I am no good at waiting.

No good.

Next Friday is payday and I want my paycheck now.

BUT, if I were to get my paycheck today, it would not be as high as when I receive it on the 20th. Win some, lose some.

But what I am REALLY wanting to get done is the countertops. They called and they are coming on Friday to put in the new countertops. It's about freakin' time! I first noticed the leak on January 24th. A plumber came by later that week and on Feb. 1 they began the process of removing the mold. And our kitchen hasn't been the same since. We are going on SIX weeks without a proper kitchen.

But even though the countertops will be done Friday, we are probably not going to have a sink until Monday. Why? Because the plumber is coming by tomorrow to remove the sink so they can put in the countertops Friday, and knowing this company, they won't be by until Monday to put the sink back in.

The bright side is that we did not have to pay one penny for any of the work done. Because the leak was caused by the pipes not being put together properly (maybe it was all that soda they were drinking...), the HOA covered all of it.

I'm going to go read. This week the homework load has been really light because spring break starts Friday! Yay!

After I finish these two books I am debating on whether or not I should get another book. The book in question is Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello. I can buy it on half.com for $8 (hardcover, only version available right now), but if I wait until August I can buy the paper back version from Borders using my gift card. Decisions, decisions.

Oh, and I decided to get a PO box. I'll probably get one at the end of March, so after I receive my paycheck. Do I have to change my mailing address with the Post Office? How about the DMV? Or does it not really matter because I am not moving?

I've been looking for a photo editing software. I would like to get Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (for Mac) but it costs about $100 new. I searched Amazon.com and found it for $75, but I would like to spend less. Ebay did not have it. Is there anywhere else I can find computer software?

I finally bought my glasses today! I know I said I was going to buy them yesterday, but it was snowing and really cold yesterday. The roads were also a little icy. So I stayed inside and drank hot coco instead.

The total came to $275 with tax. A little high, but I went to three separate eye glass stores and I would have spent about as much no matter where I got my glasses. I can't wait to get rid of my current frames. I have been wearing them for almost 2 years and am tired of them.

I also went to Borders to spend my gift cards. I bought two books- Remember Me? by Sophia Kinsella and Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. I have about $20 left so when I am done with these books I will go back and buy another.

I still haven't decided on whether or not to get a PO box, but I am leaning towards getting one. I don't have to pick up mail every day and there are a couple within 2-3 miles of my place.

Tomorrow I really need to buy new glasses.

I am starting to get headaches because my current prescription isn't up to date. My eyesight hasn't changed much (the littlest it has changed in a few years actually), but I'm starting to get headaches from it. I can't put it off any longer.

So tomorrow I will go to the eye store. I will stop by Walmart to look at their glasses (and see if they have any work shirts). If nothing (and I'm expecting nothing) I will head to the mall. There is a Borders in the mall so I can buy some books at the same time. Yay for multitasking!

This is going to sound silly, but... I love tracking packages I have ordered. I think it's fun to see where they are stopping on their way home to me. I can watch it get closer and closer.

So yesterday I really buckled down and got most of the laundry done. There was only one load left (a blanket) that needed to be done so I decided to do that today after my classes.

I take the clothes out of the dryer (too lazy to do that this morning) and take less than a minute to put them away. I go back to the dryer and washer to put the blanket in and guess what I find in my dryer?



My cat!

She looks kind of mad in this photo, but she is normally very sweet.

I am so happy. I found what I was looking for! I have been looking for a way to organize my purses and accessories and I found those interlocking cubes (like this one: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3579668) for pretty cheap. I ordered two sets of four (not from Walmart though) and they should be arriving in a week or so. I used to have a few of these when I was a kid. I remember keeping my barbies and dolls and other toys in them.

Tomorrow is payday but I don't think I will pick up my check tomorrow. I work Saturday so I will most likely get it then.

I can't decide on anything.

I have been saving up for a large purchase (this is besides my regular savings) and after having to save for it for so long, I decided I don't want it anymore and I want something else.

