The greater good.
In my unending frustration over my financial situation and (although it's 10 MONTHS AWAY) impending move, I've decided to take matters into my own hands. As much as I complain that people treat money like the real world is Monopoly, I do have reckless, selfish spending habits. I don't need to buy my lunch every day. I don't need to smoke (well, actually, that's debatable), and I do not need more clothes and shoes and jewelry. I've always been financially aware, but I've decided to become even more so. From now on, I will:
*Bring my lunch at least three times a week and limit pizza purchase to once a week.
*Limit nonsense purchases (clothing, books, pens) to one slurge a month. Modestly.
*Consider switching to a less expensive brand of cigarette pending quittage (I am, in fact, cutting down. I've s
started today and will cut back one a week until my head explodes or I just quit. I've only smoked 19 so far today, so go me).
*Become more coupon friendly, becoming more store brand friendly (oh, bag cereal, how I do love thee), and purchase food with costs in mind instead of compulsively throwing things in the cart like a madwoman.
Baby steps, but steps nonetheless. I have also committed myself to depositing $100 a week in to previously non-existent savings. It's a lot, to me, and will very much come in handy when my departure from Mommyville rolls around. I've also toyed with the idea, due to ongoing furnishings anxiety, buying small pieces as I go. Granted, a sofa is not a *small* piece, and I'd have no where to put it for now, but if I'm able to get all the small stuff, the idea of furnishing and making my apartment-to-be livable, will not be so daunting.
Welcome to Grownupsville, population, a sad little me. I'll miss my youth and that little room I had to be financially irresponsible by paying only half the rent, as opposed to a whole. I did, however, manage to find a pretty sweet apartment. The price is right, but there was a review that put me off a little. Police and bug. Not my particular forte, but if my mans commits to scaredmaryellen calls and bug disposal, I'll think about it. If not, there was always my (previous) first choice, in the same area. Slightly more expensive, but an apparently safer area. I don't knowwwwww.
Work went surprisingly well today. I was in on time, I was focused and eager to get shit done, my workload was consistent and Dennis, who I have to admit, has been marginally better since the fiasco of last summer, was in good spirits and pleased with my work products. I do benefit from my job. I've just been in such a funk (love-induced haze) for the past few months, that I didn't realize that, despite being desperately underpaid, I sometimes *like* my job. I like fighting against "The Man" and feeling as if I'm helping people obtain justice! Although they never do. You can't fight the government. Well, technically you can and it's wholly within you rights to do so, but you just can't win.
I'm day two of no-Sean and finals hysteria. I'm trying to be encouraging, but I'm feeling rather lazy myself, so it's hard to be all "work! You can do it!" from a permanently horizontal position. He did mention bear hugs though, which only made me miss him more. He's leaving for tour in about a month and I've been trying to figure out what I can give to him so that, while he's livin' the life across the nation, he'll remember that a little girl in New Jersey loves him so and wants him to come home. Like last time, I've considered writing him a few letters, prior to his departure, to take with him. Then today, while listening to Paul Baribeau, I thought he might enjoy The Ultimate Mix CD, complete with my voice. I did realize that a) I'm terrified of singing because I was once very good at it (or so I was lead to believe), b) I do not play an instrument, nor do I really know anyone who does and would know the multitude of said Paul and Captain Chaos songs and c) this may be pricey. Sean's always claiming that he loves my voice and would like to hear more of it (it's limited to soft car sing-alongs), so the CD would be ideal. Even though, upon mentioning of the CD, all I received in return was an "Aw." One "w". No exclamation points. I have very high expectations. I just want to do the most ultimate things to make sure this boy is fully aware that he is loved. In mass and embarrassing amounts. The love that I have for him never ceases to simultaneously amaze and scare the living shit out of me. I can still remember the day after we met. I arrived at Ashley's parent's house and could barely speak an intelligible word and just claimed "I.met.the.most.amazing.person.in.life" over and over again. All while smiling a very un-Mary Ellen like smile. Sigh. I loves me some Sean. And I CANNOT wait to cash in on those bear hugs.
I am about to reach my now daily smoke quota, so I can only assume that this means bedtime. Plus, I enjoy being to work on time and feeling productive. I'd also like to get out on time, so that I can go home and take an hour nap before....DRANKS AND FOOD WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, ANGEL!!! Out hang out sessions have been few and far between and I sincerely dislike it. I have far too much fun with that woman to only see her once a month. I demand a change! DEMAND!
