thank goodness for payday

Just when I thought I wasn't going to make it, thank god today is payday! The only bill that I have to pay for with this paycheck is my share of heat - which is.... $7! Woohoo! I did splurge a bit on lunch today - I had sushi for $8, but at least my sushi/salt craving is gone. I'll make some pasta salad with chicken and broccoli for lunch tomorrow - yum!

Yesterday was my roommate's birthday as I mentioned previously. I bought some cupcakes for her birthday, and then we joined her and some friends for drinks and tapas. The bill was $25 since we all pitched in to cover her share. Not bad - I had a great time and got to meet some new people too!

With the weather changing here, I've decided it's about time for me to brush up my winter wardrobe. I love autumn - being able to wear big fuzzy sweaters and warmer items totally makes me happy. So tonight after work I'm giving myself 100.00 out of my paycheck to get some winter basics. I'm going to look for sweaters and other fall items to keep me warm through winter. I did consult BF on this matter and he just said "it sure as hell beats being cold". True that!

Today during some off time I took the opportunity to make myself an excel spreadsheet for my spending. It has five pages in it - one for my checking, savings, and fun funds with goals, my visa amount and goals, and also a list of monthly expenses (rent, utilities, etc) that need to be paid and by what dates. I think that If I start tracking my spending down to a T I'll be able to see what things are unnecessary and that I can do without. I may even print it out and take it with me, or just keep track of it with a tiny notebook in my bags.

I'm still trying to bump up some of my sales - I have one handbag left the LV accessory. I also had someone interested in a pair of jeans that I've had up - so if those sell that would help too! I'm feeling really motivated about my spending and accounts right now, so lets hope that I can keep my spirits up!

Street fairs and reunion musings

So friends, this past weekend was such a draining one. Saturday morning I couldn't sleep, so I was up puttering around the apartment at 7. I went home at about 9 and mom and I headed down to the annual fog fest in Pacifica. Mom spoiled me again - she got me a soy candle, a pearl necklace, an awesome handmade wooden vase, and we both got matching toe rings. She also took me to lunch - so I did have a great afternoon with her.

I then picked up Tiffany and headed back to the apt to get ready for our 10 year middle school reunion. I had an okay time... I thought that people would've changed a bit - but instead a lot of them were just the same as they were 10 years ago. So I was feeling a bit emotional over the whole thing all evening. It just smacked me upside the head that no matter what to these people I will never be good enough, not funny enough, not pretty enough, not outgoing or spontaneous or bitchy or anything for them. I guess I have to be okay with that - what else can I do? Oh well..

Yesterday would have been my grandpa's 87th birthday if he was still here. So again, I spent yesterday in much of a depressive slump, half dozing around the apartment all day. BF and I did go for a walk for a few hours and then I was in bed by 9. Blargh.

Total money spent for the weekend - 65.00. Ouch. But I did bring my lunch today so that will help me save! Hooray.

And it's Monday..updates to come...

TGIF!

Thank goodness its Friday - this week felt like forever! The weather here today is gorgeous and it looks like we are gearing up to have a great weekend here in San Francisco.

Last night I also made another sale... small, but the 30.00 helps! That and the bracelet I sold will be shipped out today.

Last night on my way home from work I stopped into one of my favorite stores and started talking with a gal who works there. We've chatted several times before about jewelry, bags, makeup, everything. We talked for about half an hour - and while doing so she said that the shop was actually looking for part time help and that she would gladly reccommend me to her boss. I wrote down my email and phone number and she said that she would talk to her manager about it first thing in the morning. Whether or not I get a phone call it was still nice to have someone think of me in the hey i want to work with you sense. A small job (say 10 hours a week) would help - plus the store has great things and I think I would really enjoy it. We'll see what happens though ....

Also a coworker brought me a great treat today - with MAC's back to mac program you can bring in 6 empties of any product and redeem them for a new lipstick or eyeshadow. My coworker brought me 18 empties - so that means I get 3 new MAC products! I'm very excited about this one!

I'm treating myself somewhere cheap for lunch today since it's Friday - maybe I'll be way gross and have McDonalds, haha. Anyway - more to come later.

tiny sale plus free ice cream!

Thursday Thursday. Last night brought the return of our roommate home. I can't wait to sit down and talk to her tonight about her adventures in Africa! Plus girltime and galtalk will be good again too.

