Author: katemcgate

A typical Long Island girl with a passion for beauty, fashion, and "chic" ness... can rationalize myself into buying almost anything and everything I think is pretty. I’m making a stand, putting down the debit card, and budgeting myself. Care to watch? Don’t be fooled by my shallow exterior, I’m a product of my environment.

Regression…Time for an Intervention

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Although I seem to work 40-45 hours a week, I don’t seem to get paid enough. But, the money that I do get, I’ve been trying to save. I decided I would open a free online savings account. I chose Capital One 360. It’s simple enough to get started…and transferring money is not instant so if I am in a spending spree, my saved money is safe.

 

Unfortunately, I still can’t get past my online shopping problem. I received an e-mail from a website (who shall remain nameless) that gave me about $15 in credit to spend. Naturally, I clicked on the link and went to the sale shoes. Immediately I found a pair of super cute shoes for $24.99 with free shipping..so I only had to pay the difference. Right? WRONG. I know I’m rationalizing again…It’s the principle of stopping the urge! Why am I so tempted to purchase more crap I don’t need?

 

When they were delivered to my house, I was at work, so I couldn’t intercept the package. My mom gladly took the package inside and sent me a snarky text about my shopping habits. But I really do think my problem is getting worse since I’ve tried to start saving money. I usually walk around different drug stores to look at the Essie nail polish displays with my best friend. Last night, I went to the 24-hour CVS down the block from my house, and my friend had to literally drag me out kicking and screaming.

 

Le sigh. Why aren’t pretty things free?

 

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Stop Eating Out!

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This may be THE WORST part about this whole endeavour. Not only can I not cook, but I’m the epitome of lazy…in the best way possible. Today I made cereal for breakfast (what an accomplishment!) and went on to use some hard-boiled eggs to make egg salad on a bagel. Although somewhat healthy, I decided that I was still hungry, and decided to make further mistakes.

Frustrated beyond belief, I decided I would try to make some pasta with chicken. But I’m deathly afraid I won’t cook chicken long enough. So, I opted for a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup. Laughable.

Looking through my pantry, I found tomato paste and V8 juice…and poured the together on the stove. I proceeded to take bread out and slices of American cheese. As I cooked, I felt a sense of pride…only to be swept off my high horse during my first taste.

I HATE tomatoes..and more to the point, it’s summer. Why would I eat tomato soup and grilled cheese on a 87 degree day?! At least I tried right? I think my boyfriend would find all of this rather comical, since he’s in culinary school.

My advice on this subject: If you live with a parent/spouse/boyfriend or girlfriend that cooks…watch them. Learn from them, I know what I’ll be doing.Image

Step One

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1) Start unsubscribing to mailing lists! This may be the biggest way that stores tempt you! E-mails 24/7! “Sale for only 24 hours!” “Add us to your contact list!” “Hope you didn’t forget about us! Here’s $15 in credit to our website!”

This probably is the worse way to get trapped into buying something else you don’t need! Look at them all!  Taunting me!

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Today is the FIRST Day of my Budget-filled Life

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I worked 8 hours today. What did I do on my break? Went to the mall across from my store. LE SIGH. I walked in and out of each store, and bought nothing. Until…of course…Sephora. My most admirable foe. NO ONE can make me spend like her. Dropped $75 in a matter of 20 minutes and walked happily back to my car.

Time to buckle down. I’m in the single digits in my bank account. Let’s get real, who needs this much stuff?