I wish I would make up my mind. Sometimes I annoy myself.

I am not touching the money in my savings and I always put money into my savings/IRA before I give myself money to spend. I just wish I would make up my mind on what I should spend the money on! It's like I have so many choices and I can't decide- everything looks so good but I want to make sure I get the best thing that I end up not spending the money at all.

Blah.

Today was really boring. My afternoon class was cancelled (unrelated to the weather) but because the weather was just dreadful I couldn't really go anywhere besides home. So I played with the cats, did some homework, read, and now I am writing this. I don't know what I shall do next...

I deposited some money into my savings and IRA today- after I switched banks.

It took longer than I expected to close my accounts and then open new ones. Because I had to open the checking with at least $100, I had to take about $70 from my savings to open the checking. But once my online banking is up and running (should be but I haven't checked it yet), I will transfer that money back to my savings.

One thing I noticed is that every time I make a contribution to my IRA, the bankers have to relearn how to do it. They actually have to ask me what the next step is. It is amusing, but I think a little sad too. Hopefully more people will contribute to IRAs and it will become second nature to the bankers.

I have about $2,600 left until I meet my savings goal for the year. I think I'll be able to make the goal by the end of summer.

Another eyeglass store was having a sale, 2 glasses for $99, but again no luck in finding glasses. I found one pair I liked, it was $110 for frames. I was considering getting especially since I found out I could get another pair for free but I couldn't find any other glasses I liked. Oh well.

Today was a busy busy day. After my classes I ran some errands that I have been putting off.

I finally went to the mall to get my chain and while there I stopped by an eyeglass store to look at frames. They were having a sale; a complete pair of glasses for $99.95. I looked at the frames on sale and I can see why they are on sale. Most of the frames were ugly. Trying to be a good sport, I tried several on. A few were passable but most were blech.

I looked at the other glasses and found a frame that I loved and looked good on me. It cost $160 for just the frames so I didn't buy it. I might get it later, but there are other places in town having sales.

I just found out that my dad's job is secure until June, when his contract is up. We are relieved because a job he had applied for he did not get. There is also a good chance that in July or August he will get a job at Boeing. Keep your fingers crossed!

After looking at eyeglasses (yes, I know I am jumping around) I went to the DMV. My license is expiring in March because my birthday is just over two weeks away! I will be turning 20 soon! My dad plans on coming down either my birthday weekend or the weekend before and will take me shopping. I have been flip-flopping on what I want. I just can't decide.

I still have grocery shopping to do. I don't know if I want to do it tonight or wait until tomorrow morning. Walmart will be packed at this time and I hate dealing with those crowds. What I'll probably end up doing is getting some things at a store just around the corner and do the rest at Walmart tomorrow.

I received a notice from my B&N credit card that the terms have changed. The fee for a late or missed payment has gone up and the interest rate has been lowered. Neither I care about because my payments are always sent in early and my balance paid off in full each month.

Ever since I decided to change banks I have been wondering if I made the right decision. After thinking for a few days, I decided that I did make the right decision.

The interest rates at Wellsfargo are slightly lower than at my bank, but the alternative I came up with (keeping my savings at my bank and checking at Wellsfargo) would cost me more money.

The two banks in question are about a 10 minute drive from each other. If I were to keep my savings at my current bank, every payday I would have to drive to two banks to deposit my paycheck (I tried DD and didn't like it). And since my bank does not do telephone/online transfers to other banks, every time I wanted to move money around, I would have to go to two separate banks.

The difference in the interest rates is small. It translates to about 50 or 60 cents a month. I will easily eat up that money by having to drive to two different banks, even if I do that only once a month.

Another bonus that I didn't realize is that Wellsfargo has many more branches than my current bank, and a few of them are within walking distance.

On a different note, my boyfriend is really toying with me. I am saving for a purse and I currently have about half the cost of the purse. My boyfriend just told me that I should go and buy the purse as a treat to myself. And he knows that I don't have all the money.

