I know I said this last month, but I'm going to say it again. The spending was crazy in July!!! August will be better. I might start tracking it here again just for accountability.
Even though, we did eat out a lot this month, I also did splurge. I treated myself to a $55 mani/pedi and I spent $80 on clothes (which I received today and I love them!). Then there is the eating out. I just couldn't stand making breakfast for one day and I treated myself and B to a morning out. It was luxurious and heavenly, but the cost was $40! Tonight is our monthly date night, so money will be spent there, but at least it is anticipated.
August will be better....
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Best Pizza Ever....in LA!
I live in LA. I understand that LA is not the pizza capital of the world. People from Chicago and New York will probably flame me for this, but I had one of the best pizzas here in LA last night.
B and I went out to this pizza place called Village Pizzeria. We've been there many times before and we love it each time. Last night, we ordered the 18 inch pizza (yes, there was only two of us) with pepperoni and fresh garlic. The enormous pizza came to our table and I made a comment to B about how we will definitely have leftovers. I was wrong. Both of us inhaled this pizza. The crust was thin and a little chewy. The cheese was hot and gooey. It was perfect. I am only mildly ashamed to say that I probably could have eaten a couple more slices. The kicker is I wasn't even stuffed at the end of this gluttonous meal. Don't get me wrong, I was satisfied, but nowhere near stuffed. I did feel a little better about myself knowing I had a small green salad before I devoured half of an 18 inch pizza.
I am seriously fighting the urge to stop by the pizzeria and pick one up on my way home tonight.
B and I went out to this pizza place called Village Pizzeria. We've been there many times before and we love it each time. Last night, we ordered the 18 inch pizza (yes, there was only two of us) with pepperoni and fresh garlic. The enormous pizza came to our table and I made a comment to B about how we will definitely have leftovers. I was wrong. Both of us inhaled this pizza. The crust was thin and a little chewy. The cheese was hot and gooey. It was perfect. I am only mildly ashamed to say that I probably could have eaten a couple more slices. The kicker is I wasn't even stuffed at the end of this gluttonous meal. Don't get me wrong, I was satisfied, but nowhere near stuffed. I did feel a little better about myself knowing I had a small green salad before I devoured half of an 18 inch pizza.
I am seriously fighting the urge to stop by the pizzeria and pick one up on my way home tonight.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
A Memory
A few years ago, on a lazy Saturday afternoon, B and I were on our respective couches doing our own thing. I believe I was reading and he was on the computer. We had not said a word to each other in about 40 minutes. All of a sudden, we both shifted from our positions and we looked at each other and smiled over the coffee table. I swear, he looked at me with such pure love in his eyes and smile, it brought tears to my eyes at that moment. At that instant, I swore to myself that I love this man and will make him happy.
I still think about that moment from time to time and without fail, it still brings tears to my eyes.
I still think about that moment from time to time and without fail, it still brings tears to my eyes.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Menu Plan 07/25 -- 07/30
For the last couple of weeks, B has been cooking on his two days! True, he doesn't always make enough for lunch the following day, but I really cannot complain too much now.
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day
Tuesday:
Dinner: BBQ chicken with potato salad
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day
Thursday:
Dinner: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes
Friday:
Dinner: Fried rice and potstickers
Saturday:
Dinner: Gyros
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day
Tuesday:
Dinner: BBQ chicken with potato salad
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day
Thursday:
Dinner: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes
Friday:
Dinner: Fried rice and potstickers
Saturday:
Dinner: Gyros
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Spending Begins!
I did have debt. Lots of it. Yet, I never had a problem with spending. I know, it doesn't make sense. Trust me, though, my debt had nothing to do with my spending, but it did have to do with poor judgment. I always paid all of my bills on time at the end of the month...in full! As I was paying off the debt, I had no choice but to curb my spending. I had to make sacrifices and I did. I became so used to NOT spending money, that it became second nature. I went a little overboard. I did not buy one single article of clothing for over two years.
Last summer, I bought myself an almost entire new wardrobe. It was the most money I had spent on myself in years and it felt wonderful. After that summer, I occasionally bought a few pieces here and there, but nothing crazy. I always shopped for sales and tried to use promo codes for my online shopping. I don't think I ever paid for anything full price.
This morning, I strolled through a few of my favorite online stores and placed several items in my online basket. I currently have one pair of jeans and something like 10 shirts/sweaters in there. The total is somewhere in the vicinity of $163, but with all my online codes I can get the whole thing for $109. Do I need clothes? No, I don't NEED them. I would like them now. I had written several months ago how I need to change my outward appearance.
I have until tomorrow to make the purchase so I will sleep on it and then later today or tomorrow see if I can go through what's there and start weeding a few things out...or not.
ETA: I took a sweater and a shirt out of my "shopping bag". By just getting rid of two things I really didn't even like or need (Who needs a sweater in July living in LA???), I ended up spending like $79 total. Not bad at all!
