March 1, 2008

Ok, so I wake up this morning, go get a haircut, buy some mouthwash, it's like the floodgates are open...or not.

But let's take a look at the past month and figure out what it all meant.

Well, to be honest, I was hoping to spend around $550-600. I was $300 over that, so I really didn't get anywhere close to my goal. Yet, I wouldn't say I was curtailing anything, I just had hoped it would all end up around there.

Why $550? Well, I had budgeted around $250 for any Valentine's Day stuff and that would leave me with $300 to spend. And if I really didn't buy other crap, $300 for gas and food should have been pretty reasonable, or so I thought.

Eating out means lots of $20 and $30 expenditurs. Gas is about $55 a fill-up and still rising. So, really, either a conscious effort to reduce everything or just live with it.

The sad part was the accompanying credit card bill. I may not have used the plastic at all this month, but my cash-only month isn't aligned with my credit card cycle. Thus, the lingering charges from January were much larger than I remembered. And that meant I saved nothing this month, and if anything, spent more since things weren't offset by a month on the credit card.

However, if I really wanted, I could extend the credit card non-use to this month and really drive down the charges. Not sure if I'll do that or just decide to decrease all spending to crazy amounts.

My rent takes up about half of my monthly income. So to really save and make any progress, I'd have to decrease spending to the range I stated earlier, $550-600. And that's the end goal I guess.

Thanks for playing along for the month. I'll check you later.

February 29, 2008

Stupid leap year, an extra day to spend money. I was home free if it was any of the three years before or three years after. So, Friday was Korean BBQ night. Good lordy lordy lord, Kal Bi and Bul Go Gi, serve me up.

Daily BBQ Meat: $18
Monthly Done: $843.60

And there you have it, checking in right under $850. Hmmm, what does it all mean? A bigger analysis is coming tomorrow. But I will say this, $850! Dammmnnn!!

February 28, 2008

Sorry for the late one. No spending. Good to go.

Daily: $0
Total wompage: $825.60

February 27, 2008

And the confetti drops, the balloons fall, and the music plays. No, it's not my presidential nomination, it's my spending celebration! Say good-bye 700s, hello 800s!

Dinner at BJs: $35 - why do I keep going there if I don't order the Pizookie??
Gas: $40 - it didn't even fill up

Daily Spend: $75
Monthly surrender: $825.60

I have no car today, spending should cease. But tomorrow is the last day of the month and Friday, that makes $900 possible. Oooof.

February 26, 2008

No spending, good. But gas is calling. And hair product is at a smudge. And mouthwash is at a spit. Last one was gross, I know.

Daily Spend: $0
Monthly Spend: $750.60

The end is over there. To get to it, a line of Target and gas stations must be crossed.

February 25, 2008

Yesterday was a really long day. So long that it flowed into this morning. That means this morning will get pushed back to this afternoon. And everything is all jacked up in my to-do-list.

But, it allowed me to spend nothing. Yippee.

Daily spend: $0
Monthly divesting: $750.60

So in just a couple days the month will be over. The question will be whether I go over $800 I guess. I'll give a big postmortem on the month and let you know exactly what it got me. The results may surprise you.

February 24, 2008

Well, Oscar night mean Oscar party. A veggie platter here, a loaf of bread, boom, the floodgates open. Then a quick a game/gift at Target. More than I expected for a Sunday.

Safeway: $11.78
Target: $27.69

Daily Total: $39.47
Monthly Hurting: $750.60

February 24, 2008

Saturday, working, not the greatest weekend, but whatevers. First meal of the day was McDonalds. Second meal of the day was Korean tofu. And everything in-between was work.

Mickey: $6.48
Korean Tofu: $24

Daily total: $30.48
Monthly grind: $711.13

Fun.

February 22, 2008

Friday, dangerous. But, a nice friendly gathering at a buddy's place meant a bottle of wine was all that was needed.

However, the pit stop at the market allowed me to once again invest in the $280MM lotto drawing. Two bucks to heavenly glory!

But I didn't win. Crap.

Daily Spend: $2
Monthly rip: $680.65

Yippee

February 21, 2008

Seriously, the best way to stop spending money: don't leave work. When I average 13 hour days for the week, you know I ain't leaving for no food or shopping. Whoo.

Daily Spend: $0
Monthly rip: $678.65

Ah, but the weekend approaches. What's in store?

February 20, 2008

Well, I didn't win. The $220 million sits far away from my hands. I am sad. But I have not spend money today. Instead, I walked around half-hobbling cause doing deadlifts incorrectly makes your back feel like crap.

Daily: $0
Monthly poorage: $678.65

Fun. Broken back.

February 19, 2008

So I didn't have to spend money today. But I needed to spend money. Mega Millions here I come. So, when I don't post tomorrow, it'll be because I'm counting my $240 mil, suckas!

Lotto: $3

Daily: $3
Monthly frowning: $678.65

See you next lifetime.

February 18, 2008

It's nice to have a day off. And in light of the spending, I went to Costco for the stand-by meal. I gotta say though, that hot dog and churro made me feel like a giant lump of crap for the rest of the day. Maybe it's time to find a different cheap meal.