I am torn because while I really, really want the purse, but I also don't feel right buying it when I don't have all the money. I could take the money out of savings, but I know I shouldn't do that. And my boyfriend even offered to pay for the rest of the purse, but I can't have him do that.

So I will wait to buy the purse until I have all the money. I have waited this long and I can easily wait for however long it will take.

Damn responsibility. But I know I am doing the right thing.

The interest I have earned on my IRA has skyrocketed to 4 cents.

Woohoo! :P

Today was a pretty good day. My boyfriend and I slept in until 11 am (it is really rare for me to sleep that late) and then went on a bike ride. Afterwards, we went to a local diner for brunch. There was a surprisingly large amount of people exchanging gifts there. Our waitress even asked us why we weren't exchanging gifts.

Then we went to Walmart to look for a couple things. Boyfriend was looking for a game that the thinks has been discontinued and I was looking for a carpet cleaner and a shoe rack. I wanted one that stood on the floor and was tall but all I could find were ones that went over the door or were longer than tall. I found a carpet cleaner, a small one, for $37. My dad has given me the green light on buying it so tomorrow when I do some grocery shopping I will buy it.

I recently dropped my most time consuming class and had to repeal to get the money back. Instead of a 100% refund, I will be getting a 50% refund. That is still a couple hundred dollars, so I will take it.

Tomorrow I need to go to the mall to pick up my gold chain. Then I want to go to a few craft stores and look into sewing lessons. Then I need to hit the gym and I am hoping I drag my boyfriend along. He made plans to play Dungeons and Dragons with his friends tomorrow so I doubt I will succeed. But I can try.

Overall it was a good day.

Today was all about jewelry with some eyes thrown in the mix.

I am the type of person who once they get woken up, they are up for the day. So guess how lucky I was when I was woken up at 6 in the morning because a bird flew into my window (don't worry- the bird is ok. Probably had a headache for awhile, but he lived).

So I took a shower and had some breakfast. Then I started washing the dishes in the bathroom sink but got annoyed with that so I decided to organize my jewelry. I used to have a couple hundred pieces of jewelry. 98% of that was fashion jewelry bought from places like Target or Walmart. Most of it I don't like anymore but I have been keeping "just 'cause".

So I decided to get rid of the jewelry I don't like anymore. I have cut my jewelry collection by more than half, which is perfectly fine by me. The jewelry that is left is good quality jewelry (diamonds, pearls, emeralds, etc.) with a little bit of fashion jewelry that I love.

I walked to Goodwill to donate the jewelry. The guy there pretty much knows me by name now. I have been going through a "simplifying" phrase the past couple weeks and have dropped off many, many things there since Christmas. I realized that I don't need as much stuff as I had and that others could really benefit from my "junk".

Then, while the boyfriend was here waiting for the repairmen, I went to the mall to talk to a few jewelers. I had broken the chain on one of my favorite pearl necklaces and wanted to see how much it would cost to replace the chain vs. repairing it. I also wanted to price how much it would be to resize my mom's wedding set. She has an absolutely gorgeous diamond engagement ring that I am thinking of using.

The chain cost $16 to repair and the ring would cost $78 to resize. I have decided to wait on resizing the ring until later. Maybe in a couple months I will have it resized, but not now. Beside, I would not feel comfortable wearing the ring everyday. It cost more than what I spent on my car and I would be nervous wearing it to school and work.

After my brother got out of school I took him to get a trim and then we went to the eye doctor to have his eyes checked. He needs more contacts. While there I was looking at the glasses. I found a pair that I really liked and am considering get a new pair of glasses now. My eyesight has changed slightly, but I could live with it for a few more months. I'll shop around for any deals.

To see something incredibly cool yet unsettling, click this link:

I learned something interesting about my boyfriend today (I am surprised it took me this long, but oh well).

