Category Archives: Breaking News – “I’m Broke!” (The podcast)

“Breaking News: I’m Broke” features stories that air on KKRDonline.com based on a book being written by former News Anchor Anita Cochran.

Hand Me Downs

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I never had an older sister, just a younger one….a much younger one.  So I never had hand-me-downs, and didn’t really think much of it until I had two girls.    To me hand-me-downs have always been one big hairy blessing and they made the world go around at our house for years.  It’s still working, just not as well as the girls take on shapes of their own.  Enter the BFF and her girls.  Luckily at one point, they are all turning out to be the same size at least for awhile, and I’m the lucky sucker who gets to yell SCORE, this time around.

Finally got the 12 year old to go through the closet, she had ZERO jeans that fit.  That’s right zero, and with school starting just days away, Breaking News:  even if I’m Broke, I can’t send her to school naked.  Pants are an evil necessity.   In the past high-paying jobs made up for the fact that all the hand-me-downs in my extended family were nabbed by my older nieces…..that’s what happens when you get knocked up a year AFTER your baby sister.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you baby-making procrastinators.

So as luck would have it this year as we ventured out on our first UNSUCCESSFUL denim shopping spree for the 12-year old, we stopped off at the BFF’s house, and her daughter had some jeans she no longer thought were cool.  Peyton, God loves her but probably not more than I do, has since decided skinny jeans or nothing.  That put Lexy in line for the nothing.  We scored two barely worn jeans and some equally cute capris, that if you are counting, brings our total of days we can go to school dressed to THREE. IMG_1437 Thats right, I’m dang near done with the first week.  While I consider whether anyone will notice if she rewears pants starting the fourth day, I’m thanking my lucky stars Peyton was so eager to share, and so grateful that Lexy wasn’t too proud to accept her gift.  It’s a sign both kids know that Breaking News:  I’m Broke, and both are willing to make it work.  I’m Anita Cochran, and maybe I’m teaching just more than my family what it means to live with less, but in reality come out with much more.

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Downsizing Downer

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The reality of downsizing finally hit today.  We went over to our newer smaller, soon to be paid for home, and were planning where to put the furniture when it hit me, “Dudes,”  I said to myself, “even my furniture is too big for this new lifestyle!”

Early on my family members, having a hard time visualizing me as anything other than the Type A, workaholic, St. John Suit wearing, Donald Pliner shoe expert and News Anchor Diva that I had a been for 20 years made comments like, “Anita can’t live in a less expensive house and be happy,”   or something to that affect.  I said back then, “well let’s just wait and see what the self-employed, has lots of time, a great tan and new hobbies to spare,  Anita feels like when she moves into her paid off home.”    In my mind, I envisioned that home with furniture!

Not only will we need to sell some of the furniture, we will have probably have two maybe three rooms too much, I’m not sure we have anything suitably sized so that the house doesn’t look disproportionately small.  Ugh, who knew this was going to be what seems like non-stop adjustments to make.  So to say I was freaking out a little bit about my future this weekend, would be an understatement.   As soon as the contract on this house was signed, I started missing it.  I’m even forming a back up plan to buy it back, some day.  Not now, because I want to see how the story ends, and until then, I’m going to diet because my small house needs a really small hiney to go with it, luckily the rest of my family is already itty bitty.      I’m Anita Cochran, and Breaking News Folks, I’m broke, and I’m finding out that means I’m going to have start taking up less space, so it might as well start at home.

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It’s about to get better

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I’m knocking on wood as I type this, but it appears our house has sold.  I couldn’t stop screaming when we got the news, because to me it’s the voice of God telling me I’m not as dumb as I am blonde!  This new life of mine only works if we downsize, and the biggest expense has been my castle.

Part of the reason I worked so hard, and worried so much about losing my TV income, was that I knew we couldn’t afford this house without it.  I would do almost anything to keep this house.  It’s not a mansion, it’s not the most expensive house on the west side, but it’s unique and screams ANITA lives here (well it did till I took the Billboard with my face on it down from the garage walls, that puppies going to the new house!)

Well anyway, I clung to this house thinking it was partially responsible for making me happy.  I loved how it functioned for our family, however I was too busy paying for it to really enjoy it, or even spend much time here.  These last few weeks, things have finally settled down and I have been home for several hours at a time, just LIVING.  It’s priceless.  I hope that living debt free in our new home, will be even more valuable, if not, I’m getting dibs on buying this place back, that is if I can get that  high paying TV gig back too.   Just Joshin’ folks….because Breaking News:  I may be Broke, but I’m happier than Anita Cochran has ever been even sitting at her favorite Starbucks store!

