Thursday, November 6, 2008

A Month of Firsts

This month will mark a big series of firsts and dilemmas for me and I am excited yet a little nervous.
The first one was Voting! I am thrilled to say that I am now a citizen who has done her patriotic duty for the first time. Yay Obama!
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The second one is that I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner at my tiny apartment this year as my grandparents don't feel up to it. I'm trying to think of ways to make an absolutely fabulous dinner that will shock and awe while not breaking my budget. I have a list of foods that I want to prepare, but I may need to stop at the thrift store to pick up another casserole pan and some other things that I am not sure of. I'm hoping it will go well because I think it will be a good step in cementing my own adult identity by making my own traditions and showing my grandparents that I can cook without burning down my house.
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(one can hope!)

I was very happy with myself for almost meeting my financial goals last month. I was able to hoard away $1200 in savings, well actually more like $1170 because I forgot to account for my phone bill. But $30 off is not bad. I bought myself a nice sushi dinner in celebration and enjoyed it greatly.

This month is taking off slowly. Yesterday and today were not very lucrative at work but I hope that my profits will increase through the month.

Another thing that is taking a minor hit at my finances is my attempts at a social life, but as this is something I feel is good for me, I won't chastise me too much. I have started dating but I guess I am a little embarrassed about my increasing frugality. I am proud, but I feel weird saying "I can't afford to go out to dinner" because I know he will pay for me, and I don't like it. None of our dates have been very expensive but compared to my lack of spending seeing $10 or $8 in my food category is a little depressing.

But it is a small price to pay for happiness.
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On another hand, I may get my financial column. I am almost giddy at the thought. I am hoping this could provide both valuable experience and some extra cash. As my potential employer may glance over this site, I won't put an estimate but I hope to get enough to start saving in a Roth IRA next year as well as provide a bit of breathing room in my budget and save more for a potential vacation.

It is a very long way off, but I want to start saving for a big trip in three years. I haven't quite decided where I will go, possibly either Greece or Asia.

Fingers crossed on all accounts!

Happy November all, and good luck on Christmas shopping.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Fall has hit Tucson

The temperature is a steady eighty degrees, the leaves are green and still fully attached to their branches and the girls are still flaunting the mini skirts. Yes...fall is here in full course in Tucson but as we don't actually have seasons we don't notice. We see pictures of New York or Connecticut where they have falling leaves in bright orange, but all we have is thousand degree heat and cold winter, no in between.
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I forgot the time of year until I went to the grocery store and I was shocked...orange and yellow and greens! It was amazing. Unfortunately I was a bit overzealous and I now have a pumpkin, several squash, a big bag of potatoes and onions and yams and corn. And for a good measure, a can of cranberry sauce. It's like Thanksgiving a month early. But when you don't have a car, carrying a pumpkin on a bike isn't fun.
Now all I need is to figure out how to cook a pumpkin.
Any ideas?
Happy fall guys!

Trying to learn the ways of my fore-mothers

Another Monday…I’m not sure whether it is the economy or something else, but it has been rather slow this last week at work. For the amount of people, my tips have been great but there hasn’t been as many customers. It has been a double hit because I am not getting as much money from my sister, one hundred less so that s hurting my budget a bit. I am still able to save quite a bit of money, but I am not able to make my goals yet. Oh well…I am trying to save money in other ways. I went to CVS last night and got a couple needles and thread. I did manage to repair a long rip and although it has a long bumpy scar, (battle wounds) it is now wearable. I am very proud, because I loved that sweater and now I don’t have to replace it. I am also going to try and hem a pair of pants, a it trickier and time consuming but it will give me something to do while watching TV. I am also excited about my next grocery shopping excursion because of all the Fall produce, squash and corn. I’m thinking of getting a pumpkin or two, carving one for Halloween and seeing if I can eat the other. I actually have never tried eating a pumpkin, other than as pie or bread or seeds. We’ll see.
My school had an internship fair last week and I came back very excited. I pitched an idea for a financial column to a smaller paper, and I didn’t get laughed at. I don’t know how likely it will be that little ol’ me will get a financial column considering I’m still figuring it out, but I hope that will be an asset. Instead of lecturing readers, I want to catalogue my experiences and those like me, starting out and confused, and have it be fun, informative and casual. It would be fun, if I get a group of legitimate experts and do a dear PF columnist and find out the answers for people. So my fingers are definitely triple crossed. If I don’t get it, then the editor said I could apply for a summer internship, which I’d love to do. I am hoping my server career ends with this job.
I just finished paying for my winter vacation and I’m already mentally planning out my next one. Give the amount I am saving for my move, I’m not sure if I should, but part of me is saying that I should enjoy the money I save as well as squirreling it away. If I do plan one, it will be a small one near the beginning of next school year, early August. It will also be cheaper because I will only have about 8 months to pay for it, which would be about $1000 to play with.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Learning from history

This sounds very strange but in some ways I am enjoying the financial crisis. Not in the way I like going to Disneyland of course, but in a 'watching-history-being-made' way. I've read in a lot of different blogs and papers that because of this crisis, we may switch to a cash-based economy. I am all for that. I'm just glad I've not too much damage to my credit score and that I'm becoming more responsible.
One of my favorite PF bloggers 'Brunette on a Budget' did a long post about the upside of the 'whatever we are in', some of my favorites are;

Climate change. According to a government study, carbon dioxide emissions fall whenever energy consumption declines. Our freezing will be the planet's salvation.

Foreign policy. In the good old days, the United States got in lots of trouble by invading first and asking questions later. Now we couldn't afford to invade Grenada if we had to.

I for one and trying to relearn some of the more old fashioned feminine skills except they mostly cost money. I want to learn to sew, because I have quite a few items of clothing that have holes or which need hemming, and I'm to lazy and frugal to take them to an alteration shop. Come on guys, $15 for a hem that takes them like 5 minutes, jeepers. I know the extreme basics, but the only sewing kit I have is one of those dinky travel ones, and I've already lost 80% of the items in it. So I need to buy a sewing kit.

Maybe this situation our country is in can teach my generation and the ones afterward about the joys of not having thousands of dollars in debt. Maybe we can grow up to be savers instead of spenders.


I also want to grow a garden, but as I live in a small apartment with no yard I'm not sure how that would work. I've thought about a window box sort of thing, but realistically, what can I hope to ream from a small window sill garden, not exactly a grand harvest.