He prioritizes wants. He keeps a list of things he wants (games, movies, etc.) and puts a "1" next to the things he REALLY REALLY wants and a "10" next to the things that he would like to have, but is fine doing without.

I think his system works a lot better than mine. I tend to bounce around from want to want. One minute I am saving for this, a day later I am saving for that. It is never organized.

I am going to create a list of things I want. No more than 10 items at once. Of course, if there isn't 10 items that I want I am not going to "stuff" the list with things I don't want.

I think I will make a separate page for this. I just discovered the pages feature and I have been having fun with that. Simple minds you know.

I sold a whopping $201.18 on half.com this month.

I never expected that I would make that much! I am very pleased.

I have another rant about a buyer. A buyer bought a textbook from me on Saturday and even though I do not offer expedited shipping, asked if I would be able to ship the book faster than Media Mail because of a test.

I found a Priority Class flat rate envelope for $4.95 and since it was only a couple dollars more than what half.com reimbursed me for, I shipped the book in the flat rate envelope. I still made about $20 on the sale.

I got the book to the buyer within two days, before the buyer's test (test was on Friday). It is now Saturday and no word from the buyer! It drives me nuts that buyers/sellers do not leave feedback! Especially in this case because I did not have to ship it in the flat rate envelope but I did so anyway.

I sent a message to the buyer asking if she has received the book and if she has, to let me know. I hope that is a big enough hint to leave feedback but I didn't want to come outright and ask her to leave me any.

I have not received any mysurvey.com surveys in the past week. It is so frustrating because I am only 70 points away from cashing out! I'll hopefully get a few more this upcoming week.

ETA: I have been thinking about what I will do with the $200 from the pet deposit that I will be getting back. I have decided that I will put it into my IRA- even though work knows that I am able to work again, there are few banquets with construction going on and it being winter. My birthday is coming up so I really don't need to be buying myself anything right now.

"Knowing when to splurge is an art. There are just two rules: Splurge on the most classic item in the world. You will have it forever. Splurge on the most insane thing in the world. You will have it and cherish it forever." - Isaac Mizrahi

I really like this quote. Maybe because I can use it to justify purchases? :P

I have been thinking about this and what I consider splurges. I thought back to the things I have bought over the years. While I have spent quite a bit of money on various items (especially my purse collection), I don't think any of them are splurges. Why? Because I put money aside for the items. Whether it be saving coins, dollar bills, or taking $10 out of each paycheck, I was preparing for the purchases.

So, onto what I would consider a splurge (given my current situation):

1. Classic and Timeless: a Chanel Flap. A gorgeous purse. Well made and will finish any outfit perfectly. Between $1,700-2,000.

2. Insane: A Nintendo Wii. Might not sound insane to some, but for me I would only use the Wii for Wii Fit. And I am not even sure I would use that on a regular basis. I'm contemplating asking for it for my birthday but I might wait a for another year for the price to drop a little more (so I wouldn't feel as guilty if I didn't use it all the time!). Between $200-250 depending if you buy new or used.

What are your classic and insane splurges?

I went onto Walmart.com looking for an agenda since I refuse to buy one from the student store (they *start* at $19 for a simple small agenda).

And I noticed in the book section: textbooks.

I looked through the textbooks and most of them seem to be reference books, not textbooks (501 Verbs, etc.). Reference books are very useful but they are only sold online and they aren't *technically* textbooks.

The prices seem pretty good, but I would have to shop around to see if they are the lowest prices.

Today my dad and I went to South Coast Plaza.

I loved it!

We visited Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Dooney & Bourke, Coach, and Burberry. And probably a few others I forgot.

I was drooling the entire time. So many gorgeous purses!

Even in a recession, people like to shop! The mall was absolutely packed! I saw many, many people carrying bags from the designer houses I listed above and just about everyone was carrying a bag from at least one store in the mall.

I also bought a purse today. I bought a D&B Zebra Lunch Bag for $30. I've been thinking about buying this purse for awhile now but wanted to see it in person before doing so. I am happy with the purchase.