My cat has seemingly been fed jumping beans. There goes my quota. Damn. I was so good too.
*Bring my lunch at least three times a week and limit pizza purchase to once a week.
*Limit nonsense purchases (clothing, books, pens) to one slurge a month. Modestly.
*Consider switching to a less expensive brand of cigarette pending quittage (I am, in fact, cutting down. I've s
started today and will cut back one a week until my head explodes or I just quit. I've only smoked 19 so far today, so go me).
*Become more coupon friendly, becoming more store brand friendly (oh, bag cereal, how I do love thee), and purchase food with costs in mind instead of compulsively throwing things in the cart like a madwoman.
Baby steps, but steps nonetheless. I have also committed myself to depositing $100 a week in to previously non-existent savings. It's a lot, to me, and will very much come in handy when my departure from Mommyville rolls around. I've also toyed with the idea, due to ongoing furnishings anxiety, buying small pieces as I go. Granted, a sofa is not a *small* piece, and I'd have no where to put it for now, but if I'm able to get all the small stuff, the idea of furnishing and making my apartment-to-be livable, will not be so daunting.
Welcome to Grownupsville, population, a sad little me. I'll miss my youth and that little room I had to be financially irresponsible by paying only half the rent, as opposed to a whole. I did, however, manage to find a pretty sweet apartment. The price is right, but there was a review that put me off a little. Police and bug. Not my particular forte, but if my mans commits to scaredmaryellen calls and bug disposal, I'll think about it. If not, there was always my (previous) first choice, in the same area. Slightly more expensive, but an apparently safer area. I don't knowwwwww.
Work went surprisingly well today. I was in on time, I was focused and eager to get shit done, my workload was consistent and Dennis, who I have to admit, has been marginally better since the fiasco of last summer, was in good spirits and pleased with my work products. I do benefit from my job. I've just been in such a funk (love-induced haze) for the past few months, that I didn't realize that, despite being desperately underpaid, I sometimes *like* my job. I like fighting against "The Man" and feeling as if I'm helping people obtain justice! Although they never do. You can't fight the government. Well, technically you can and it's wholly within you rights to do so, but you just can't win.
I'm day two of no-Sean and finals hysteria. I'm trying to be encouraging, but I'm feeling rather lazy myself, so it's hard to be all "work! You can do it!" from a permanently horizontal position. He did mention bear hugs though, which only made me miss him more. He's leaving for tour in about a month and I've been trying to figure out what I can give to him so that, while he's livin' the life across the nation, he'll remember that a little girl in New Jersey loves him so and wants him to come home. Like last time, I've considered writing him a few letters, prior to his departure, to take with him. Then today, while listening to Paul Baribeau, I thought he might enjoy The Ultimate Mix CD, complete with my voice. I did realize that a) I'm terrified of singing because I was once very good at it (or so I was lead to believe), b) I do not play an instrument, nor do I really know anyone who does and would know the multitude of said Paul and Captain Chaos songs and c) this may be pricey. Sean's always claiming that he loves my voice and would like to hear more of it (it's limited to soft car sing-alongs), so the CD would be ideal. Even though, upon mentioning of the CD, all I received in return was an "Aw." One "w". No exclamation points. I have very high expectations. I just want to do the most ultimate things to make sure this boy is fully aware that he is loved. In mass and embarrassing amounts. The love that I have for him never ceases to simultaneously amaze and scare the living shit out of me. I can still remember the day after we met. I arrived at Ashley's parent's house and could barely speak an intelligible word and just claimed "I.met.the.most.amazing.person.in.life" over and over again. All while smiling a very un-Mary Ellen like smile. Sigh. I loves me some Sean. And I CANNOT wait to cash in on those bear hugs.
I am about to reach my now daily smoke quota, so I can only assume that this means bedtime. Plus, I enjoy being to work on time and feeling productive. I'd also like to get out on time, so that I can go home and take an hour nap before....DRANKS AND FOOD WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, ANGEL!!! Out hang out sessions have been few and far between and I sincerely dislike it. I have far too much fun with that woman to only see her once a month. I demand a change! DEMAND!
My cat has seemingly been fed jumping beans. There goes my quota. Damn. I was so good too.