Costco: $2.71

Daily Total: $2.71
Monthly Spend: $675.65

I hope to spend nothing this week. We'll see if that happens.

February 17, 2008

Get the hell out of Santa Maria. So off we go, driving down, we almost make it to Santa Barbara without filling up, but nope. So add in a bottle of water and you got yourself a $60+ fill-up, ouch.

Brunch in Santa Barbara was a delightful crepe place. Then lots of walking up and down State Street.

Next up, long-ass drive back! Pit-stop at Taco Bell/Pizza Hut express was yummy. One last fill-up, and the weekend is done.

Gas 1: $61.20
Brunch: $22
Pizza Hut: $11.75
Gas 2: $55.25

Daily Total: $150.20
Monthly heart attack: $672.94

That's it, I'm done. No more spending.

February 16, 2008

So it began, the make-good Valentine's trip. Down to lovely Santa Maria for the day, with aims to end up in Santa Barbara by the next day.

Well, to get to Santa Maria, one would need to fill up on gas. Luckily, the last week was light on travel, meaning filling up was a smaller chore.

Then there was the 4 hour drive. At least we stopped by San Luis Obispo. That was not all that fun to be honest with you.

Once in Santa Maria, it was a glorious time warp back to days of yesteryear. The historic Santa Maria Inn has housed countless celebrities like...look I didn't pay that much attention. I know I saw Kiefer Sutherland's picture on the wall and some photos of Jimmy Stewart and Judy Garland. So yeah, it was a cool place, nice decor, historic shops within the hotel, good time.

The town of Santa Maria, also a throwback...to the 70s. That was place not exciting, at all. There was nothing to do. The fine dining was a meal at Red Robin. Greatness indeed. That led to dessert through room service. And that was the day. Ready for the total? You should be.

Gas: $27.60
Room Service: $22.60
Room itself: $174.70

Daily Total: $224.90
Monthly weeping: $522.74

You know, I feel a bit naked with all the exposure. You get to see everything I'm spending, it's kinda scary.

February 15, 2008

Friday night rolls around, big weekend ahead means no plans for tonight. No dinner from work means hitting the fast food joint for me and my bro. Gross now, but oh so yummy then.

McD: $11.89

Daily Total: $11.89
Monthly hurt: $297.84

Let's just say that the third century mark has already been passed with the weekend plans, but come back to see how much.

February 14, 2008

It was an inexpensive day of Valentine's. Only paid for the popcorn/soda combo at the movies. Granted, I hate buying food at the theatre, but I was one hungry bastard. Oh, and the movie, Definitely, Maybe, definitely sucked, no maybe about it.

AMC Combo #1 (Popcorn/Soda): $10.75
AMC Movie Watcher Coupon for said combo: -$0.50!
Total Combo cost: $10.25!!!

Daily Total: $10.25
Monthly Spend: $285.95

Ah, but, but, but, the Valentine's celebration was actually postponed to this weekend. Get ready for the reaming! Gouge, ugh, ahhh!

February 13, 2008

Nada. How can I pull that off on the day before Valentine's? Cause I'm that damn good.

Daily Total: $0
Monthly Debit: $275.70

Or maybe it all comes flooding in tonight.

February 12, 2008

Sorry for the late post again, but who reads this thing past 11PM anyways? So, after several days of non-spending, it all cames crashing to a halt. Our house is in a mess, and that usually means a couple things: lots of dirty dishes, lots of recycling piling up, and no food.

So off to the market I went and boom, money spent quickly. Sob.

Market: $52.08

Daily total: $52.08
Monthly pain: $275.70

This isn't fun. Seriously.

February 11, 2008

My type of Monday, no way to spend money. Work 12 hours, don't leave the office, means no money spent. Fun time. Indeed.

Daily Total: $0
Monthly Destruction: $223.62

Lookout, here comes a fake holiday!

February 10, 2008

Sunday Sunday. Waking up late, getting treated to breakfast, then vegging out at home makes for an inexpensive day. But I do have to say that my allergies have kicked in and I'm not happy about that!

Daily Total: $0
Monthly Grind: $223.62

See you next week, with all the spending you could hope for.

February 9, 2008

So, I'm writing in the middle of the day. I'm hoping I won't have to edit this and add more expenditures.

I needed some of the basics today, such as fuel for my car and fuel for my body. The body part was easy, Costco, hot dog and churro, I know the routine.

But the gas station, man, I have no idea when I last paid cash at a gas station. And in doing so, I made sure I went to the cheapest station I could find. Even if the $3.13/gal was right on the way, the $3.07 around the corner was worth the hassle. Oh, and those prices don't include the 9/10 of a cent on each. Stupid gas stations and their 9/10s, damn them all.

Costco: $2.71
Gas: $43.50

Daily Total: $46.21
Monthly wreckage: $223.62

February 8, 2008

Friday, I'll try to sound upbeat and optimistic. So, we went to dinner and it was great. There's this burger joint call The Counter, where you get to create your own burger. It's really neat because you get a clipboard with a paper menu, and you check off all the items you want. It's like a chance to build a totally unique burger! Even though I had that option, I ordered the mini-cheeseburgers, and boy were those tasty.

