Well, tomorrow I leave for vacation. To be honest, I can't remember the last time I had a real vacation outside the occasional two or three days here or there. I haven't had a week off from work in about seven years, and during that week, I moved from one city to another. It was far from fun or relaxing. Other than that, I think it's been about nine years since I've had a weeklong vacation.
I'm anxious about the money situation. We're going on a cruise, and I'm guessing things on the ship are going to be expensive. I'm afraid I'll go overboard (pardon the pun) while caught up in the excitement of being away. There's nothing I need, but I'm sure I'll come across things I really want. I'm going to try to be as practical as I can without killing my fun.
By the time I get back, it'll nearly be time for July's monthly update. I dread it somewhat because I know that the savings amount has gone down quite a bit. And it may not be over yet. But maybe knowing I have to update here will keep me mindful of my spending over the next 10 days.
So until then, happy budgeting!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Cue the Dance of Joy
I've been a good girl: In the last week, I've arranged to pay back -- from my paycheck and from savings -- my credit card for the items I've charged recently. I hated having to get even more money out of savings, but had I not spent the first savings withdrawal on random things instead of using it to pay for the credit card purchases to begin with, I wouldn't have been in the position I was in. It will feel good to go on vacation knowing that I have that taken care of.
Also, that stupid dress I ordered and returned (see previous post) has already been credited back on my credit card. If only all businesses worked so quickly to process returns ...
Another thing that feels pretty damn good is that my most recent payment on the Little Beast has resulted in a balance of a scant $511 and some change. I can't even put into words how good it feels! And just think, if this feels good, how great is it going to be when I make that last payment in August?!
Also, that stupid dress I ordered and returned (see previous post) has already been credited back on my credit card. If only all businesses worked so quickly to process returns ...
Another thing that feels pretty damn good is that my most recent payment on the Little Beast has resulted in a balance of a scant $511 and some change. I can't even put into words how good it feels! And just think, if this feels good, how great is it going to be when I make that last payment in August?!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Shopping Bulimia Strikes Again
A couple posts ago, I detailed the slippery slope I'd started sliding down. One of the items I bought was a little cotton knit dress. It was the color that got me -- this beautiful, rich fuchsia. The color of raspberry sorbet. I could see myself in it, and in my vision, I looked fabulous.
And then it came today. Yeah, not so fabulous. Nope. Not. At. All. It's basically not much more than a long T-shirt, and a flimsy one at that. Any thinner and you'd be able to see through it.
I spent 70 bucks on it, too. That's the worst part of the whole thing.
So tomorrow I have to start the process of doing all the crap one has to go through to send back a package.
When will I learn? Why can't I stop? And what makes me think that these things I order are going to transform me (and thus my life) into whatever it is I think I should be? OK, OK ... that's beyond the scope of a debt blog, but you get my point.
Anyway, the dress is going back.
And then it came today. Yeah, not so fabulous. Nope. Not. At. All. It's basically not much more than a long T-shirt, and a flimsy one at that. Any thinner and you'd be able to see through it.
I spent 70 bucks on it, too. That's the worst part of the whole thing.
So tomorrow I have to start the process of doing all the crap one has to go through to send back a package.
When will I learn? Why can't I stop? And what makes me think that these things I order are going to transform me (and thus my life) into whatever it is I think I should be? OK, OK ... that's beyond the scope of a debt blog, but you get my point.
Anyway, the dress is going back.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
June 2008 Update
It's that time again. Here are the debt details:
Little Beast: $835.63
Big Beast: $15,955.80
The savings balance is in its usual spot.
While the directions of both the debt and the savings balances are going the right way, they aren't where they should be. And I don't expect things to get back on track until August, as I've mentioned before. I almost feel like not updating the numbers until then, but that wouldn't be right. I mean, I decided to blog the debt so I could track my progress, for good or bad. And that's what I'm going to do.
Little Beast: $835.63
Big Beast: $15,955.80
The savings balance is in its usual spot.
While the directions of both the debt and the savings balances are going the right way, they aren't where they should be. And I don't expect things to get back on track until August, as I've mentioned before. I almost feel like not updating the numbers until then, but that wouldn't be right. I mean, I decided to blog the debt so I could track my progress, for good or bad. And that's what I'm going to do.
Friday, May 30, 2008
What Summer Looks Like
As much as I wish the title of this entry had more to do with the beauty of summer, this is a debt blog.
I knew earlier this year that summer was going to require some spending, but now that it's right around the corner, I'm starting to get anxious about it.
