Are these terribly boring? Perhaps, but I like summarizing my weekly excess :) So...
Work Expenses:
$20 Carpool
$60 Gas
$12.20 Food at work and class
$16.22 Dues
$10.44 Personal Groceries for lunch box
Total: $118.86
Entertainment(?):
$18 Dinner out with Darling
$1 Copy of The Awakening
$7.19 Junk food
$9.54 Solo lunch
Total: $35.73
Appliances:
$30 Pasta maker
House Stuff (mostly reimbursed):
$43.61 Frames
$10.13 RitDye
Total: $53.74
Debt: $355
Hygiene (I stocked up a little):
$6 Bars of soap
$15.65 Bottles of shampoo
$8 Razors
Total: $29.65
Health:
$483 Dentist
$75 Doctor
$29.99 Supplements recommended by doctor
$10.29 Medicine
Total: $598.28
Clothing (for Darling):
$18 Socks and Underwear
$17.49 Sweatshirt (50% off, if it matters)
$96.90, two pairs of jeans, one pair canvas pants
Total: $132.39
Office Supplies:
$5.98 Some sort of cord
$20 Hard drive
Total: $25.98
So, I spent a total of $1379.63, which is a little bit mind-boggling for me. Actually, a lot mind-boggling. My mind? Boggled.
I'm not especially unhappy with any of my spending, though. Looking at the individual categories, I'm not regretting a single purchase, besides junk food, which I mentioned in a previous post already. All together, though, it's a little hard to take in. I really spend this much money? Will I always spend this much money on a weekly basis? Have I always spent this money, and just not realized it? That doesn't seem possible.
I think it's really a matter of playing catch-up from all those years of scraping by. This is especially true of the health category. All those years of going without needed medical care has resulted in several thousands dollars of needed work. After years of wrestling with welfare programs, health insurance providers, discount cards, and short-term solutions, I'm finally at the point of actually getting the work done.
One thing that really blew me away was going through the cap-fitting process on Friday. For all the root canal appointments I've scheduled, I've never reached the phase of getting a permanent cap, which is just crazy. I've spent far, far more time in waiting rooms, being lectured over x-rays, and discussing payment plans than in the freaking chair. The same goes for Darling's wardrobe. He's sort of limped along, darning his socks and replacing buttons for years and years, but construction is wiping out his second-hand wardrobe at an unbelievable pace. For all intents and purposes, we're starting from scratch in the closet. So the numbers are going to be a little high for a few months while we find our footing.
Still, I wish that money had gone to debt...Sent $295 to student loans today, and then spent the rest of our money on tools. Hope nothing comes up between now and payday :)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
2011 Taxes and Such
This is a weekend of getting business done. I went to the dentist yesterday for a temporary filling, which means only one more dental appointment to go (for this particular tooth) and it's all finally paid for. I went directly to work from the appointment and still managed to put a few hours on the clock.
Darling got a chance to go to the doctor as well on Friday. I wanted to celebrate this accomplishment (we can afford healthcare!) with a dinner out, but he convinced me to make a delicious homemade coconut curry with bell peppers, carrot, onion, and vermicelli instead.
This morning, after several house meetings, a homemade breakfast of blueberry pecan waffles, heating up a large pan of split pea soup, and baking cheesy onion and dill muffins, we went to Discount electronics for computer components and then Academy to pick up new jeans for Darling. I am NOT a fan of new clothing, but good work jeans have been just about impossible to find second-hand, particularly in Darling's rather narrow size. Between the ten-hour work days and four-hour commute, I figure he's got enough on his plate not having to struggle with threadbare, eight-year-old pants. It was actually a very big day for spending, but the spending report will have to wait because my entire evening was devoted to filing my taxes.
Darling and I had a much higher AGI than we've seen in a few years (though quite a bit less than 2009). The refund is slightly less than I was expecting, but I still can't wait to apply it to my student loans!
Darling got a chance to go to the doctor as well on Friday. I wanted to celebrate this accomplishment (we can afford healthcare!) with a dinner out, but he convinced me to make a delicious homemade coconut curry with bell peppers, carrot, onion, and vermicelli instead.
This morning, after several house meetings, a homemade breakfast of blueberry pecan waffles, heating up a large pan of split pea soup, and baking cheesy onion and dill muffins, we went to Discount electronics for computer components and then Academy to pick up new jeans for Darling. I am NOT a fan of new clothing, but good work jeans have been just about impossible to find second-hand, particularly in Darling's rather narrow size. Between the ten-hour work days and four-hour commute, I figure he's got enough on his plate not having to struggle with threadbare, eight-year-old pants. It was actually a very big day for spending, but the spending report will have to wait because my entire evening was devoted to filing my taxes.
