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Archive for February, 2007

A Fresh Start

February 26th, 2007 at 09:38 pm

So, I have applied for two PT jobs locally. Even though I can only be at them for 2-3 months, I really could use the extra money. I'm also continuing the search for FT jobs beginning in May that relate to my field. There is no real progress, but I have made a few contacts, which is always a positive thing. So, we'll see.

I've decided that if I don't have a job when I graduate, I will be moving back in with Mom and Dad, find a FT local job (most likely at a restaurant), and continue looking for a FT job in my field. Please pray that I will have a job though! I absolutely adore my parents, but I really need to get out on my own.

Tomorrow I'm going to a concert! My friend got two concert tickets as a Christmas present, and she's taking me. It'll probably not be too cheap as I'm paying for parking, and I need to fill up my gas tank to make it to the city. But it will be really fun, and I have budgeted for it. So I'm excited!

$90 dress and savings

February 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 am

So, in my savings, I now have $10.75. Yay!

And I found the perfect little black dress today that was originally marked $90. It was reduced to $2.97. With tax, it was $3.14, and I used a gift card. I am on SUCH a shopping high! :-D

And thanks for all of the birthday wishes, everyone! And my senior defense went really well. :-)

Today's my Birthday!

February 21st, 2007 at 10:52 pm

I am 21. :-)

Nothing big planned until this weekend, but my parents bought me an iPod! Yay! And they took me to Red Lobster, where I got free ice cream. Fun, fun!

I have my senior thesis defense in 30 minutes...I am appropriately freaking out. I just talked to a few of my friends who have already gone, and they're just kinda sitting in silence, muttering to themselves. It's stressful.

Okay. Well, I'm signing off...I do have some more money saved, which I will make into a separate entry at some point later.

Death of a Friend

February 19th, 2007 at 09:02 pm

A friend of many mutual friends of mine was murdered on Friday. It's just very shocking. I didn't know him well, but he was so full of life. He didn't deserve to be so brutally killed. No one does, but he especially didn't. It was just the harshest reminder that life is short, precious, and not guaranteed at all.

It's so funny how we take our friends and family for granted? Even people we don't know very well...we still take their part in our lives for granted.

Needless to say, it's been a struggle between planning for the future and instant gratification these past few days. I bought a coffee because...honestly...I could be dead tomorrow. And I wanted a coffee. If I'm going to be dead, does the coffee matter?

I really don't think this way, just FYI. I'm a very responsible person. But when someone dies...it makes me evaluate my own life. But again, I am very responsible, so don't worry about me blowing all of my savings. ;-)

Plan for tomorrow, but live for today.

More Savings & Reading

February 17th, 2007 at 01:14 am

I now have $1.63 in change; probably more, as I haven't counted any change in my car or bottom of my purse yet. I'll get to it...I've had a very rough week, so this Friday night is all about mindless relaxation.

I'm also re-reading my favorite financial book...Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach. I think it is such an informative read, and is really what got me started thinking about my finances.

Midterms and my senior thesis defense is next week...as is my 21st birthday! I haven't had time to get really excited about it, but I think I am...I really don't know how I feel! But a bunch of my friends will be celebrating with me on Saturday, and my parents are taking me out for a fancy dinner at a family friend's restaurant on Friday evening. So it'll be fun to see everyone again. It'll also be fun to have a glass of red wine every so often. ;-)

That's all! I hope y'all are doing good.

$0.71

February 13th, 2007 at 10:59 pm

Seventy-one cents...only nineteen dollars and thirteen cents to go!

Big Deposit!

February 11th, 2007 at 06:14 pm

So, I took not only my $20 saved up, but a bag of loose change that I've had for a long time (since eighth grade, to be precise). I ended up making a deposit of $41.19 into my account. :-)

So now, the goal is to have $20 in change saved by March 15th, and make another deposit then. Think I can do it?

$18.34

February 8th, 2007 at 10:37 pm

Counted extra loose change, brought the total up to $18.34. Any left over $1 bills will be added tomorrow, a deposit will be made Saturday, then it will go back to down $0 for my next $20.

$16.43

February 8th, 2007 at 03:17 pm

Up to $16.43. I'm gonna have some dollar bills left over by Saturday, so I'll definitely have $20 to deposit into checking. :-)

I should also be getting my banking statement.

$15.73 and Shopping Spree!

February 6th, 2007 at 01:25 am

So, my pot o' change is up to $15.73. I should have $20+ by the end of the week, to make a deposit in my checking account on Saturday. Yippee!

I did some shopping today. I went to J.C. Penney's and bought a $40 pair of jeans for $7! I had a gift card, too, so I really got them for free.

I bought a Valentine's Day card for my best friend...$3. Usually I stick with the dollar store or make my own cards, but there are two people in this world who I will splurge for cards...my mom and my best friend. :-)

I went to Bath & Body Works and bought some room diffusers, $12.50, and a change purse (ironic, huh?), $6.

I then bought a pretzel and diet coke. $3.63.

Oh yeah...earlier I needed to get ink for my printer...$21.

I paid for everything with cash. Nothing from checking, nothing on CC.

The rest of the week is planned to be no/low spend.

$14.07

February 5th, 2007 at 01:32 am

My pot is up to $14.07. :-)

I'm also going to begin my hunt for a PT job (again) this week...unfortunately, not too many people are keen to hire a soon-to-be graduate who will be leaving town in three months.

I also am going to a career fair this week for that FT job hunt. :-)

How is everyone this week?

Cheap, Delicious, Filling Recipe

February 5th, 2007 at 01:05 am

Here is a new twist on nachos that I made for Super Bowl Sunday! The original recipe is from 30 Minute Meals by Rachael Ray...however, the one I am printing here is what I did differently. Delicious, cheap.

You will need:
1 pkg. ground beef (you can also substitute ground chicken or turkey)
1 pkg. chili seasoning
2 hot dogs, chopped
1/2 onion, diced
Garlic, however much or little you want
Canned tomatoes (diced, crushed, whatev)
Some oil (I used olive oil)
Shredded cheddar

Heat a large skillet over high heat, covering the bottom with olive oil. Dump in the ground beef, let it brown up for a few minutes.

Add the garlic, onions, and hot dogs...mix it together and let cook for another couple of minutes. Add in the chili seasoning, mix and let cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and let cook for 1-2 more minutes.

Line a pyrex baking pan with the tortilla chips and pour the mixture over it. Cover it with cheddar cheese, and pop in the broiler for 2-4 minutes until the cheese is all melted.

Let cool for just a few seconds, then enjoy! Sour cream and guacamole goes well. It's very filling, and a little goes a long way.