Healthy Saving

If you live in New York, you know just how much cigarettes cost these days. LORD. Not only would quitting this nasty habit help your health, it will help your wallet in the long run. If you smoke, take the time to sit back and write down how many packs you purchase a week– do the math. $35.00 a week? Yea…I know that pain. Luckily, I have cut down a LARGE amount, which makes my parents and my boyfriend very happy. I feel much better than usual. As of right now, I have 33 hours cigarette free. It’s tough, but it’s worth it.

What about all the money you spend on alcohol? Sit back down and add up all the drinks you had at the bar last night. LE SIGH. That’s the kicker isn’t it? When you think about it, you could drop over $100.00 in a single night, and not even remember it. Now, I’m always up for a good night at the bar, but let’s get real. We’re spending money on cigarettes and alcohol only to not remember the “great” night you had and feed into a life in the fast lane. Think about the amount of money you have, and how much you spend on items that will ultimately be bad for you.

Over my birthday weekend, I was able to go out for a couple meals, and found myself penny pinching in order to be able to eat lunch today.

Goal for today: Spend only what I need to. Don’t indulge in the pretty things you pass by in the windows. Make today a “healthy” saving day. Fight the urge. We’ll do this together!

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iTunes Trap

I must say, I am relieved I was able to spend some time away from technology for a bit and have a wonderful weekend with my two roommates from college and the rest of my friends for my birthday weekend!

Anyway, I’m back at blogging and I have a couple awesome ideas brought to you by my friend Lindsay and my boyfriend, Michael. While taking a drive around Long Island, I asked Lindsay to download a couple songs from my iTunes account. She noticed my credit card was connected to my account, which I thought was easy access to download a song or movie. Lindsay told me her trick to try and save some money, because it does add up! If you buy a gift card, or you only use a gift card that was given to you, you are able to track your spending so much easier. This way, if your gift card runs out, you will realize how much you have spent when updating your music library.

Believe me, I get it. Sometimes a song (of five) get stuck in your head, and all you want to do is put them on replay and jam out in your car or room. Don’t give in!!! The little charges on your card aren’t worth it! After buying a couple albums on iTunes, you start to realize that having the latest music will in fact ruin your balance on your account.

Mail’s Here!

I went to work today for the afternoon shift, so I was able to intercept the mail today before my parents were home from work. No sure why I am so secretive about what I buy, since it is my money, but I am…One of my two orders from etsy.com came in today, and I do not have shopper’s remorse about it…SO I decided I would share it! Although pointless to someone who is trying to save money, it seemed perfect for me!

I am the type of girl who loves monograms, so I am always on the lookout for cute monogram items. This was no exception…the price was wonderful PLUS the color/font choices were to die for.  I recommend anyone who loves preppy-ish styles for clothing or accessories to check her out! I have my fix for right now, but the affordable price and the cuteness factor make it hard not to buy! Even if I am trying to save money, I can still budget in order to remain satisfied.

Check Meredith’s shop out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PalmettoMonograms

Tip of the day:

“Budgeting does not mean torture! It means control!”

Made by: Palmetto Monograms! So adorable!
Made by: Palmetto Monograms! So adorable!

Step Three

How many of you drop change in the car and never find it again? Think about the amount of change you have dropped and try and add it up in your head. Coins are money too! Several banks and grocery stores have change cashing machines on the premises that can take your “pesky” change and give you a receipt for paper bills! Go through your pockets, purses, and car cup holders and gather all your change! You would be surprised how much there is on the floor in your backseat!

I’m sure I am preaching to the choir…since you are looking to save money…and you found my blog…BUT sometimes the simplest things go unnoticed. Don’t think you are the only one cashing in on your loose change. Plenty of my friends and family do this in order to have an extra $20 in his or her wallet. Don’t be embarrassed.

If you try to rationalize that pair of shoes you have up on the next tab on your browser, think about the extra $10 or $15 that is lying around in quarters and dimes in the bottom of your purse or in the back pocket of your jeans. If you want to save your change, get a large mug or cup and drop a couple coins in each day. In a week or two, you will have a full cup! (This also goes for my other tip…using cash instead of your debit card)

Have you thought about my question from my previous post? What do you spend money on each day?

I’ll list my items:

  1. Coffee- $3.25 or $5.79 (depending on Dunkin or Starbucks)
  2. Lunch/Dinner- $12.00- $20.00 (depending on where I eat)

My goal for this weekend: make my lunch/dinner at home.

 

What’s your goal?

 

Regression…Time for an Intervention

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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