Now onto my financial issues:

So far I have been doing very well on my financial goals. Compared to last week, I have been a very good PF blogger. Thus far I have had four no spend days, and the rest of the days have been very much in budget. I am still one with my Martha Stewart streak, in fact I really want to learn to make bread. I have not spent anything online since the last time I posted except for a couple songs for my Ipod.
I received my gloves, coat and DVDs in the mail. I am currently in love with my gloves, they are soft and pretty and furry. I also got the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series (I'm a nerd, sue me) which I am currently plowing through. I love getting DVD sets, they last forever and provide me with hours of entertainment. The only bad from the bunch was my J Crew jacket. I was really disappointed but it really was too big so I sold it to Buffalo Exchange. Sigh

Well I am going to dicth you I can work on my resume, my school is having an internship tomorrow that I'm going to crash. I am going to hand out my resume and a pitch for a financial column I'm hoping someone will jump on.

Wish me luck!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Update on life

October thus far has been financially up and down. I have done well so far in tips but I have been irresponsible financially, though I may not regret it ten years from now. I found a pair of cashmere lined, leather gloves by Coach which I looked up to be about $350, so if they fit and don't look ridiculous will be a purchase that will last. Then I won the J Crew trench coat that I had fallen in love with last month and I found it on ebay for about $60 with shipping, a very classic purchase. If I don't like it then I try and sell them both at Buffalo Exchange. But fingers crossed it won't come down to that.
I made a couple financial goals for the month:
-Have 15 no spend days, I have two so far
-Spend no more online
-Find a PT job that will give me about 10-15 hours a week so I have a buffer in case tips are lacking
-Stop spending so much time watching TV
-Get a library card and read one book a week, I am a book nerd but ever since my sister got a TV I haven't read much
-Cook more meals at home
-Actually do my homework before the day it's due

Some of these aren't intrinsically financial but they are to do with wealth and how I want my future life to be as i am starting to feel irresponsible.

I have been doing well in some areas, like I have been on a Martha Stewart streak. I mean, my apartment is picture perfect (for me anyway) no dirty dishes, no clothes on the floor, bed made. And I have been cooking for the last two days, not just average cooking, I made quarts of soup from scratch (which turned out fabulously I might add). I'm hoping this streak doesn't end.

I did go to the organic grocery store near my house. I got a lot of bulk things to help in my cooking endeavors. I got a pound of lentils and a pound of split peas to make into soup. I got some powdered soy milk which is surprisingly good, some olive oil since my last bottle shattered all over the floor (anyone know how to get oil permanently off the floor, it is still slick and I've been scrubbing forever) some cayenne pepper, dried cranberries and finally, the thing that broke the budget and I now regret, a gallon of raw milk for $12. Let me explain, I am a city girl and I have never even been to a farm, so milk and cows always has held a fascination for me and Ive always wanted to try raw milk. So when I saw the carton I had to splurge. Unfortunately I can't taste a difference. Boo. But it is out of my system.

That is all I can write now, as it is four AM and I have class in six hours.
Cheers

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Monopoly

When I was a child I had a lemonade stand, a damn good lemonade stand to if I may. I actually pulled in about $20 a day, everyday during the summer, as I was obsessed with it. I had that job and many others as a kid so I could learn the value of money.

Well I've developed a work ethic and a goal to save, but I still don't know the value of money.

I think of accumulating wealth as a game of monopoly, I want to win the game and to do that I need to have the most money.

Does anyone inwardly feel this way?

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Update since I've been a bad PF blogger

Sorry I've been MIA, almost 10 days since I've blogged. I have an excuse though, I have had one of the worst weeks of my life, and I am not exaggerating. Both of my grandparents had medical problems and were sent to the hospital for nearly all of last week, and my grandpa is recovering from a triple bypass (shudder), so if you can think good thoughts for them I'd appreciate it. Besides all that, I just had a string of minor bad luck, my alarm clock didn't go off, I got a bad cold, I banged up my shin, my trash bag broke all over my kitchen floor. Just bad things happening to get me in a horrible mood. Therefore, my finances are slightly off. Two of my three days at work yielded disappointing results and on Friday (my most lucrative day) I had a minor break down and went home. Nothing major, I just couldn't be perky like my job requires and I just wanted to be with my family. All I can say is I am glad my teachers and bosses have been supportive, they all let me make up assignments and helped me catch up.

Anywho...enough about the my issues and on to finances.

I will be slightly behind on my savings this month as I couldn't make as much and my mood affected my spending, so I slightly overused my credit card. Nothing that bad, I will be able to pay it off and still put about $800 in my account, not counting the tips I'll make tomorrow (I'm guessing about $60).

I've made up my October spending list and it goes as such:

Income:
Tips: $1,200
Paychecks: $150
TV paychecks: $60
Sister rent money: $500
=$1,910

Fixed Expenses:
Rent: $640
Phone: $40
Utilities: $60

Fluid Expenses:
Groceries: $140
Dining Out: $120
Music: $10
Amazon: $50
Entertainment: $20

Savings:
SF Move Fund: $1000
SF Vacation fund: $125
Christmas Fund: $75

=$1,715

I'm leaving about $200 in my budget in case I don't make as much as I hope or Amazon crooks his finger at me. I'm hoping I show more self restraint October, because September was filled with presents I bought for myself.

Cheers!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

September is two thirds over finances update

A quick update on how I am doing this month with my finances:

Amount currently in account: $1205.00
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Probable amount to come:
Tips: $300
TV check: $30.03
Paycheck: $125

Probable end month amount: $1660.03
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Expenses in order of importance:
Rent: $140
Phone: $35
Credit card $320 (ohh I'm a bad girl...)
SF Savings: $1000
Food: $70
Bring it all together and what d'you get: $1565

I'll put what is left in my emergency fund, as I used a check to pay off some bills earlier this month (oops).

But with the way this month is going I should make all my goals and be able to pay myself back a bit.
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I already paid my electric ($60, ouch) and my vacation fund ($125) and my Christmas present fund ($75).

So other than my horrendous credit bill (curse you ebay!) I have been doing dandy.

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But I need to get back to my lazy Saturday.

Cheers!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Can anyone send this video to the candidates?

