Category Archive

So yeah, I could get a case. I could, you know, be CAREFUL with them. I’d rather just buy cheap ones. I don’t wear them as a fashion statement (well, not really, though I may purchase trendy ones), I don’t wear them as a status symbol, and I mostly wear them at the beach or in the car. Designer sunglasses? They just aren’t my thing. There is so much more I’d rather spend my money on. Sunglasses for $25 to $50, I might consider, but that is probably the limit.

I do (sort of) get why a person wants designer sunglasses. You can wear them a lot, you can love them a lot. Just like I do (sort of) get why a person might carry designer handbags. It just isn’t something I do. There is no way that is in my budget, and it isn’t something I place a high value on. So I’ll stick to my cheap-o sunglasses, and have only momentary pain when I find them squashed at the bottom of my beach bag.

PS - I know the shape/style of my sunglasses is sort of “out”. They were purchased for sailing, so functional. I’m kind of glad I have a good excuse to get cuter ones.

This post will not help YOU find a quality strapless bra.  Rather, I am wondering if you can help me find one!  In the heat of the summer, I’ll be wearing more tank tops and need to get at least one new strapless bra.  I’m willing to spend big bucks on this (big bucks meaning up to $50).

My current strapless bra (from Victoria’s Secret) worked well when it was new, but it has seen quite a bit of wear and how sometimes slips down.  Not attractive or comfortable, and it is ready to go in the trash.  Or at least be converted to a strap-only bra.

I’m scoping out this convertible bra from Victoria’s Secret, though I will probably go to the store to try it on.  I think I know my size, but I always hear statistics saying that many women wear the wrong size.

Do you have any other recommendations?

I always have trouble at the end of the month. Things come up. Budgets get broken. Not badly, but enough to annoy me. I’m over by a few dollars in most categories, and I have a few days left.

A friend from the midwest came to town on a surprise weekend (not specifically to see me, just to come to the beach). We went out to dinner with her and some friends, and she mentioned that she bought her fiance (they are getting married in 2 weeks) a $2,000 Movado watch. Perhaps he gets that as a gift since she got an engagement ring, but I’m not sure. She said her credit card bill was at $4000 this month.

It surprised me, because I always thought that I didn’t know people who spent that kind of money. Of course, she was a college friend and never used to be like that, but now that we are real adults, it seems I do know people that spend a lot of money. I know a lot of people with designer purses and who shop at Banana Republic exclusively (and don’t cower in the sale section like I do). I may not know the super rich, but I know a class of people that spend more money than I am used to.

I don’t think that she is struggling or drowning in debt. I know roughly how much she probably makes (I used to work at the same company), roughly how much her fiance makes. Between the two of them, I’d guess they make around 115k and I bet their house (duplex) payment is less than my current L.A. rent. It is a very cheap place to live, so $115k will go far. Quite some time ago, she mentioned that she had to cut back her 401k from 15% to 8% temporarily (personal issues), so she is saving plenty for retirement too. I doubt she has a $15k e-fund, but she is certainly doing just fine.

So was it jealously that I felt?

I still live somewhat like a college student. It is in part out of necessity–if I want to have my own studio, then I am spending quite a big portion of my salary on rent, so I can’t spend that extra money on say, a LV purse. It is in part self inflicted pain. I fully fund my Roth, I save several hundred each month in short term and long term savings, and I save as much as I can afford to in my 401k. I could inflate my spending quite a bit, but I don’t think it is wise.

It also is more challenging because my boyfriend is still a grad student (and also still just a boyfriend rather than husband). When two of my closest high school friends got $400 purses from their husbands last Christmas, my beautiful opal necklace didn’t seem as extravagant. My friends have people paying half the bills, making real salaries and buying them fancy gifts. I just can’t keep up with that, even though I have a good job.

It is that silly left behind feeling. I’m not left behind, I just need to stop comparing and keep my eyes on my own paper. My goals are different and good, and I’m doing just fine on them.

