My self-control is straining to keep me from buying this little number:



Sigh, Elie Tahari at Nordstrom. one hundred and ninety eight dollars. I'd try to get it as a christmas gift, but that would ruin my dreams of wearing it to every holiday party between now and then. I will not buy this. I will not buy this. I will not buy this.

The holidays are coming...

I have a nasty cold. I've spent a bit on tissues and soup, but I'm too sick to buy anything else, so it might be good for my budget!

It's Payday! I had to pay a few bills today, but won't be putting any extra toward the debt until the holidays are over.

My presents are coming along nicely. I'm a bit over budget on some of my projects, but alot of the things I needed to get were for tools that I'll use again and not on materials that I'm giving away.

Debating whether or not to pick up some extra shifts at the second job. I have my eye on a new guy, which might make things easier if I run into the ex. I'm scheduled for the day after Christmas, so if that isn't too awkward, I'll start working on weekends again. I'm so lucky that they are flexible. Of course, they have soo much work and backlog that they can't really turn me away!

November Update

Hi all!

Phew, what a busy couple of weeks. Hopefully things will slow down enough for a few more posts and a few less purchases!

Here's a little update on the tough broad's balance sheet:

I paid off the third credit card, so I currently have $8,654 left to pay off of two cards. I hope to pay off card #4 in January and card #5 (with a $7K balance) by August. I might need to push this back a month for xmas spending, but I *hope* not.

My Retirement account is up to $1,676 and my funds actually went up! I keep hearing bad things but I seem to be doing alright. Clearly I won't be able to max out my Roth this year, but I hope to put at least $1K in there by tax day.

Is anyone else really annoyed by the new holiday Sears ads? The new slogan is "Don't just give a gift- Grant a wish!" One of the families gets the dad a whole new workshop full of tools, another gets a little girl a whole new wardrobe. Um, excess, anyone?

a weekend away = spending, spending, spending

I decided that since I had the weekend free, I should go visit a friend in NYC. But, boy, oh boy, that town is expensive. Here's what I spent all my money on:

Money for bus there and back: $46.50
Metrocard: $10
Food: $45
Drinks: $75 (I got her a few bottles for the liquor cabinet)
Shopping: $15 (book); $4.25 (umbrella); $28 (fabric for quilting); $46 (Sephora cosmetics); $36 (fancy new hat) Shopping Total: $129.25

Grand total: $305.75

I had a great time, and really needed to get out of town, so I think it was worth every penny!

I just finished an extra 3 hours at the second job, and I don't think I'm going back any time soon. I'm backed up at my real job, I'm tired, I'm grumpy,

and to be really honest, my ex works at the second job and I keep running into him and it's really uncomfortable.

I think I'll be happier if I get some sleep, avoid jerks, and keep an eye on the money going out instead of trying to get more coming in.

I'm so tired.

It's been a really tough week. I worked last weekend and all week and then 12-hour days Saturday and today. Yesterday I got home at 7:30 and slept right through until 9. And after another day of work I'm ready for more sleep. I'll be back at it tomorrow at 8 am.

I've been spending a bit more than I'd like, but on a few things that I've had my eye on for awhile. I got one of those laptop cooling pads, which actually works. I can't wait until Friday, when I get to pay off my third credit card!