We’ve all made stupid mistakes with our money. We like to think, though, that we can learn from these mistakes and transgress less as we grow.

This is especially true for personal finance bloggers, who write about money all the time. I write about money every day, and do my best to help others avoid financial blunders. Of course, sometimes that means sharing my own financial stupidity.

From entering a debit as a deposit once, to using student loans when I didn’t have to, I’ve done some stupid stuff. But to be financially stupid on my way to a personal finance blogger conference? That takes some special talent. Talent that I happen to possess.

Here are some of the stupid money things I did on my way to the Financial Blogger Conference held this past weekend in Chicago.

Paying More for Inconvenience



Normally, when I travel, I do some research. Check out airports, locations, things to do, and costs. When booking for the Financial Blogger Conference, though, I didn’t do anything of those things.

My main requirement was that I be able to drop my son off at school before I needed to board the plane. I wanted to be there kind of early, too, but that wasn’t terribly important. In the end, though, I picked a Southwest fare into Midway that ended up being $50 more expensive than flying into O’Hare on Delta.

Not only was the fare more expensive (but it was non-stop, so I guess it wasn’t all bad), but it took three times longer to get to the hotel from Midway than from O’Hare and the cab fare was more than twice as much. So any time I “saved” by flying in a little earlier was overwhelmed by the length of the cab ride. And it cost even more. So much for convenience.

My other stupid and inconvenient money decision was in deciding to take the airport shuttle. Back in the day, my family and I started taking the shuttle because it picks you up at the door, drives you an hour and a half to the airport, and then picks you up when you get back. For three people visiting my husband’s family across the country, this was great, saving money since we didn’t have to pay parking at the airport for two weeks.

However, it doesn’t save money for a short weekend conference. Prices for door service have risen along with gas prices, to the point where it would have cost me less to pay the gas money to drive myself, and park at the airport (in the covered garage, no less) for two and a half days.

And convenient? Not remotely. I sat at the airport for an hour and a half before the shuttle made its appearance. I could have been home by the time the shuttle left the airport. From now on, the airport shuttle is strictly for long trips.

Yes, You Still Need to Carry Cash



I almost never carry a lot of cash. When I travel, though, I do try to make sure I have a good amount of it. But I was busy this week. And I have list of other lame excuses I used for not getting to the bank.

Anyway, I set off for Chicago with nothing like enough cash. When you go to conferences, stay in hotels, take shuttles and cabs, and go to after-parties hosted by Ramit Sethi, you need cash for tips and fare (and for chipping in for dinner). So, I sat there, on Saturday, realizing that I would be hard-pressed to have the cash to get home.

I began trying to figure out where I could find an ATM. Then I found myself wincing — not only was I going to have to pay an unreasonable ATM fee, but I would also have to get a cash advance from one of my credit cards. This is because yours truly doesn’t carry a debit card while traveling. Cash advances from credit cards are awful because you pay a fee and a higher interest rate on the advance amount. (Not that interest rate would have mattered to me, since I would have come home and paid off the advance.)

Luckily, two fellow PF bloggers came to my rescue, supplying me with the cash I required. One gave me her address, so paying her back is easy. I can send the money off today. The other, a man of mystery, wouldn’t give me his address. But I know who he is, and I’ll have to figure something out. Maybe buy him dinner at next year’s conference.

At any rate, I was saved from my money stupidity by some truly awesome friends, and was reminded, yet again, why I like PF bloggers so much. Best. Community. Ever.

Bottom Line



When you travel, it’s important to plan ahead. I didn’t take the time to stop and think things through very well. Next time, though, there will be less money stupidity and better planning. Which will make it even more awesome than it was this year (something I’m not entirely sure is possible).