7 Budget Tips

Do you remember how you got into blogging? I started with personal finance (or "pf") blogs. When I graduated college, I left with mountains of debt, crappy credit, and basically no real sense of how to handle money when I got my first job. Obviously I knew I had to pay my bills on time, but I had no clue how to budget the rest. So I found personal finance blogs, and read stories of how others got out of their debt- and became inspired and gathered tips that I could use to start to manage my finances. Here are a few that helped the most, and ones I return to time and time again. 

1. First, figure out where your money is going by actively tracking your spending. When I started attempting to take control of my finances, I did this for three months to get a total sense of where I was spending. Now when I need a financial "tune up" I'll do it for a month. It can be an eye-opening (and occasionally cringe-worthy) experience, but knowledge is power and once you know where you may be going overboard, you can start taking steps to correct it. 

2. Pay Yourself First! This was one of my biggest mistakes- not saving. I figured there was no room for savings- I was wrong. There's always room, and it really is a must. I started by establishing a set amount for an emergency fund. After that, I became really bad at saving again, until I started automating my savings. The thing is, if I don't see it, I can't spend it. It goes right from my paycheck to my savings account. So yeah... #3...

3. Automate savings and bills. This saves time and unnecessary worry because you won't be wondering if there was a bill you forgot to pay, and saves money because you won't have late fees. 

4. Shop at home before you go grocery shopping. Before you write your grocery list, dive into the freezer, pantry or wherever you hide the things you bring home from the grocery or drugstore. It’s surprising how many of us duplicate purchases without realizing it, and there is some satisfaction to be had from actually using up those frozen or canned goods before buying more. (For more on how I save on groceries, click here.)

5. Define YOUR Wants vs. Needs. This may not sound like a budgeting tip, but it is. For instance, some people love to stay home and have all the comforts that that affords them, one of them being cable. I hardly ever watch TV, so cutting my cable was a no brainer. Some people may need their Starbucks or DD fix every morning; I like bringing my coffee from home and drinking it during my commute. Figure out what's a must for you and what isn't, and cut out the excess. (Here are some other things I won't pay for.) 

6. Delete all those pesky sales emails! Unsubscribe! I just started using Unroll.Me and it's wonderful. See a list of all your subscriptions and instantly un-enroll. 

7. Budget in the fun stuff for less. My local movie theater has 1/2 price movies every Tuesday, and I bring my treats from the Dollar Store. I use Groupon and Living Social (with Ebates) for local deals. BYOB is my friend. 

What are some of your budget tips? 

Show Us Your Books: March

Time for another round of Show Us Your Books! I didn't read much this month because I was struggling through On The Road (which I eventually just put down for something I was actually interested in). I also recently start my first Jonathan Tropper book, Currently reading: This Is Where I Leave You), and it already seems like he's going to be a favorite author of mine! I just love the way he's telling the story- and his wit and imagery are outstanding! Anyway, here are my recent reads. 

Falling- Jane Green: 4 Stars

Read if you like Jane Green and/or romance novels in general

Netgalley

Wow. I honestly did not expect to like this story as much as I did. I thought I had it all figured out a third of the way through, and was so shocked towards the end! I loved the organic chemistry between Emma and Dominic, and how realistic Jesse's character was. I could relate to the strained relationship between Emma and her mother as well. Though Emma practically ran away from home and her family, they were there for her when she needed them most, and finally understood her relationship with Dominic. By the end of the story, I was crying happy tears for those who finally found "home."

Payback and a Bottle of Merlot- Bria Marche: 1 Star

Read this if... just kidding, don't read this!
Amazon Kindle Free

I picked this up for a book challenge where the topic was read something with an alcoholic beverage in the title, and because it sounded like a quick, easy and cute story. It was not quick nor easy. It dragged. It would have been a DNF if it weren't for that challenge (which I didn't finish anyway, but that's besides the point). I felt nothing for any of the characters, the plot was beyond unrealistic- more like fantasy- and it seems like it was written for and by a high school girl, but ya know, with a lot of Merlot. 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian- Sherman Alexie: 4 Stars

Read if you like raw, quick YA

own

This might be the first time I ever finished a book in one sitting. Touching and poignant but realistically told from a young man's POV. It includes some heavy topics (alcoholism, racism, violence, bullying, death, poverty), but was told with just enough humor and emotion. It' somewhat sad, but also hopeful. I also really enjoyed the comics throughout. I totally understand why everyone loves this book. 