Hey ya'll, happy almost weekend. Today I ran across an awesome video on YouTube that anyone who cares the slightest about the national economy should send to the Presidential candidates. It is called "don't buy stuff you can't afford" and it's a clip from Saturday Night Live. It reminded me to register to vote, cross that off my list. Come this election day, I will be one of the huddled voting masses, very patriotic.



On the other hand I just got my new bottle of Sonya Dakaar pimple be-gone (not exact name but I can't be bothered to get up and look at the name). I wonder whether it would work the wonders that other bloggers seem to think it does, fingers crossed.

I also bid on several other ebay items, partly to make up for the longing I have for a J. Crew trench that I want (insert really annoying whining voice).
Wool-cashmere plaza coat
Isn't it pretty...and expensive, only $355 not including s&h. That is only about one sixth of my emergency fund, and I am embarrassed to say that I was really considering it. However, I do have 3 trenches in my closet, one never worn so I cannot really say I need it. Sigh, I hope it will still be there next year (maybe it will go on sale after Christmas).

I also need to figure out what to do with my change jar when it gets filled. I have no idea how much will be in there, probably at least a hundred. I think I may use it for a mini vacation next spring or summer. We have a great resort a block away that I have been wanting to stay at for one night. Just something to look forward to.

For my business writing class we had to find three relevant job ads to tailor our resumes too and I found one advertising a women's blog site wanting writers. I submitted a blog and it should appear on their site next week. So if anyone who enjoys reading my stuff here could check out my stuff their I'd be much obliged.

Other than that, I hope you guys have a great and productive (or relaxing depending on your goals) weekend.

Cheers!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

AIG stress and loving life

In my journalism classes today, we all discussed the AIG bail-out. I did the math and the $85 billion the government gave to to guys on Wall Street and what that means to the American public. Since there are about 300 million people, that translates to about $280 a person to save this insurance company, jeepers. I don't know whether I will actually be affected by that, but I am not particularly thrilled by the idea of a big bill looming over me at the end of the month. I've never owed taxes before, I usually get money back. So I don't know. If this will help stabilize the economy and keep us from reliving the Grapes of Wrath (shudder).
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But after seeing my bonds fall about 4% (nothing compared to the stock market, but still, I don't like seeing my money getting smaller) I went to see my investment pimp. He told me that my stuff is pretty secure and the market should get close to bottoming out, and that it is a great time to buy. I don't really mind as long as it starts rising again.


But other than that, I am doing great financially. I guess that the students have gotten back in routine because the restaurant has been popping. I made $102 tonight, $89 yesterday and about $150 on Friday. I am very happy with this amount. I will be well over budget if it stays like this. Plus I have plenty of time for school work and even a bit of extra-curricular dating.

The extra amount of work doesn't seem to be hurting my grades (yet), as I seem to have straight A's right now, yay me!
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My only issue right now, is I seem to be getting comfortable with my finances and thus begun clicking away at Ebay. I bought a couple winter stuff, a heater for winter, pimple stuff (eww) that everyone seems to think is a miracle cure (for my sister and my occasional icky spot), a nightgown, and a couple sweaters.

Bad me, but I'm sure it will all work out.

Cheers.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Whats up what chivalry?

So I have a question for all you single and dating chicks out there, as I seem to be in a major minority with the girls in my group. I am the only gal out there that thinks that guys shouldn't have to pay on the first date?

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I understand why guys paid for dinner a couple decades ago, because most women couldn't. But nowadays most women have careers that pay all or most of what a guy does. So why can't girls pay for themselves. I mean, aren't we all trying to be 'modern' women, but I don't see how we can be when guys are still picking up the tab.

I don't have a problem with guys opening the restaurant doors for us, that is just polite.

Whenever a guy pays for me, I feel guilty because I know for the most part he is also a student
with the same money issues, so I don't buy into the antiquated chivalry system.

So do you guys expect men to pay for dinner on dates or do you prefer going dutch?

Cheers!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Update on finances

An update of my finances:

Income:
Tips: $545
Checks: $171.77

Expenditures So Far:
Electric: $60 (oye, stupid heat)
Dining Out: $56.00
Groceries: $50.00 (ish)
Overdraft charges: $40 (I'm so irresponsible)

As the month is about half over, I am a little less than half to my financial goals. I am hoping to make it up in the upcoming weeks, and to decrease my expenditures.
While I was at Buffalo Exchange (my sister bought me a shirt as she wrecked my other one) we saw a woman selling some stuff, one of which was a cloth duffel bag. She wasn't able to sell it so we offered to buy it from her. I got it for $5, and it turns out it was from Anthropoligie and sold last year for about $135. Yay me, it may work as a back up suitcase for my trip later this year.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

My first frugal tips list (wipes tear and flicks)

So far so good. I am semi-on track for the second week in September and I am hoping that I'll be able to make the $300 expected. I am currently at $143, but Friday is one of the busiest nights so making at least $90 won't be difficult. The problem then lies in whether I'll get called in to work on Saturday or Thursday. I don't want to but the mocking glare of my budget says that it would be for the best. We shall see.
Either way, I have survived the bulk of the week and I am two classes and a TV show away from being done with school. Yay! However, for a Wednesday I am woefully off track on my personal expenses. On Sunday as I was riding home from a meeting I remembered the new sushi place located on campus just opened, so I decided to grab a menu. Big mistake, a $15 mistake. The food was good but mini portions, I doubt I'd go back. Then on Tuesday I had a lunch date (platonic, for now...) at a restaurant I used to work at, and that was another $15. So in the span of two days, I use up all but $5 of my expenses. Shame on me.
One bright spot though is at work tonight I was talking to a customer about a small grocery store on campus, and she asked me how I liked it, and I told her I thought it was too expensive. When I came back to the table she told me she owned the place and she gave me $5 gift certificate. I may use that tomorrow.

It seems like every financial blogger has 'frugal' tips on their site so I've decided to try and find some ideas of my own.

1. Hand wash a small amount of clothes at home.
Take a bucket and a small amount of bleach or laundry detergent and let a couple of items sit for an hour or so. Then hand them up in the bathroom. This works best with T-shirts and undies but probably not as well for jeans or jackets. Since I live in an apartment complex, it costs about $4 a load to do laundry so I'd prefer to do it at home while watching TV.
Not my idea of a relaxing sunday!  (Day 120/365) by Fe em Brasil.