After The Counter, we went bowling. I don't know about you, but I was so surprised to see how hip a bowling alley could be. There was a nice bar, and every lane had its own "server". When you picked up your rental shoes, you also picked out a bowling ball from behind the counter. It was really neat, too. I guess you can't put a price on coolness...or maybe you can. Like to the tune of $8/game! Holy shnikes, $5 for shoes!? Wii bowling comes with the damn console, which cost about as much as our tab for 6 people!

Ahem, sorry, I'm being cherry and optimistic. Fun night!

The Counter: $33
Bowling: $42

Daily Total: $75
Monthly Damage: $177.41


That's just fantastic.

February 7, 2008

Ah ha, a normal day at work, a normal day of no spending! Yes, yes, no money spent, no cash exchanging hands, nothing! But what is that I see, tomorrow is Friday, ugh. Weekend killers!

Daily Total: $0
Monthly Total: $102.41

And I'd like to thank the two of you who have no faith in me to finish off this month. For those of you haven't taken the opportunity, feel free to vote in the survey to the right.

February 6, 2008

Oh, the temptations of spending random amounts of money. Getting home today, I had some time to chill out and run some errands if I so chose. However, I chose wisely, and stayed in. That meant no extra stuff like replacement toothbrush heads or more hair product. Nope, the toiletries would get to wait.

In all, just a bad meal at the airport today.

Carls Jr: $4.73 (don't supersize!)

Daily Total: $4.73
Monthly Total: $102.41

Looks like it took me only 7 days to pass the century mark. And I haven't even bought anything outside of food. A two magazines. What a crappy week of purchasing.

February 5, 2008

Day two in SoCal. Skipping the free continental breakfast in favor of sleep led to grease-erific breakfast at Denny's. Seriously though, French Toast Slam, excellent.

Then off to Dinseyland for the day. Free ticket saved, oh about, a million dollars. I have no idea how families afford to take their kids. What I do know is that I won't bring my kids, they'll just have to experience the rides through my delightful storytelling.

Ah, but the food wasn't free in the park. And the McDonald's French Fries stand was too powerful to withstand.

Luckily, the rest of the evening was cost-free.

Denny's: $10
French fries: $3

Daily Total: $13
Monthly Total: $97.41

Closing in on the C-note. Let's see how long I can hold out.

February 4, 2008

I'm all for travel, but when it takes 7 hours to get to SoCal, I could've just slept on a bus and got there quicker. Ah, but being stuck in airports and shuttles all day meant no time to spend money, whoo. Only a dinner to spend, but it was a Downtown Disney dinner. As fun as it was sitting next to the screaming elephants, it was more fun dropping more cash.

Dinner: $30

Daily Total: $30
Monthly Total: $84.41

February 3, 2008

Man, SuperBowl Sunday, how am I not supposed to spend a little cash on the prerequisite party fixings. Dropping by the market also meant buying stuff for breakfast making. Can't beat pancakes and bacon on a Sunday brunch.

Market: $15.98

Daily Total: $15.98
Monthly Total: $54.41

Great, I haven't had a day of $0 yet. And the next several days are in SoCal, where the food isn't free and spending is a necessity. Stupid February.

February 2, 2008

Day two, more spending. Stupid weekends. Stupid errands. So what did I spend on? There were the magazines and comics from the comic shop. And then there was the meal of the day, Costco hot dog and churro, yum!

Comics: $9.72
Costco: $2.71

Daily total: $12.43
Monthly total: $38.43

Too much spending in too little time.

February 1, 2008 pt 2

So, what did the first day of spending look like? If it wasn't a Friday, I bet I would have spent $0. But it was a Friday, and that meant dinner with everyone. But, I resisted the penguin yogurt pitstop. So, the tally:

Dinner: $26
Dessert: $0

Daily Total: $26
Monthly Total: $26

February 1, 2008

It's my own little socio-economic experiment performed on myself. A month of cash expenditures. Why? There are a couple reasons.

1) In our credit card economy, buying things with dolla-dolla bills is a pain in the arse. So, let's see if I can do it, just from a willpower perspective. There are a couple items that I didn't change, like my recurring mobile bill or my recurring internet hosting bill.

But everything else is up for game. Daily stuff like gas and food, where credit is super easy - gone. Special stuff like big gifts or hotel rooms, where credit is expected - gone. I mean, how often do you carry around $300 to pay for a hotel bill? Well, I'm gonna have to do that now.

2) Which is the main reason of this, to try to curb expenditures. It's super easy to hop online, do my clothes/electronics/anything-I'm-in-the-mood for shopping and not think twice about it. And that's where the funds get depleted. Maybe that extra controller for the Wii or the superhero statue isn't that necessary. And if it is, dropping c-notes will make me think twice about it.

So that's my spiel. I hope you enjoy this as much as I won't.