What have you been reading lately? 
Linking up with Steph and Jana! 

What's New With Me: March

Usually I combine my "Currently" posts as "What's New With Me," but since I haven't really shared much lately, I'm going to recap what I was up to last month, via pics. The first one is actually from the last weekend in February. Blue got us tickets to see The Blue Man Group, but first we stopped at McSorley's Old Ale House, which is the oldest bar in NYC. Perhaps you've seen it in the opening of SNL?! Anyway, it's a grungy old bar with sawdust on the floor, and they only serve 2 beers- Light (McSorley’s Cream Stock Ale) and Dark (McSorley’s Famous Lager), and it's $5 for 2. It's fairly small and only picnic tables, and there were two guys behind the bar- one steaming glasses, and one slinging beer, non-stop. They also had food (bologna sandwich, anyone?!), but we didn't have any.

Then we headed to the show. Have you guys seen it before? I was always curious because they don't show much in the commercials, and no one would tell me what it was like. Basically, it's 3 guys in blue, and the show is like half comedy (but no words) and half music. And it's interactive. Oh, and they made us wear those paper ninja-esque headbands.

The following weekend was the Big Brew Festival with Blue and Michael. 4 hours of 200+ craft beer samples?! Yes please. We crapped out after about 3 hours. And for the record, no, we did not plan to match lol.

The following week, I had a snow day! This may be my favorite part of working at a school. I actually got two days off from work because the trains weren't running properly the next day either so I requested to work from home. I was totally going to blog about my day off, but it was Show Us Your Books day, so basically all I did was read those blog posts, read my book, eat junk food and drink lots of coffee.

Being that St. Patty's Day fell on a Friday, a bunch of us took off from work to celebrate early. We started with corned beef and cabbage at a friend's house before hitting the bars. I called for a group pic early in the day because I knew I'd forget later! 

Michael and a few of her friends even joined us for a few rounds at our last stop, where there was more corned beef and cabbage and bagpipes, which I forgot to snap a picture of. Oops. 

She sitting. I'm on my tippy toes and she's still almost the same height
#shortgirlproblems

On the very last day of the month, Blue and I finally made it to my favorite local BYOB restaurant. Mind you, we'd been trying to go since our anniversary in January, but it seems others have heard the rave reviews on our favorite hole-in-the-wall, so now we have to make reservations. Only took nearly 4 months to learn that lesson! One of my favorite things about this place is that they don't rush you. I'm a slow eater, and the place is small, so this is a big deal for me. They also have the best chicken parm I've ever put in my mouth, and I've tried a LOT of chicken parm as it is my favorite meal. 

#noms

That about sums of my month! Lots of time spent with good friends eating good food. What's new with you lately? Linking up with Kristen and Gretch! 

Currently: April

Reading: This Is Where I Leave You- Jonathan Tropper

Listening to: John Mayer because I'm going to see him tonight AND I'M SO EXCITED! (He admitted that this one is about Katy Perry... awwww.)

Watching: The Walking Dead finale (anyone else? discuss?). I finally watched Manchester by the Sea. It was depressing, but not a tear-jerker. Also watching this Emo Trump video that Michael shared with me recently:

Eating: Lots of personal pizzas and junk food. Don't judge me.

Accomplishing: Sending out all the books! I love Paperback Swap (and clearing some space on my bookshelf)!

Buying: This foxy fleece throw blanket that has been on my wish list for about 2 years and just came back in stock. AND at $40 less! It arrived and it's soooooo soft and woobie. 

Loving: snail mail! I don't even remember the last time I received mail that wasn't bills or junk.

Needing: to re-do my nails. I found the CND Vinylux Weekly Polish that Steph recommended at TJ Maxx, and it actually DID keep my nails from chipping for 7 days! Woot! 

Practicing: Patience, particularly at work. They've physically moved me around so much lately that I don't know where I'm supposed to be or what exactly I'm supposed to be doing 3/4 of the time. I was feeling pretty shitty about this, but after a long convo with a good friend the other day, she reminded me that it's actually a good thing because it means I CAN wear a lot of different hats, and that I'm adaptable. Not to mention I've learned even more, and added to my transferable skill set. And I've learned (again) that sometimes you just need a different perspective. 