Today I sold another item - just a bracelet for 35 but every little bit helps. I think I'll go ahead and add the 35 to my fun fund. That'll bring the total up to about 80 - but its still growing! Today I'm also shipping out my bag sale - it's a little bittersweet but at the same time I'm not feeling any major remorse. I may sell off another balenciaga bag - we will see though. I do know that my tomato day will never leave me - that bag was such a steal and I love it. But obviously if push comes to shove and I ever needed money that I would sell it.

This weekend will be exciting - it's my 10 year grade school reunion. I know - it sounds weird, but since I went to Catholic school and spent 9 years with these people it will be good to catch up. My best friend will also be staying overnight with us - so poor BF prolly won't sleep since we'll be up laughing like morons. But that's okay! Laughter is good. So there will be dinner and drinks - yay!

Also - today is free ice cream day at coldstone! Today is the world's largest ice cream social

Celebrate the 7th Annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social and Support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® with Cold Stone Creamery

Throughout the month of September, Cold Stone Creamery will be selling Make-A-Wish wall stars to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Be sure to visit your local Cold Stone Creamery to try two new flavors, Nutter Butter^® and Marshmallow, and the very special “Make-A-Wish Creations” inspired by Jack and Emily, two Wish Children.

• Jack's Creation - Marshmallow ice cream with OREO® Cookies, Chocolate Chips and Fudge
• Emily's Creation - Nutter Butter® ice cream with White Chocolate Chips, Kit Kat® and Yellow Cake

To cap off this special month, don't miss the 7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide, a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with a FREE ice cream and family fun. On September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00PM, guests will be treated to a 3 oz. serving of Jack or Emily's Creation. All donations will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (Courtesty of www.coldstone.com)

Hooray for this! Of course I will make a donation - but just wanted to spread the word.

Bit of a relapse...

So sadly today I had a bit of a shopping relapse. I think most people know how much I love my MAC Makeup. Well, if you've ever been outlet shopping I think you may know about a store called the Cosmetics Company Outlet which sells discounted makeup. One was set to open in lovely San Francisco - and it did. Except for the fact that tomorrow the store goes invitation only. So my behind, along with a coworker hightailed it down there to the store on lunch break. And ladies, was it beautiful. Upon walking in they had shelf after shelf of MAC - it was so pretty! And then... my holy grail makeup was sitting there on a shelf. I almost started jumping up and down. So I grabbed two. Plus some shadesticks. An eyeshadow. And a paint pot. And a tendertone. So I charged it..and have been having a fabulous day since.

I broke my makeup for that reason solely - I hadn't bought makeup since August! So tomorrow I go on the makeup ban again, only a much, much happier camper.

Hopefully more updates to come... I'll try and post an updated visa amount later on this week :)

Finally did it.

So friends, today I must admit is pretty bittersweet. I just sold my first balenciaga bag. The 2005 bordeaux was definitely my first love - but alas, she has spent most of her months in my possession in her dustbag tucked away in my closet. So I listed her and she sold. Today I am $1000 richer, and feeling a bit more free.

This past weekend was good, albeit way too fast. My parents had a birthday party for me and I got $150 in cash. Not too shabby! On Sunday I returned a pair of boots that when I put on made me look like an elf. So that is $120 back on my visa card! Hooray! I did spend 67 at Target though... I needed some cleaning supplies, got BF some cereal, and picked up a few winter essentials since the weather will be changing fast. Mom also totally spoiled me - she bought me a painting for our apt, new jeans, two new sweaters and a new blazer. And she bought me lunch yesterday. So needless to say I'm feeling a bit better about everything.

I'm waiting to see what my updated visa bill looks like now after the returns that I've made on it. With the money that I've made on the handbag it's more than enough to get me out of debt and start to replenish my savings. I'm very, very excited - I may even put 100 in my fun fund that I started at BofA.

Today is the day!

That I get to pay off a whopping $900 on my visa card - the bulk of it from work for re-embursable expenses. I feel as if a load has been taken off my shoulders. After work I'm going to stop by the bank and deposit the checks and schedule my payment to chase. Waaahooo!

I also had to pay my cell phone (64) and cable/internet (89) today. Those definitely hurt the wallet. I did, however, monitor my text message usage and saw that I haven't even used 10% of the 1500 texts that I'm paying an extra 10.00 for so I canceled that aspect on my at&t bill. I'm also still thinking of selling the iphone and going back to just having minutes and texts. I don't need anything fancy - email and internet can always wait until home. The only drawback is not having email and my calendar readily available for work ... we'll see what happens with this one though.