Last summer, I bought myself an almost entire new wardrobe. It was the most money I had spent on myself in years and it felt wonderful. After that summer, I occasionally bought a few pieces here and there, but nothing crazy. I always shopped for sales and tried to use promo codes for my online shopping. I don't think I ever paid for anything full price.
This morning, I strolled through a few of my favorite online stores and placed several items in my online basket. I currently have one pair of jeans and something like 10 shirts/sweaters in there. The total is somewhere in the vicinity of $163, but with all my online codes I can get the whole thing for $109. Do I need clothes? No, I don't NEED them. I would like them now. I had written several months ago how I need to change my outward appearance.
I have until tomorrow to make the purchase so I will sleep on it and then later today or tomorrow see if I can go through what's there and start weeding a few things out...or not.
ETA: I took a sweater and a shirt out of my "shopping bag". By just getting rid of two things I really didn't even like or need (Who needs a sweater in July living in LA???), I ended up spending like $79 total. Not bad at all!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Cutting Myself Some Slack
I've said many times in this blog how I keep my budget tight on purpose. I save something like 25% of my take home pay. I pay A LOT for rent (40% -- I live in LA) and I make due with the rest. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty to live off of and plenty left to spend. The thing is I have been doing this for so long (for me) that sometimes I feel like cracking. Some days, I'm just sick and tired of counting and budgeting and making choices. My Emergency Fund/Liquid Savings is currently at almost $11K. My IRA's total up to around $17K. I had a late start with all the savings and I'm trying to catch up. In March, I saved only half of what i usually do and I splurged on the rest. I didn't spend the whole amount, but I loved that little flexibility in my budget. I'm thinking of doing the same for August.
That made me think what if I put 50% less in my savings three months out of the year? That would cost me just under $1K for the entire year. Yes, that is a lot of money and I could easily have it sit in my savings. I would love to see the larger number of that bank account, but I don't feel it's really worth it. I work hard and I do everything on my own. My EF is funded (would love to see it at $12K) and I would still contribute to savings every single month, but just less for three months. if I did this, by the end of the year, I will still have a little more than $14K in my savings.
I am so structured in a large part of my life that I don't really like this idea, but I feel I deserve it and frankly, "need" it.
Any opinions or ideas?
That made me think what if I put 50% less in my savings three months out of the year? That would cost me just under $1K for the entire year. Yes, that is a lot of money and I could easily have it sit in my savings. I would love to see the larger number of that bank account, but I don't feel it's really worth it. I work hard and I do everything on my own. My EF is funded (would love to see it at $12K) and I would still contribute to savings every single month, but just less for three months. if I did this, by the end of the year, I will still have a little more than $14K in my savings.
I am so structured in a large part of my life that I don't really like this idea, but I feel I deserve it and frankly, "need" it.
Any opinions or ideas?
Friday, July 15, 2011
Menu Plan 07/18 - 07/23
Well, this past week, B pulled through! Yay!!! He cooked on his two days.
On Monday, he made macaroni and cheese, salad, sweet potaotes, and cornbread. He had planned on making chicken, but he didn't get it in the oven on time and I didn't really want to eat at midnight. On Wednesday, he made turkey chili.
I hope by him cooking what he wants will help him realize that I don't run a restaurant and it's okay to eat what is fixed, even if you may not "feel" like it. I never make anything that he doesn't like even though we do have different food tastes. I love mushrooms and he can't stand the sight of them. I don't fix mushrooms although I have a million recipes using mushrooms that I LOVE!
I was ecstatic and didn't even think about how he didn't utilize the grocery store sales and deals...much. I hope he continues this trend into next week.
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day
Tuesday:
Dinner: Black beans and rice
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day
Thursday:
Dinner: Vegetable Lentil Stew
Friday:
Dinner: Burgers
Saturday:
Dinner: Chicken baked in foil
On Monday, he made macaroni and cheese, salad, sweet potaotes, and cornbread. He had planned on making chicken, but he didn't get it in the oven on time and I didn't really want to eat at midnight. On Wednesday, he made turkey chili.
I hope by him cooking what he wants will help him realize that I don't run a restaurant and it's okay to eat what is fixed, even if you may not "feel" like it. I never make anything that he doesn't like even though we do have different food tastes. I love mushrooms and he can't stand the sight of them. I don't fix mushrooms although I have a million recipes using mushrooms that I LOVE!
I was ecstatic and didn't even think about how he didn't utilize the grocery store sales and deals...much. I hope he continues this trend into next week.
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day
Tuesday:
Dinner: Black beans and rice
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day
Thursday:
Dinner: Vegetable Lentil Stew
Friday:
Dinner: Burgers
Saturday:
Dinner: Chicken baked in foil
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
B Pulled Through!