I guess it still blows my mind to think that someone I’m friends with can afford to drop $2000 on a watch. That isn’t the world I grew up in.

I want…

• At least one pair of new shorts for summer
• A food processor (but can’t quite justify, as I have a blender)
• One grapefruit spoon, to better eat the lovely grapefruits picked this weekend from my uncle’s grapefruit tree in Arizona (actually, this has been on my list for a month)
• A black cardigan (work is often cold)
• Proper storage containers for flour and sugar
• Nicer brown work shoes
• More button up work shirts
• Yoga pants
• One summer dress

I keep a list of things that I would like to buy, but don’t necessarily need to buy.  Sometimes after sitting on my list for a few weeks, I decide I don’t need them anymore.  Most of these things have been on my list for a long time, and I still haven’t purchased them.   My wish list is helpful when birthday/Christmas comes around, and people ask me for ideas.  It also helps me to buy the clothes I need most while sticking to my clothes budget.

This month, I think I will buy the grapefruit spoon (since I just got fresh grapefruits) and look again at food processors and flour/sugar storage.  I will not buy the clothing items (unless I find an unbelievable sale), because I already purchased a swimsuit this month.  Next month I’ll focus on the shorts and the work shoes, even though a summer dress is more fun.

Fellow frugal friends, do you think a food processor is a superfluous kitchen appliances for a tiny kitchen, or do have one and couldn’t live without it?

I spent $41 on make-up over the weekend.  I haven’t bought new make-up since 2006.  That is probably a slight exaggeration (think $5 mascara or lipstick now and then) but when it comes to powder/foundation, I’m serious.  I spent $15 on Sonia Kashuck Mineral Make-up set (powder, blush, concealer) about $12 on Physicians Formula tinted moisturizer (though I lusted for Stila brand ), $11 for a new powder brush.  I researched the products before I bought them and so far am quite happy with my purchases.

I spent $20 on two Lush solid shampoo bars plus a ‘free’ case.  I bet they get almost everyone on that “if you buy two this $6 case is free” deal.  This was mostly just a treat, but also, I was way off when I thought my current shampoo was organic.  Vegan is not the same as organic (obviously) and also doesn’t mean SLS-free.  Hmph.

I also spent $50 to chip in for spa day for Mom.  We don’t always buy extravagant presents like this, but this year we did.  Usually I get something much smaller:  a book + bubble bath is standard.  (Actually I spent $150, but the other $100 will be reimbursed.)

If I didn’t pay attention to my finances, I think it would be quite easy to walk into Sephora on a weekly basis and buy product after product.  I wouldn’t tire of it, and I’m not what you’d consider a high maintenance sort of girl.

However, I don’t buy many products, even though sometimes I want to.  Each of the items I purchased felt like a treat.  I’ve been feeling squished by my budget goals, and was happy to allocate a little bit of my extra paycheck and economic stimulus towards non-essential beauty products.  Some may argue that make-up is essential, but I’m not convinced.  (It depends on your job though.)  Shampoo is less debatable (though some DO debate), but $10 bars aren’t necessary.   Not necessary, but a fun luxury.

I asked for advice on purchasing glasses, but I didn’t follow much of it.  I didn’t purchase direct from my optometrist (the selection was not very good), but did go to Lens Crafters.  I didn’t shop around beyond that.  I didn’t go to Costco (not a member) or Walmart (quite far from my apartment).  I was too chicken to purchase online, and wasn’t encouraged by this negative post at My Two Dollars about $39 glasses.

The advice I received was totally sensible and applies to almost everything–shop around for a good deal.  I only shopped at two places.

What kind of deal did I get?  My frames were about $220 and the lenses were a whopping $310 because they recommended polycarbonate lightweight lenses and a scratch resistant coating.  I did not get the thinnest lenses and I did not get anti-glare.  For being an AAA member (thanks mom and dad!) I got a 30% discount to bring it down to $370.  My insurance will cover $100 towards lenses and $70 towards frames.  So that leaves me to cover $200 out of my health savings account (pre tax dollars).