I'm torn on a few things. I'm really feeling quite bummed out today. I did put 500 into my savings yesterday, but the utilities and cell phone bill just wiped my account out. This leads me to other thoughts of debt and monetary woes. Will I never be able to get ahead? Will I always feel as if I have to live paycheck to paycheck? What happens when I want to buy a house? I'm so scared and worried that I'll make the same mistakes that some family members have done. I desperately don't want to be like them and try to set different goals and spending habits for myself, but sometimes its just so hard. I hope BF and I are able to sit down sometime soon and make up an actual real budget that I stick to.

I sold a bunch of makeup online - so that's going to make my makeup case and my bank account a bit happier. Once I get the full invoice paid from the lady I'll go ahead and ship that off and deposit the money into my account.

The only other bill that I have to worry about for the next month is our heat - 21 split between 3 people. Somehow, I think I'll be able to come up with the $7.

weekend in review

Here's a weekend update - I can't believe that it's Monday already!

Saturday my mom and sister came into the city. I did bring my visa card with me - but I spent $0! I am so proud of myself! My mom did buy me a tote bag, a hat, and splurged on a pedicure for me though - which was way kind and totally unnecessary. But regardless I had a good time.

Sunday I made some returns to urban outfitters - that's +43.00. I did have to get some gifts for my RAOK buddy, so that was -33.00. Dave and I headed to the supermarkets, where I spent a whopping $9 on food (I used some of my gift card at trader joes and then the rest was over at safeway - i got some stuff to make breakfast and lunch, plus some ice cream). We cooked dinner at home and I also made myself breakfast and lunch for today in an attempt to save money and be a bit healthier (cottage cheese with fruit and pasta salad - we'll see how it turned out). Overall I had a pretty relaxing weekend with not a lot of spending.

In other news... I've listed the first of my balenciaga bags up for sale. I've been thinking a lot lately about how all of these designer items are almost like a facade. Do I need them? Not at all. Do I like them? Of course I do but how many bags do I have sitting in my closet? I think concentrating on my savings and then setting goals for myself is a better idea than buying a ton of expensive bags when in reality I have all I need.

Today I do have to head to the tailors though - pants that need to be hemmed aren't doing any good just sitting in my closet if I can't wear them!

This morning I also made my first deposit into my new bank fund - I've decided that I want it to be a fun fund/bag fund/shopping fun. So I currently have 46.00! It's not much, but its still a start!

Whew - I can't believe that this week has gone by already - and sadly my poor blog has been neglected. I apologize blog - but I'm here to stay.

This week I only spent money on lunch. 7 on Monday, 6.50 Tuesday, 7 Wednesday, 11 Thursday (that one hurt...) and 6 yesterday. Not bad not bad. I'm going to try start making pasta salad again and bringing that to work. The reason why I buy my lunch just about everyday is our lack of microwave, oven, anything at my office that doesn't allow me to bring leftovers and heat them up. I hate this -but what can I do? Sandwiches aren't exactly my most favorite thing to eat on a daily basis, and salads rarely fill me up. Bah. It's always a battle.

I got a 50 amex gift card and I have no idea what to spend it on! If I could apply it toward my visa balance I totally would, but unfortunately I can't. I did get my work re-emburcements yesterday, so I'm holding $492.81 and 300 in birthday money - comes to 792.81, and with the 71 that my mom owes me it comes to $864.81. Not bad. I haven't had any takers on my stuff for sale so I may just turn to eBay which scares me, but what can I do.

I've also come to the realization that I don't need all of these fancy items. I might sell most of my balenciaga cities (gasp). I'm hesitant to let go of my Vuittons, but we'll see...

My mom and sister are coming in to the city today since Dave went to work and my dad and sister's boyfriend are busy. I think we are going to go to Chinatown (sigh since I work there) and maybe Union Square. I am going to leave the Visa card at home though!

So that's it for now... I'll see about updating later on if I have more to say!

Weekend roundup

This weekend went by unbelievably fast... but without much spending! Friday night Dave and I stayed in and watched a movie that he had gotten from fandango. Saturday morning I went to mass with my mom and then we had lunch/shopped. I picked up a pair of work slacks for 29 - they had been 50 and 40% - so I couldn't resist. I'm kinda getting burned out on wearing jeans just about everyday, and they would look great dressed up.