Pinning: 

This Marmot Montreal down coat
Available for 70% off at BackCountry

I love MJ and I love the double strap trend.
And how perfect is the neutral color of spring/summer?
Available at Macy's 

How pretty is this copper hammered bar tool set?
And I just so happen to have a gift card for William Sonoma...

I'm always pinning recipes, and this one calls for Swedish meatballs which I just bought a bag of #cheating
Swedish meatball pasta bake

This commitment-free tanning lotion that washes off with soap and water
Available at Sephora

What's currently going on in your world?

Linking up with Anne and Jess. 

March Purchases

After my minimal January spending followed by a February spending freeze, I went a little crazy in March. What had happened was Brad's Deals, the Kohl's Under $10 clearance sale, and rediscovering Groupon Goods. The first price is the listed price, the second is what I actually paid for it. 

Kohl's:

Women's Isotoner Performance Tech Gloves $34 // $17.00

10 ft LED snowman lights (similar)  $25 // $10

20x30" Poinsettia Rug (similar) $30 //  $6

XL Wine Glasses (4) $24 // $9.60

foladable canvas water bottle (3) $24 // $9.60

Ralphie/A Christmas Story Goblet(s)  (2) $30 // $9

Sonoma V Neck Tees (5) $18 // $5.39 ea

Bell and Curfew "True Gent" mug and shoe shine kit $24// $7.20

I discovered last season that I really don't have much any Christmas decor besides 2 little nutcracker statues that sit under my fake Christmas tree, so I got these cute string lights and welcome mat. The mat stay right inside my door as a place to put snowy boots and not muck up my hardwood floors with salty white streaks (which happened this year, despite the minimal snow we got). I never seem to have long sleeve tees, so I bought a bunch to layer. The rest of stuff is (are?) Christmas/birthday/anytime presents. 

Groupon Goods:

Sterling silver leverback Swarvoski crystal earrings $89 // $10

Mystic "Huggie" hoop earrings with Swavorski crystals $35 // $10

Mophie Juicepack case/charger for iPhone 6S $129 // $40

credit card holder iPhone 6 case $35 //$10

Sterling silver heart initial charm anklet $60// $5

large 15x15"framed print $112 // $18

The only jewelry I switch out regularly are earrings and at $10, the price was right. I already gave Blue the card holder case since hers just broke (good timing Dani). Juicepack case is for my work phone, since I can't be worried about that a dead phone if I'm running around. Framed print not pictured because it's a collage print and I haven't picked out the pictures I want to use yet. 

Other:

Target faux leather storage bench $80 // $65.40 - I'm still on the fence about this purchase. The thing is, I've been wanting one of these benches for a long time, but I don't really need it. 

Sears outdoor loveseat $160 // $126.69 - this is getting returned. I have 4 outdoor chairs, and I don't need this. What I need is some (cheaper) cushions for the chairs I already have. Plus even though this is listed as "outdoor," I would feel like it would get ruined if I actually left it outside all season. 

Total Spent: $253.75 (not including loveseat)
Total Saved: $543.25

Overall, I'm really happy with all of my purchases. Plus, I've already knocked out the majority of my Christmas shopping. I will note that when I buy Christmas gifts early, I do have specific people in mind. No running around in December searching for the perfect present and blowing the budget this year! Woot! 

Do you buy Christmas presents year-round or are you a last minute shopper? 

Linking up with Franish for Budgetting Bloggers. 

Seasonal Goals Check-In- It's Spring!

You guys, I seriously can't believe it's spring, especially since I'm looking out at mounds upon mounds of dirty snow and still couldn't go outside without my puffy jacket, hat, and scarf. Le sigh. Anyway, it's time to link up with Steph and Sara for some seasonal goals. First up, a review of my winter goals...

