The weekend went by too fast! I hope everyone made it a great one. I didn’t do too much, I was feeling super lazy. The time change definitely felt horrible and yes I realize that it’s only 1 hour but it’s one hour closer to work and classes.
Our vacation is less than 2 weeks away! So exciting. I’m so glad I used a vacation week at work so that it would coincide with my spring break from classes. We’re still trying to decide on where we want to go. Yes I realize that it is very soon. However, we of course fly standby so that we can get first class free (nearly) tickets (through my dad’s retirement benefits), so we usually have to plan at the last second. But that never bothers me because then I can check the weather relatively soon to the day that we leave.
Also, would anyone want to guest post for me while I’m gone? I’ll be gone from the 24th until the 30th most likely, and I would like to have a couple of posts scheduled. Let me know!
Here are my updates:
Getting rid of my work outfit laziness: No pictures still! I would just take this off my updates but I feel like with my horrible memory, then I would just forget about it completely.
School: Only 8 more weeks until the semester is over. I have a midterm today and another mid-term next week and then I should be good for around a month! This semester has surprisingly gone by super fast. Summer registration starts soon so my adviser will be signing me up for my last 2 classes. I already got the OK that they were good to complete my MBA, so I’m happy.
Extra Monthly Income: Ugh horrible in this section. I’ve had some sponsor posts, but I keep forgetting about them. I need to do better with this and put it in my phone so that I can remember. I also had some other blog income which totaled around $200 this week, so not bad at all! I’ve done a couple of phone call secret shops as well and made around $25 this past week form them. I haven’t had time for any surveys though.
Budget Cutting: We didn’t cut anything out, but we definitely added stuff. The BF got an iPhone last week and that added another $30 to our cell phone bill, so now it will be around $130 a month for our phones. AH so high! I do want to see if maybe we can negotiate with AT&T to get our bill any lower. We are on the lowest package though and have a ton of rollover minutes because we usually don’t have time to make phone calls until night time (and by then they are unlimited and free).
Oh yeah, I did talk to the BF about his crazy eating out before work everyday and buying alcohol everyday after work. He has been spending around $20 a day on this, and he didn’t realize how quickly it was adding up, so I made sure to point it out to him the other day and now he understands. I don’t know why he started doing this again this week to begin with! Ha oh well, it is fixed now.
Spending: I still need to finish going through my closet. Whenever I try to find something to wear, I end up hating it all, so I don’t know why I have such a hard time getting rid of it. I always tell myself “I might like it for the summer!” False, that has yet to happen any year in my life.
I did go to Forever 21 on Saturday, which is always a disaster. They had really cute spring clothes so I bought a lace skirt (which I’ve been eying like crazy on Pinterest) and 2 dresses. Now do I need 2 more dresses to add to my 57+ dresses that I already have? Probably not, so I’m going to return one. F21 doesn’t let you exchange for cash back, so I’m going to get a shirt instead. Yes still the same amount of clothes but I could use shirts more than dresses.
Food: I’ve really been making good use out of the crock pot! Loving it. I love being able to just dump everything in and then it comes out perfect hours later. I also went grocery shopping on Friday after work. Spent $70 but we should be good for the next week. We also hardly ate out for the past week, we’ve been doing really good.
How’s your spending and food buying been?
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Amanda L Grossman says
Hi Michelle!I am curious–what does 'flying standby' mean?
Michelle P says
We sign up for flights through an employee/retirement system through the company and fly standby on flights. It's really not that bad because we can get an up to the second flight listing of available seats and it tells you whether or not they think you'll be able to make it.
Michelle P says
I should also say that this is not open to everyone, just employees, those retired and those who are "survivors." My dad passed away so his benefits went to me.We can fly anywhere in the world, so it's nice.
Michelle P says
So jealous! I've never been out of school that early, it always ends in May for me.
Renee says
I need to get on the crock pot cooking. It's such a huge help to have dinner ready when you get home from work!
Allison says
I would love to guest post!
smk053078 says
I am on a spending freeze for this week! ha-ha! Not a very long one, right? Gotta save for my trip at the end of the week! I am a F21 sucker too…I can't ever seem to wlak out of there empty handed! Because Shanna Said So
Analytical Planner says
The dishes of food I see at the top of the post look delicious. Anyway, I know first hand on how hard it can be to get your significant other on the same page with the budget. My spouse really tries, but I still have to remind him of some stuff from time to time.
P!nky says
Woohoo, keep up the great work!Smart move with the F21 dresses!