Darling and I had a much higher AGI than we've seen in a few years (though quite a bit less than 2009). The refund is slightly less than I was expecting, but I still can't wait to apply it to my student loans!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Financial Belly Binge
Oh man, you guys, what a week.
I was good. I've been good. I defy anyone to say otherwise. I was cooking every freaking day, going without so much as a fifty cent can of soda at work, swallowing my pride at work, taking extra classes at the hall, paying dues and paying debt and waking up at 4:30 in the morning to drive Darling to his carpool pick up and, on Sunday, I went to a meeting and put up curtains in the den and went shopping for affordable and beautiful frames for the house and suddenly...
Things went downhill very quickly.
At first, I thought it started with the pasta maker. Thirty dollars at Savers, seeming to have all the bells and whistles and exactly what I've wanted for years at an unbelievable price. Never mind that I was there to scope out frames and pillow fabric: I grabbed the toy with both hands and raced to the register.
I felt guilt, and felt angry for feeling guilt. Because do you know what I've spent money on lately? Food, and gas, and rent, and WORK. And you know, publishing this stuff makes me feel vulnerable. Later, I realized that my resolve did not snap at the moment I saw that pasta maker. My resolved snapped days before, as I looked at my (until now unpublished) spending for the week, and saw that all of my money goes to debt and work, except for the occasional meal out. Meals I barely enjoy at all, because they are usually a last resort, a vice I indulge in at the point that exhaustion makes the idea of cooking absolutely unbearable. Because then I will have dishes to clean, and then it will be nearly ten, and then I will have another restless night followed by another stressful day followed by having to cook dinner AGAIN!
Monday went simply enough, besides the fact that I just about snapped at the house meeting for no reason whatsoever. Tuesday after work, however, I stopped on my way home and bought junk food. I bought a bag of gummy worms, peanut butter cups, chips, and another small thing of chocolate. I ate them all in, like, six minutes. Do you know what a gummy worm food baby feels like? Not great. But that didn't stop me from going to Dog Almighty and buying a vegan chilli dog (I love Austin) and stuffing that down my face.
Then I went home and went comatose. It was maybe five in the evening, and I slept until the alarm went off this morning.
I don't typically binge like that, but...well, I did. And because I am Cathy Tells-All...well, here it is. Why? Because there are good days and bad days and sometimes I need to vent. I also paid $355 on my student loans, won $45 on a superbowl pot at work (peer pressure actually worked in my favor, for once. Also, my peer group is now predominately middle-aged Mexicans), Darling actually received a small per diem check, I passed my metal-stud framing class, got my forklift license, and, best of all, I HAVE A PASTA MAKER! So it's not like my life is misery or anything.
Anyway, spending report for Week Five:
Work Expenses
- Darling's Carpool: $17.50
- Bus: $6
- Maya's Dues: $70.75
- Gas: $21.13
- Maya Work Food: $7.57
- Darling Phone: $37.89
Health
- $107.40 Labwork
- $2.60 Food for change (long story)
Rent
- $910
Student Loans
-$12
Total Spent: $1,192.84
Total Earned: $858.91
Again, this was the good week, not the one I was just ranting about. You can see those numbers next week.
I was good. I've been good. I defy anyone to say otherwise. I was cooking every freaking day, going without so much as a fifty cent can of soda at work, swallowing my pride at work, taking extra classes at the hall, paying dues and paying debt and waking up at 4:30 in the morning to drive Darling to his carpool pick up and, on Sunday, I went to a meeting and put up curtains in the den and went shopping for affordable and beautiful frames for the house and suddenly...
Things went downhill very quickly.
At first, I thought it started with the pasta maker. Thirty dollars at Savers, seeming to have all the bells and whistles and exactly what I've wanted for years at an unbelievable price. Never mind that I was there to scope out frames and pillow fabric: I grabbed the toy with both hands and raced to the register.
I felt guilt, and felt angry for feeling guilt. Because do you know what I've spent money on lately? Food, and gas, and rent, and WORK. And you know, publishing this stuff makes me feel vulnerable. Later, I realized that my resolve did not snap at the moment I saw that pasta maker. My resolved snapped days before, as I looked at my (until now unpublished) spending for the week, and saw that all of my money goes to debt and work, except for the occasional meal out. Meals I barely enjoy at all, because they are usually a last resort, a vice I indulge in at the point that exhaustion makes the idea of cooking absolutely unbearable. Because then I will have dishes to clean, and then it will be nearly ten, and then I will have another restless night followed by another stressful day followed by having to cook dinner AGAIN!