My boyfriend called my dad's cell just after we walked out of the store. My dad told him, "Mark, you are in trouble. We have been in the mall for 10 minutes and your girlfriend has already spent money."

It was a fun day.

$12.38.

I have bought one present to date.

I plan on donating $40 to the OCRF as a gift to my aunt and grandma. I also plan on getting my brother a $20 gift card and one more thing for my Dad.

I think the total cost will be just over $100.

I think that's just a little more than I spent last year.

Good news is that I've been working a lot this pay period so the paycheck I will get on the 20th will be a good amount. Because the 20th is a Saturday, payday will be the day before, on the 19th. If I am not working that day I will be able to go to the bank. I am, I don't think I will be able to cash it in until I get back from vacation. I leave the 20th and won't be back until the 30th.

School is almost done! I have one. more. final. to go. Monday is my last final. 2 o'clock on Monday I am free until Jan. 20th!

I was hoping to ring in the new year with $4000 in my savings.

But a few things came up and I just recently went back to work. I will also be missing another 10 days later this month for a family vacation.

I took out $225 today for rent and on Jan. 1 I will be doing that again. Also around that time I will be buying text books, so I'm thinking I'll have about $3000 in savings for the new year.

I am happy that I will have so much in savings. I wish I didn't have to touch it, but I am very glad that I had a savings to fall back on.

I have been thinking about my New Year's Resolutions. I want to put some money into the stock market once I have $5000 in my savings. I think I will invest $1000.

I received an interesting letter today in the mail.

It was from Discover and it read:

"We are offering you a special 0% APR credit card that is only available to those who have achieved the highest level of financial success."

I know I am amazing and all, but please, you're making me blush.

::rolls eyes::

I surprised myself today and actually went to a store! I went to PetSmart to pick up a water test kit. I also stopped by the store at which my boyfriend works to see how he was doing. I bought a pair of headphones and a new journal.

I always seem to get sick around the holidays!

My brother was sick over the weekend and he was so kind to give it to me. Thankfully, I got sick AFTER my Calc III exam on Tuesday, but I was not well enough today.

I was able to enjoy all the food though. My dad, brother, and myself went to my boyfriend's parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. His mom made a wonderful meal and sent us home with two pies: Apple and Pumpkin.

I feel asleep soon after I finished eating.

Overall, it was a good day.

Onto financial news....

I have not been working since my mom died. I am scheduled for a couple hours this Saturday but that's it for this week. Also, I will have to dip into my savings soon. I will need to take $225 out for December rent as I have obviously not made anything this month. But that's what savings are for, right?

The only other expense I will have in the next couple months is textbooks. I am expecting to buy 5-6 books and spend about $300. But I plan on reselling a few of my current textbooks so I may recoup some of the cost. My dad will be paying my tuition, which is $600. Tuition spiked for the spring ($7 increase/credit!) and there is a rumor that they are thinking of increasing it by 25% for next fall!

I must remember to write to the governor and senators complaining about the tuition spike...

A little over $115.

But it was for three people and include shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and dish detergent.

I was shocked when I spent that much.

I also didn't go to Walmart like I usually do. I went to a more expensive grocery store right around the corner.

Because my dad was paying for the groceries, I called him in the parking lot and told me how much I spent on the food. I thought I had spent too much but when I told him the amount, he actually laughed!

He said mommy used to spend over $200 a week on food for two people!

I loved my mom very much, but she did like to spend money. She wasn't the best at budgeting.

I joined a survey site a couple months ago. I was expecting to make more than I am, but every little bit helps.

The most frustrating thing is that opinionoutpost.com has surveys that will kick you out halfway through the survey if you don't meet the criteria!

It gets soooo annoying to be working on a survey and get the "We're sorry, but you don't match the needs of this survey.". Gah! I filled out all the personality reports for the survey site so shouldn't they know if I match the criteria? I'm tempted to delete/modify those personality reports to try to get more surveys. And hopefully more surveys offered will mean more surveys I can actually complete!