2. Ditch the alcohol (or ouch-a-hol for your budget)

As a bar wench at a popular pizza and beer joint, I've noticed that people spend outrageous amounts of money on beer. For someone that has been fine for the last 20 years drinking tea and Coca Cola, the idea of downing 5 beers at a sitting seems glutenous and just gross (don't tell my customers that though, because the more they drink the higher the tip!). So for those on a budget, stick with an ice tea or at least try and drink only one beer and alternate with water. Your liver and wallet will thank you.
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3. Make friends in low places
I have a relationship with the cashier at the 7-11 across the street. Purely platonic I assure you,! I trade him books from my extensive library and he gives me free soda and often brownies and other small snacks. Over the last year I have calculated it so that I save about $500 (one free drink a day, plus an average of one treat a week, and one old Glamor magazine per month) . All that I had to do to save this was be friendly.
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4. Take advantage of cheap thrills in your area
As a student I realize I have an advantage ove those out of the lovely world of academia, but on or near campus, there is a LOT to do, most of which doesn't cost much. Those out of college, if you saved your school ID (and you really should, many places offer student discounts but don't verify that you are a current student...shhh). In my area, there is a cheapy movie theater, where the movies are a couple months out of date but if you missed them the first time then it works, I'm going to see Sex in the City for $3. There are museums and dance halls that are often free or very cheap, fun events around campus that offer music and free food, and plenty others.
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5. Take a relaxing vacation one evening
About one block from my house, there is an amazing resort, Arizona Inn. Completely innocuous from the outside, heavenly inside. I've done this a couple times and if you have a bit of panache then you can too. Just wear something great looking and stroll through the lobby, looking like you know where you are going. Walk past the restaurants and the gardens till you reach the pool. Find a lovely spot with enough shade, get a glass of water and pull out a magazine. When you get bored jump in the pool and flirt with the pool attendants. Then for a treat, order a strawberry daiquiri (or insert your favorite drink, something tropical), if they ask for your room number pull something out of your bum, and make sure to pay in cash. Sometimes resorts will have free socials at night, my little bit of paradise has an ice cream social every night, so I make sure to indulge a bit. When this gets dull then head off to the ladies room and shower, take a steam and nick a couple fancy lotions. When you are about to leave, ask normally. Maybe talk to the concierge about local attractions, take a brochure and stroll out. You have had a fabulous mini-vacation for the price of a drink and a nice tip for the pool attendant. Ta!
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6. Use amazon or ebay to buy small supplies
My name is Julie and I have an internet shopping addiction. I love ebay and amazon, I literately get a rush of euphoria when I buy or bid on something cheap (until I get the bill of course). But these sites can be a great option if you don't go overboard. For instance, I inherited (from the lost and found box) an ipod mini. It works fabulously and it is my large ones back-up in case it breaks (which I do often, sigh) or it runs out of batteries. The only problem was that I didn't have a charger. 10 minutes on ebay and I got one for $2, s&h included, whereas the store sold them for $30.I also recently bought a winter scarf, hat and gloves set so I don't have to go to Buffalo Exchange, for about $5. And earlier this year I bought a great Kate Spade black handbag for about $20. It's understated and has taken a lot of damage, so it was a great purchase. So if you know what you want, then online shopping can help you a lot financially, but don't stray off the path or you'll end up with 15 packages coming in everyday and a digitally bent credit card.
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I hope my mini list has inspired something in your frugal side and who knows, maybe someday it will be Julie's 100 frugal tips.

Cheers

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Cans of food everywhere and not a bite to eat

OK, maybe my original estimations about the state of my weekly finances was premature. I was hoping to make quite a bit of moolah tonight, but it turned out to be a dud. I made $25 and decided to leave.

So, this week I made $252 in tips, which is $48 under budget. However, I'll come up with exactly the amount needed, if I don't spend anything until Tuesday (which is the next day I work) and use the small amount I had hoarded away in an envelope (it wasn't for any particular purpose, but it's a shame that I have to spend it. But I suppose that is what budgeting is for, so I can learn to be more responsible. Still, it will be hard for me to go another three days without spending anything. But maybe I will learn to be more mature after not eating out for an entire week. I'll keep you appraised of my restraint.
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I will admit though, the next couple days will be harder though. When I have classes and than have to work, I don't have time to eat out. But the next two days are my pseudo-weekend and thus I have plenty of time to get bored with my own cooking.
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Now let me get something straight. I am not some McDonalds junkie who cannot live without her daily dose of fry grease, but as a student living on campus, I have about 400 cheap restaurants within a couple blocks and I don't usually have the time (or kitchen space) to create meals. I am an adequate cook, my my kitchen is about the size of an airplane's bathroom and even the smallest culinary endeavor makes it look like a war zone. Plus I don't normally buy a lot of groceries as I would rather eat out.

It's funny how I can look inside my stuffed cabinets and overflowing refrigerator and think I have nothing to eat, but most is canned vegetables and food that takes time to prepare. Not exactly the food you want to come home to after a 16 hours of classes, homework and serving customers. I often read about people in the countries that you never hear about except to feel sorry about, like South Africa. The kind of countries that your parents say "Eat your brussell sprouts, kinds in Africa are starving". They could probably live for months on the food in my minuscule galley.

Enough about my eating habits, although I am now craving raw salmon with soy sauce (stop thinking about it, darn it!).
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I was reading a post in the blog "Almost Frugal" about whether bloggers should remain completely anonymous or have it be a tell all. I will admit that I am somewhere in the middle, I am not using my real name but I am using my financial figures and experiences. Plus, it would be rather easy to figure out who I really am. I am remaining slightly anonymous because I talk about my job and I would hate to get fired for saying something slightly disgruntled (though I really like my job).

I just don't understand why Americans are so sensitive to the issues of money. I plan on being a financial journalist so I find talking about money easy. But if you ask my grandparents about anything to do with money they get very irritated and say that it isn't polite to talk about money.
Money is something that everyone uses and needs but yet we talk more about our sex lives than our bank accounts.

Jeepers, our society is weird.

On that note, write you later. Wish me luck on not going over budget and getting done with my mountain of homework.
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Cheers!

