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I have $73 in my bank account and $40 in my wallet to last me until 8 May which is my next pay day... Between now and then I have a few social engagements that will require spending. Can I justify:

1. Buying a 1st birthday present for the current love of my life?

(Before you answer this question - look at that face!)

2. Buying my Mum a Mother's Day present?

3. Going out for drinks with work colleagues tomorrow night to celebrate our end of month?

4. Attending Chunky Move's production of Mortal Engine at the Sydney Theatre next Friday night with one of the girls from dinner the other night? (Tickets are $55)

Can I? What say you? Yay? Nay? If not, why not?

Wed and Thurs

Arriving home late tonight after wandering the shops looking for a quality wooden puzzle to give as a 1st birthday present means I missed the start of Glee's season return. So, I am currently hiding in my room with my housemate's borrowed computer while they have the luxury of watching the show... 

Not having my laptop makes it difficult to update regularly - sorry to my 2 regular readers! I will also say it means I sometime forget things I may have bought, hindering my progress... shame.

Today wasn't too bad... but my diet is certainly not getting any healthier!!

BUY:

Chorizo roll - $5.50

WHY?

It doesn't look like much but it was absolutely divine!! I was only my way back to the station after my unsuccessful shopping trip (are there no quality wooden puzzles for a 1 year old anywhere in Chatswood?) when the smell of garlic prawns totally diverted me from my route and reminded me I was actually hungry and didn't have anything at home for dinner! At the same stall they make chorizo rolls which I justified because they were cheaper!! Luckily the stalls are only Thursday night fixtures otherwise I'd never make it through the market unscathed.

BUY:

$3.00 - bread rolls and Mars Bar cookies.

WHY?

The bread was for lunch to accompany the last left-over chicken thigh Mum packed me off with the other day. There is nothing to justify the MB cookies though... except YUM.

Wednesday's efforts:

BUY:

$3 coffee

WHY?

I've briefly mentioned that I shouldn't drink coffee...but despite this I do crave it! In the last 6 weeks I've cut back from 1 cup a day to 1 about every 3 days or so... Wednesday was another of these days. But, I'm trying to be smart about my weakness... next to the cup is a loyalty card. When I remember to get it stamped, on the 6th visit I'll get a free one - instead of $3 a coffee, it'll reduce it to $2.50 a coffee. It is justifiable to justify my coffee consumption on this basis?

BUY:

$19.90

WHY?

My turn for dinner

BUY:

$3.50 croissant

WHY?

Breakfast. Doesn't look that great. It wasn't really, merely convenient.  

Day 11 & 12 - Friday and Saturday

Firstly, my apologies for jumping around on days and dates etc... It's no wonder I can't manage my money when I can't even keep a linear diary!!

BUY:
$27 (or so) - Peach Bellini, pint of James Squire and a Pure Blonde

WHY?
It was my round! I have mentioned the lovely ladies I met the other weekend at my singles dinner? One of them was celebrating becoming an Aussie, after being naturalised in a ceremony in Town Hall, and so I went along to give her a hand!


BUY:
$5.95 - Burger King

WHY?
Umm... cos drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea and at 11pm at night Burger King seems like a good idea...

I am seriously appalled at my eating habits of late and it's no wonder I'm chewing through money, particularly when the only thing I bought on Saturday was:

BUY:
$5.45 - 2 bacon cheeseburgers and small fries

WHY?
Late lunch before running off to a work function... an all expenses paid night of food, grog and even a hotel - and the outcome of this evening will be revealed very shortly as it has solved one of the major hiccups I was anticipating in planning my European adventures...

Spending in my sleep...

I was so pleased with myself after today as I thought I had managed to keep my spending to a minimum.

BUY:
$3 cappuccino
(This was from the change I have in my top drawer at work - I didn't even have to open my wallet!)

WHY?
I needed the energy boost from the caffeine as I'm still not 100% and couldn't face the day without it... and the cafe just outside of work makes the best coffee. Their barista even won Apprentice of the Year!

