Wow it was a busy weekend

Friday night our monthly wine and whine for work. I invited a bunch of friends for drinks and dinner out at a local restaurant (Centro). We had a good time but drinks and dinner were more expensive than I thought and I ended up ordering dessert (flan which I love but never actually order). Spending was $35 for 5 hours of fun.

Saturday I did laundry and cleaned the house then went to get my hair cut. I just needed a trim and was not willing to pay my regular person $55 for a trim so I went to a super cuts nearby. I was really nervous about it but I had a wonderful girl and I would go back and see her again. She trimmed it just the way I wanted it and it was only $13!

Had a movie afternoon with a friend and we both got a soda and split a popcorn as we both missed lunch. Movie was $9.5 for the popcorn she treated. Prime was a cute movie

Dinner out that night was not planned for me. I was going to stay at home and read my new book and do laundry. It has been a long week for me and I was tired and had to work my second job on Sunday really early but my housemate and friends convinced me to go. So I went to Zocalo and had a great dinner but spent $25.

Sunday I worked 4 hours then they sent me home. My arm is still sore and weak from the accident in October and it is hard to lift anything with my right hand, or do much work on my computer. I am thinking about quitting as I need a break and they would hire me back at the busy time of year next spring. The money is not much more a month right now since I work only 1 day a week and after almost 2 years of 7 days a week I am exhausted and want a break! Bu it can make my decision later this week. They understand.

Sunday afternoon some friends and I went to lunch but since I had already eaten I joined them in three bites of the appetizer and lots of water. $2. Then we went and saw jar head and we bought a drink and a popcorn, spent $17. So only 1 week in and one third of my spending money for the month is gone. At least when I have vacation during thanksgiving week it should be cheap, I have to finish packing up my house and won’t really be doing much else.

Did grocery shopping too on Sunday and spent $44. Instead of spices this trip I bought a cookie sheet (mine are in the old house) and I will be buying one spice a trip to the store until I am caught up. I saved almost $40 on the trip thought because Safeway was having a b1g1 sale on some things I use like jam and jelly and such. So into the cupboard they went. Always nice to have a little something extra tucked away. Now if I could just find PB that way! Still have 250 toward grocery this month. It seems like a lot but I am trying to slowly gather things I will need instead of spending a huge chunk when I moved into my new home in August.

It was an expensive but fun weekend. It just means that this month I need to make sure to walk to work and not drive so as to not pay for parking. I have only driven one day this month but that was because I had an off site meeting and needed the car. It I walk to work I save $7 a day and put that in my “secret” stash to be used toward something else later.

Enough for now!

I love it when you have to do a surprise training and can pull something out of a hat and make it work. Even better when it is in conjunction with two different state agencies and you wow the socks off them. I got approached by one of my supervisor’s sups to ask if I want to apply for a promotion (read big raise!) because he would like to see me at another position. Long story short I am so excited and would love a new position. Having only been at this position for 6 or so months, it makes me feel validated as an employee!

November spending thus far:
11/1 lunch 673 (meeting with new training guinea pigs, promised to take them off site)
11/2 lunch 7.77
11/2 Dinner 8.94 usually I take my lunch but this past couple of days I have been to tired to make it the night before and that is not good. Total spending from my "fun money" equals just over 23.00.

Planned spending for the weekend:
1. Lunch out tomorrow (standard on Fridays)
2. After work get together for drinks and dinner (no alcohol and usually buy an appetizer for dinner or make sure to take home half my meal)
3. Hair cut on Saturday. Just a cheapy at some local quick cut place. Cut and dye happens closer to Christmas unless I go on a vacation trip before that.
No other "fun money" expenses are planned.

I need to grocery shop this weekend if there are some good sales and I am getting bored with what I have been eating to I need to experiment some and find some other recipes to fix to keep me from not bringing my lunch which costs me money in the long run.

My ex had begun to start emailing again. I still love this man even though it has been a messy thing, off and on for two years. He wants me to move to Phoenix but I am just not ready to give up on this job I love so much and the possible promotion. I saw, let’s do weekend monthly visits while you get your act together. Not sure if he wants me for me or because he is lonely and is not finding others to "date". Adds frustration and my eating seems to get out of control when this happens. I have gained a lot of weight in the past year over this.

On a positive note, I have managed to walk into work and home three times this week and plan for it tomorrow too. Saves me money and time. Don't have to go to the gym if it is a long enough distance to count.

Till next time!

but here goes.

November goals:
250 for gas for the month or less
300 for entertainment
300 groceries. Although I used over this in October, I have a very stocked freezer which will allow me to have less over all spending. I am slowly buying spices, herbs etc to fill the kitchen. Just things as we need them, nothing over the top and slowly.

All the other expenses are fixed expenses and fixed savings vehicles. Let's see if I can stay in these three categories for the month.

There is some left over for emergency spending if something was to come up but that is all in my extra account and if none of it is used for the month then it goes into extra emergency savings. I call it my pay check cushion.

One thing i like is that i am actively taking classes at alocal community college just for fun, keep me busy and costs almost nothing for 3 night a week fun and subjects i am interested in. Great time and everything looks good for november.