I've been living on the lean as part of a massive debt reduction overhaul. My master plan was to pay off $10k by year end. I am please to report that living the lifestyle of the flat and broke has seriously paid off. I am way ahead of the game and it is only May 1. I am super pumped about how much more I will actually eliminate in the next seven months.
Year to Date Debt Paid down: $8,149.43
and ps...still looking fabulous as ever.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Deal of the Day
Thank you Sbux!!!
$2.12 saved
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Banana for Bananas
I have been forced to window shop as of late, but I promised to be true to my inner budget babe and I am sticking to the shopping budget I've outlined for myself. Thankfully, that doesn't stop a girl from looking, right?! A few more things I wish I could get at my fav Banana Republic. 
Clutch me if you can
My clutch obsession continues. I think I've unintentionally developed a bit of a mini-collection of clutches thanks to old hand me downs, vintage finds, and of course my fav retailers. I absolutely love this chic accessory, especially the vintage ones I find for cheap. My latest thrifting found me purchasing these two adorable vintage clutches for practically pennies.
Cost me $1.50
Cost me $ 2.00
Here are some not quite as cheap finds at Banana Republic that I also liked. Sadly, since they cost more than I should spend on my "live cheap now so I can be independently wealthy later" plan, I merely admired.
Here are some not quite as cheap finds at Banana Republic that I also liked. Sadly, since they cost more than I should spend on my "live cheap now so I can be independently wealthy later" plan, I merely admired.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Yet another bad fashion moment...
Please disown me if I ever duplicate this hot mess of a hair accessory.
Anthro Inspiration
Don't worry...I refrained.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Oh To Be Financially Free
With mounds of debt on my plate (a big shout out to my ex) and a limited income, I've been working veraciously to climb my way out of the hole, penny by penny. To make my life a bit more financially fabulous, I've made changes recently to cut expenses even further. If I want to live rich tomorrow, I figure I gotta live like I'm poor today. So here are a few of my cost-cutting measures that are saving me a buck or two:
1. The dreaded B word -- Yes, you got it, I've been BUDGETING. I finally learned that my budget can be different each month. Wow! What a concept, right. Monthly, I have been setting limits for myself, and yes, this includes shopping. I do find I like the having the power to choose where I put my $$$ and having a plan each month has worked out really well. I also log every dollar I put on paying debt down. Seeing my progress helps me stay motivated, as sometimes it can feel a bit slow-go.
2. Getting cozy with carpooling -- I put 50 miles round trip on my car each day driving to and from work. Since I live in a commuting kinda town, and with the gas prices continually getting more and more out of control, I've been slowly easing my way into carpooling. I started out by hitching a ride at least once or twice a week to give my car a break. It definitely helped to stretch the gas budget. Recently, though, I decided to really bite the bullet and join a van pool. It reduces my mileage each day to only 12 miles round trip, and at a cost of only 30 bucks to me per month. That is less than one tank of gas. Cha-ching. More $$ saved and back in my pocket.
3. Brown Bag -- Thanks to the above, this means I must be more vigilant about packing a lunch. This, my friend, is a definite trouble spot for me. I absolutely love and rely on getting out of the office at lunch time to retain my sanity. I detest being in the same environment all day long. But if I don't live like this today, I can't live a financially free life tomorrow. So without my own set of wheels at my disposal, I'm forced to brown bag it more regularly. Maybe it's a forced savings plan, but I asked myself, "What would Dave Ramsey do?" Plus, this change will not only reduce my lunchtime spending, but it also decreases the amount of money I drop on my afternoon Starbucks.
4. Work the system -- I've started paying my credit card payments and loan repayments twice a month instead of only once a month when it is due. It can be a bit of a hassle keeping track of this and not forgetting to do it, but doing this helps to actually reduce the amount of interest I am charged each month. Nobody likes interest!
I've got quite a ways to go, but the prospect of financial freedom is looking more and more like a possibility every day.
1. The dreaded B word -- Yes, you got it, I've been BUDGETING. I finally learned that my budget can be different each month. Wow! What a concept, right. Monthly, I have been setting limits for myself, and yes, this includes shopping. I do find I like the having the power to choose where I put my $$$ and having a plan each month has worked out really well. I also log every dollar I put on paying debt down. Seeing my progress helps me stay motivated, as sometimes it can feel a bit slow-go.
2. Getting cozy with carpooling -- I put 50 miles round trip on my car each day driving to and from work. Since I live in a commuting kinda town, and with the gas prices continually getting more and more out of control, I've been slowly easing my way into carpooling. I started out by hitching a ride at least once or twice a week to give my car a break. It definitely helped to stretch the gas budget. Recently, though, I decided to really bite the bullet and join a van pool. It reduces my mileage each day to only 12 miles round trip, and at a cost of only 30 bucks to me per month. That is less than one tank of gas. Cha-ching. More $$ saved and back in my pocket.
3. Brown Bag -- Thanks to the above, this means I must be more vigilant about packing a lunch. This, my friend, is a definite trouble spot for me. I absolutely love and rely on getting out of the office at lunch time to retain my sanity. I detest being in the same environment all day long. But if I don't live like this today, I can't live a financially free life tomorrow. So without my own set of wheels at my disposal, I'm forced to brown bag it more regularly. Maybe it's a forced savings plan, but I asked myself, "What would Dave Ramsey do?" Plus, this change will not only reduce my lunchtime spending, but it also decreases the amount of money I drop on my afternoon Starbucks.
4. Work the system -- I've started paying my credit card payments and loan repayments twice a month instead of only once a month when it is due. It can be a bit of a hassle keeping track of this and not forgetting to do it, but doing this helps to actually reduce the amount of interest I am charged each month. Nobody likes interest!
I've got quite a ways to go, but the prospect of financial freedom is looking more and more like a possibility every day.
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