Monday went simply enough, besides the fact that I just about snapped at the house meeting for no reason whatsoever. Tuesday after work, however, I stopped on my way home and bought junk food. I bought a bag of gummy worms, peanut butter cups, chips, and another small thing of chocolate. I ate them all in, like, six minutes. Do you know what a gummy worm food baby feels like? Not great. But that didn't stop me from going to Dog Almighty and buying a vegan chilli dog (I love Austin) and stuffing that down my face.
Then I went home and went comatose. It was maybe five in the evening, and I slept until the alarm went off this morning.
I don't typically binge like that, but...well, I did. And because I am Cathy Tells-All...well, here it is. Why? Because there are good days and bad days and sometimes I need to vent. I also paid $355 on my student loans, won $45 on a superbowl pot at work (peer pressure actually worked in my favor, for once. Also, my peer group is now predominately middle-aged Mexicans), Darling actually received a small per diem check, I passed my metal-stud framing class, got my forklift license, and, best of all, I HAVE A PASTA MAKER! So it's not like my life is misery or anything.
Anyway, spending report for Week Five:
Work Expenses
- Darling's Carpool: $17.50
- Bus: $6
- Maya's Dues: $70.75
- Gas: $21.13
- Maya Work Food: $7.57
- Darling Phone: $37.89
Health
- $107.40 Labwork
- $2.60 Food for change (long story)
Rent
- $910
Student Loans
-$12
Total Spent: $1,192.84
Total Earned: $858.91
Again, this was the good week, not the one I was just ranting about. You can see those numbers next week.
Friday, February 3, 2012
February 2012 Net Worth
I've been cooking with a vengeance these past several days. I come home from work tired, so tired I just want to crawl into bed, but open the fridge instead. Typically, I make a fast sandwich, something uninspired and filling, open a cookbook, and focus. Darling is home at seven, after a ten-hour shift, hours of commuting, and a bus ride from north to south Austin. I like to have something waiting for him, not simply for loving wifely reasons but because bedtime is right around the corner.
Wednesday night I actually made a kitchen to-do list to ease the pressure. By the time I put a large pan of chili on the stove to simmer there was also a pound of tofu marinating in orange sauce for tonight's dinner. This was one of my many attempts to replicate a favorite restaurant meal, and by far the most successful. I served the tofu with steamed broccoli and brown rice. YUM.
Between cooking, working, and endless classes at the union hall (staple gun and chop saw last night, forklift all day tomorrow), I've fallen slightly behind on blogging. I have not, however, lost my devotion to tracking, planning, and dreaming. As per usual, I tabulated my net worth on the first, but am only now getting around to posting it.
Our assets ring in at $1,124.13, nearly $300 more than last month. Our debt is $9,347.67, $689 less than last month. So, in January alone, our net worth increased by $988 to -$8,223.54. Which makes me pretty happy, even if it's not a new high.
Wednesday night I actually made a kitchen to-do list to ease the pressure. By the time I put a large pan of chili on the stove to simmer there was also a pound of tofu marinating in orange sauce for tonight's dinner. This was one of my many attempts to replicate a favorite restaurant meal, and by far the most successful. I served the tofu with steamed broccoli and brown rice. YUM.
Between cooking, working, and endless classes at the union hall (staple gun and chop saw last night, forklift all day tomorrow), I've fallen slightly behind on blogging. I have not, however, lost my devotion to tracking, planning, and dreaming. As per usual, I tabulated my net worth on the first, but am only now getting around to posting it.
Our assets ring in at $1,124.13, nearly $300 more than last month. Our debt is $9,347.67, $689 less than last month. So, in January alone, our net worth increased by $988 to -$8,223.54. Which makes me pretty happy, even if it's not a new high.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Spending Review, Week Four
Dom and I didn't eat out ONCE this week. I didn't buy any food or drinks at work or during break at class. We made big dinners (pizza, pot pies, quiche, casserole...) and packed leftovers for lunch. The only time we came close to what someone might consider a cheat was due to a miscommunication that resulted in my desperately needing a phone.
Unlike many Americans, I don't feel entitled to walk into a business, demand free samples, steal all the sugar packets, use the restroom, and complain about its cleanliness on my way out...at least, not until I've purchased something from said business. I purchased a $5.24 sandwich at Thundercloud before requesting the use of their phone. The funny thing is that I LOVE Thundercloud and fantasize about it pretty much constantly. But I had just made dinner. Darling packed the sandwich for lunch the next day.
This week Darling and I also spent...