Did I get ripped off?  My last pair of glasses were from Walmart and I had them a whopping 8 years.  I never loved them, even when I first got them.  These ones, I love.  I better love them, right?

I think the trouble is, I need to start better tracking my Health Savings account money.  Since it comes out of my paycheck before I ever see it, it doesn’t feel like a big hit to spend $200 of it.  However, once it gets to a certain balance, i can cut back on the contributions significantly.  It is, quite obviously, real money, but I haven’t been treating it as such.  Hmmm….

I got an email from Banana Republic telling me spring clothes have an additional 20% off.  While in the store about a week and a half ago, the register girl said that we have up to 14 days to collect any additional discounts due to price adjustments.  I think it would amount to roughly $25 if I can locate my receipt and go in.

But will the sales people give me dirty looks?  Have you ever done a price adjustment?  My bigger worry is that I’m not quite certain what I did with that receipt.  The cost of carelessness in my life is ever increasing…

In other financial news, I finally got my first power/water bill since moving on 1/15.  IT is about $75 for a little over 2 months, which seems a little high for my apartment.      I already have primarily CFL’s, but the bright lights in my kitchen are something else.  I think I’ll be extra diligent about unplugging things and lights and see if I can get it down.

The bill is a little confusing.  It says that  $13.64 is past due as of 3/26 (this is my first bill), but there is no late fees (that I can see).  It almost seems as if that $13.64 is from prior to 1/15 and should have been paid by someone other than me.  There is some mysterious “multi-fam bulky item fee”.  I think I’ll give them a quick call before paying.  Or I’ll just pay it and see what next month looks like.

My parents ran my old laptop into the ground, which I sold to in complete working condition for $200 a year ago.  I would have sold it to them for even less (as it was several years old) but I spent $100 to get the power jack repaired to make it functional.  Actually, my mom handed me $300 cash, and I handed her $100 back.

So, I purchased a new laptop (retail value of about $1000) for about $650 after rebates and a 20% work discount.  My parents are now in the market for a new laptop, and said that if I wanted to sell them mine for $300 or $400, they would take it.  No pressure though, I also could just help them find something new for a similar price.  Oy.

I’ll tell you a secret, I don’t exactly love my new laptop and wouldn’t mind upgrading to this one *or something similar) for an extra $200.  I’ll have to do some research on what my computer would sell for used on ebay and make sure that $400 isn’t ripping off my parents (or me).  I’ll also have to do more research and see what else I can get for around $600.

Do you think I should do it?  This money probably will just detract from my efund savings goal or be subtracted from the economic stimulus check.   Or should I tell them no and help them find a good deal elsewhere?

I’m so tempted!

I’ve been salivating for some new work clothes ever since I started my new job and moved to a city where the shopping choices are endless. Last night, T drug me to the mall (seriously, it was his idea–he’s trying to update his wardrobe too).While attempting to shop two weekends ago I did not purchase a single thing–the sales were small and picked over, and full price seemed like too much.  However, new sales started at Banana Republic and almost everything was marked down a little bit. Did you know that the prices on the website are sometimes a little lower and that the stores won’t match? Still the in-store selection was much better and obviously there are no shipping costs.

After trying on about 20 things and liking about 10 of them, I purchased 4 items: 2 short sleeve shirts, a cardigan, and a super cute sweater. At an average of $40, the total was about $160, and after tax, a painful $175 for a spring wardrobe update. Still, I’m quite happy with my purchases. The cardigan in particular was much needed (my current ones are old and the longer chunkier style of a couple years ago). Work is COLD so I will wear it often. The other things will get a lot of wear as well.

As far as budgeting goes, that means I’ve used this months remaining budget ($30), next months budget (which I previously upped to $75) and pretty much all of May’s budget as well. Woah! This should be fine, I can last until June or later without shopping.  It is easier for me to get a couple things at once when there are sales. Also,  $100 of my economic stimulus check might go towards work related clothing or other “fun” spending, with the remaining $500 going to the e-fund.

