Growing up my mother taught my sister and I the value of being able to entertain ourselves. We learned to play by ourselves and she in turn was able to get some peace and quiet. I'm not sure how well this trait has transferred to adulthood. You would think that being able to entertain yourself would come in handy if you are trying to save money. I can spend hours planning trips I will never take, watch time fly researching new recipes that I will never cook (I inevitably print them and then throw them away a day later, because I hate clutter) or waste a whole day in a bookstore reading the backs of books and not buying a single one (this is probably my favorite pastime, which has now been thwarted by ereaders-- damn them!)
Unfortunately, when I drink my desire to entertain myself not only continues, but is intensified. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. You know what I'm talking about. Yes, the drunk texts. The texts you would NUH-EVERRRRR send if you were sober... well, unless you were really bored. Drunk texting sneaks up on you like a bandit in the night- and its soooo not cool. For me it's when everything is winding down and everyone is passing out; there is a moment of alone time when I find myself fighting to keep the night going before I succumb to my sweet, sweet, totally forgetable dreams. It is in these pivotal last moments of consciousness that I do the worst damage.
This was me last night... post, "post". I'm not sure if it was the two margaritas or the three glasses of red wine or the combo of both plus the hot tub. But, when it was time for me to pass out, did I let myself pass out like the responsible adult that I am? The adult that was working at 7:30am and needed all the sleep she could get? No. I fought. I fought to stay awake and send that one freaking, unneccessary text. Geez. Good job, Jillian. Gold star for you. So, while I managed to not spend money yesterday (minus the $2.15 I spent on coffee), I have to ask myself... at what cost?
Lesson Learned: Entertaining oneself is ALWAYS done at your own expense. MRRRR.
Over and out. Jildo
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Ground Control to Major Jill
It has come to my attention that I do not blog enough anymore. Let me explain. I ended a 5 year relationship. I am trying to stay BUSY. Too busy too blog. Right? No. You are right, I am letting myself and you down... I should be more on top of my budgeting/blogging. I should be telling you all about the embarrassing purchases I make. Like this morning: Large Sumatra Dark Coffee. Yes, I may have drank it this morning, but my eyes are still rolling back in my head. **BLISS**. God. Coffee was God's gift to man. Truly.
Coffee aside... I am getting more on top of my budgeting as we speak. Today is my Thursday. Naturally after work I wanted to go to El Paseo and get $2 margaritas... but what do I do? I come home, grab the shaker pour myself some cuervo and strawberry lemonade and shake. Just as good. Better. FREE.
Budgeting is going well. I can make drinks at home. Also, I went on a walk tonight and walks are FREE. Hot tub now... Hot tub is also FREE.
Cheers. Jildo
P.S. Yes, this is post marg, marg, wine, wine, wine. I'm ok with this. Are you?
Coffee aside... I am getting more on top of my budgeting as we speak. Today is my Thursday. Naturally after work I wanted to go to El Paseo and get $2 margaritas... but what do I do? I come home, grab the shaker pour myself some cuervo and strawberry lemonade and shake. Just as good. Better. FREE.
Budgeting is going well. I can make drinks at home. Also, I went on a walk tonight and walks are FREE. Hot tub now... Hot tub is also FREE.
Cheers. Jildo
P.S. Yes, this is post marg, marg, wine, wine, wine. I'm ok with this. Are you?
Friday, August 19, 2011
Good News, Bad News
I know when I stop checking my bank account its a bad sign... I will let myself go about a week without checking it when I know I've been bad. And, yes, I have been bad. I haven't made any too outrageous purchases, but I have driven down to LA the last two weeks in a row to see friends and then there was the $130 I dropped to sign up for a charity golf tournament. But, I figure money spent on charity is good karma and bound to come full circle, and if not at least I'm helping someone else out.
