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Archive for March, 2011

Week Wrap-up

March 6th, 2011 at 04:05 pm

So I did good this week. Didn't spend any money out at restaurants, and spent minimally elsewhere. I did purchase my camera this week, so that was a bigger one. But the going out, the little extras were none. I count it a win.

Today is Sunday, which means grocery shopping day. I'll be hitting Aldi, then Marc's as usual. I'm expecting this week to be on the cheaper side, thankfully. Our grocery bills went through the roof last month. Too much stuff we didn't really need and extravagant meals (though those bacon wrapped scallops were totally worth it). This week we'll be utilizing as much stuff we already have on hand as possible. I'm back into super saving mode.

Why am I back into super saving mode? I looked at my student loans again Frown I feel like I'm consistently right where I started, and I'm getting really aggressive with it now. Because my CC has been paid off for a while now, there really is no excuse. I made a $500 payment the other day, but I'd like to throw at least another $100 by the end of the month.

After grocery shopping I'll be heading to my mom's to make sure my sister is still alive (mom is away in FL this weekend) and make dinner. And work. I'm trying to maximize the amount of $ I can make this week. Next week is spring break! That means playing catchup with my school work, trying to make even more money, and taking a day trip to Columbus with a friend. Very exciting Smile

At any rate, I should get this day started (for real). It's already 11:00, after all! Hope you all have a great Sunday!

Debt Payment and Bought a Camera

March 4th, 2011 at 01:42 pm

So I got that tax money in, and finally decided on the allocation. I immediately put $1,000 of it toward my student loans, which of course only put a dent, but every little bit helps! I also put $1,500 of it in my savings account. The rest was split between new glasses (so happy), a haircut, and a few other random things. February was a VERY spendy month. There were a few essentials, but I also spent too much on things I really didn't need, or food out when I could have easily cooked at home. Not this month.

I have made two purchases this month. The original Dream Phone game from Ebay... for a 90's throwback sleepover I'm planning with some girlfriends. I also purchased a new camera. After debating what traveling I wanted to do this year, I decided against using my savings to make a trip to Europe. The flight tickets are absolutely atrocious, and I don't see them getting any better any time soon (particularly due to all of the unrest in the Middle East currently). Instead, I decided to cut the cost by $1,000 and purchase a nice camera. I bought a Canon EOS Rebel XS, and I'm waiting for it to arrive at my house. Very exciting!

I will be taking a few trips inside the country this year, however. Chicago at the end of this month, New Orleans at the end of April. I'm also hoping to visit my dad in Denver over the summer. Thankfully, however, only one of those trips will involve flying.

I took a look at my debt today, and it is still fantastically depressing. I put a $500 payment down, and enthusiastically await the day when I get the rest of my sign-on bonus. It'll be nice to make a $5,000 payment in one chunk. Maybe then I'll feel like I'm actually getting somewhere with it. I'm going to start more aggressively attacking it. I just can't stand looking at that $35,791.16 go up every single month. And that's only my loans with one company! I still have a little over $15k among the other two...

So yeah, I was going to go out tonight, but I think I'll be staying in and saving money instead. Perhaps even making money! lol. I have to be up early to take my mom to the airport, so I wont be going out with the BF anyway. We'll be going to a hockey game tomorrow. I got a fantastic deal through Living Social-- only $12/ticket. Not bad.

I have some spendy weekends coming up here, anyway. Taking a trip to Pittsburgh next weekend, spending a day in Columbus during spring break (which can't come soon enough), Chicago at the end of the month. Woo! So while I'm still in my own city, I need to keep things under control. Cooking at home, not going out and spending too much on alcohol, restaurants. I'm going to be working as much as possible to increase my income as well.

That's about all I have right now! Hope everyone has a great Friday Smile