My CC is keeping me on budget

Ever since I moved out of my parents' house, money has been my biggest concern. I needed to be sure I was covering all my bills, have some left over to save for a rainy day, and then still even more for retirement. Bills were initially easy, as was saving. It took me until about year out before I really started with any retirement savings.

Then I got a little too ambitious. I decided to live by myself. This quickly cut down my ability to save. Once I returned to school, there were a few additional costs, but class and homework got in the way of part time work. This meant serious budgets!!! I need to reduce spending that does not fall under utilities, rent, gas, and food. After a unexpected trip to the garage, leaving me with a $139 bill, I was bummed that I wouldn't be able to pick up some items from Sephora I had meaning to get, or a new pair of winter pants. Boooo.

Just to be sure that I was up to budget for January, I went to check on my credit card. That is when I noticed I haven't cashed in my points for about a year. I use my credit cards for everything. All those charges allow for me to gain points, and I always use them to order $25, $50 or $100 gift cards. It allows for me to treat myself guilt free. :)

This time I am going with Amazon, J-Crew, and Sephora. This should allow me for a combination of things I need and want to get me through the next semester. Honestly, if I could charge my rent check I would be this much closer to a Banana Republic guilt-free splurge.

Still vacation until I go to work pt. 2

As if the day couldn't get better, I did eventually make it to the mall, after a brief pop into H&M to find yet another jem. I like to enter through the Weston Hotel so that I can start my shopping by gazing into the Jimmy Choo store. Just as I was about to step off the escalator and into the mall, I had the sudden urge to blink a few times just to make sure I was actually seeing a Michael Kors store straight ahead of me. Where did this magical place come from??? And for the life of me, I can't remember what used to be in that exact spot.

Of course, I had to go in and see what it was like inside. The space was very white, bright and inviting. A saleswoman saw me enter in, wearing my typical shopping uniform- which consists of old jeans, motorcycle boots, and a t-shirt - not the most fashion forward look, and welcomed me with a large smile and warm hello. (I don't always get such a warm welcome when I look so disheveled) She continued to escort me around the shop pointing out various products that were on sale.

When I asked to try on a pair of pants, she brought in a top just so I could get a feel of what a potential work outfit would look like. She did check in on me a little excessively, but found it cute that when I let her know the look wasn't for me, she continued to let me know about future stock and whatnot that was coming into the store. As she fed me this information, she interrupted herself, saying that she should probably let me change in peace but would be waiting for me to exit to give me any final information. I found this interaction charming and not at all pushy. Thanks!

In the end, she sold me on a pair of earmuffs. They are actually lighter in person than in the picture to the left. I was drawn to the stud detailing and the oh so soft fur muffs. Again, I scored myself a 50% off deal, woohoo!

Both stores left me very satisfied and extremely happy with the service provided to me. I hope to be able to return sometime when I have cash to burn through.

The one upside of returning to work tomorrow is that I will officially work on staying on a budget as cash will probably get a little tighter in the coming year. Shaky fist to you, school books. No more splurging for me. :)

20 for a $1

After this weekend, I realize I might need to cut back my references to how poor I am. These laments stem from a year ago when I moved into my own apartment when I thought I would be taking a new job that pays higher. I could make my rent payments, but it was a bit of a squeeze and had to stop some of my automatic savings transfers. Little did I know that not only did I not get a higher paying job, but ended up elsewhere which meant taking a pretty major pay-cut. EEEeeeeep!

I do work a part-time job that is flexible, enjoyable, and definitely helps with the bills. Thus, I am still in the black, even if it is by a hair. I have adjusted my personal budget and quit saving money and things have evened out. No biggie.

Anyway, my dad let me know on the car ride home from the bar that he came up with a new way for me to earn some extra cash. Cash in my mom's diet coke cans. This is a serious suggestion, and what is sadder, is that I am seriously considering it. My parents cannot cash them in as RI doesn't do the deposit, but MA does. I am aware that it is illegal to take your cans from a non-deposit state to a deposit state, but I think I might chance it every so often.