It is the second of October and I've spent all of money spending money for this month. I bought a really cute pair of shoes for $10 and the rest I spent on the anniversary present for my boyfriend.

On September 10th I spent the last of my spending money.

$75 sure does go away quickly.

But I was also saving all of my change and ones (totaling about $9 from the spending category only).

I bought a game for my nintendo DS (Zoo Tycoon). I don't like it that much so I'm thinking of reselling it on half.com. I also bought another Betta fish and a fish tank. That came to about $30 plus another $20 for the game.

The rest of it was spent at Port of Subs. I have a break for lunch in my class schedule and I haven't been bringing lunch or a snack to school. I definitely intend to bring food from now on.

Even though I've spent $75 in 9 days, I made $96 in the same amount of time. Two more of the textbooks I put on half.com sold and minus the cost of shipping, I made $96 on the three books. The money from half.com is being directly deposited into my savings.

Sunday should be interesting. There is a wedding of 36 but they are ordering off a menu.

The past few months I haven't been following the budget I set out (I couldn't even tell you what it is). Thankfully, I've kept my spending in check. The only thing I bought that wasn't a necessity was my bike.

With the school year approaching (less than a week!) I decided to create a new budget that I would stick to.

$300/month into savings
$90/month for groceries
$100/month for gas
$75/month for spending money
Whatever is left over will go into my savings and IRA accounts.

I think this will be an easy budget to stick to. I will probably carry my spending money in cash instead of putting it on my credit card because I don't want to go over the $75.

I need to sit down tonight and update my finance records.... I usually keep my binder and envelopes nice and neat but lately I've just been stuffing all receipts and documents into one of the cubyholes on my desk.

Summer makes me so very lazy.

I've surpassed my August 31 goal and am just a few dollars short of my October 31.

Once my credit card bill comes I will need to transfer about $160 out of my savings and into my checking because... I bought a bike!

It was a whim purchase. I really did just wake up one day and say, "I'm going to buy a bike!". But I love the bike I got. I've had it for almost a week now and I've been using it every day. I rode it to the pharmacy to get my meds, I rode it to Walmart to get milk, I love it! My boyfriend even fixed up his old bike and we've been riding to and from each other's houses.

I would like to get a basket for the front of my bike by the end of next month. I also need to get a helmet. The basket can wait a couple months, but the helmet I will be getting with next payday.

And to further my excitement, I found gas that is UNDER $4!

I have to go to school now and then work right after. Unfortunately I cannot ride my bike there.

As you can tell, I have very, very little in my savings. And a heck of a lot of expenses are coming up soon- I have to register my car with the DMV by the 28th of June and the parking permit fee for Uni is due the 27th of June. In total, that will be just over $500.

I called my insurance earlier this week to take off my old car and to put on my new one. I didn't know which insurance to get and I forgot what my parents told me to get so I told the lady "basic coverage". She asked me if I needed collision and I said yes. My 6-month premium was $1400. I called my grandma (I'm on her policy) and and she got me the insurance I really needed (no collision!) and the premium went down to about $600. Insurance is so confusing!

Since I bought my car I have this desire to spend more money... and yet, I have none to spend. What I really want to buy is a sewing machine! I used to have one but we sold it and now I want to get into sewing again. I also have switched to cloth pads and I have this urge to buy (or make) several at once. But all of this will have to be put on hold for awhile.

In a stroke of luck (or unluck?), just as my parents were about to take me off their health insurance (I was going to switch the Uni's health insurance since it's cheaper) when I started developing abdominal problems after my meals. My doctor told me that it's mostly likely an ulcer or a gallbladder stone. I have an ultrasound for this Friday.

Work is going well. My muscles are really sore from all the weddings/banquets I've worked but I'm making a good amount in tips.

I hope everyone's summer is going well!

I finally did it.

I bought a car!