Following my rule of donating at least one older item of clothing for every item brought in, my closet will be faced with some downsizing this weekend.

I have big plans for the weekend.  Well, when I tell you what my “big” plans are, you probably will think I’m lame for considering them “big”.  Ha.  First, the fun happy stuff.

I’m going shopping!!!!!!  Mostly for a present for my mom, but I’ll keep my eyes out for quality work clothes within my budget.  I’m dying for some nice button down work shirts.  Which again, proves my lameness.  Couldn’t I at least lust after some fashionable spring dresses?  (Well, I do that too, but am unable to justify the purchase.)    For non-stalkers familiar with the LA area, I think I’m heading to Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade–they seem to have the widest selection of stores and it’s a nice area. If you are a psycho stalker, then I’m going to Inglewood, so stalk me there.

Happy Hour:  The new hire/young people group at my employer is sponsoring a happy hour in one of the beachy cities after work on Friday.  I’m naturally a bit shy, but I figure I better force myself to go and socialize with some of my coworkers.  If I totally hate it, I can always leave, right?  I’m sure I’ll have fun once I’m there, but is the kind of thing I can easily talk myself out of going to.  I imagine I’ll incur costs of $15 or less for 1-2 beers and perhaps a snack.

Cooking:  I’m on a mission to find a more frugal breakfast.  I’m currently in love with the boxed granola cereals from Trader Joe’s, eaten with vanilla yogurt.  Yummy.  However, I feel like granola should cost less than the $3.29/box I’m paying.  I’m willing to make my own, so I’m going to Google some recipes and try one out.  (I’m also open to suggestions on places to buy granola in bulk for cheaper.)  I also have been craving bran muffins, and want to bake a batch.  This recipe looks delicious, but this one is much cheaper more basic.I shouldn’t need any groceries outside of ingredients for these two things.

Fitness:  I’m sure I’ll run once or twice, and I’m going to try out a new Yoga DVD I got on a Netflix free trial subscription (which I foolishly started right before a long weekend away, so I’m not getting much out of it.  Four movies, max.)  I got some of suggestions on how to do classes for cheaper (thanks!) and certainly want to give classes a try eventually.  For now, the Nameste Yoga on FitTV is completely fulfilling my needs.  I just love it.  It is only 20 minutes (fast forward commercials), but if I want to do more than one session, I already have like 10 on my DVR.  In fact, it is fulfilling my needs so much that I wanted to buy season 1 and 2 from the internet for a total of $100, since my DVR goes back in July.  But I won’t, I promise.  I could get 2 months of classes for that price!

And then, the less exciting stuff. . . .

Car:  I’m going to deal with that pesky check engine light.  This could eat up an entire day, but it also might be as simple as getting the code read and finding out my gas cap was loose.  :::crosses fingers::::

Clean:  Boring, but necessary.  I also might start thinking about packing for next weekend.

Organize:  I need to do some financial housekeeping and throw away some stuff.  The nice thing about moving is that you get rid of a lot of extra stuff and everything gets put in a place.  But in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve managed to clutter up some areas, and want to declutter before it becomes a problem.

What are you doing this weekend?

I made two really great purchases this weekend. First, I purchased a cast iron skillet, $20, with which I made delicious, healthy, and frugal broccoli frittatas. I have one other decent skillet, and a plethora of crappy ones that I’m slowly getting rid of. This is my first cast iron skillet and I already love it. There is still hope for me to learn to cook!

My other good purchase was earplugs. The box was about $3 for 10 pair, and I wore them all morning at work. It was so peaceful! It was a bit awkward when a coworker came up behind me and was unable to get my attention (not knowing that I was wearing them) but that is a small price to pay. No more being over stimulated with annoying conversations about a coworkers kids’ boy scout troop. Haven’t these people heard of “six inch voices”? I think that having my workspace be quieter will help with stress reduction.

