Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Day 58



Most of this Fast has been pretty sucky.
Don't get me wrong, it's kind of an adventure to find new ways to save money and it's had some fun moments.

But for me it's mostly been a lot of misadventure. (Like, buying energy drinks and calling them 'groceries'. Or giving people homemade gifts in hopes that they look 'thoughtful' rather than 'cheap'.)

Counting pennies is tedious. Staying in every weekend is boring. My bank account is just screaming, "It's GAME TIME! There's so much money here! SPEND it!" Sigh. I'm not feeling sorry for myself because I obviously signed onto this on my own accord, I'm just whining.





I'm sort of dreading doing my calculations tonight because I know I didn't save nearly as much this month as I did in January. But this is a learning process. And what I'm learning is that, well, not spending money is tough. It takes a lot of thought and planning. And a LOT of Pinterest "research."

Monday, February 25, 2013

Day 56: T.R.O.U.B.L.E




Besides being difficult and completely overwhelming, my Spending Fast is also pretty selfish.
I took it upon myself to make the decision to just stop spending money. Everything revolves around me. How I'm going to get home, what I'm going to eat, how can I get this or that, my wallet is empty....

I, I, I. Me, me, me.
I imagine I sound like quite the nightmare.


I didn't think of anyone else when I committed to this. Before I stopped spending my money, I should have at least had the decency to run it by the one guy that I spend the most time with! He spends so much on me. He gets me dinner, he gets my drinks, he buys my cabs home. Essentially, while I'm cutting my spending in half, his is DOUBLING.

I try to carry my weight by making dinner or cleaning his apartment while he's at work, but I realize it's not necessarily equal.
So after a number of tense nights and quite the argument (and an apology burrito), I've decided that for the sake of my relationship I need to set aside an envelope of cash at the beginning of the month. We can use it for drinks or the movies. Whatever we want.

Since one of the objectives of this Fast to focus on nurturing relationships, I'd say the boyfriend's good mood falls under the NEEDS catergory. Wouldn't you agree?

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sriracha fixes everything.

What kind of weirdo dinner is this?
Oh, the kind of meal a girl puts together when she refuses to go to the grocery store for the rest of the month.

Last egg and last beer in the house.
Hmph.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Day 49!

Can I vent for a sec? Yeah? Thanks!

SO, in January I switched electricity provider's to one that is more cost-effective. Because, well, duh. Wouldn't you?
And then, these past two months I've been living like a little Eskimo girl in my apartment to cut costs on my electricity bill.
Seriously. I've been going to sleep wearing thermal underwear, two pairs of socks, a scarf, and sometimes (ok, MOST nights) a hat. It's prettayprettay sexy.
Or I stay over at my manfriend's house where I trade my lack of heat for his stinky bachelor's pad. Sigh...

keeping warm in my newly crocheted pompom hat!

Yet somehow my bill last month showed that I used 911 kilowatts of electricity in my < 400 sq ft apartment! And this month I was even more conscious of my electricity usage than I was in January...and I still somehow used over 750 kilowatts. (This is roughly the amount a small business would use for a month.)

I'm just baffled. And frustrated. And COLD!
Anyone have any suggestions? I realize that it's only logical that my bill would be higher in the winter months, but it has nearly doubled from December to January.

rant over




Anyway! Everyone keep your peepers open for a link to my new Etsy shop in the next week or so! I'm so excited to be able to share my new custom made crocheted accessories!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Day 45: Valentine's Day



Happy Valentine's Day, all!! 

Today I wore red pants with a pink shirt with pink lipstick...because no one was around to tell me I couldn't. :)
I'm crazy about any holiday that is centered around love and sweets! I spent the day with my favorite little people and the evening with one of my extra special lady friends, a bottle of wine, and a hot ham and cheese. (I know, I know...I'm wild.) And, I'll admit, I had enough sugar I'm sure to forget that I'm really struggling through February.

As I am Fasting at the moment, today should have cost me zero dollars. However, what is it about this month that makes it feel twice as long as January!? Seriously, it's only two weeks into the month and I somehow convinced myself that I needed Valentine's day cookie cutters, colorful icing, and more yarn.

I did manage to do some DIY gifts for today though! I made my girlfriends some fancy mini heart shaped cakes with ingredients I already had on hand and crocheted them two headbands each....in festive, colors of course!

I also made homemade cards which, according to my mom, is still acceptable past the age of 7! Thank goodness!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

27!

See this adorable little girl below with the sweet fashion sense?




That's me! And she turned 2-7 years old today! An uneventful age, I agree...but celebrating, getting presents, and eating cake will always be fun to me, no matter what my age!

 Anyhoot! I had a lovely birthday dinner with my family on Sunday night where I was spoiled like crazy! (Hellooo, the ever important boots I mentioned earlier! A plant that I can't kill...and isn't plastic. AND a Target giftcard! They know how to read a wishlist! ;) )

Today I tried my best to behave! But it IS my birthday, damnit. I bought a fancy coffee after the gym -Sidenote: after the gym I spent the rest of the day curled up with my guy because I got my ass handed to me in class. I feel like I turned NINETY seven today! 

 ...and spent 17 bucks at the bar. I wrote it down in my book...but I may choose to overlook it at the end of the month...
Due to the birthday law.
That's a thing, right?

Monday, February 11, 2013

Day 42

Hi. Tomorrow's my birthday! I'm usually a BIG birthday person. I get super jazzed on celebrating! I plan about a month of time, I have a wishlist a mile long, and I eat a lot of cake.

