Last Week's Penny Pinching Tip

Go to your local library. When I got the idea that I was going to the Caribbean on a whim, even before this whole penny pinching idea, I needed to do some research. I went to tripadvisor.com and Frommers.com, two very reputable travel websites. I looked around but I really was getting sick of the web and I wanted to read a book.

That day I decided I needed to get a library card. I walked down the street from my office to the library in search of a Caribbean travel guide. To my delight they had at least a hundred or so travel guides about the Caribbean alone. I got high as I walked through the aisles imagining all the places I could go not for this trip but for the rest of my life. It really made me feel like I was missing out on this world since I haven't left the country as an adult.

The other things I have been meaning to learn are how to knit and make beaded jewelry. Yet another reason to buy a book right? I seriously lack hand eye coordination, as evidenced by my poor typing skills. Instead of buying books for a new hobby that I don't even know that I'll like, I decided to go to the library get some books and try it out. That's about $60 I would have willingly dropped at Borders or Barnes and Noble and the library is free.

I actually don't need to penny pinch. I make enough money to do what I need to do and then some. However, why not try it out so that I can do even more with what I already have? I have a tough time with discipline so this is more an experiment with delaying gratification than actually saving money. I want to be able to say eff it all and move to South Africa at a moments notice. There is so much freedom in that. That's what I'm striving. Let's Get Free!

Penny Pinching 101

I’m not very good at this whole penny pinching thing considering I’m going out of the country. One of my goals for the year was to leave the country twice. It didn't happen in the first six months and I didn't know if I would get anywhere the rest of the year. So the trip fufills half of that goal.

Yesterday I took it upon myself to try to save money at the grocery store. The first step was seeing what I already had; tuna, ground turkey, chicken breast, pasta and a can of clams. That translates into tuna salad, turkey tacos or burgers, chicken parmesan and linguine and clams. You all know I can cook but I am often lazy. This inspired me to “bust out” some of my tried and true meals. The second step was passing by Whole (Paycheck) Foods and going to Giant since many things are cheaper at the chain grocery store. For the most part I just bought what ever I needed to complete the meals I listed above. I wanted also to buy my favorite summer snack Jell-O. I see the six pack of Jell-O jiggling in my face and I grab it. Something told me to look at the price and that is something I rarely do. It cost $2.29 for six small cups of Jell-O. Sugar, gelatin and some water that’s all it is. So I took a gander down the desert aisle in search of a box of Jell-O. A box of Jell-O cost 80 cents. I was proud of myself for investigating and going with the deal. Now most of the time I am a fan for paying for convenience but, making Jell-O takes 3 minutes. I’m also saving the environment since I am not throwing away 20 Jell-O cups a month. Okay well I just thought of that added benefit right now.

Well that is $1.50 I saved is a one day tip for housekeeping at the resort. Also my coin jar was full so I cashed that in at the Coin Star. It was a good bit of money so it should cover my extra spending cash in the DR. The way it's looking I won't have to take any money out of my checking account for this trip. Well not until September that is.

Another bizarre myspace message

Hi,

I think this is XXXX, from John Burroughs? You probably don't remember me, but I remember you, and for all these years have wanted to apologize for being so mean in junior high. This is Liza XXXXX, whom you invited to your b-day party, which was one of the best birthday parties I had gone to in junior high. I believe this was seventh grade, when we were in Ms. Williams science class, and we watched with your cousin/little sister videos of some teenagers dancings (was it Kids Incorporated? "K-I-D-S!") and ate yummy bite sized sandwiches. I had the time of my life, because I felt so at peace, and a surge of excitement being with you upon the brink of our teen years.

So then I don't know really remember what happened after that. I think I developed an injection of that film "Mean Girls," and was mean/ cold to people. There is no excuse for that, and I wanted to say that I will never forget your warm heart and sense of humor, after what, 29-13 years...my math is fuzzy at 6am...It just suddenly occurred to me to write you when I was in the shower.

Gotta jam, but hopefully you are well, and this is the right Aisha, and I wish you all the best in the future and in the present. You deserve well.

Cheers,
Liza


I really can't believe that she remembered all these details about the bday party that only she showed up to. Even I had blocked that out of my mind. I haven't talked to her since 1993. Our favorite song used to be "Let's Chill" by Guy.

Get Away

Just in the last post I said I was pinching pennies. However, I just convinced myself that I need to get my summer getway on. I have a week between jobs and I just didn't want to sit around the house. So I pulled out my trusty gold card and set off to find a vacation. I set a budget for flights and accomodations and a few other parameters. It should be near a beach but somewhere very relaxing so South Beach was out. The catch was that I wanted to leave on June 28th which was less than two weeks away.