T made a nice purchase as well. He bought a flower pot and irises that will live on my balcony! After the purchase, he did some research and learned that irises are fickle flowers and need full sun, so I won’t be surprised if they don’t make it. I sort of have a black thumb as it is and could probably kill a cactus. Still, the pot is nice and we can replace the irises with a more hearty flower that only needs half sun.

I am considering upping my clothes budget to build up my career wardrobe more quickly. I can’t quite justify it though–I’m getting by on what I have, and looking “sharp” is much much less important in my industry than in many others. At my last company, it was not uncommon for people to show up in sweatshirts. This company is slightly more formal, but definitely puts the casual in business casual. I was considering $100/month, but perhaps I’ll compromise to $75/month, which is still quite modest. That is $25 less for my efund though…

A couple weeks ago, I was lusting after a cute work outfit that Banana Republic emailed me about (aug, did I really give them my email address?), and showed it to T saying that I really wanted the brown jacket ($150) and also would also like a few new shirts to go under it. I have a lot of pairs of nice dress pants, but I’m really lacking in good work tops. Seeing that I set my clothes budget at $50 each month, I’m quite obviously not getting the jacket. Even though they just emailed me a 20% off coupon.

He agreed it was nice, and went on to suggest that I eliminate all my “extra” stuff in my wardrobe, because I really only needed a few nice pieces. Which, to an extent, is true. Actually, it’s more NOT true than true. I don’t really need any nice pieces. My work place is not that formal and I don’t dress up on the weekends. I would like some nice things, I would like to wear nicer things to work…. but I also can get by without them.

However, the main thing he missed was the fact that cleaning out my closet and eliminating things does nothing towards acquiring the nice things. Emptying my closet is easy, but refilling it with better quality? That takes $$$$$ that I don’t want to spend right now.

From now on that $50/mo is going to go towards quality stuff (hopefully found on sale). I’ve read a few articles, in blogs and in print, about how to build a professional wardrobe for X amount dollars. There always are some great pieces in there that I covet. The problem was, it never really is a whole wardrobe. At best, it is one weeks worth of outfits. When I first started out building my professional wardrobe, it would have been impossible to fill it with “nice” stuff without going broke. I was also getting settled into my first apartment and buying furniture, so my clothes budget was not huge. I bought things that were nice enough to get by and cheap enough that I could by more than one shirt. I have the basics, now I’m going to build up the quality. Mix in some inexpensive “trends” and I’ll be good to go.

For other young professional females, do you have any recommendations for stores to shop at? JCrew and Banana Republic seem ideal, but I still can’t stomach the price tags for non-sale items. Even sale items sometimes! Also, I worked in retail once upon a time (Abercrombie & Fitch, if you can believe that! I swear I’m not rude like half their employees!), and there were certain times of the year when there was huge sales, usually about four times a year. When is the next big sale? I’m thinking the spring stuff came out a few weeks ago, so there should be some good sales in about a month….

After recently being shocked by my estimated yearly gift budget (I’ve never added that stuff up!), I found myself at Target yesterday evening shopping for my sister’s birthday. Which, by the way, was last month. With the move, I’m way behind on…. everything. She still loves me though.

I usually spend $50 a head on both Christmas and birthdays for family, but I am now thinking that $40 sounds like a better number this year.  I had a $20 gift card parents sent for Valentines day, but I used most of it on necessary toiletries and the birthday cards (what a rip off). I collected some things I knew she’d like that added up to roughly $40 and headed home. I searched my email archives to find her address (who needs an address book?) and the first thing that popped up an order for a birthday present I’d already sent her! It was a partial present for about $20 that I’d sent earlier, and forgotten about because I’m never early!