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So Broke I’m GIVING Stuff Away?

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Something about this doesn’t make sense, I’m now so broke I’m giving things away.

IMG_1401Yep the hot tub made it’s way to a new home last night,thanks to some young strapping guys I’d never seen and a Handyman who hooked us up with someone who desperately wanted one.  I say desperately because the hot tub was broken.

It’s not that we couldn’t afford to fix, the hot tub, maybe we could but there was no guarantee.   It sprung a leak and they said to find the leak it’s like 150 bucks an hour, and there’s no telling how many hours it would take to find out.  Boy, did I go into the wrong business.  Anyway we decided, if we could find someone to haul it out, and fix it on their own we might be better off.

We got 10 years out of that hot tub, and lots of memories, need I say more.  A facebook friend said she misses hers hopes I wouldn’t do the same, but lucky for me, my bathtub comes with jets, and I like sitting naked in it, unlike the outdoor model where neighbors could be lurking.  So I gave it away, probably could have made a profit off it, but it still feels good to give.  That really makes no sense, when you’re counting every dollar and wishing for just a more, but somehow giving when it really hurts, is more valuable.   So Breaking News folks, I may be broke, but I’m not greedy, I’m Anita Cochran and  even living with less, I can feel  myself growing richer in character everyday.

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Budget Buster #1- Birthdays

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Seriously, if one more person turns a year older, I’m think I’m gonna bust a gut, or at the very least my bank account.   I think I’ve been pretty darn good cutting expenses since I made this lifestyle change, but once again, a major monster is hanging over my penny-pinching head, and he’s winning.

My daughter turns nine later this month, and the birthday party for her friends is Friday.  Do you know how much I’ve spent on past birthdays?  Did you know renting an inflatable jumpy thing is at least 150 bucks?  Well let’s just say I talked her out of that this year.  Even so, it’s adding up, and I whipped my debit card out today, when I know I really shouldn’t have.

I don’t understand how the Dave Ramsey, Total Money Makeover people do it?   I guess you could take the money I spent today on party stuff out of my food budget, and the gift we bought her today out of…..I don’t know, entertainment, but even then I’m not ready for Fridays party, and let me tell you my budget isn’t either.

The worst thing is, then there is the family party, when we have to feed 16 people, make more cake, and buy at least a token present to unwrap.  Then I’m also going to need a present for my sister-in-law and did I mention Dad’s birthday is in just a few weeks?  Yep, birthdays are budget busters, and Breaking News I’m Broke and since I’m Anita Cochran and take pride on my present buying abilities I’m going to have to come up with something FAST.

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Cheap Splurge

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A cheap splurge sounds like an oxymoron but really, it works.  Back when the girls started playing golf I’d coax them to winning championships by promising things I never thought they’d get, they were after all new at the game.  That’s why my girls started shaving their legs at age 9 and 7 (Yep, that’s what they wanted if they won, and really who thought they’d win the first year out.)

This year it was high heels and Breaking News:  I’m broke, but I did promise and they did win, so a shopping we awent.

Here’s the good news, the little ones feet are so small, we found her size in very few locations, including Burlington Coat Factories Clearance rack.  That only cost me 14 bucks,  and then today, the older one finally settled on a pair from target, again Clearance and again 14 bucks….so overall I did good.  I think the moral of the story is you’re never so broke you can’t buy what you really want, or at least a cheap knock off of it.  My girls really wanted high heels, I really wanted golf championships, see even broke, it all works out.   I’m Anita Cochran.

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Going, Going…..probably not gone!

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Went to an auction this weekend of a neighbor’s home.  It was a patio home on the market at $349,000 dollars.  It’s been on the market for awhile so we went over to see if maybe an auction is a good way to speed up the selling process.  NOT.

We were among about 30 neighbors who gathered for the auction, but from the looks of the bidding, only one person was there to buy.  I’m not even sure if he was really buying or just felt bad that no bids came in, so at $250,000 he jumped in.  Now, did he buy the place for a steal?  I don’t know, but I’m going to doubt it.  The realtors were going to take him aside and negotiate, but the owner had every right to say, NO GO.

While it was a little uncomfortable to watch, I have to say it was interesting, because doesn’t it sound a lot easier to get rid of your property in a 15 minute auction, rather than months on the market, and showing after showing?  Well, I think the hitch in this deal is that most of us still go to auctions to find a bargain, and Breaking News, while I’m Broke,  I’m not going to sale my house so someone else can make a buck on it.  And I’m gonna bet those people aren’t either.  I’m Anita Cochran….and yes the sign out front of my house, still says “FOR SALE.”