So, here's the damage:
Wait...Good News first:
1. I have upped my 401K contribution to 5% of my salary (so in 80 years, if I'm not dead, I can retire)
2. My savings is up to $1,300 (I know this is nothing-- but considering I started at $750ish back in June I'm happy)
3. I've been working a lot of overtime in the last week (so the next paycheck will be awesome)
4. My birthday is in 3 weeks... birthday money, woo!!!
Bad News:
1. My coffee addiction is back in full force, possibly even worse than before (sometimes I make TWO trips to Coffee Bean in one day. BAD. SO BAD.)
2. I have recently made some unnecessary purchases: i.e. pastels and canvases (i've always wanted to pretend to be an artist-- i bought them a week ago and still haven't touched them--I don't want to fuck them up... which i obviously will, because I don't have an artistic eye like my mom and sister)
3. I have no idea how much I owe on my credit card. Ok thats a lie. When I lost it I think the balance was around $900, but then when I canceled it they removed it from my online banking. How am I supposed to pay it off, if I can't freaking see it?! All I have to say is they better not charge me interest if the payment isn't on time, because I don't know when or what the payment should be!!!! ARGGHGHGHG. So frustrated right now... mostly because I know my credit card payment is usually due on the 20th of the month... which is tomorrow. Oh happy day.
Oh, Happy Day.
And the war with money continues...
xoxo Jildo.
So, here's the damage:
Wait...Good News first:
1. I have upped my 401K contribution to 5% of my salary (so in 80 years, if I'm not dead, I can retire)
2. My savings is up to $1,300 (I know this is nothing-- but considering I started at $750ish back in June I'm happy)
3. I've been working a lot of overtime in the last week (so the next paycheck will be awesome)
4. My birthday is in 3 weeks... birthday money, woo!!!
Bad News:
1. My coffee addiction is back in full force, possibly even worse than before (sometimes I make TWO trips to Coffee Bean in one day. BAD. SO BAD.)
2. I have recently made some unnecessary purchases: i.e. pastels and canvases (i've always wanted to pretend to be an artist-- i bought them a week ago and still haven't touched them--I don't want to fuck them up... which i obviously will, because I don't have an artistic eye like my mom and sister)
3. I have no idea how much I owe on my credit card. Ok thats a lie. When I lost it I think the balance was around $900, but then when I canceled it they removed it from my online banking. How am I supposed to pay it off, if I can't freaking see it?! All I have to say is they better not charge me interest if the payment isn't on time, because I don't know when or what the payment should be!!!! ARGGHGHGHG. So frustrated right now... mostly because I know my credit card payment is usually due on the 20th of the month... which is tomorrow. Oh happy day.
Oh, Happy Day.
And the war with money continues...
xoxo Jildo.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
This Little Piggy Went to Market
It has been far too long since I have told you about all the money that I am spending-- money that I should not be spending. I think its been 11 days. A lot can happen in 11 days. I am not going to lie, I honestly haven't wanted to write another post-- I don't really want to write one now-- because I haven't been good. And, I hate it when I don't stick to my own guns... I want the GOLD stars damnit! Mrrrr.
So, let's see where to start. Saturday, July 30th I had the bright idea that I did not need to take a purse downtown-- the plan was to go dancing and I HATE carrying a purse or HEHNETHING when i'm dancing. You just can't be free when you have things in your hands (this is also why I prefer shots to drinks-- drinks just get in the effing way). Anyways, I decided that instead of taking a purse or a wristlet I would just hold my credit card in my hand. YEA. I was obviously a wee bit intoxicated when I made this decision.
Next thing I know I am outside EOS with my friend Ashley with no credit card. I have no idea where it is. I start feverishly blowing on my hand, I think that I have become a magician and that I can make my card magically reappear. No matter how hard I blow, no card.
Sunday I wake up... I see a jack in the box wrapper on the floor. FUCK. Well, obviously I found cash somewhere last night. I stretch my hand toward my nightstand... eh... eh... (comeon can't I reach my freaking phone without having to get out of bed?). UHHH... got it. I hit speed dial. "This is John with Wells Fargo, how can I help you?" (Yes, I have my bank on speed dial).
I open my mouth "Mumble Mumble card... mumble mumble lost... Mumble merrrr."