Now what? I spent $20 too much on her! For a second I though “cool, I can use some of this stuff for myself!” Which is totally silly–it isn’t anything I need, just little treats that aren’t in my budget anyway. Then I thought I might return a couple things and get a toilet bowl brush (I really need one) and perhaps a new towel (it is a little sad that I’m buying a single towel at a time!). Then I thought maybe I should just stop being so money focused (or as some might say, “cheap”) and send it all anyway. It was money I thought I was going to be spending in the first place. This last approach is slightly unfair to my other sister, who recently received a birthday gift that was about $45, though she’ll never know.

So, what would you do?

(PS- it took my like five tries to spell dilemma… I will never be a spelling bee champion)

The guy next in the cubicle next to me at work (yes I live in cubicle world) spent over an hour on the phone asking someone if he could get a charge number for the work he did, so he wouldn’t have to charge it to overhead.  Talking really LOUDLY, making me want to toss something over the wall.

I’ve been really interested in getting some in-ear noise reduction headphones.  I’ve been thinking of spending about $70 (!) on them.  The problem is, though amazon reviewers may give them 4/5 stars,  some people hate them because they are uncomfortable.  I want to find a store that will let me try them out, but then again, what kind of store lets you stick headphones inside your ear canals (ew?) just to see if you like them.  It’ll take me quite awhile to squeeze them out of my budget, so I don’t want to get something that isn’t great.  Even if they’ve been in my amazon cart for months.

Reality is that in this case, a pair of simple ear plugs would suffice.  (But if anyone has headphone advice, I’m all ears.)

By the way, cubicle phone etiquette:   Don’t yell into the phone!   Talk softly and increase your volume if the person on the other end has trouble hearing you.

I feel like I’m being scammed out of my money left and right!

I signed up for cable service online (because I do everything possible online) and followed the clear instructions on the web page to obtain a cable modem before the cable guy came. There was a promotion for a “free” modem, after rebate, which turned out to be about $20 with shipping and tax (after rebates… which are always a bit sketchy to redeem).

Yesterday the cable guy set up my internet and TV, and started installing a cable modem from the company. I said I had one already, and would not be needing to rent one from the cable company (as that is how it often works.) He told me that there was no rental, the modem was part of the service.

I am still fuming about this, a little. (Ok, a lot, if you ask my boyfriend.) Why would they tell me I needed to buy a modem when I didn’t? Now I have a modem that put almost $100 on my credit card bill for the month (which I pay off, of course) and two rebate forms to fill out and hope get credited to me. What a hassle!

I looked up the modems on Amazon (I’m not very ebay literate, but i should probably check out ebay too) and I can probably sell my new modem for at least $35, even if I cut off the upc to get the rebate. In theory that is a small profit, but it is a bit of a hassle to do all this.

I’m super annoyed that they convinced me to buy a modem I didn’t need!

Also, as mentioned in my last post, I ordered some transcripts from my undergraduate institution. I ordered that two official transcripts be sent to the graduate university I am applying to. Yesterday I received two transcripts at my home address, clearly stamped with “issued to student”. I didn’t need or want these. I can only assume they didn’t send any to the university. Now I have to call them and find out what happened. I hope I don’t have to pay $12 to have them do this again!

Last, I sent my laptop in for repair in early December, and they sent it back with a note that the battery had failed. It was still under warranty, so I called them and asked why they didn’t replace the battery. They said, “Hmm, I’m not sure! I’ll send you a new one!” Which they did, along with a box for me to send the broken battery back in. In the meantime, I moved cross country and the old battery and box are long gone. Vanished! They just sent me a letter requesting that I return the part, or they will bill me for it. I assume a battery is around $100. Ouch.

This battery incident is primarily my fault (though they could have just replaced it when they had my laptop), but still annoying. I can see why they make people send in defective parts, but I’m going to call them and see if there is any flexibility in this policy. I don’t have high hopes, but it can’t hurt to call, explain the situation, and ask if they really have to bill me for a new battery. I’ve had mixed results with companies forgiving things like this, but it never hurts to ask.