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2.99, Yes They Are Out Of Their Minds

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It’s done!!  The Spangles commercial featuring yours truly is ready to air, you’ll find it posted on anitacochran.tv, and of course on TV stations near you  soon.  The question probably begs to be answered, how different is it to be on camera for a 30 second commercial, versus a 30 minute newscast?  VERY.

   The biggest difference is the camera itself.  For 20 years, I was asked to talk to the camera, for this little dittie, I was to ignore the camera, and talk to myself.  Now, a lot of you might think I’m crazy, and we all know I talk a LOT, but I rarely talk to myself.  Really, someone is usually in the room at least ignoring me, giving me something to focus on.  So there I sat at Spangles, ignoring the camera, the camera people, Rene Steven, and customers, TALKING TO MYSELF.  I never felt more nutty in my life.  (Except maybe for when I was singing with Cindy Klose and Susan Peters at Gridiron!!)

   As for the next biggest challenge, it’s the bite and smile shot.  Next time you eat a burger, try it yourself or better yet, have someone video tape you.  You smile, take a big OLE yummy bite, then chew and smile again all at the same time.  Oh, and you have to keep your mouth closed so no one can see the food in your mouth.  Go ahead try it, hope you don’t choke on your burger!

  That said, it was a blast.  While I’m in no way qualified to replace Rene as the Spangles Spokesperson, it was such a thrill to step into her shoes, or more accurately, bite into her burger for a day.  I also found that Breaking News dudes, since I’m BROKE, the 2.99 deal for a full meal, really is good for the budget.  It’s even better for your budget if you star in the commercial, since I had trouble smile, chewing and smiling, it took me three Classic Supremes to get the shot.  Now, really Rene, did you think I was stupid?  No, I was milking it for free food, and if you’re really out of your minds you’ll ask me to do it again.  I’m Anita Cochran, you’re listening to KKRDonline.

We Shouldn’t Have

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Let me step into the confessional and just say we shouldn’t have eaten out last night.  I think the hardest part of living with what seemed like an endless supply of money and NOT living with an endless supply of money, is that we have bad habits that are proving hard to break.IMG_1369

For us, celebrating often means going out to eat, and with the girls winning their golf championships we needed to party.  I sat there enjoying the whole show at Osaka’s but was mentally adding up  the bill as the shrimp began to fly, and apparently I can’t add any better than I catch shrimp in my mouth.  I kept thinking well, with two extra kids, the girls brought friends, and me only getting fried rice, we were probably doing a good 50 bucks worth of damage.  WRONG.  It was a 90 dollar bill, that at least included gratuity!  Now, to say I pulled out the debit card so fast your head would spin, would be an understatement, We shouldn’t have done it.  I knew that going in and I did it anyway.  I guess I need a good spanking, because   Breaking News Folks…I’m Anita Cochran and while I knew I was broke, after last nights little spending spree, today I’m even broker.

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Upkeep Costs

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So darling you look fabulous, I must know you’re secret.  Actually I’ve heard that a time or two, sometimes I could thank dieting, sometimes a good day at the pool gave me a tad more color, and in the old day Botox was my drug of choice, I give it a lot of credit.

So one of my former co-workers, yes you would know her, but I’m not divulging the name, asked me recently, how is this new money thing is going with my obvious high maintenance upkeep costs?  Well, Kelly Duffy, just fine thank you!  But you may be asking too, how can I afford the hair, the makeup, the botox.

The hair, always a good idea to keep a hairdresser in your back pocket.  Weird thing is, several of my closest friends are hairdressers, who I never went to in the TV days, because we had arrangements to go elsewhere.  For me, Melissa, the BFF now does what I want  her to do with my hair, for free.  Okay, I do her toenails in exchange, and trust me,  she gets the better deal, but its a barter system that I’m very fond of.

I haven’t bought new makeup since I left the TV job, I’m way low, so in a couple weeks if I look tired you’ll know why.  I also have given up the botox, for the last year, I haven’t touched it.  Not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t afford it.  Thing is, I no longer crave it, like I used to either.   Now that I have time to enjoy my wrinkles, I’m sort of actually growing fond of them.  Which isn’t to say I’ll be this way forever.  I’m working on a deal for a Botox barter than I think will be good for all of us, yes, you’ll be totally in on this deal too.  But for now, Breaking News folks, I’m broke, so if Anita Cochran looks even halfway decent, you better credit clean living, cause there ain’t enough money for it to be anything else.

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