Budget Recap/ Where'd My Money Go? 10/1 - 10/12

Bills/ Fixed Payments
Rent: $944.18 (increase due to resigning lease)
Cable: $205.93
Phone: $90.00
Transportation: $299.00
Groceries: $300.00
Netflix: $5.34
Credit Report: $16.95 (I've decided to keep this as I found an error recently and want to track it)
Loan Repayment 1: $125.00
Loan Repayment 2: $40.00
Savings: $240.00


Other
Eating Out: $50.00
Shopping: $60.00
Entertainment: $25.00/week
Beauty/Wellness: $30.00/ month
Miscellany: $200.00/month

Where'd My Money Go?

Bills/Fixed Payments
Rent: $944.18
Cable: $205.93
Phone: $90.00
Transportation: -- (transitchek deducted from pay)
Groceries: $40.00
Netflix: $5.34
Loan Repayment 1: $125.00
Loan Repayment 2: $40.00
Total: $1450.45

Shopping
Charlotte Russe: $60.00
Cardigans Online: $56.00
CVS: $13.00
Total: $129.00

Miscellany
Wedding Present: $100.00
Hotel for Wedding: $130.00
Fantasy Football Fee: $50.00
Total: $280.00
Eating Out
Fatty Crab: $44.00
Popeyes: $10.00
Lobster Rolls: $20.00
People's Cafe: $15.00?
Corner Cafe: $17.00?
Drinks: 20.00??
Total: $126.00

Entertainment
The Breakers Mansion Admission: $22.50


This is a very loose interpretation of my expenses lately. We went to Rhode Island for a friend's wedding, and I wasn't very good at tracking my monies. You can see where I went over budget in red.
I think I have to re-think/re-calculate my budget, especially in the areas of eating out/entertainment/shopping. I'm not sure what's a "good amount" to set aside!

I think I should try the Envelope Method. Dave Ramsey says that using cash instead of cards is best to track spending, but when I use cash I forget exactly what I spend! In The Envelope Method, you put whatever you budgeted for the week in specially marked envelopes, one for each category...so in my current budget, I would have one envelope labeled "eating out" with $50.00 cash, and another labeled "entertainment" with $25.00 cash, and so on. I think I would be better at tracking that way. And once the envelope is empty,...no more spending in that category!

I'm going to start doing this on Friday. Also, I will try to do better with holding myself accountable with weekly budget recaps!

I can do it!!

Do you have any other budgeting tips or ideas?

It's OK- Football, OJ, and more

 It's Thursday! That means it's time to link up for "It's OK!" Thursdays! This week, I'm saying "It's OK"... 

...to have a love/hate relationship with football season. I like watching to hang out with my boyfriend and keep up with my fantasy team, but I totally forget about my fantasy team before Sundays.

...to restart your NFL RedZone subscription every football season.
 
...to not understand the difference between Tropicana's "Lots of Pulp" vs. "Grovestand"
 
...to prefer the "No Pulp" variety
 
...to laugh at your boyfriend's super corny jokes ("We don't have any OJ,...we only have Old J")
 
...to learn new info via Twitter. For example, I learned that Starbucks is actually a character in "Moby Dick" and that's why they use a picture of a mermaid. And that Ashton and Demi broke up. And that Marriott is owned by Mormons.
 
..to wish you had an iPhone so that you could tweet easier. And take instagram pics. And play Angry Birds.
 
...to learn how to play Angry Birds by your 5 year old cousin.
 
...to be super excited to go to Newport, Rhode Island tomorrow for your friend's wedding! And eat lobster rolls and real New England Clam Chowdah!
 
 

What are you saying "It's OK!" to this week?

 

Also, the original Polaroid camera is back for a limited time!! I'm kind of loving it! Check it out!

Buy the Limited Edition Polaroid SX-70 at the Photojojo Store!

Want It Wednesday: Boot Lovin'

I am on a mission...

to find...

the perfect brown, fitted (to my little chicken legs), riding boot.

This is one trend I want in on.

Here are my finds thus far...

Steve Madden Intyce $120 vs. Wet Seal boots $30

Aldo Prettner $102

DSW Mia Elisa Riding Boot $100

PacSun Black Poppy Knee High Back Buckle Boots $50

Have you tried this trend or any of these boots?

What would you recommend?

Mingle Monday- Fall Swap, PSL, and Indian Clothes

I had such a wonderful weekend celebrating a bridal shower in VA for my girl AJ. 

There was great food, lots of smiles and fun, singing and dancing (though I did get a bit shy), and wonderful people. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics, as I was busy making the "bow- umbrella" and then I forgot. But hopefully she will share the pics others took!

This is a pic from a while ago, but there was a Starbucks stop on the way home. This is my first PSL of the season!

Did I mention that I participated in Life of Meg's Fall Swap?!

I got this wonderful surprise from my swap buddy Sierra when I got home Sunday night!!

This was the first swap I participated in, and I'm so happy I did! I got a tote bag, picture frame, and scarf all in turquoise (one of my fave colors!), coral colored earrings, and a cute Halloween themed hand towel! Along with the adorable gift tag and card- thanks so much Sierra!!

(You can see what I got her here!)

You like my new outfits for India?! I believe they are called salwar kurtas. They are long tunic-type tops with pants like leggings- skinny. AJ gave them to me! They are both so pretty and soft- love!

Speaking of which... 43 days til India! Woot woot!

