despair many times. I think I'm in a better place now, with more real life pursuits to fill my days, but maybe I'll want to brag about all my triumphs and what better place than FB?

For those few that follow this blog, you'll be happy to hear that I'm going to post regularly. You'll be sad to hear, it'll be all things mundane, because living in Sao Paulo isn't much different than living in Detroit. If I wait for that exciting event to come along, I may never have reason to blog again. Here goes the first blog of YEAR TWO.

Reasons I'm Not So Thrilled With My Life Sao Paulo Right Now......

It is HOT, hotter than I remember it being last year.

Our apartment has NO A/C and NO ceiling fans (what were we thinking?)

There are mosquitos that we didn't have last year. We look like we have chicken pox.

Friends have been canceling plans at the last minute. I heard this is a Brazilian thing and maybe it's just taken a year for the expats to think it's ok too.

Prices for groceries have continued to rise.

I need to stop drinking beer and beer in Brazil is sooo good (and cold)...and did I mention it's hot outside?

David continues to work late into the night and being a single Mom isn't fun.

Reasons I'm feeling lucky to live in Sao Paulo Right Now....

It's HOT. When I'm at the pool, I feel like I'm on vacation.

David and I are going to Carnival this year!

I started Samba lessons at a dance school.

My kids are happy and LOVE school.

The food is so healthy and delicious and worth every penny.

I have a maid (who is scrubbing our bed pillows by hand right now) that irons EVERYTHING!

It's two and a half hours to the beach.

I've met several new friends in the few weeks I've been back, even one in my building (a psychologist which may come in handy once I give up FB).

A year later, life is still good. The honey moon may be over, but there are still times when life here takes my breath away (and not only because it's so hot I can't breathe). How many people can see a double rainbow against a city skyline from their bedroom balcony? Which reminds me...I need to share those pictures on my FB wall.

Portuguese word of the blog: Beijos- Kisses. Often used to close a written note, like

Beijos,

Kimberly

Ciao, ciao for now.

Sorry about the font changes.