Mrs. Robinson says
I'd be willing to guest post for you! =) E-mail me back if you'd like to talk about it. All of those meals look YUMMY! =)
Tackling Our Debt says
Your pics of your meals look delicious! I love cooking with a slow cooker. Cuts down on costs and always creates yummy leftovers.
Live Simply- Live We says
Yummy meals! Can't wait to find out where you get to go.I will do a guest post, email me simplegal19@gmail.com and we can bounce around ideas.
~Carla~ says
We were at a mall the other night and a new Forever 21 store opened, i'd never heard of it so we stepped in, looked around at the masses of teenagers and turned right back around. lol! Madness!! 😉
Michelle P says
Haha they have cute stuff!
Beverly says
Oh my! $200 from blogging is definitely winning to me 😉 Proud of you!I would love to guest post for you while you're vacaying it up! Let me know if you're interested girlie 😉
Anthony Thompson says
You wouldn't believe that I've had my crock pot now for four years, and have yet to even take it out of the box. I also say that I'm going to start using it, but I always end up putting it off. However, I still keep a manageable food budget each month. Have a great time on your upcoming vacation.
Tiffany says
Have you tried budgeting all your expenses? My husband and I do and we find it keeps our spending low. You should do a blog post on how you make money off your blog! So cool!
Alice @ Dont Debt says
I probably don't spend $20 on eating out in a month! Hubby and I do eat out, but he pays the bill. :)If visiting Forever 21 is always a disaster, well, um…. dare I say don't go? If it's in the budget, I guess it's not a big deal, but if it's not budgeted for, then you should try to stay away.
Michelle P says
That's exactly what I told him! $600 is way too much!
lil desiqua says
I know what you mean about AT&T… I recently got an iPhone, but barely ever talk on it, and yet the lowest "talk" plan is about $60… it's ridiculous!My spending black hole is Old Navy. But glad you were able to exchange for something you need!P.S. I love my crock pot!! And those dishes look yummy!
shopping2saving says
I really hate Forever 21's return policy. If you shop online, they allow you to send it back and you will get money back. For me it is feasible since I live in SoCal and shipping items back to them is cheap, but I still hate their return policy.I'd be down to guest post for you – let me know what topic you want!
femmefrugality says
Love crock pots! And forever 21 and Old Navy. 8 more weeks! Unfortunately I'm going summer semester…so I'll have zero break until August. But, hey. 8 more weeks till things get changed up.
Michelle P says
Awww that stinks! I have a whole month off after my spring classes until when my summer classes start up.
Anonymous says
Getting alcohol everyday after work? Hmmm… sounds like an alcoholic, you should talk with your BF about this.
Michelle P says
I wouldn't say he's an alcoholic, I would say he's more of a social drinker, and he hangs out with his friends every night and gets a couple of drinks with them. I think it's just our age. Or at least I hope it's just that!
Bach says
An adult beverage (especially red wine, so try to get him on that track) or two is fine and nothing to worry about at his age.
hklover86 says
F21 is soo "trendy" I find I either love everything or can't find anything I like!! I really like Dynamite, do you ever shop there??
Michelle P says
I've never heard of it, I'll have to look into that store!
Kristin says
I have been striking out at F21 lately!! annoying!
Aloysa @ My Broken C says
Our spending is horrible this month. We ate out so much that I am embarrassed to say. I might write a post on it. We need to cut down on it. ;)I hate time change. I am exhausted and sleepy. It is just one hour but somehow it affected me BIG time.
Annabel says
On a serious spending freeze… in anticipation of the iPad I am buying in the near future. So really, not good, no.
Inna xoxo says
I am beyond jealous that you get standby flights for practically nothing. Ohhhhhh how i could use this esp at this time in my life! Im in a long distance relationship and flying between the 2 states is a crapload of money! gahhh :/ btw, i am absolutely in love with your blog. Im 23 and just reading your blog almost daily helps me make smarter better more wise decisions with my day to day spending, and planning for the future!! Thanks for keeping this blog darlin!omg…when i did i get so old that the subject of money and finance become so interesting…lol :)xoxo Inna
Serendipity says
I went into Tillys this weekend and bought two super cute tops for spring. I also bought two not so cute tops that fit me funny from old Navy and vow to take those back. I still want to guest post for you! Let me know and I'll get my act together!
Bach says
I would love to guest post also! I also just wrote a post for tomorrow about making your existing wardrobe work/more inspiring for season changesI have an iPhone and found the $25 dollar data plan works fine over the $30 plan. I never go over my data but you can give it a few months and track his usage.
The Happy Homeowner says
I'd be happy to write a guest post if you're still looking for help!
Lindsay says
oh my! all those look DELICIOUS. Where do you find crock pot recipes? or do you just come up with things?