Friday, September 5, 2008

The week is getting better

The beginning of this week started out badly, I left work early on Tuesday because of a scheduling mistake (and because I was feeling lethargic due to being the day after Labor Day). Then on Wednesday, I left work with about $20 because it was sooo dead that I only had three tables. Add the crappy tips, to the groceries I bought on Tuesday and the nice big sushi meal I had earlier, and I wasn't feeling very good about my finances.
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But yesterday was a fabulous day. I decided to come in, though I had the day off, and boy I was glad I did. We had an event going on, so it was packed. I managed to make about $105. Today, should also be a great day because Friday's are always very busy and tomorrow should be even better because of the football game.
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Go Team!!!

I'm not sure if I'll be able to make my weekly financial goal of $300 but I'll probably come close.
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I have also been doing pretty well on not spending any of my fun money. The sushi meal took up $15 which is three days of my fun money. Today is the last day of my no-spend days. However depending on the amount that I make tonight and tomorrow, I may just not spend anything for the rest of the week. I've been doing pretty well at eating at home. I made salad, I made about 4 meals of eggplant Parmesan, I ate mussels and sourdough last night, among other things. I hate to say it though, but eating at a restaurant is so much more filling than food I've made at home.

Oh well, I have been kind of naughty. I've bought a couple things on ebay. I bought more server aprons, though I may be able to sell them to the restaurant for a bit more than I paid for them. I then bought a pair of gloves, which will come in handy during the winter. I am also bidding on a couple scarves.
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I need to get ready for work so I will stop rambling.

Cheers!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Naughty PF blogger

I have to say...I was a baaadd girl today. Since I had gone slightly over my $5 fun budget yesterday, I was planning on trying to eat in today. That was not the case however, as I sent myself home from work (there was a scheduling mix-up so I volunteered to leave at there was no need for three servers on a Tuesday night which are usually slow). So I went home with grandiose ideas of buckling down and doing all my weeks homework, and cleaning house and going grocery shopping. Instead, I laid down on the couch and watched a season of Star Trek while eating chips, not very efficient. Then when my sis got home we went to the grocery store and I spent $45 (about half my grocery budget) on some basics, and of course since Safeway is next door to my favorite sushi place, we decided to stop in. Fifteen dollars later I am at home picking at my edamame and trying to budget the rest of the week. I only have $10 left until next Monday. I'm a bad girl. Hopefully I can live on the ten bucks and not have to spend money out of my budget. It's a double shame because I missed a days tips (although I probably wouldn't have made much).

The image “http://joshp.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/debt.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. I did get a permanent schedule from my boss, I'll be working four days a week, including Friday and Saturday night which are the biggest money nights. I should be able to make my budget , provided I make $75 a night. Unfortunately since I missed a day this week, I probably won't make my budget, but hey fingers crossed.

I was also bad last night because I was reading an excellent blog called Brunette on a Budget and she had a picture of a gorgeous trench coat (I love those, but we don't get to wear them much in Tucson) luckily it was at Target and on sale. So I will get a beautiful trench in the mail, for about $40.

Richard Chai For Target® Printed Broken-Stripe Trench Coat - Purple/ Ebony

How pretty! I'm hoping it will feel and look as great on me as it looks in the picture.


Well enough of my self-flagellation. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a no spend day as well as a good homework day.




Monday, September 1, 2008

September finances and sister issues

Happy September!

I'm happy that August is over, although I made all my goals, because August was a weird month because I had two jobs and wasn't able to get as many hours at my restaurant job. I made my September budget and I have below. I also graphed the tips I received for August, mostly to learn how to use Excel better, and I added the graph on my sidebar.

September Finances So Far:

Money for September I currently have:

Restaurant Paycheck: $160


Emergency Fund:

Financial Aid Check $102

I already used most of it to pay for ballet tickets for my SF vacation, $86 spent.

Other:

Newspaper check $125

I need to spend this on a new camera because I accidentally broke it last semester (oops).


Things to buy:

Grandpa printer and paper, $46
pay sometime between Sept 1-7


Lunch Date:

I am going to budget for $15 but most likely it will be less


I want to go grocery shopping sometime this week and I'd also like to save up for a nice sushi meal sometime this week, I'll count for sushi. If I'm able to make more than $300 this week than I'll splurge.


Planned Income:

Restaurant paychecks: around $200 for the month, $300 with my other paycheck

I should be able to make around $1200 in tips for the month

I should also be able to pull in another $150 from the travel article (provided I actually get it done)

I should also receive a $30 paycheck stipend from a tv station I work at


I will be able to make my budget if I can do this.


Left over from August:

I need to put $40 into my account to cover the expenses. I am not worried about overdrawing but I want August taken care of... After the $40, I will have $30 to play with for the rest of the week. If my meal does end up being $15 then I will have $15 left for Wednesday through Sunday, not including grocery shopping. My sister should also give me around $8 for the food and movie ticket I paid for her today.

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With that out of the way, I have to rant about my little sis. My kid sister Sara is really lucky because the government sends her money every month. We were both able to receive money because we were wards of the state but I only received checks for about 8 months whereas my sister will receive them for about 5 years. And these are pretty significant amounts, about $2500 each. So my grandpa is her official guardian so he gives me $500 a month for her expenses and he stocks away as much as he can for her future. When she turns 18 she will have around $40,000 to play with.

Although it annoys me a bit that she will be so secure, her current treatment of that money aggravates me to no end. She got a debit card for Christmas and my grandparents keep a constant amount of money on it and she runs through that money like its going out of style. Last month she spent $600 on food (after I bought groceries) and clothes.

It is worrying me because she has no job skills (although I do have to remind myself that she is 16), but she can't do even the most basic math, addition and subtraction. She can barely use a computer past Myspace, and she can't spell or write. I really wish she would get a part time cashier job or something to pull in a bit of spending money and cancel her other card. Then she'd have something to put on a resume.

But everytime I mention her lack of financial responsibility she says "I know I suck at money but it's grandpa's fault for giving it to me" and frankly she is right in a way, she will never learn if she doesn't have to but when does she need to take responsibility? I'm afraid that when she turns 18 she will run through her savings and start with credit cards. I read a lot of PF blogs and I know how easy it is to run up a huge mountain of debt and she'll have no way to get a good job to pay it down. And since we have no parents or other relatives that can handle her (other than my grandparents who seem like they are giving up on her) I'll be the only one she can turn to.

Am I stressing over something insignificant or expecting to much out of her? I don't know.
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On to funner topics. It is less than 4 months till my vacation (and thusly my 21st birthday) and I have been making schedules for my five days and trying to decide what I should do and not do.

