Re-becomeing a (Lazy) Vegetarian

I’ve recently re-become vegetarian.  Let me explain.
When I was about 13, I decided to give up meat for Lent one year.  It could have been seen as a cop out- I mean, Catholics give up meat on Fridays during Lent anyway, but I thought it would be much more difficult than giving up chocolate or [...]

Fake it ’till you Make it

I was at the gym the other day (woo hoo! already keeping that new year’s resolution!) and the Today Show or something like it was on tv.  They were discussing ways to help make sure you stick to your resolutions, or any goals for that matter.
The most important thing to do, they said, if your [...]

The End of No Spend

Week 4 Expenses:
Groceries: $60.00
Christmas Presents: $27.50
Groceries: $7.43

Total for week: $94.93

Total for No Spend Month:  $2235.25
Total without Christmas Spending: $1894.78

Total Savings, depending on which total you prefer: $264.75 ($605.22)

Woo Hoo!  I’ve completed No Spend Month!  I took a survey from friends and coworkers, asking whether or not I should count Christmas spending in my expenses for [...]

Brrr!

I went to the Fredericksburg Christmas Parade last night.  I froze, of course, and it was snowing.  SNOWING!  I know I live in Virginia, but this was the first experience I had with snow in the place I live.  It made the parade actually seem magical, albeit very cold.

Admittedly, it did snow on us last [...]

More No Spend Month

Alright.  I’ve thought a lot about my performance during No Spend Month.  Why have I sucked it up?  I always thought my spending habits were good.  I thought I was relatively frugal.

I suppose that, if one takes out Christmas shopping, I’ve done alright.  Technically, I’m even under budget (at $1827.35).  Still, my intent was to [...]

No Spend Month: Week Three

Here we go with Week 3:

Thanksgiving Groceries: $43.99
Car Payment: $270.55
Morning Coffee: $4.40
Utilities: $110.34
Netflix: $14.69
Toiletries: $46.61
Coat*: $50.00
Ink Cartridges: $50.00
Christmas Presents: $112.97
Groceries: $95.20
Commuter Train Pass*:  $138.80
DC Metro Pass:  $9.90

Total for week: $900.84

Total for No Spend Month:  $2140.32

*The coat is a partial payment on a Christmas present to me.

Cripes!  I’ve already blown it!  By a lot!  I’m practically [...]

No Spend Month: Week Two

Here’s the spending for the week:

Commuter Train Pass: $18.20
Metro: $16.50
Rent Check to Greg: $300.00
Costco: $139.91

Caribou Coffee and a muffin*: $7.04
Utilities: $69.00
Noodles and Company (Dinner with Greg)**: $18.65
Groceries***: $22.54
Cox Communications: $161.99
Groceries: $89.82
Medication: $13.45

Total For Week: $857.10

Total for No Spend Month: $1239.48

*Caribou Coffee was cheating.  I have no excuse other than the cold, which I can’t rely [...]

No Spend Month: Week 1

Week One:

*DC Metro pass: $16.50
CVS- Carmex (It’s cold and I have really chapped lips!): $3.28
Christmas Presents: $150.00
Utilities: $210.00
**Hot Chocolate: $2.60

Total for Week: $382.38
Total for No Spend Month: $382.38

*I have an amount already on my card and am working off of that, but I figure it’s still an expenditure.

**The hot chocolate was also paid for by [...]

When Does it Get Good?

I just read a friend’s blog (he’s a brilliant writer- go read it: www.johnmenard.wordpress.com).  The title of the post is “I’m Afraid” and it essentially describes the horror he has at the idea of working in the same job, day in, day out, for the next 35 years.  Boy, can I relate.

I’m absolutely terrified when [...]

NO Spend Month

I’m a member of Wesabe, the website where people can track their finances, share stories and tips, and set goals for their saving/spending.  I came across one thread where a whole mess of people decided to start a NO Spend Month.  They’ve all taken different slants on what this constitutes but, essentially, people are only [...]