Last night I had a home cooked meal that I did not cook!! YAY!!! Of course, it wasn't without snags, but beggars can't be choosers. B made sweet potatoes, salad, macaroni and cheese, and margaritas! It was delicious!! He was going to make some chicken, but lack of time prevented him from doing so. Who cares we just ate a bunch of side dishes? Or that we ate at around 11? Or that he didn't pack leftovers for lunch? I am just happy that he did it!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Menu Plan 07/11 -- 07/16
Well, this is the last week I will see if B actually cooks on his two days. He has yet to cook one meal. If he doesn't cook this week, I will resume cooking all days again. I knew this would happen, but I can't help but feel disappointed that he couldn't get it together enough to give me a bit of a break two days a week... Read about the saga here.
Also, he says he will be eating "healthy" and mostly fruits and salads and lean protein for the next month starting July 15. We'll see....
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day
Tuesday:
Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day
Thursday:
Dinner: Asian Lettuce Wraps
Friday:
Dinner: Greek Salad
Saturday:
Dinner: Chicken and Rice
Also, he says he will be eating "healthy" and mostly fruits and salads and lean protein for the next month starting July 15. We'll see....
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day
Tuesday:
Dinner: Spaghetti with meat sauce
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day
Thursday:
Dinner: Asian Lettuce Wraps
Friday:
Dinner: Greek Salad
Saturday:
Dinner: Chicken and Rice
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Meal Maker
I'm not trying to make myself out for you guys to think I'm SuperWoman. I'm far from it, but I do do a lot for B. Mostly it is because I love him and want him to be happy and the other is that I like things my way.
On the weekends, I wake up a little after B and immediately start breakfast. I cook it, serve it, and clean up after it. I then move to make the bed. Between that and my shower, I try to read, watch TV, whatever. After my shower, I start on lunch. Sometimes it is leftovers, sometimes it is something frozen, and sometimes it is something that I make. I then serve that meal and clean up after it. We usually will go out after that running errands and maybe grab a coffee or a movie or whatever. We come back home and I serve a drink and/or a snack. I then start on dinner from start to finish. During this entire time, B is either napping, reading, or on the computer. Without. Fail.
A couple of weeks ago, I coined myself as the Meal Maker. That is all that I feel like I do sometimes. This weekend was my birthday weekend. B is an absolute dream on my birthday. He does not allow me to lift a finger. He made me breakfast, made the bed, and cleaned the house...thoroughly. We went out to dinner and even put away the doggie bags. It was heaven. I'm not used to being pampered. At the start of the day, I was really anxious and uncomfortable being waited on. After a few hours, I got used to it. Why not? I deserve it!
Yesterday, I woke up after B. I got out of bed and brushed my teeth. I looked at him while he was reading and felt like Cinderella at midnight. It was no longer my birthday and I was now again the Meal Maker. I just sighed, tied my hair back, and started to make breakfast.
On the weekends, I wake up a little after B and immediately start breakfast. I cook it, serve it, and clean up after it. I then move to make the bed. Between that and my shower, I try to read, watch TV, whatever. After my shower, I start on lunch. Sometimes it is leftovers, sometimes it is something frozen, and sometimes it is something that I make. I then serve that meal and clean up after it. We usually will go out after that running errands and maybe grab a coffee or a movie or whatever. We come back home and I serve a drink and/or a snack. I then start on dinner from start to finish. During this entire time, B is either napping, reading, or on the computer. Without. Fail.
A couple of weeks ago, I coined myself as the Meal Maker. That is all that I feel like I do sometimes. This weekend was my birthday weekend. B is an absolute dream on my birthday. He does not allow me to lift a finger. He made me breakfast, made the bed, and cleaned the house...thoroughly. We went out to dinner and even put away the doggie bags. It was heaven. I'm not used to being pampered. At the start of the day, I was really anxious and uncomfortable being waited on. After a few hours, I got used to it. Why not? I deserve it!
Yesterday, I woke up after B. I got out of bed and brushed my teeth. I looked at him while he was reading and felt like Cinderella at midnight. It was no longer my birthday and I was now again the Meal Maker. I just sighed, tied my hair back, and started to make breakfast.
Menu Plan 07/04 - 07/9
Well, this is the second week B was supposed to cook. Last week, he cooked a total of zero out of the two days he was supposed to cook and this week looks like it will be a repeat of last. He was supposed to cook yesterday and we went out instead. I'll give him one more week and after that, I'll have to take over. I knew this would happen.
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day -- Went out to dinner instead
Tuesday:
Dinner: Tuna Basil Pasta
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day. Won't happen as I won't be home anyway.
Thursday:
Dinner: Roast chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob with garlic butter.
Friday:
Dinner: Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Saturday:
Dinner: Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Monday:
Dinner: B's Day -- Went out to dinner instead
Tuesday:
Dinner: Tuna Basil Pasta
Wednesday:
Dinner: B's Day. Won't happen as I won't be home anyway.
Thursday:
Dinner: Roast chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob with garlic butter.
Friday:
Dinner: Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Saturday:
Dinner: Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
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