I am frustrated that my money is disappearing for these things. Granted, they aren’t really scams (except maybe the modem promotion), but I’m not getting anything of value out of them.

I must have lost a little weight over the course of the last year, as most of my jeans have been getting a little baggy. It wasn’t a significant ammount, but I’m small already, so five pounds in either direction can make my clothes fit differently. Then seven to ten pounds means a whole new pants size. Seems like Mapgirl is having the opposite problem which is admittedly more common. Anyway, to remedy this, I ordered some jeans from Banana Republic on sale for $31.99. I couldn’t try them on, so I crossed my fingers on the size, 2L. I only need “Long” sometimes, but that was all that was left. This was before I picked up two new pairs on sale at Jcrew for about $35 each. I really didn’t need 3 new pairs, just two! The jeans arrived yesterday, and are too long, as I suspected they might be. It is a bit of a releif, now I don’t have to decide weather or not to return them. Obviously, they must go back. They were cute jeans too, so I would have been tempted to keep them. I have to eat $6.00 in shipping (couldn’t find a free shipping code), but I will still get $32 back on my card. That’ll teach me to buy jeans without trying them on. (They were only available online anyway. The ones in the store didn’t work out either.

My new rule on clothes is nothig that isn’t directly appropriate for work for the next six months. Does that really mean no fun clothes until June 29th? Yes! It is not as ambitious as other young bloggers no clothing resoluitions (Meg and Wanda are two examples), but it is a step in the right direction. Also, I just donated a huge pile of clothes I never wore to Goodwill, so another rule is, for every item that comes into the closet, something has to go in a donation pile. That is super logical, will help with clutter, and will inspire extra cautioun in purchasing! An exception may be made for shoes, but with caution.

Also, I have a couple pairs of pants I had made for me when I was in Hong Kong that are now a little too big as well. Some don’t have belt loops, so they are nearly unwearable. In fact, I wore one pair with a safety pin in an emergency situation. Classy! I think it is time to find a tailor and get those pants wearable again. Much more frugal than buying more dress pants! Do any of you have experience with using a tailor? And if I get them taken in, can they later be taken out if necessary?

Either that or I can fatten up a little bit… but that is also expensive because my metabolism would require a big calorie surplus to accomplish that!

So, not having a job is expensive! Not only do I not have a paycheck showing up until February 7th (yikes, last paycheck was last Friday, and it wasn’t for the full amount), but I have more free time.

Free time in which to think about how better to utilize my new apartment…. My new apartment is smaller than my last, and things don’t quite fit the way I’d like. Some of my furniture is nice enough, but everything feels too crowded. Crowded, like I took a 600+ square foot apartment and moved it into a 500 square foot apartment. One hundred square feet is more than you would think Or, more than I would think. Everything just feels cluttered, and I don’t like it.
Really, why are flat screen TV’s still so darn expensive? My living room would look at least 3 times more put together if I had one, but it just isn’t worth the price.

The kitchen is teeny tiny (one drawer for the whole kitchen?), so my buffet that used to live in my old kitchen has been promoted to TV stand. Except it doesn’t match the rest of the nice dark wood in my living room. Is it important enough to change? How important is it for woods to match? Probably not incredibly important, though it probably would pull the room together a little more. And the (already small) kitchen table? Well, we are storing that under the bed for now.

My bedroom is a mishmash of cheap furniture, but it always was. I used to have a “red” theme going on, but it seems to have vanished with the curtains and duvet cover. Now it is sort of a blank slate. Do I want to do anything with this? I also don’t own a proper dresser or chest of drawers. It’s true. I keep about half my belongings in plastic drawers (hidden in closet!) and the other half in a cheap thing from Target, half bookshelf with some felt-type drawers. I am plotting a trip to IKEA and am dreaming of purchasing this chest of drawers, in no small part because of the little mirror on top. I’ll have to see it in person to see how sturdy it is.

Should someone who doesn’t have a job really go to Ikea??? Okay, I have a job. I just don’t start until Friday…