...$10.81 on a good pair of work gloves
...$76.53 on gas
...$3 bus fare
...$20 carpool
...$116 on debt
...Total Spent: $231.58
Total Earned: $750.38
I'm pretty pleased by these numbers. There's a little bit of illusion at play here: our frugality is a matter of getting rent in the bank before it's due next month. I actually came very close to not paying any debt this month to that end, but...well, I'm obsessed.
EDIT:
On Saturday, Darling and I ran around to do truck-related things. We ended up paying $28.75 on renewing the inspection sticker, as well as $30.91 on personal groceries to celebrate not having to pay for an oil change which was apparently covered by the dealership. We also received another paycheck, bringing the total spent to $291.24 and the total earned to $1372.76. Hello, rent!
Unlike many Americans, I don't feel entitled to walk into a business, demand free samples, steal all the sugar packets, use the restroom, and complain about its cleanliness on my way out...at least, not until I've purchased something from said business. I purchased a $5.24 sandwich at Thundercloud before requesting the use of their phone. The funny thing is that I LOVE Thundercloud and fantasize about it pretty much constantly. But I had just made dinner. Darling packed the sandwich for lunch the next day.
This week Darling and I also spent...
...$10.81 on a good pair of work gloves
...$76.53 on gas
...$3 bus fare
...$20 carpool
...$116 on debt
...Total Spent: $231.58
Total Earned: $750.38
I'm pretty pleased by these numbers. There's a little bit of illusion at play here: our frugality is a matter of getting rent in the bank before it's due next month. I actually came very close to not paying any debt this month to that end, but...well, I'm obsessed.
EDIT:
On Saturday, Darling and I ran around to do truck-related things. We ended up paying $28.75 on renewing the inspection sticker, as well as $30.91 on personal groceries to celebrate not having to pay for an oil change which was apparently covered by the dealership. We also received another paycheck, bringing the total spent to $291.24 and the total earned to $1372.76. Hello, rent!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Story of a Hat
In 2011 I made the amazingly clever decision to track and record every penny earned and spent.
One of my more surprising discoveries was how much Darling and I spent on gifts, because we suck so much at giving gifts. Most of the time it feels like we can't even afford a token. But it seems that when we can afford to get anything, we get something big.
This especially bothered me because I habitually neglect crafting and hobbies for frugality's sake. I sew scraps to make the occasional quilt square and accept friends' unwanted yarn for practicing knitting, but I don't typically invest any money in these pursuits. Nice yarn is expensive, and I'd hate to ruin any in the learning process...but considering what I was spending on gifts, I could afford to ruin a good deal of yarn in the pursuit of a few presents!
After purchasing a baby shower gift from an online registry last Tuesday, I decided to knit a present as well. This would give me a good feel for the hand-crafted gift business, a side-by-side comparison of sorts.
My original plan was to make it in three days, but I hadn't even touched knitting needles in at least a year. It took me about that long to re-learn the basics!
I started with cheap pink acrylic yarn a friend had given me, but it didn't feel nice. My double-pointed needles for socks were also too small. So I bought a silky bamboo yarn in a soft shade of lilac and a pair of bamboo knitting needles. This was significantly cheaper than the single store-bought gift, and the needles are a one-time purchase.
Since I've only ever knitted scarves and a single sock, I decided to teach myself hat making. Most of the week was spent casting on, working a few rows, making one more mistake than I could accept, and unwinding the whole thing. The starting yarn got frayed right alongside my nerves. I spent hours doing google searches, studying youtube videos, and found the pattern I wanted in a book at the second library I scoured.
Yesterday I woke up, gave Darling a ride to work, came home, and cast on for the hundredth time. I knit non-stop until I absolutely had to eat something, and paused very briefly. I was afraid to stop because the yarn was FINALLY forming a hat. I basically knit a newborn's hat in the space of five hours, after a week of starts and finishes and frustration. All I need to do is weave up the side, which I'm asking my sister-in-law for help with later today.
And it is SO sweet! Embarrassingly simple and tiny, but soft and delicate and pretty. I'm so proud!
I already have the pattern for Oblio's birthday present next month: a cute little cardigan. I can't wait to purchase new yarn and start again :)
One of my more surprising discoveries was how much Darling and I spent on gifts, because we suck so much at giving gifts. Most of the time it feels like we can't even afford a token. But it seems that when we can afford to get anything, we get something big.
This especially bothered me because I habitually neglect crafting and hobbies for frugality's sake. I sew scraps to make the occasional quilt square and accept friends' unwanted yarn for practicing knitting, but I don't typically invest any money in these pursuits. Nice yarn is expensive, and I'd hate to ruin any in the learning process...but considering what I was spending on gifts, I could afford to ruin a good deal of yarn in the pursuit of a few presents!