This year I'm slacking. I JUST made plans for a birthday brunch for this Sunday (and I'm really really excited about a laid back, inexpensive day in. With mimosa's. And friends. And french toast.)
I asked my mom for a gift card and my manfriend for a plant (whattt?! who am I?)

Maybe I'm less enthusiastic about my own day this year because the thought of other people having to spend dough on me gives me a bad case of guilt-gut? Hmm..





here's a short list of things I would like if my family and friends were billionaires

. Upwardly Mobile Satchel
. Nike Eclipse Leopard Sneakers
. Glass Coffee beans Pot 
. Leopard Print Eyeglasses
. These 2 fantastic Prints by Rococco-LA

Friday, February 8, 2013

Day 39: Working on my Fitness!



In my 26th year of life, I rarely workout (also see: never workout), I hate my medial serving job, and I gained about 7 pounds eating so much fried, delicious crap. 

But, my friends, times they are a'changin! 

I'm about to be 2-7. And in addition to recently losing said job (sidenote: probably the best thing for a girls self-esteem is to work for a couple of balding 50-something year old men on a power trip. they're pathetic.), I also plan on getting rid of those pesky 7 pounds! 

In my original Needs vs Wants list, I didn't include fitness. 
1. I have running shoes and access to sidewalks.
and 
2. I own the Insanity dvd's! At the moment the set is just collecting dust.

But now my lack of motivation needs just a little push. Those free exercises aren't cutting it. So after thinking it over for approximately .5 seconds, I handed over my credit card and am now a member of the most girlie gym I've ever seen. 
Everything is hot pink, their manicurist worked for Oprah, you can sip on martinis after you get your sweat on, and it has classes that promise to kick my ass. 

I know, I know. Why didn't I join the Y or some other gym that costs just 20 bucks a month?
I don't have a good reason, I just didn't. I'm using the fact that I have to pay more as a motivating factor not to blow off the gym. Also, I probably will spend less time and money elsewhere if I'm working out! Probably....right?

Anyway, taking care of ones self is important! It's one thing I most certainly can afford. 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Day 36

Hi all! Sorry, things have been a little quiet here this week...mostly due to having a bad weekend. Pennywise, at least! It's pretty embarrassing to have to fess up when I slip up. Otherwise, life is great! Thanks for asking :)




Ok, so you know how when you're on a diet and you'll sneak maybe, 2 chocolate kisses? Then somehow you go ahead and think to yourself, "Well, this WHOLE day is ruined now! I may as well have extra cheese, dessert, AND a regular coke."

Yep, that was me this past Saturday. Long story short, I left my wallet at work on Friday leaving me with no money, no bus pass, and no Zipcar card to get to the suburbs for a baby shower.
After cursing myself for being a giant dope, I trekked my butt the mile to work (in heels!) Then, without a second thought, hailed a cab! I had 25 minutes to make my train and was really left with no choice...except to maybe go back in time and not be so irresponsible with my stuff.

SO! A day that was supposed to cost me a 7 dollar train ride ended up costing me $40.95! Because after I had already spent 20 bucks to get the Metra I figured, "I paid for one cab today. What's one more?" This is also a perfect example of how I diet. Selectively.

Anyway, here's a couple of shots of the blankie I made for baby Laila!




Saturday, February 2, 2013

Day 33: DIY Presents


As I mentioned, February begins BIRTHDAY SEASON!  (Ok, technically birthday season starts on Jan. 30th with my ma's...)
AND Valentine's Day...which is a cheesy holiday that only elementary school kids should care about, but we still usually exchange a little something between girlfriends and my sister.
Not to mention the baby shower I attended today...


Every week is a celebration! Booze and food and laughs and hugs. It's so much fun...but the cost of these events add up quickly!




After a discussion with my sister, I'm wondering if I should put aside some money this month as sort of a "Party Fund." I can't miss out on 2 of my good friends birthdays because I refuse to spend money and then expect them to come out for mine...and in that same vein, what about gifts!?

I enjoy making presents. It's fun...it's personal...it's cost effective! Win-win-win!
I've got plans in the works! A 4-layer cake and homemade candies for Valentine's, artwork for one's new home, crocheted head pieces and blankies for the new babies, a new clutch that I swapped for at BISTM ...for my mom, I repurposed a rust colored cardigan I purchased ages ago and never wore. I added leopard print elbow patches to spice up the sweater :) (Clearly, I'm addicted to Pinterest...)

Plus! Some of my favorite gifts that I've received have been handmade! Fantastic tile coasters, a decorated memento box, and a framed drawing of myself as Alice in Wonderland! Things that my friends knew I would really love...





So what do you think? Are homemade/repurposed gifts just super lame?


Friday, February 1, 2013

Day 32

Hello! Welcome to Month 2, Day 1! And the first purchase I made for the month was...BACON.



What?! I'll have you know, as much as I like bacon, I never buy it. And once I started making it today, I realized I had never even made it before! (Yes, I did have to read the package to make sure I was doing it right, if you MUST know.) It's like I'm not even American or something...

Anyway, it was a necessary purchase because today I was working on a new recipe that I'm calling the Shortstack. Old fashioned donuts made with bacon and maple syrup glaze. Yum! 
Well, they would have been yum...if I hadn't had blown a fuse causing the oven/stove to go ka-put. So unfortunately, this recipe is To Be Continued...





PS I just so happened to have a gift card with a few bucks left on it...so the bacon was FREE. Boo-yah.