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

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?

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!

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!

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).

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!

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).


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!

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.

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?


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!