All week I sat around searching on line sites and I couldn't really find anything that suited my need for short flights and relaxing environs. This morning I decided for one last try. Orbitz was having a sale on packages to the Dominican Republic. As I logged into the site they further reduced my package for being a "loyal customer". In addition it asked me if had a promotional code which I did not. So I googled to see if some nice person had posted a promotional code that applied to my package. Well they did and I had yet another discount.

So I will be spending 4 days and 3 nights in La Romana, Dominican Republic. I'm exicted to just get away from it all. (always plan to woo a sexy DR man with my Spanish)

Having The Will


I got a new job! Hooray me! I realized over this past weekend that I am very emotionally attached to my current job. However, it just isn't the correct fit. I love my job and I don't mind going to work everyday. However, when I get yelled at from time to time, realized how bad the raises are, and that the benefits aren't as good as I believed, I feel less than satisfied. It's the tangibles that make me dislike it. It's the intagibles that make me love it. I like my coworkers and I will remain friends with at least two of them when I leave. I like the work that I do and I feel I have made a great contribution to the work. It's nice to work for an organization that has a great mission.

I've never quit a job before. It won't be a surprise to anyone because they all know that something is missing for me. The only thing that sucks is that one of my supervisors is on vacation. She's also the one most affected by my departure. We were in the beginning of planning a big project. There isn't much I could do about the timing since I got the offer the day she went on vacation.

I am getting a 20% pay increase and full benefits including tuition reimbursement. The only glitch is that I won't get my first paycheck until September 1st. I think I have enough money to make it but since I have been dipping into my savings a lot so there isn't much there. This is a test of will for me. I buy a lot of clothing and shoes and I buy expensive groceries. I go out to eat and drink with friends as well. So for the next 6 weeks I will have to spend significantly less money. I know I can do it but I know I have a hard time sticking to anything. In fact I already have my eyes on:

http://www.anthropologie.com:80/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?color=prl&navAction=jump&id=741362
http://www.anthropologie.com:80/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?color=bla&navAction=jump&id=760093

So it' s a six week fast from spending. I have to figure out how to get more out of life than being a consumer. I should be able to live 6 weeks without buying anything I don't need. However, I haven't proven that to myself in the past.

plops you all in the middle of the convo...



ha ha ha......that was really funny

too bad my breasts aren't even real

they felt real

felt?

yeah you let me feel them before.

wait when? let you? I don't remember this.

a couple of years ago on my birthday.

really? dude i remember everything. please stop playing with me.

no I carressed them.

bullshit.

what was my reaction?

you didn't react.

i can't believe this.

i'm really serious. you should stop drinking so much.

actually i didn't drink that night. you were the drunk one.

oh yeah.

maybe you imagined this because i would remember something like this.

let me do it again so you can remember this time.

One of my favorite party jams. Yes, I said party jams. Whenever anyone mention Bass music this is the first thing that comes to mind. Videos have really changed. I didn't see any stilettos by the pool. Wait there are black women swiming!

Dress better than you feel.

After being sick for a few days while on vacation, I made my return to work this morning. Last night I decided to pack my items for the gym so I could back into the swing of things. I woke up this morning at 6:30am which is exactly when my class started at the gym. I overslept, even slept through the alarm which is something I never do. Given that, I could get in another hour of sleep.

I was still coughing and hacking but decided to goto work anyway. To combat how I felt, I put on the best non wrinkled summer outfit I could find. I even put on earrings, lipgloss, and "Stunna Shades II".

I get there and I am already tired and disoriented. I tried to do some work but I couldn't. Also there was something looming over my head that I would like to get resolved fairly quickly. I went to take a sip of water only to realize that there was a giant piece of paper in my new water bottle and it took me 3 hours to notice. That's when I knew I was out of it.

I checked the bus schedule so I could time my departure perfectly. I walk out the door into the sweltering heat and the bus pulls right up. I sit on the seat and it starts. Loud noises from my stomach. It's going crazy and I'm not sure if i'm going to make the 10 minute ride home. I start to think "Will I be like the girl from flavor of love 2" ? I never saw that infamous episode but I know enough of the details to know that I have to make home. I do just that.

I made it home in time to relieve myself and just in time for the rain. This morning the weather man stated that there would be no rain today we would have to wait until tomorrow. I feel sorry for all those scantily clad women downtown who were caught off gaurd. It's rather nice to be laying in the bed in the rain.

p.s. this blog doesn't have adventures anymore so I need to work on a new name. any suggestions? I picked a new one for now but it doesn't fit either.

I'm sick and haven't felt like posting.

Just a quick update on the last post. He touched her thigh, is how she tells her side of the story. I haven't asked for his yet. I think he got excited during the piggy back ride, lol. It's all good now.