This week Meg asked: ** What is a Chicago must/see/dine/experience?!**I've only been to Chi-town once, and it was for a conference, so i didn't get to see much of anything. All I remember doing was ice skating, haha. Sorry Meg, but I hope you have a wonderful time!

Friday Faves

It's Friday! Can I get a T-G-I-F?!

I decided to share some of my favorite things from this week!

 

Guantanamera Cuban Restaurant - NYC

Had a date night with C on Wednesday... and I took him to one of my absolute favorite restaurants, Guantanamera. I cannot say enough great things about this place- great food, fabulous sangria (red and white), live music every night, and of course wonderful company!

"Home"made Pumpkin Spice Latte

Once fall hits, I cannot get enough PSLs, and really just about anything pumpkin flavored. But I just can't justify spending $4 per day on a Starbucks fix. Enter Flavia's Capp/Latte Swirl and Pumpkin Spice coffee packets. Lucky for me, I get to decide what coffees we order in the office, and during my last call, they offered me the seasonal pumpkin spice, so I decided to give it a try. OhMyGoodness. I'll admit that it's not exactly SB quality, but it definitely gets the job done, and it's free! *pats self on back*

Flowers on a Tuesday

These beautiful lilies were delivered to my office on Tuesday! I love getting flowers, especially at work!

Thanks boo!

What are some of your faves from this week?

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

It's Ok That A Post is Overdue!

 It's JERZDay! Time to Link up with these two lovely ladies!This week, I'm saying IT'S OK... 

...to plan outfits weeks in advance for a fun event

...to neglect your blog from time to time because of your real life. I'll do a real update soon!

..to take your boyfriend out to a surprise dinner, just for the hell of it

...to be jealous when your coworkers get flowers delivered to work ...but totally giddy when you get them (even though you knew they were coming)

...to have DVR'ed the season/series premieres but haven't had time to watch them,...possibly going on 2 weeks

...that everyone is just now pulling out their blankets to cuddle under while watching TV, and I never put mine away. What can I say, I get cold easily!

...that I am disgruntled about stores putting out Christmas decorations already. IT'S SEPTEMBER for crying outloud!

What are you saying "It's OK" to this week?

Loud or Quiet, Public or Private- How Do You React?

So, I haven't blogged much lately because there are things going on in my personal life, and I'm not ready to share.

I realize this is my blog, and I can say what I want.

I realize that a lot of bloggers do talk about things bothering them in their personal life, things they are going through, and things their readers may relate to. They share their stoy- whether it's happy or sad. I love these bloggers, and read their tales of joy or woe with enthusiasm. I comment with a similar anecdote, or a few words of hope, or just laugh along with them.  I understand that writing helps the healing process,...and that sharing eases the burden they may feel they are carrying alone.

Then there are those who use... an alternate route. They share on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. I admit, I do sometimes update my FB status, but usually it's something positive. And sometimes I turn to Twitter, because I have less followers there, and can be as cryptic or open as I want...I mean, sometimes 140 characters is just enough to say something, without saying everything.

Sidenote for those of you in your 20's or older: Remember when AIM existed? And people (myself included) used to put up song lyrics to express how they were feeling? I miss those days. Now you put something like that on FB, and you have several people asking "Why so cryptic? What's going on?" Umm, if I wanted to explain, I would have. Or the snarkier ones saying, "Emo much?" But I digress...

So back to the ones who use FB/Twitter. And let's focus on those who use it for the negative things in their lives. They either seem like they are always complaining, or seem like they are airing their dirty laundry for all the world to see. They seem to want people to feel bad for them. I don't like that. I almost feel guilty for not commiserating with them.

My reason for not sharing on those sites is that I don't want people to feel like they "have to" feel bad for me. (Well that, and for my frenemies not to know that something is wrong.) Sometimes I just want to vent (hence, my blog).

Depending on what the problem is, some others (shall we call them Drama Queens?) like to make their business really public, like out in the street. They like to draw a crowd. They want everyone in earshot and sight to know who or what did them wrong. I try to avoid these types at all costs. They're like cannons- you never know when they're gonna blow their top an get all loud and crazy.

Then there are those who, when something is wrong, like, really wrong, they can quiet and withdrawn. They don't want to talk to anyone, except maybe one close friend. This is where I fall. Except being that I'm usually very friendly and outgoing, people can tell right away when something is wrong. I wear my emotions on my face, and do so unknowingly. Even when I try to hide it, or lie about how I'm feeling, it shows. I'm trying to work on this, but for now I can't help it.

And so, since I'm not ready to open up just yet, I'll just share a little something that's been on repeat for me lately. Enjoy.

You used to talk to me like

I was the only one around.

You used to lean on me like

The only other choice was falling down.

You used to walk with me like

We had nowhere we needed to go,

Nice and slow, to no place in particular.

Chorus:

[We used to have this figured out;

We used to breathe without a doubt.

When nights were clear, you were the first star that I'd see.

We used to have this under control.

We never thought.

We used to know.

At least there's you, and at least there's me.

Can we get this back?

Can we get this back to how it used to be?]

I used to reach for you when

I got lost along the way.

I used to listen.

You always had just the right thing to say.

I used to follow you.

Never really cared where we would go,

Fast or slow, to anywhere at all.

I look around me,

And I want you to be there

'Cause I miss the things that we shared.

Look around you.

It's empty, and you're sad

'Cause you miss the love that we had.

[Chorus]