I have shared this story with a few friends, and they have responded how they have thought about cashing in their own cans, but it seems more effort than it is worth. Normally I would agree. But my mother is my secret weapon. She pretty much only drinks Diet Coke from a can and consumes a good amount of it. If I picked up cans when I visited once a month, I could probably cover the gas money I needed for the trip.

In the end, yes, I am considering going for it. Who couldn't use a few extra bucks?

ABSolutely worth the $6

Did you know that if you go to the movies at 10:30 am it only costs $6? Well I now know and have every intention of becoming a morning movie patron.

I am not sure if I will ever go to the theaters in the pm now that I know there is such a deal if I compliment with my brunches with some cinema. And seriously, who wouldn't love some abs first thing in the morning?


Yes, in case you can't figure it out I saw Eclipse. I totally recommend it.

Buying Entertainment in Bulk

For some reason I decided that after I moved into this apartment I needed to finally get some magazine subscriptions. Having magazines delivered every month to my residence just makes me feel like I am really an adult. I feel attached enough to my address to have something I pay for sent to me regularly and happy enough with my life choices that I deserve the little bit of excitement each month when a new glossy covered magazine shows up.

Now, I was very determined to find some good deals because I did not want to only get A magazine subscription, but a FEW subscriptions. The idea of being able to have an array of reading material on my coffee table (that does not currently exist) thrilled me. I do understand that magazines are another added expense to my very limited budget, but then again, a subscription is so much cheaper than splurging on the occasional news stand purchase. And with this single life, I feel that I am going to want an option to curl up on the couch and peruse a magazine rather than commit myself to a book or just succumb to the seductive powers of my dvr.

Additionally, I think having completely control over my own mail box makes me eager to get the magazines. Once I came back from Alaska, I went out to find the best deals that I could to minimize the expense. FYI - Amazon.com is basically giving magazines away for free. If you are itching for a subscription, go there now! I subscribed to Marie Claire, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly and Teen Vogue (don't you dare try to judge me on that last one). No subscription cost more than $15. I got Teen Vogue for 2 years for $10.

What prompted this post? My first Entertainment Weekly showed up on Friday. If it hadn't been for the bachelorette dinner/bar night out, I would have immediately parked my butt down and had a lovely time reading about Jim and Pam's upcoming wedding. Honestly, I can't wait for next week's issue.

Trust me, when my first Vogue shows, you will know!

CharlieCard is worth more than you think

I found this site randomly yesterday: http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/CharlieCard_Discount_Book/

Apparently you can get discounts by merely showing your CharlieCard. I put the link up on my gchat status for a while and saw that today BostonTweets tweeted the same site. I find it pretty amusing that we found it at the same time, then again, maybe one of my friends leaked it to him.

It has some deals that I would actually be interested in, but I feel like I might have to carry a printed version with me when I attempt to cash in on some of these savings. Who knows if anyone else has ever tried to use them...

Me: 1 Online Shopping: 5039458

I totally won this round. Online shopping has become such a quick and easy way to deal with stress and boredom lately. I got a series of emails from Aldoshoes.com advertising free shipping for any order placed by Sunday (aka yesterday). I had my eye on two different pairs of heels from their clearance section and would have saved SOOOOO much money purchasing them but I resisted. I need to get myself on a budget given that I am moving into my new place in about a month and need to be used to paying quite a bit more in rent each month, which means I will have quite a bit less to blown on whatever I feel like whenever I feel like I need a treat.



Imagine these in pink. They look pretty freaking amazing. I have actually even tried this on in the store. They are funky and flatter the calves nicely








I have actually posted a pic of these ones before when I was searching for THE SHOES. I have never seen them in a store and they look like they too could totally sass up a pair of jeans so fast! Oh well. The sale has come and gone, and I do not pay for shipping.



Let's see if I can be this strong in the future. Doubt it.