John: Ok, we can cancel your old card and get you a new card. Would you like us to expedite that for $16?
Me: Mumble yes... I'm going to Vegas in two days.
John: (so judging me right now)
Two days later. Still no credit card. FUCK IT. I'll just go to Vegas with my debit card- hey, I'll do less damage that way, right?
Heh. Maybe... so the whole idea for Vegas round two happened out of the blue. My room mate and I work together, we got our schedules, we had the same days off (this NEVER happens) and we said "Dude, Vegas" (obviously). The plan was to work Tuesday till 3:30pm, drive straight from work to Vegas get there by 11pm and then party, party, party. Perfect plan.
We found a good rate for a hotel, so that was pretty much the only thing we would have to spend money on-- that and gas. But then, Tuesday morning my boss asked me to go down to HR with him... they offered me a promotion. So, now not only was I going to Vegas (a celebration in and of itself), I was also celebrating a promotion. Of course, now I had the mindset that hey, I could spend a little more money, after all I would be making more, right? Right.
Sigh. So, I spent some money in Vegas-- I wanted to buy new work clothes (I was totally investing in my future!) I am not super proud of myself, but, I am still up from where I started. I think I have $1,300 in savings now-- as opposed to the what, $748.49 that I started with on June 11. Still a long way to go, but I'll get there someday. If I stop going to Vegas every other week.
I will. No more Vegas... for awhile.
xoxo. Jildo
So, let's see where to start. Saturday, July 30th I had the bright idea that I did not need to take a purse downtown-- the plan was to go dancing and I HATE carrying a purse or HEHNETHING when i'm dancing. You just can't be free when you have things in your hands (this is also why I prefer shots to drinks-- drinks just get in the effing way). Anyways, I decided that instead of taking a purse or a wristlet I would just hold my credit card in my hand. YEA. I was obviously a wee bit intoxicated when I made this decision.
Next thing I know I am outside EOS with my friend Ashley with no credit card. I have no idea where it is. I start feverishly blowing on my hand, I think that I have become a magician and that I can make my card magically reappear. No matter how hard I blow, no card.
Sunday I wake up... I see a jack in the box wrapper on the floor. FUCK. Well, obviously I found cash somewhere last night. I stretch my hand toward my nightstand... eh... eh... (comeon can't I reach my freaking phone without having to get out of bed?). UHHH... got it. I hit speed dial. "This is John with Wells Fargo, how can I help you?" (Yes, I have my bank on speed dial).
I open my mouth "Mumble Mumble card... mumble mumble lost... Mumble merrrr."
John: Ok, we can cancel your old card and get you a new card. Would you like us to expedite that for $16?
Me: Mumble yes... I'm going to Vegas in two days.
John: (so judging me right now)
Two days later. Still no credit card. FUCK IT. I'll just go to Vegas with my debit card- hey, I'll do less damage that way, right?
Heh. Maybe... so the whole idea for Vegas round two happened out of the blue. My room mate and I work together, we got our schedules, we had the same days off (this NEVER happens) and we said "Dude, Vegas" (obviously). The plan was to work Tuesday till 3:30pm, drive straight from work to Vegas get there by 11pm and then party, party, party. Perfect plan.
We found a good rate for a hotel, so that was pretty much the only thing we would have to spend money on-- that and gas. But then, Tuesday morning my boss asked me to go down to HR with him... they offered me a promotion. So, now not only was I going to Vegas (a celebration in and of itself), I was also celebrating a promotion. Of course, now I had the mindset that hey, I could spend a little more money, after all I would be making more, right? Right.
Sigh. So, I spent some money in Vegas-- I wanted to buy new work clothes (I was totally investing in my future!) I am not super proud of myself, but, I am still up from where I started. I think I have $1,300 in savings now-- as opposed to the what, $748.49 that I started with on June 11. Still a long way to go, but I'll get there someday. If I stop going to Vegas every other week.
I will. No more Vegas... for awhile.
xoxo. Jildo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)