Upon checking the balance of my account tonight though I was a little shocked to realise that I had actually spent over $50 today. I have basically been spending in my sleep as the interest on my credit card debt rolled over last night...

BUY:
$27.51 interest on cash advance

$26.81 interest on purchases

WHY?
Because I am still trying to get this get this debt under control. I actually no longer have a credit card - it was ceremonially shredded last November in Canberra after I admitted to friends what my debt was... But it is still costing me... damn.

Day 10 - Thursday

BUY:
Pumpkin soup (on special) - 2 for $5
French roll (discounted from $1.98) - $1.50

WHY?
Lunch! Trying to be a little healthy and add a few vitamins to my diet (cos you've all seen photos of what I have been eating lately) and for $6.50 I managed to get lunch enough for two days!

BUY:
$10.90 - Noodles from Noodle King

WHY:
Dinner with friends Wally and Jo... Friends from uni days, Wally and I catch up on a fairly regular basis but his wife Jo and I worked out that we hadn't seen each other since 2008 when she and Wally were travelling through London! Crazy work and study commitments have kept her busy when Wally and I have shared a beer or breakfast (not at the same time as a general rule!!). I was thrilled when they offered to collect me and my very sick laptop from work after my Thursday night shift so we could catch up and Wally can operate on my 'puter. THANKS Wal! xx

The 'Flu blues

I last updated y'all on Tuesday - sorry for the silence but my computer is with a friend for repairs and I'm not well...

I actually left work on Monday lunchtime feeling like I'd been hit by a bus, then a semi-trailer and just when you think it's over, by that cyclist you didn't look for.  I am currently voiceless (much to the delight of many around me!!), verging on croaky but at least two days away from recovering it sufficiently to be described a sexy husky! I also have a terrible cough and sore throat, which explains the voicelessness, and also explains such unexpected yet necessary Pharmacy purchases. It's really not cheap being sick:

BUY:
Cough mixture - $16.99
Throat gargle - $13.99
Lemon tea and honey - $4.95

WHY: Cos I'm sick.


This has been accumulated spending over the past few days, except Tuesday which was spent in bed!

I started to feel a little better on Wednesday - enough to venture out with my friends Eden (who was willing to share her RDO with me, and me willing to share my illness with her and the public in general) and Mel to see a movie:

BUY:
$15 - movie ticket
$8.80 - Bottle of water and packet of Burger Rings

WHY:
The water and Burger Rings were definitely impulse purchases... No real justification for these other than I needed a drink because most people aren't appreciative of someone coughing their way through a film plus I hadn't eaten since late breakfast so the Burger Rings were a poor lunch substitute. I really should plan ahead when I know I'm going to the movies because we all know that the Candy Bar prices are extortionate and Broadway Cinema was no different. I also have to say that their concession priced tickets were only $1.50 less than the full fare - a bit of a rip off but Kick Ass was an entertaining movie... worth the $15 to see on the big screen. I had no knowledge of the story except what the ads had shown which had my laughing. Didn't expect the level of violence but probably should have given that it's based on a comic and graphic novels are exactly that... quite graphic. Some very clever filmography towards the end, great fight scenes and likeable main characters.

PAY DAY

It shouldn't be but the day I look forward to most isn't Friday night or Saturday night, it isn't even my birthday - it's pay day.

It means I get to start living again. That seems like a strong statement but sadly, it's true. For about a week, or however long the money that I have left after I pay my rent, my credit card and others bills lasts me, I can go out and enjoy myself.... Pay day is such a big event on my calendar that I even try to plan social events around it cos at least I know I'll be able to pay my own way. The best things in life at the moment haven't been free...

I actually get two pay days a month... one is a fixed amount and the second waivers depending on how busy we are at work (and which is always easier when volcanoes aren't erupting...)

The uncertainty  of my second pay check (which comes three weeks after the first and never a day too early) means that I rely on the first one for all my fixed costs and these came up on Monday so here's the list:

BUY: RENT - $1086

WHY? Cos I get to live with my best friend, and his best friend and have you seen the views?