After purchasing a baby shower gift from an online registry last Tuesday, I decided to knit a present as well. This would give me a good feel for the hand-crafted gift business, a side-by-side comparison of sorts.
My original plan was to make it in three days, but I hadn't even touched knitting needles in at least a year. It took me about that long to re-learn the basics!
I started with cheap pink acrylic yarn a friend had given me, but it didn't feel nice. My double-pointed needles for socks were also too small. So I bought a silky bamboo yarn in a soft shade of lilac and a pair of bamboo knitting needles. This was significantly cheaper than the single store-bought gift, and the needles are a one-time purchase.
Since I've only ever knitted scarves and a single sock, I decided to teach myself hat making. Most of the week was spent casting on, working a few rows, making one more mistake than I could accept, and unwinding the whole thing. The starting yarn got frayed right alongside my nerves. I spent hours doing google searches, studying youtube videos, and found the pattern I wanted in a book at the second library I scoured.
Yesterday I woke up, gave Darling a ride to work, came home, and cast on for the hundredth time. I knit non-stop until I absolutely had to eat something, and paused very briefly. I was afraid to stop because the yarn was FINALLY forming a hat. I basically knit a newborn's hat in the space of five hours, after a week of starts and finishes and frustration. All I need to do is weave up the side, which I'm asking my sister-in-law for help with later today.
And it is SO sweet! Embarrassingly simple and tiny, but soft and delicate and pretty. I'm so proud!
I already have the pattern for Oblio's birthday present next month: a cute little cardigan. I can't wait to purchase new yarn and start again :)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Ali's Shower
My stepsister, Ali, had the most lovely baby shower yesterday!
My stepmother went all out. She served tarts, cream pastries, and trays of home-made sandwiches on silver serving platters. There were half a dozen choices of loose leaf teas to be served with sugar cubes and cream. She HIRED A HARPIST, which officially made the baby shower more elaborate than my wedding. The tables were set with lace tablecloths, linen napkins, and fresh cut tulips.
I arrived early to arrange tarts and fold napkins. During the gift-giving, one of my fears was realized and someone else got Ali the same gift as me, but of course the gift receipt was included and I'm sure the refunded cash will be appreciated. I did not get the hat finished, of course, but I will before the baby is born.
I discovered that I knit like I cook. Recipes are fun and informative at first, especially when learning. But I've never, ever been able to crack open a cookbook, choose a recipe, and select ingredients accordingly. Instead I decide to bake, say, a casserole with sweet potatoes, broccoli, and coconut milk. Then I have to find a recipe that at least comes close to producing what I want with what I have...even if it turns out to be a recipe for spinach and broccoli quiche.
I've done the same thing in pursuit of the baby hat: I chose the yarn and cloth, then tried to find a corresponding pattern. And, of course, couldn't. It also doesn't help that I don't really know how to read patterns in the first place. But in the same way I know that blending sugar, butter, and chocolate in almost any quantity will result in delicious, I'm fairly certain that knitting and purling a beautiful yarn will result, somehow, in a lovely garment. It's just a matter of quantity and care. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. I'll let you know how it turns out.
My stepmother went all out. She served tarts, cream pastries, and trays of home-made sandwiches on silver serving platters. There were half a dozen choices of loose leaf teas to be served with sugar cubes and cream. She HIRED A HARPIST, which officially made the baby shower more elaborate than my wedding. The tables were set with lace tablecloths, linen napkins, and fresh cut tulips.
I arrived early to arrange tarts and fold napkins. During the gift-giving, one of my fears was realized and someone else got Ali the same gift as me, but of course the gift receipt was included and I'm sure the refunded cash will be appreciated. I did not get the hat finished, of course, but I will before the baby is born.
I discovered that I knit like I cook. Recipes are fun and informative at first, especially when learning. But I've never, ever been able to crack open a cookbook, choose a recipe, and select ingredients accordingly. Instead I decide to bake, say, a casserole with sweet potatoes, broccoli, and coconut milk. Then I have to find a recipe that at least comes close to producing what I want with what I have...even if it turns out to be a recipe for spinach and broccoli quiche.
I've done the same thing in pursuit of the baby hat: I chose the yarn and cloth, then tried to find a corresponding pattern. And, of course, couldn't. It also doesn't help that I don't really know how to read patterns in the first place. But in the same way I know that blending sugar, butter, and chocolate in almost any quantity will result in delicious, I'm fairly certain that knitting and purling a beautiful yarn will result, somehow, in a lovely garment. It's just a matter of quantity and care. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. I'll let you know how it turns out.
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