BLUE TOILE LUGGAGE POLKA DOTS ROLLING SUITCASE DUFFLE
Here's a pic of my suitcase, I love it even though it will probably get messed up immediately since it's a pale color. It's a carry on so I won't have to pay the outrageous luggage fees. I just need to figure out what to pack for a SF winter vacation.

Cheers y'all!






Sunday, August 31, 2008

I DID IT!!!!

I did it!!! Every one of my August goals has been met, even the 'on paper, optimistic' ones. I was able to work today and yesterday, and I pulled in $102 yesterday and $96 today. Not bad for eleven hours of work. That $200 put me over the top with my financial goals so I am feeling very proud of myself. I also received my sister's rent check, the $500 will hit my account on Tuesday. I also transferred my SF Move fund into my investments account , it is a good feeling to see that account rise above the three digits. So I was able to pay off my rent, $140, which I will turn in on Tuesday, my phone bill $30, my Christmas fund $75, my vacation fund $125 and my fun fund for next week $45 (I allow myself $5 a day and $10 for something fun). So if I'm right with my calculations, I should have around $65 left over for either next months expenses or something fun for this month.
Overflowing tip cup
I'm really excited about tomorrow and Monday, as I have both off of school and work, but I'm not losing any hours because I have Monday off any due to a night class. So I have two days to work on some homework I've been mildly putting off, and to relax (and clean my apartment, it's getting a bit scary). I also need to work on an article for a business paper. I wrote an article for the same paper months ago, but my paychecks keep getting lost in the mail. It's not urgent, but I feel bad about it. But as soon as I get it, I need to get a new camera as I broke my last camera (oops).
Well I'm going to turn in, I need to be up kind of early (11am) to get to our student union, to see a movie. I wanted to see the Indiana Jones movie, and you can't beat the price (especially as a friend of mine works there so I may be able to get in free, yay!).
Happy labor day!
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull by divxplanet.


Cheers

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The beginning of chaos...plus, sex for food?

Wow, I've forgotten how demanding school is. Usually the first week is easy going, just 'getting-to-know-you' exercises and going over the syllabus. But this week, jeepers, the teachers just jumped right in, I had homework on the first night and I have two papers due on Tuesday. Add that to a near full work schedule (30 hours a week) and I've been very busy.
I haven't worked any full shifts at work, and in some ways I am glad. I've worked about 5pm till about 11pm every night except from Sunday. I've done pretty well for the limited amount of hours worked, I'm averaging about $65-$70 a night. I also have two paychecks coming this week, I received one from my serving job, a respectful $160 and I'll get a smaller one from old job that I have no idea on, anywhere from $50-$100.
Looking over my finances, I should just about break even on my finances. So far I need:
Rent: $140
Vacation Fund: $125
Christmas: $75
Phone: $40

Grand total: $380

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*I'd also like to earn an extra $45 for my non-essential expenses next week. I allow myslef about $5 a day for food and an extra $10 for some fun. For example, on Sunday I am going to the student movie theater to see the Indiana Jones movie which is $3 a ticket and I'll get popcorn and a soda, for a grand total of $5. Compare that to $20 in a real theater.

I have $130 in my purse to go to the bank tomorrow, and I'll most likely make $100 between tomorrow and Saturday. I'll also have my unknown amount of paycheck, and if I have to I'll break into my restaurant check, but I'd prefer to use that for next month.

So I should come out a little ahead, yay!

I also received another financial aid check (Thank you UofA!) which will go into my emergency fund. I should also be able to put another couple of hundred into that account because of another scholarship, but I won't count on that one until it's in my hand.

On the other hand, my kind Grandpa sold me his printer, which as a student I need desperately, so I need to give him $45 for my half, and a ream of paper. I told him I'd pay him back in September.
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On the school side, I am really excited about my classes this year. All of them are teaching me stuff that I can actually use, and they are all incidentally connecting with each other, which is definitely gratifying. For example, one of my assignments for my Business Writing course is to make a professional portfolio, then in my News Technology course, we have to build a website and put a resume on it.

I'm also going to try and get an internship at the local business newspaper, which would definitely make me more valuable to a San Francisco paper as I'd have news experience. I have two issues that may keep me from working there however, the editor and I don't have the best relationship as there was problems with my paychecks getting lost in the mail, three times. I also do not have a car, which would make it very difficult to get to the newspaper's office.

But I will tailor a resume and a portfolio and try to get a paid internship.
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Off the topic, I was reading an article in Cosmopolitan (so shallow, I know) about women and men and how they view money in a relationship. I haven't had too many relationships, but I do know that I have no problem paying for my own stuff. In fact, I think it is ridiculous not to. I don't see why, nowadays, men should pay for women (unless of course it is a special occasion, like my birthday) I have a job, and while I am not wealthy, I should pay for my own stuff. If the guy pays, I feel like I owe him, and I am not willing to give sex for a nice dinner.

What do you guys think?
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Saturday, August 23, 2008

I don't hate my job, yay me!

You know...I actually don't mind my job (at least at the moment). I just got off a ten hour shift and although I'm glad to be off and my feet hurt, I didn't get that awful 'I just need to get out of here' feeling. The people I work with are really cool for the most part and the customers are mostly regulars so they are friendly and aren't assholes.

I worked two shifts today, one from 11-3pm and made $35. Not terribly impressive but decent. Then I biked to Bank of America to finally deposit my financial aid check and got some cash ($200) for this weekend, then I ran to Wells Fargo to have a meeting with my broker (I feel so grown-up saying that!). Basically I needed to link my bank account to my brokerage so I could transfer funds whenever I want instead of calling him to do it for me. Then I got another savings account so I can better organize for my SF vacation on in a few months.

Then I got to go back to work from 6:30-11pm and was primarily just a serving help, bussing table and cleaning glasses as well as taking a couple tables. I believe that I should be paid maybe $8 an hour and I made $36 in tips.

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So I made around $70 in tips and probably another $30 in salary, so it wasn't a bad day, especially as my goal tip amount was $50. So I can put an additional $65 in my bank account tomorrow, meaning I surpassed my goal for this week of $300, I'm very proud.
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What is currently covered:

Investments: $1000
Electric: $76

What still needs to be covered:

Rent: $140
Credit card: $110
Vacation: $100
Presents: $50-$100
Phone: $40

I'm not sure what my account balance is right now, because I have money that is pending but I should need around $465. I'll count on making about $200 next week and I'm betting on a paycheck of $50, add that $65 that I made today and all I need is $150 and I'll be home free.

