Away from the point

I'm going to blog twice today because I realized my past few blogs have gotten away from the real point of this whole thing - to find ways to save money and give ideas and/or fun anicdotes to anyone reading this.

So I'll focus on at least one money-saving action each day and then I'll continue to blog about my meetings with the advisor.

Today was a strange day becuase I had to work until midnight last night and then be back in for 4:00am. I certainly didn't take the time to make a lunch this morning. Instead of purchasing food at the little grill in the building or at my favourite coffee shop, I ate a free muffin in the morning and cold pizza for lunch. I'm lactose intolerant but I decided to tough it out in the name of saving money today. I figure I saved at least ten dollars today.

I also decided I can't go on eating free muffins and pizza so I am determined to make a lunch for the rest of the week. Otherwise I'll be putting away money and packing on the pounds.

There should be a column for stupidity...

Reviewing my spending over the past few months I realize I left out a column on my chart. I have groceries, clothing, entertainment, and the other usual spending categories but I need a special category: stupidity.

Here are some examples of why:

One day I left my suitcase just outside the mailbox area in my building while I went in to get the mail. My suitcase was taken and it was choc-a-bloc full of brand new items. I was visiting my boyfriends parents for the first time so I brought the best. And for one weekend I brought six different outfits. That cost me a lot of money.

Just this weekend I went home to throw a surprise party for my sister and forgot I didn't have a key to my parents home and they were away. The solution? A hotel of course, I couldn't ruin the surprise.

Plus, I'm constantly forgetting things. I leave umbrellas in various parts of the city, and one time, when I was doing an internship in Toronto for a month, I forgot to bring dress shoes so I had to go to Winners and pick something up before going into work. I ended up buying a pair of boots that didn't even really fit but they were the best I could find.

So my next goal is to stop being so absent minded. That one will be a bit more difficult than avoiding the coffee shop but I'm willing to try.

Maybe this reorganization of my finances will make me a better person overall!

I cracked...

All was going really well last week. By Wednesday I was over my caffeine headache from the lack of my specialty teas and I hadn't spent a cent on food. However, the week was long and stressful. On Thursday I cracked and bought a tea from my favourite coffee shop. Then I had to be in at 4:00am on Friday and I cracked again. Not only did I buy another tea, I also bought a salad because I was too tired to bring in my lunch. I know... my excuses are pretty sad.

But - this is a new week. I brought a toaster in to work to make better use of the free bagels that come in each morning. I also brought in lactose-free milk to make my own tea.

I'm sick this morning and I think that will actually help me in my saving endeavors. I certainly won't be craving any foods and I'll likely head to bed as early as possible each night. My goal is to spend just twenty dollars this whole week. Most of that money will go towards the two cab rides I allow myself to work on the days I have to come in for 4am. It's a bit of a scary walk on your own at that time.

I meet my financial advisor this week so I'll post my financial plan as soon as I see it!