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!

Day 18- BISTM!

There are two "simple" formulas to saving cash. You can Cut Back or Make More Money. 

I've already Cut Back significantly (and I've almost completely stopped having cold sweats every time I pass by that dang Urban Outfitters SALE sign. baby steps.) 

So that leaves me scheming up ways to Make More Money. 

Okk, realistically, I could take on more hours at the bar I work at one night a week at, but frankly, that job makes me dislike people. Reallyreally dislike people. I think it's more important to save my sanity and be a more pleasant person than to be grouchy and rich. I'm sure we can all agree on that. Especially my poor manfriend who puts up with my ridiculousness.

You know that saying, "He's a jack of all trades, master of none."? 

Well, I'm Jack. Nice to meetcha.

Here's my brainstorm sesh:

-I could apply to photograph every wedding listed on Craigslist in the Chicago-land area. But apparently the going rate for a craft I paid many thousands of dollars to develop is...well, it's under appreciated, at best.

-I looked into selling my eggs (yes, really.) Apparently, I'm not that marketable. Maybe I'd do better at a face-to-face interview?

-I did some research on selling old electronics. I have so many old phones/cameras and it seems weird to just toss them. I'm not sure auction sites like Ebay will really be worth the work of posting them, but there are sites like Gazelle that will purchase my old pink Razr for a few bucks (and no shipping charge.)

-I've considered setting up an Etsy shop to sell some of the items I've been making/crocheting. 

would you buy any of these for yourself or as gifts?

-I thought about selling some old clothes to Plato's Closet or another resale shop. Until I came across Because I Shop Too Much. It's essentially an online Plato's Closet run by two local Chicago girls. 

It's so easy! 

I go through my own closet and dresser every season and donate things I haven't worn in a while. That means at LEAST 4 times a year I'm getting rid of clothes/shoes/old jewelry. Some things still have tags on them (for shame.) 

You start by setting up your own closet. Take a quick snapshot of the (gently used) items and post them with the prices that you've set. (Please just donate anything that has been a little tooo "loved".) You can order free boxes from the post office. (Did you know that?!) Package up the purchased items with a friendly thank you note and send them off! Done and done.

Check out my BISTM closet today!