I'm sure it'll happen and I am excited to be reaching my absolute goals for this month.

Cheers!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Beer and Prostitutes...

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As a server, I love it when customers spend lots of money on drinks and food, but it is just amazing to me how much money people can just drink away. I will add as a disclaimer that I am 20, so I cannot legally drink, and I don't like how alcohol tastes anyways so I just abstain. Even so, it seems ridiculous for one person to drink four or five beers at $5 a pop. Twenty to twenty five bucks just for liquid, jeepers, that is the cost of a big steak or seafood meal.

Sorry for the randomness, my last table was a group of six and between them, they ordered about $100 worth of beer. I received a good 20% tip and they were a good group so I am happy that I had them, but it just seems weird to me.

Anywhoo...I had a decent day at work, it was long because people just came in small spurts so I had a lot of downtime. Downtime that was filled by folding boxes (joy...) and talking to my boss. My conversation begged the question, "what is the difference between a date and a prostitute?" We were talking about a nice restaurant and my boss said that it was the best place to take a date, because he'd always get laid that night.

Now I am no prude but it seems rather hasty to hop in bed with a guy (albeit a hot one) on your first date. Whenever I go n dates, I try and go dutch because it means I don't owe the other person anything, whether you want to admit it or not.

Have any of you had a one night stand? Does a good dinner balance out to sex?

*************************************************************************************
I made about $76, of which $75 is going into the bank tomorrow, meaning I'll be able to put $250 into my account, not including whatever I earn tomorrow, but as I am only serving for about three hours, I doubt I'll make more that $30. I'll then get about 2 1/2 hours to run to 2 banks, one is my Bank of America account, which is my emergency fund and get money to pay for my mall and dinner trips, then I need to run to Wells Fargo to to hopefully talk to my investment guy and put my moolah into my accounts. Then I have the joy of returning to work to be a busser and dishwasher, I'll get a minor tip out, most likely around $14 and an hourly wage.

I'm not sure whether I'll be able to make my monthly goal, I think I'll be at the brink. As of now, I need about $500 to make ends meet, and an additional $150 to meet my maximum goals for the month ($100 for my vacation and $50 for Christmas presents). I have $250 already and I have two paychecks coming in right near the end of the month but I'm not certain whether I should put them to August or September. I'm assuming my last paycheck from my former job will be really small, probably between $50-$100. My paycheck for my current job will be slightly better but still under $150. Most likely I'll use my former job paycheck for this month and save the pizza one for next month.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my accounts will balance, I feel that if I can make this month work, the going will be much easier in the months to come.

Cheers!

My poor toes...

killer heels by S.o.L.e.


You know, for an eleven hour shift, my day at work went by very quickly. I was able to pull in $123 plus some quarters for my piggy bank. I put the $3 in my wallet for spending money, the other $120 will go in the bank, probably on Friday. I am covering a coworkers shift tomorrow (well today actually) so I'll probably make another $50. Then I work two shifts on Friday, I get to be the part time help during the lunch rush, which doesn't pull in a whole lot, probably $30ish and then I come back and become 'super-busser TM) in which I get paid a salary, plus a small tip out by the other servers. It's all very exciting. I should be able to put around $250 in the bank on Friday in between my shifts, and my paycheck should look pretty dandy in about a week and a half, though that does go to Septembers income, shame.

Cheers!

Goals for the rest of August:

My goals for the last week and a half or so of August are as such;

The image “http://www.nevblog.com/images/piggy_bank_save.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

Investments: $1000


I want to be able to put around $1000 in my Wells Fargo investment account. I like this account because it accrues around 5% interest but there is almost none of the risk that would be in the stock market. Five percent is not a whole lot but if I am able to put away the $24,000 in two years that I am shooting for, I would earn almost $2000 in interest. I'm really excited that putting this much away is within reach because it is one of the 'best case scenarios' and I know that this month was going to be the hardest because I had just started at my new job and unable to get many hours at it due to my last job.



Pay off debt: ~$100

credit-card by b.franchina.


I am trying rather hard to make sure I don't get in over my head with my credit card so I have only been using it to buy groceries which I budget as being around $100 a month. I am a little over budget this month because for some reason I got charged overdraft. Sucks. But I am going to try and wipe the slate clean before September.

Bills: ~around $260
http://www.orange.co.uk/images/editorial/generalarticle/money/sr/bills_mar05_170.jpg

Electric: I have already paid my electric bill for this month, but it hasn't hit my account yet. It was still really high but as it is Tucson in the summer, I pretty much cannot live without the A/C. I did manage to lower the bill a bit from last month, around $20, by keeping the heat up an extra 5 degrees.

Rent: I am lucky enough to have a roommate (really my younger sister, but she gets social security and I get $500 a month for her expenses that I put towards rent). I pay $140 for my share. This is due between September 1st and 3rd.

Phone: It is more annoying than you'd think having a landline and it costs somewhere around $40 but it is a good back up. Last year, two days before a major article was due for one of my classes, my cell phone broke and I ended up not being able to interview people. I would rather pay the$40 just in case.

Vacation: $100


Trolley System San Francisco, CA by Walter G. Arce.
The last and least important of my financial goals is to put one hundred away for my vacation to San Francisco for my 21st birthday in December. The reason that this is the most unnecessary is because I already saved $500 plus my economic stimulus check of $300. I already paid for my hotel and flight so everything left is pretty much fluid. I plan of shopping a lot as I am going the day after Christmas (all those sales...) and I want to eat whatever I want without feeling guilty about overspending. But I am pretty decent on my trip fund. Anything left over from the vacay will go back into my emergency fund.

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Financial Aid Check

So I have my financial aid check from my school in my hot little hand. A check for $2044 just waiting to be spent is not a good idea so I need to get it away from me as fast as possible. I already have it budgeted as well;

Health insurance: I am giving my grandpa $750 for six months of health insurance. He doesn't know it yet and I am excited because I don't think he expects me to actually contribute anything.
Emergency Fund: I'll put $1000 in my emergency fund to start rebuilding it. It is there in case of a medical issue or if I lose my job.