BUY - $31 for a 14 day train ticket between Chatswood and the city

WHY? Because I choose to rely on Sydney's not-so-reliable public transport system. Because I choose not to own a car. In the long run I believe I am saving money and doing a small bit to help the environment. It makes getting around challenging at times and also explains taxi costs!

BUY - $63.22 phone bill

WHY?  It's not normally this much, in fact I rarely hit my cap! I've recently changed from pay-as-you-go to contract (and scored my new and exciting iPhone) so the first month isn't really a month so much as a first 6 weeks as I get into the swing of the plan.

BUY - $43 Sponsor child

WHY?
I am in the wealthiest 5.2% of people in the world. There are 6,259,850,885 (more than 6.2 billion) people less wealthy than me. I am 43 times wealthier than a billion people. (A billion people earn less than $856 a year). I live in a country that has political, economic and social infrastructure, is free from war and more than enough natural resources to support its population.

Motivation

Please let me make this clear... this is not a photo of my womb and you can keep the jokes about miracles and medical impossibilities to yourself!

I have been given the best inspiration possible to reign in my spending and start saving... I'm going to be an Aunty in late October! And, if I want to meet my new little niece/nephew, I'm gonna have to get my arse over to London/Europe after they're born.

While I have had every intention of celebrating Christmas 2010 in France with my family (all 26 of us!) it is suddenly an unmissable event which I will miss if I'm not careful.... So, a huge CONGRATULATIONS to my bro J and his partner C and also a THANK YOU for making me realise the importance of making sure I have savings available.

Day 4 & 5

FRIDAY NIGHT

BUY:
$21 Taxi from Milsons Point to Oxford Street

$20 Bottle of wine

$38 Dinner at Raquel's on Oxford Street 

$15 Vodka and soda for me, Vodka and lemonade for Kris

WHY?  Cos I'm single.

To me this is justification enough but for the other one reader of this blog (is anyone out there?) that may require more explanation!

Friday night's events and expenditure centred around a pre-arranged dinner with other single gay women. It was all about me putting myself out there in an attempt to meet new people and find a social life!! I left my network in London (yeah I know - I too hear the violins playing) and while I've been back in Sydney for over a year and been out and about I haven't met many single ladies... Most of my friends are happily married with a baby and/or the second on the way. So, it was with some nerves and excited anticipation that I cabbed my way to Oxford Street to join the selected few for dinner. I needn't have worried thought, after a few wines and sangrias, we were chatting like old friends and making arrangements for Saturday night!

Nights out are never cheap, particularly in Sydney but this was definitely money well spent... however it had ramifications for SATURDAY:

BUY - $5.45 Macca's breakfast.

BUY - $2.85 KFC chips for lunch.

WHY? See picture 1 above.

Red wine, Sangria and vodka doesn't mix. And there is nothing like Macca's post-mix Coke for a hang over.

BUY - $2.97 Gum.

WHY? See pictures above.

BUY - $3.20 Train ticket return from Milsons Point to Chatswood.
WHY? To get to work.

SATURDAY NIGHT - BUY:

$1.60 Train ticket from Milsons Point to the City. 

$15 Entry to Qbar

$7.50 Beer.

$26.40 Taxi home.

WHY?

LESBIAN JELLY WRESTLING!

Just joking..sort of...

A core group from Friday night's dinner headed to Qbar for Girl Thing on Saurday night and I for one was completely unaware that the star attaction was jelly wrestling! Given my height (or rather lack there of) I was treated to the backof everyone's heads and missed most of the fun! It was great to get out again though (even if I did have work again on Sunday!) and get to know the girls a little better


p.s. Friday and Saturday's spending was all thanks to:

http://www.dinnerwithwho.com/

Day 3

I had the day off yesterday and decided to have a quiet one at home. This involved downloading iTunes and playing with my iPhone! (Yes, I'm a total geek!)

I've had the phone for a few weeks but hadn't ventured into the world of Apps because I've been having trouble with my computer (and still am, which is going to be a necessary expense in the not-too-distant future...) That has all changed now and so has my world...