Saturday evening we went to the movies and I bought an icee and some candy. Total - $7.25.

Sunday we relaxed by the pool and did some grocery shopping but with script. Total - $0. Had to put some gas in my car though, so that was $10. And we had dinner at home, which was a total of $0.

Weekend total - $46.25. Not too bad - but if I hadn't gotten charges would've been dropped. But what can I do - work clothes are work clothes, correct?

Anyway, on the visa front - I got another birthday check and that brings the total of birthday money to $300.00 - I'm feeling better about paying down the visa. Now if only the checks from work come, that would be great. I also think I might do the freeze trick with the card - freeze it in a bag of water in the freezer so that I can defrost it in DIRE emergencies - car trouble, vet visit, something along those lines. We shall see though..

Foot for thought..

Shoes. Something that as a woman, I can't avoid - and even if I wasn't well, they are somewhat of a necessity. But moreso to the point, let's look at the shoes to the left - Tory Burch's reva leather ballet flats. No mater how hard I try I can't get these out of my head - with the adjustable elastic banding, the leather(!!), and the bling but subtle look at me gold medallion on the front. But the thing that holds me back? The $195 price tag. And with CA state tax of .0825, they come out to be a whopping $211.09 - about $105 per foot. PER FOOT! And for this reason I will continue to shove these precious babies out of my head.

$211 - what could I do with that money? Save it. Or use it to pay off another chunk of the visa bill. It could be put toward electric or the cable bill.

Perhaps instead I will stalk Nordstrom Rack to see if these ever show up. But on second thought, I think I'll just avoid shopping all together.

I think a goal for me this weekend is go hardcore go through my wardrobe and find some things that I haven't worn (shoes, etc) and see if I can somehow sell them. Twiggers and her blog of getting rid of anything and everything unnecessary that is cluttering up my life and closet is inspiring me to do so. Plus one person's trash is another person's treasure! Craigslist and ebay, here I come.

And I forgot about another thing I have up for sale - a small Louis Vuitton item that I have priced at $175. That would make another huge difference in the bill and also give me a boost in my savings. Here's to selling!

Money goals

So I've decided that I really need to kick my spending habits to the curb and up my savings.

Here's a breakdown of my debt:
United chase visa card: 1244.03, 500.00 of which is owed to me through work and another 70 by my parents. That leaves me with roughly 674.03 to be eliminated.

So far I've received 200.00 in birthday money - bill is now 474.03.

Up for sale I have my Fendi purse, which I've priced at 650, an ed hardy hat at 40, two coach purses at 65 and 75, and another tote bag at 40. if all of those sold today it would total 870 - more than enough to get me out of debt.

My monthly income is $2200, with 900 to rent and about 63 for my phone, and 50 for both heat and cable/internet, leaving me with 1187. I should be saving about 800 of that! I walk to work everyday, try to cook most nights but I do splurge on lunches - about 5-10 everyday. I really try to keep it under 10, but sometimes here in the city it's hard.

I've also thought of reducing my cell phone bill by getting rid of my iphone for a phone that just has minutes and texts. I sometimes feel as if I don't use my iphone for what it was fully intended for, and quite frankly that 63 could be saved or put to other use!

What seems to really bother me is that since I've been working for a full year I should have a lot more in my savings. But I think I let myself - and my mom get the best of me while living at home. I bought designer jeans and handbags up the wazoo - not batting an eyelash at extraordinary amounts paypalled over almost every payday to get a new bag.

Of course I regret it now - and hope that I can tone down my collection to something that I will actually use and LOVE with most of the unneccessary items sold.
Whew, what a mouthful...

new beginnings...

So, I usually don't know what to say in these things for the first post. But here's a layout..

About me: 24, full time receptionist and exec assistant at an architectural firm in San Francisco. I love my city and think it's the best in the world - San Francisco will always be my home. I have two pet chinchillas whom I love dearly, a boyfriend, and a fabulous apartment. I love shopping - unfortunately it's habit I indulge in too frequently. I have a bit of credit card debt that I want to eliminate and to start building my savings account back up. I often fight urges of spending money just to make myself better and will buy designer jeans, MAC makeup, and high end designer handbags (LV, Balenciaga, etc). While I love my gorgeous items, I want to be more - and feel more financially stable. 

Hang on for a ride cause I have no idea which way it's going to take me...