Winter Bucket List

• Go see the tree in Rockefeller Center- Nope.
• Union Square Holiday Market- Nope. 
• See a play/musical on Broadway-Yes! I got us tickets to see Beautiful: The Carole King Story and it was so much better than I was expecting! 
• Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity-Nay. 
• Deck the halls- Yup!
• Craft some stuff- Negative.
• Go see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story- went with our favorite nerdy couple and it was AWESOME!
• Have a holiday movie night- complete with hot cocoa and footie pajamas- Yup!
• Attend a hockey game- My team didn't win, but it was still great! 
• Attend a holiday party- 2! Work holiday party and a neighbors' NYE party. As in, I arrived in slippers because it was right downstairs. My kind of party. 
• Go to a concert- I'm going to count this as a yes because Blue's V-Day present to me was seeing the Blue Man Group, and that was kinda like a concert. 
• Try a new noodle house- No.

7/12- not too shabby! Honestly I've already seen the tree and the Union Square Market many times, so I'm not mad that I missed it this year. And I realized after making the list that I didn't really want to try a noodle house. We went, and when we were almost there I just didn't really want it. (Luckily Panera was right next door.) Moving on, here's what on deck for Spring...

Spring Goals

Visit the Bronx  or Central Park Zoo

Walk on the Brooklyn Bridge

Visit the Botanical Gardens

Visit the High-line

Go to a concert

Check out a new city

Go on vacation

Get my spring shearing/haircut

Spring clean my apartment

Fix screen on patio door

Show Us Your Books: February

First off, THIS IS THE BEST SNOW DAY EVER! I don't love the fact that there is a blizzard in mid-March, but I really needed a day off from work and couldn't take it, so this is basically the best thing ever. AND it's SUYB day?! Be still my heart! 

I've been reading books for Erin's 6.0 Book Challenge, so that's the point system noted. And I really loved how Kristen put a short description before her longer review, and imitation is the highest form of flattery right? Honestly it was just easier for me to remember the books this way, so I'm using it. Now- to the books!

5 points: Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages.

Seriously... I'm Kidding - Ellen DeGeneres: 4 Stars

Read if you like comedian memoirs

own

I don't know what took me so long to pull this off my bookshelf. I've always liked Ellen, and I shouldn't have been surprised that I would like this too. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud. I could hear her voice throughout her stories, and though I wanted to hear a little more about Portia and her home life, I found this to be a great mix of her everyday.

10 points: Read a book that starts with the letter “W”.

We're All Damaged- Matthew Norman: 4 Stars

Read if you like Jonathan Tropper's "This Is Where I Leave You"

amazon kindle unlimited freebie

I picked this up because it was a freebie and the description sounded pretty funny. I was literally laughing out loud at the one-liners in this book. I loved the descriptions and could picture some of the scenes, like blow-up dolls and naked Ken dolls strewn across a perfectly manicured gated community lawn stuck in the trees and glitter bombings, among other things. I thought Daisy was the perfect push for Andy, and though her story seemed a little odd overall, I definitely did not see the twist coming. 

10 points: Read a book with six words in the title.

The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club- Laurie Notaro: 2 Stars

Read if you like ridiculous/funny essays about making mistakes in your 20's

own

This only gets two stars because it made me chuckle out loud three times- the story about her upstairs neighbor (because it is SO spot on and relatable), the one about her mom wanting to learn about emails and Ebay (yup, been there too), and the Candy Apple Incident. Overall though, I was judging Laurie a whole lot. There's a difference between making mistakes in your 20's and just not giving a shit and being a hot mess. I think I would have enjoyed this more if I read it about 10 years ago, or if Laurie was younger when she was living this way. (Also, HOW was this a NYT Best Seller?!) 

20 points: Read a book with a homonym in the title 

Two Across- Jeff Bartsche: 2 Stars

Read if you like YA dramedies

free copy from publisher - own

I started off really enjoying this book. I loved the chemistry between Stanley and Vera, and even their seemingly ridiculous scheme. And then they went off to college and the whole story died for me. I began to really despise Vera,  who made so many stupid decisions over and for Stanley, and Stanley for not doing more with his life, and not noticing and protecting Vera. 

25 points: Read a book set in the state where you live.

One For The Money - Janet Evanovich: 3 Stars

Read if you like funny crime stories

own

Meh, it was fine. I already knew the premise (though I still haven't seen the movie). I wanted to like this more than I did, but it just seemed kind of forced.  I didn't even like romantic angle that much, and usually that part will sometimes save a story for me. I won't be continuing the series. 

Currently Reading: On The Road- Jack Kerouac (3rd and final attempt)

How many times do you try to read a book, particularly if you feel like you might like it, you're just not in the mood right now?