Dinner: For all their support in the last five months I have decided to treat my grandparents (and myself of course) to a dinner at our favorite restaurant, Pinnacle Peak. It is one of the best steakhouses in Arizona (huge, outdoor grilled chunks of meat...yum. I am assuming it will come up to around $80. That will be around $21 each person, plus about $5 tax, and a generous tip, (being a server, it is just bad karma not to tip other servers well).

Shopping Spree: I know it is a little irresponsible but I figure 1/20ith of my financial aid could go for fun stuff at the mall. I don't know when I'll be able to get back there once the semester starts, so I'll probably to a couple laps this Sunday. I'm planning on spending around $120, including lunch for that day. I'm going to try and get a pair of jeans or two (I live in them, during the school year), some more shampoo and conditioner, I'm going to check out and possibly split the cost of a wet to dry hair straightener, and tinted chapstick. I also need to force my sister to get several pairs of Victoria's Secret undies. She keeps stealing my underwear, even after she bought twenty pairs of wal mart brand. Needs to stop.






Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Of medical issues and decent tips

Well the good news is that the radiologist called and told me that I am not dying of pneumonia but he then told me that he found a small amount of scoliosis in my spine, which runs in my family. I'm not to worried as it is small enough that no doctor has been able to feel it but now my back hurts (probably from lying in bed for the last half-week) and it is making me a bit paranoid.

But today was my first day back to work and I immediately needed to use an inhaler, a new experience for me, but I could not stop coughing. But for such a short shift, about 5 hours, I made out rather well, $57 and change which is about $11 an hour not including my salary. I am going to put $55 in the bank and keep $2 in my wallet.

Tomorrow is not going to be fun though, I have to work from 10:30 a.m till probably 9 pm. I will most likely make around $100 but I'll not feel dandy when I get off. After tomorrow, the week is all downhill, as I am only working 4-5 hour shifts at a time.

I'll write tomorrow as I soak my poor feet.

Cheers!

Monday, August 18, 2008

An Incubator for the Plague

Sick! =[ by Lima Limão.



Last time I posted, I complained of being a bit off the weather. It turns out that I have been lucky enough to have contracted aggravated bronchitis. So after four days of coughing and wheezing, I woke up on Friday with a fever of 102 and no voice. A bad mix for a waitress. I felt horrible but I had to call in to my job. honestly, I am the kind of person that nearly *never* calls in sick, in fact I almost never get sick. So after the painful task was done I passed out for six hours and woke just in time to laboriously pedal my bike to the other end of campus, get my paycheck and stumble in to the campus medical services, where I was promptly told that because of the summer session had closed a half hour early. But apparently I looked (and sounded) bad enough that they rushed me to the waiting room where three nurses took my vitals and told me that I had bronchitis and it was pissed off at me for overworking myself so it may turn to pneumonia.

Just what a student wants to hear...

So I did as they told me, I lay in bed for four days and reread the Harry Potter series (honestly, they are the best sick books ever!) I popped pills and did nothing to exert myself. Good times...

But after a check-up today where I was given an inhaler for my troubled breathing and given the condescending 'rest and relax till you feel better' platitudes, I have been given the thumbs up to go back to work, which I do tomorrow.

I did however get my textbooks, taco's from Chipotle (one of my favorite foods that I hoped would stimulate my appetite) and put my money from last week in the bank.

I was able to put around $560, which was $205 in tips from last week and two smaller paychecks from my two jobs. As of now I can probably put $800 in my investment account, which is ahead of schedule by about one hundred dollars, as I want to save $1000 for this month. This is hampered a bit by my electric bill which was a hefty $79 and a couple overdraft fees that I have no idea how I earned. But the god news is that I am getting what's left of my financial aid check which should be around $2000. I'll probably give around $900 to my grandpa for he pays my health insurance . I'll most likely take one hundred of what is left and have a small shopping spree and put the rest in my emergency fund.

My emergency fund took quite a hit earlier this year when I lost my last serving job and had to live on it as well as an article I sold to a paper. I'm glad that I can start to put money back into that account.

There was my weekend and I hope ya'll had a better one!

Cheers...

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Oye...

Oye is really the best way to describe my day... Other than being uneventful I woke up sick. When you are healthy it is way to easy to forget how much it sucks to be sick. I woke up with my throat on fire and my head throbbing. Luckily I didn't have to work until 5pm so I had plenty of time to sulk around and make hot tea and toast and read. If I was 12 years old I probably would have enjoyed it because I could have stayed home and have my grandma take care of me but now that I'm all grown up I actually have to get up and face the world.

Thankfully for my body but bad for my wallet, it was dead. I worked from 5pm till 8pm and had three tables, one of which was my younger sister. But those three tables were fruitful. My sis thoughtfully gave me two buck, the other table gave me four (woohoo...) but the last table gave me something like $23, on a $50 order. I'm pretty sure that someone made a mistake, because there was cash on the table as well as credit but I am not complaining! Plus I got my paycheck, which for servers are never all that exciting, but I was not upset by the extra $80.

After I got off I had to run up to CVS to get tissues and my sister got me a california roll at the sushi place next door.

I'm just worried about tomorrow because my boss asked me to work late tomorrow, meaning I'll be there from 10:30am-around 9pm-ish. I just hope that I feel perkier (any idea if that is spelled right?) than I do today.

Cheers!

First Blog Post Ever!

Someday in the near-far future I may look back at this post and laugh at myself, I hope so. I have just finished my second to last day at the best college summer job ever! I'm serious, this job is pure relaxation. All I do during my shift is push a button that opens the door to a dorm while eating, playing on the computer and watching DVD's. I wouldn't want to do it as a career or anything, but as a summer job, it rules.

But tomorrow my real job begins, sigh. I get to go back to serving tables and cleaning glasses and talking to people. Believe me, I'm not really lazy. In fact I love to have things to do, but my desk job has made me soft. I worked a couple days last week and I came home richer but with very sore feet.

Luckily, thus far I actually like my boss. He's young (I think, I'm guessing his age to be around 26ish) and funny and seems to give half a crap about his employees which compared to my last serving job, is a huge plus.

I really never knew that serving beer could be so lucrative. I started out at Denny's were a server would make around $50 for working 6 hours and that be a great day. Then I moved on to a better restaurant that had much higher prices and make around $45 in 4 hours. But in the last week I have worked around 6 hours and made around $75 a night, and that is during the slow times. The other servers told me that I could expect to earn $100-$150 every night!

I try and post on Wednesday after work to tell y'all how it went.

Cheers!