Ugh, what a month to have fallen off the frugality wagon. Just days after my last post, in which I was essentially patting myself on the back for completely unnecessary clothing consumption, the universe decided to slap me back into submission (humility) via my long-lost electric bill.
I opened my mailbox last night and was actually excited at the sight; the LADWP had finally gotten me back on the gird and I could stop wondering/saving/living in limbo. I had $250 in my Smarty Pig electric bill account, and as I opened the bill, I DARED to assume I might have something leftover. HAHAHA, the universe bellowed over my shoulder.
$424.69
What the?!?! I was NOT prepared for this. Ugh. And on what, you ask, have I spent nearly that amount in this month alone? Clothes and shoes. I feel a bit sick.
This was unexpected, and even if I had been more diligent in my calculations, I still don't think I would have been prepared. The bill covers almost 17 months of electricity. And I haven't seen a bill since I moved into my new apartment, where my average daily energy usage is apparently higher than my old place (the new apartment is bigger and has central A/C, so this shouldn't come as a surprise). In the old place, my average daily energy cost was under 50 cents; in the new place, it is 79 cents. This added up over the months and months I didn't see a bill.
$175 is coming out of my emergency fund to cover it. In fact, I already did the goal-to-goal transfer in Smarty Pig. (Transfer was instantaneous and so easy. I LOVE Smarty Pig.) I will put $100 of that back next month, and the remaining $75 in April (in addition to my regular monthly $100 contribution).
And I can pay the bill on my credit card, so at least I get x2 miles, or about $8 toward my next travel expense. Thank you, Capital One Venture.
Message received, universe.
20 February 2011
15 February 2011
Drat!
It's halfway through the month, and I have $128 left in my budget. And I still have to fill up the car with gas. Whoops! What happened?!?!
Well, let's start with the positive....
I opened my Vanguard Roth IRA!! I invested $3,000 in one of Vanguard's target retirement funds. And I am already obsessed with watching the daily ebb and flow. "My three grand earned $10 in one day?! Smarty Pig can't give me returns like that!" Then, 24 hours later, I'm crying, "Oh, crap, that $10 has shrunk down to $2 overnight." It's a roller coaster, and it's out of my control, but I'm totally loving the (potentially vomit-inducing) ride. Whheeee!!
Now, for the negative....
I rediscovered my love of shopping. Personal finance blogs used to be my daily addiction. Then I discovered outfit-of-the-day, fashion blogs. Wow, my wardrobe is OUT OF DATE. I do not endorse chasing trends and throwing out your entire closet every six months. However, I've been living at the opposite extreme, wearing black clothing that has turned gray and pants that are WELL over four years old. Moderation, even with regard to fashion, is key.
Thus, I have been focused on updating my outfits. I haven't thrown out or donated anything (yet) but am instead working on finding pieces that will integrate with the existing items and bring me into the 21st century--without breaking the bank. I am still waiting on a few Internet orders, and once they arrive I will begin the assimilation. After that, some culling may occur.
The "strategic updating" has set me back over $350 this month. My clothing budget is typically around $20 each month. I don't regret the money I have spent, but my completely rational self would rather have put the funds into my new Smarty Pig travel account ($150 so far) or my brand-spankin'-new IRA. However, being clothed in public is a requirement in contemporary American society. Being modern and comfortable and happy (and if I dare admit it a bit sassy) is just icing on the cake.
Well, let's start with the positive....
I opened my Vanguard Roth IRA!! I invested $3,000 in one of Vanguard's target retirement funds. And I am already obsessed with watching the daily ebb and flow. "My three grand earned $10 in one day?! Smarty Pig can't give me returns like that!" Then, 24 hours later, I'm crying, "Oh, crap, that $10 has shrunk down to $2 overnight." It's a roller coaster, and it's out of my control, but I'm totally loving the (potentially vomit-inducing) ride. Whheeee!!
Now, for the negative....
I rediscovered my love of shopping. Personal finance blogs used to be my daily addiction. Then I discovered outfit-of-the-day, fashion blogs. Wow, my wardrobe is OUT OF DATE. I do not endorse chasing trends and throwing out your entire closet every six months. However, I've been living at the opposite extreme, wearing black clothing that has turned gray and pants that are WELL over four years old. Moderation, even with regard to fashion, is key.
Thus, I have been focused on updating my outfits. I haven't thrown out or donated anything (yet) but am instead working on finding pieces that will integrate with the existing items and bring me into the 21st century--without breaking the bank. I am still waiting on a few Internet orders, and once they arrive I will begin the assimilation. After that, some culling may occur.
The "strategic updating" has set me back over $350 this month. My clothing budget is typically around $20 each month. I don't regret the money I have spent, but my completely rational self would rather have put the funds into my new Smarty Pig travel account ($150 so far) or my brand-spankin'-new IRA. However, being clothed in public is a requirement in contemporary American society. Being modern and comfortable and happy (and if I dare admit it a bit sassy) is just icing on the cake.
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