Monday, January 30, 2012

Another month, another chance

This weekend was horrible. I spent sooo much money on things that I didn't need and felt like complete shit after.
I am hopeful since I am spending all of my check that on important things that I won't overspend. This should be an interesting month.
Check One/Feb.: $1078
Rent-$645-Already sent in
Groceries-$80
Phone-$16
Eye Doctor-$150
Dentist-$187
What is left-$0.00
I have both the Eye Doctor and Dentist tomorrow. These high cost appointments drained my budget for the next couple weeks. I am getting my federal taxes at some point in the very near future and that check is going directly into savings. I need to really do this-part of me would love to splurge and spend that check on shit I don't need. I am going to be strong. Last month was such a failure, this month has to be better.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

mrrrrrrrr

I have the itch to go shopping.... and I can't seem to get it to go away!! All day today I have been looking at my usual sites craving for something more. I really should ban these sites. Already this month I have bought much more than I should have-fabric, fabric ruler, 2 groupons, flight cost, a box set of books (I am not sure even why I would buy books), and shoes. Yet, even these things don't seem like enough.... this makes me see how incredibly drawn to consumerism I am.

I am drawn to consumerism because of my insecurities. Take today for example I hate what I am wearing- its is frumpy and cheap looking. Plus, I noticed that there is a stain on my skirt!! My hair is a thick, disgusting mess and need of a cut (seriously getting a cut on Saturday). Plus, I feel worthless because I thought I'd have more to do today. I keep beating myself up and my cure for everything is shopping. This is the root of the problem. I don't feel very secure with myself all the time (who does?) and instead of working on fixing these insecurities I beat myself up. If I shop, it makes it better. Consumerism at its best!

I'm going to try my best to overcome these emotions-so far I still have a little bit of extra money from state tax refund and refund from dentist overcharge which I'd really like to put into savings instead of spending it on crap I don't need just because I feel bad for myself. At least I see the problem....... I should go through my closet and get rid of anything that makes me feel insecure and unsexy. Then sit down and really think about what would make me feel better-more clothing or more time dedicating to making myself feel better?

I will update you on the struggle, along with February budgeting next blog.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Splat!

Well I went out and spent most of the money that I got from my tax return over the weekend. We went out to dinner a few times and I bought some things to help with my etsy shop revamp (sewingonlyfortattoos.etsy.com) which I am hoping to get ready for a reopening on Feb. 1st.
I also received a partial refund for the crazy expensive dentist appointment that I had this month. I am going to save part of the refund to pay for our hotel costs.

I really think that next month will be smoother on the not spending part. I have been going over my budget 8 million times to make sure that I have everything planned that I need. No spending next month could save $800+ towards our vacation next month! It would be nice to have a little money to spend while we are there....

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do

I broke down and bought a pair of Converse today. I passed on the purple and got a pair of charcoal ones that are a little sparkly. I could not pass up a $25 pair of shoes which will last me forever.... I just couldn't do that. I almost bought a pair before the shopping fast for $36 so I feel like this was an 'okay buy'. I promise no more shoes for the rest of the year.................
 Unless of course they are necessary or too cheap to pass up......

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Ehhh

Well, this weekend didn't go as well as planned. I bought 3 meals all varying in prices, all of which I feel bad about. Then I spent money for an activity for us to do while we are on vacation-which is definitely something I could have waited on. Then I bought plane tickets.

I blew through most of the money that I had for savings. I feel horrible since the only thing I really needed was the plane tickets and I still have to purchase us one additional day at the hotel. I realize how difficult it is for me to change my behavior. I keep thinking that I deserve to spend all of my money. I deserve this, I deserve that. I'm wondering where this attitude stems from. Maybe if I can figure that out I can make a change in the attitude which would help me change this behavior. Something to think about.....

I know I can do much better with the savings next month... I am going to force myself to be better.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Well, hello there Thursday.

After a pretty hopeless day, I had a fantastic night. I did not buy anything besides a 75 cent snack before class. L (boyfriend) picked me up after class and took me out to dinner. He surprised me with new headphones. I was really appreciative of this!! I've been using these cheap ear buds for the past couple weeks after my headphones quit working... the new headphones are a vast improvement. Our dinner was great and it was nice to talk to L about some of the struggles with the spending fast that I have been having. A big part of me feel awful about him paying for me and buying me stuff. So, I decided that with this next check I would put a little aside for a date night, just as a thank you to him for all that he does. 
Enough sappiness, here is the budget for tomorrow's check:
Start Amount: $1078
Groceries-$100- I gave myself a little extra just because I need to supply dessert this weekend for my dad's holiday celebrations and I do not bake.
Haircut-$40-This is needed. The weather has made my hair huge.
Phone-$16
Susan G. Komen- $64- I care about boobs....
U of M Application Fee-$55- I am trying to keep this a secret since I am a little paranoid that I won't in, cross your fingers for me.
Birth Control- $50- Babies are expensive.....
Green Peace-$20-I care about Earth, I guess...
Netflix- $22- I have to watch something!!!
Apartment Insurance-$14- This is just logical, I don't trust my luck.
Late fees at the Library-$10- I suck and seem to not know how to return anything on time...
Leaves me with $687-
Unknown costs:
Target-I just need a few things. I have a list and I'm sticking to it!

Date night- I'm sure we can find something cheap...
Vacation costs- L's sister bought us a hotel stay in March for Christmas. There are a few costs that we have to cover (flight and we want one more day there), so I will be getting those out of the way now.
Night out with boyfriend’s sister B- L's sister is coming next weekend from London. I feel like we owe her a night out, especially after she bought us a hotel stay and we haven't seen her in months.
I will update you on how the budget looks after these costs. This morning, I transferred the $40 I had left from the last check into my "Moving Fund Savings"! Although I really wanted the shoes, it felt nice to transfer a little into savings. I hope that after the additional costs for the next check that I will be able to transfer even more.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Patiently awaiting Friday

I've noticed that as the time comes closer to the next payday my whole body is getting excited. This is not a new feeling. My mind races thinking of all the things that I can spend my precious money on, even though I am fasting. Do you get this excited feeling as payday comes your way?

Here are some of my wants for the week:
This tie dye shirt

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88818547/adult-large-tie-dye-tee-shirt-with-black
I'm not sure where this obsession came from. It is not like I am really a big tie dye person- but it is only $21!! I really love how bright it is.... I feel like it would be a good after work shirt which kind of says 'I totally don't work in a corporate job.'

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes...


I have been obsessing over shoes, but it has been this pair that has stole my heart! I fricking love chucks to begin with but this purple color is soooo cute! I would totally wear these all the time!
 I almost bought a pair before the spending fast, but now they are down to $30 with shipping, which is so much cheaper!!! I feel like a deal that good has to be a sign that I should buy them.

Eating out

This has been the hardest thing for me to do. I have been trying not to crave eating out but it has been sooooo difficult. Although boyfriend took me out for two meals this weekend, a part of me still thinks that I deserve good (as in I didn't make it good) food. I work hard, damn it!!
In other news, I have yet to go to Target, so my account is still at $40... I hope that I can make it until Friday so I can at least put that into savings.

This is soooo hard.