For one, because of my recent behavior, I owe the Big Beast an extra $230. And then I have these things:
The Cruise Vacation: I am taking about $300 in cash and will have to take my credit card (the cruise line will only accept a credit card for certain purchases on the ship)
Daisy's Boarding: My parents very generously paid my way for the cruise, but I'm responsible for paying for boarding our family dog for about seven days.
Daisy's Surgery: The family dog has a growth on her eye that's getting bigger. My parents and I are splitting the cost to get this done this summer.
The Haircut: For the last several years, I've wanted to get my hair cut by one of the few people who can cut and style my hair type. I delayed because I couldn't afford both the trip to NYC and the cost of the haircut. But now that the stylist is my area for a while, I have to take advantage of the opportunity. And I really need to do something to make me feel better about myself. I've never had the healthiest self-esteem, and lately, it's been in the toilet.
So, it's going to be an expensive next couple of months. It's freaking me out, but it is what it is.
Anyway, I'll check in with the monthly update. And then I guess we'll go from there.
I knew earlier this year that summer was going to require some spending, but now that it's right around the corner, I'm starting to get anxious about it.
For one, because of my recent behavior, I owe the Big Beast an extra $230. And then I have these things:
The Cruise Vacation: I am taking about $300 in cash and will have to take my credit card (the cruise line will only accept a credit card for certain purchases on the ship)
Daisy's Boarding: My parents very generously paid my way for the cruise, but I'm responsible for paying for boarding our family dog for about seven days.
Daisy's Surgery: The family dog has a growth on her eye that's getting bigger. My parents and I are splitting the cost to get this done this summer.
The Haircut: For the last several years, I've wanted to get my hair cut by one of the few people who can cut and style my hair type. I delayed because I couldn't afford both the trip to NYC and the cost of the haircut. But now that the stylist is my area for a while, I have to take advantage of the opportunity. And I really need to do something to make me feel better about myself. I've never had the healthiest self-esteem, and lately, it's been in the toilet.
So, it's going to be an expensive next couple of months. It's freaking me out, but it is what it is.
Anyway, I'll check in with the monthly update. And then I guess we'll go from there.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Old Habits Die Hard
My hope when I am debt free is to be able to use one card -- to receive whatever points or cash back that's provided -- and then pay it off, in full, at the end of the month.
I don't know if I will be able to do that, though. When I spend, I lose control. I can be so good when I just cut myself off, but when I start allowing this and that purchase, it turns into a frenzy.
Case in point: There were a few things I wanted to get for the cruise in June, so I transferred a couple hundred dollars from savings with the plan to (1) buy them with my credit card (for the points) and then (2) pay off the amount spent on the card using the transferred funds.
But what happened instead is (1) I bought those items with the credit card and (2) also spent a fair amount of the transferred savings on a couple other things.
So now I've increased my balance on my credit card and have decreased my savings balance, and ... that's that.
I knew at the beginning of the year that from May through July the finances would go through some erratic changes: Mother's Day, my dad's birthday, Father's Day, and my mom's birthday all occur within a six-week period; the cruise with my parents is in the middle of June (I'm responsible for my spending money and for the boarding of the family pet); and in July I'm splurging on a much-needed haircut.
I'm disappointed in my spending behavior in May, but not all is lost. I knew there would be an increase in spending, and obsessing over every bit is just going to drive me crazy. Still, I do need to be responsible about what I spend on and not let my old habits get the better of me.
I don't know if I will be able to do that, though. When I spend, I lose control. I can be so good when I just cut myself off, but when I start allowing this and that purchase, it turns into a frenzy.
Case in point: There were a few things I wanted to get for the cruise in June, so I transferred a couple hundred dollars from savings with the plan to (1) buy them with my credit card (for the points) and then (2) pay off the amount spent on the card using the transferred funds.
But what happened instead is (1) I bought those items with the credit card and (2) also spent a fair amount of the transferred savings on a couple other things.
So now I've increased my balance on my credit card and have decreased my savings balance, and ... that's that.
I knew at the beginning of the year that from May through July the finances would go through some erratic changes: Mother's Day, my dad's birthday, Father's Day, and my mom's birthday all occur within a six-week period; the cruise with my parents is in the middle of June (I'm responsible for my spending money and for the boarding of the family pet); and in July I'm splurging on a much-needed haircut.
I'm disappointed in my spending behavior in May, but not all is lost. I knew there would be an increase in spending, and obsessing over every bit is just going to drive me crazy. Still, I do need to be responsible about what I spend on and not let my old habits get the better of me.
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