While I'm still very much learning how versatile and helpful my iPhone can be, the first thing I realise is that it's also a whole new world of spending opportunities. Dangerous! So far I have managed to avoid tempation - mostly - and have only purchased the one app:

BUY: $1.19

WHY? Cos it's fun!

Day 4 isn't going to be as good, spending-wise. While I have had a very quiet morning I already anticipate costs associated with dinner, wine and possibly drinks out at the Annandale Hotel!

Day 2

I'm beginning to worry that this blog could end up looking like a Food Diary... and that would just be embarassing given my eating habits of late. In a way though, that's kind of refreshing that my spending is on necessities (like food) even if that food isn't necessarily what I should be eating!

BUY $1.95

WHY? Lunch. Technically. But, by the time I was able to get away from my desk, it was closer to dinner.

BUY $44.40

WHY? Cos my Vans aren't regulation footwear for work! With Target offering 25% off shoes I figured it was a good opportunity to get some new ones, particularly because the two pairs I have been alternating between are actually my 'good' shoes and I want them to last a little long than they will if I continue to drag them to and from work every day.

BUY $8.68....                                                                    

    

WHY...

Day 1 - Purchase 2

BUY $3.50 -Ummmm.... Hate to admit it but....

WHY? This is the cheapest lunch on the go in Westfield (provided you're eating after 2:30pm, which I was) and with work as crazy as it was today I needed something quick!

Day 1 - First purchase

BUY - $2.59 Crumpets

WHY? Morning tea time and I'm starving! The crumpets will last a few snacktimes, already have butter in the fridge. Only problem... Toaster at work is a little out of use and emits way too much smoke when attempting to toast! A little worried I will be inviting the Fire Department if I continue cooking!

Why?

I guess a quick explanation for this blog is in order.

I have a problem...

I can't save money.

I am absolutely hopeless. I've never been very good at it but now, at 32, I really need to make some changes. Even when I was earning a lot more than I am now I never had much left over at the end of the month. It's even worse now having made a bit of a sea-change (and taking what seems to be the requisite pay cut) I live week to week, payday to payday. I have no assets, no savings and too much debt to be comfortable with. Sydney's not the cheapest city to live in but I can't use that as an excuse any longer because other people seem to survive! The problem is - I don't know where my money goes. 

I like to think that I'm not particularly materialistic or even extravagent- everything I currently own fits into my rented bedroom and I don't particularly like shopping - but somehow I find myself falling into traps where I 'reward' myself after a tough week with a bottle of wine or new book even when I know I can't afford it. I 'justify' it with any number of excuses but mainly it's because I want it rather than I need it.

So, I'm wondering whether a visual aid - a record of my purchases will help me work out where my money goes and why it disappears? I'm planning to post a photo of everything that  I buy and, along with a happy snap of the recent drain on my resources, I will be explaining the purchase - justifying my buy - in the hope that it will make me buy aware and weigh up want versus need and I may get to the end of a month with a little extra left over to save or pay off a debt or buy important stuff like food!!

I'm also asking for your help. This is an interactive forum so feel free to boo, hiss or applaude my purchases and tell me if they're justified!

Example 1:  11 April 2010

The BUY:

$7.50 - Frame. (this isn't the actual frame cos I forgot to take a photo - I guess this is a habit I'll have to get used to!)

The WHY:

A gift for my friend K who's having a really tough time. The frame is to put on her desk at her new job with a photo of her daughter E. to remind her why she's doing it! (E. is why enough but a lovely text makes me feel appreciated!)

BUY:

$12.38 - Pasta, pesto, Tim Tams, Mint Slice

WHY:

I can't really turn up to someone's house empty-handed after offering to cook for them! (And the Tim Tams and Mint Slice were on special 2 for $4!)

BUY:

$6.70 - Latte for B. at work and a cappuccino for me.

WHY:

I shouldn't even be drinking coffee (long story) but I needed something in my stomach as I hadn't eaten all day and I really owed B. a coffee and felt I couldn't get myself one and not get her one otherwise I'd look like a tight arse!

 See - look how easy it is for me to justify all those purchases!! And while there was good intentions behind them  all, it means I never have anything left over!

Do you agree? Were they justified?