I am now the owner of a Dodge Stratus. It felt wonderful writing the check to dealer for the car. I have practically nothing in my savings, but I will be selling my current car and soon I will have a couple thousand sitting in the bank.

I never realized how much of a security blanket my savings was. I love the car I bought and I think I made a great deal, but I want my money!

I do not like not having so little in the bank. Hopefully I will never have so little in the bank again.

But I am back at work and tomorrow will be spent searching for scholarship money.

Didn't think there was such a thing.

Earlier I wrote that summer classes will cost me $1034 + books. Well, that is no longer true.

My friend is taking core humanities (require classes for our university that are like English) at the local community college and was telling me how easy the class is. Since English is not my forte, I decided to take the CH at the community college as well.

Besides an easy GPA booster, it also costs half as much ($185 compared to $380) and I will not need as many books (at the CC you need 2. At Uni you need 7). And it will completely transfer.

I had to move my schedule around for summer and fall so I'll be taking two classes over the summer instead of 3. I will be taking the next level of CH (there are three total) at the CC but I still had to be enrolled in 12 or more credits at my Uni in the fall. So one of the classes I was planning on taking in the summer I will take in the fall to keep me as a full-time student.

This also makes my cost for the fall semester much cheaper and the course load is going to be easier. I'll probably be able to work during the semester.

I'm just about finished with Christmas shopping.

For 10 friends (almost all of whom went out of state for college), I made gift bags full of things representing inside jokes. The supplies cost $23.

For my father I bought 42nd Street on DVD. We both love musicals and saw 42nd Street when it came to town: $17.

My mom wanted a picture of my brother and I, so we got her that and a necklace and earring set: $15.

A baseball cap with my school logo on it for my aunt: $16.

A bowl of potpourii for my Grandma: $12.

A gift card to the game store for my brother (loves video games): $15.

Christmas cards (32) and 2 rolls of wrapping paper: $10.

So far I've spent $108. I have one last person to shop for and I want to buy a Christmas tree. The grocery store a couple blocks away is selling small ones (a couple feet tall, max) for $16. I expect to spend no more than $40 for the tree and the last gift.

I'm pleased with everything I've bought so far. I think I've done well in spending as little as possible while still getting good gifts. Christmas shopping is fun!

On another note, I switched my savings account another type of savings account at my bank and now I'm getting 4% interest rate. Much better!

Got back from the DMV and grocery shopping. I spent sooo much today.

$19.95 Smog Check
$28.25 for my car title
$83 for registration
$64.89 on groceries.
Grand total: $196.09

Ouch. Groceries cost so much because I also bought my Halloween costume. Good thing that Halloween and registration comes only once a year.

On the bright side I don't need to go shopping for the rest of the month. I don't need gas for another week and a half and I'm good on groceries for 1.5-2 weeks.

I'm going to do some job searching today. I applied again to the store I used to work at and while I don't REALLY want to work there, I know they're willing to hire me again and it's a decent job. Only problem, I'll be surrounded by clothes. I may have to leave my credit card and money at home whenever I go to work.

Moments like this make me more than happy that I have a savings.

Today I arrived at my car and discovered a note on the front windshield. At first I thought it was a ticket but it was a napkin. On it was written "Your front right tire shows a lot of wear and is low". When I got home I took a look at my tire and sure enough, LOTS of wear. The top portion of the tire is worn so thin that you can see what looks to be the metal stitching below. [I know nothing of tires, so I'm just guessing that it's metal stitching.]

On the way home I stopped by my parent's and showed my dad the tire. He agreed that with the note and said Thrusday (the day that I don't have classes) I need to go down to Pep Boys and have my front tires replaced.

My dad said my tires will cost between $100-125 each to replace. I don't have to dip into my savings to cover the bill, my dad said he'll pay for the tires, but it made me realize that having an emergency fund is very much a necessity.

I don't know who wrote the note, but I'm glad they did. Because they noticed my tires (and I know I probably never would have), they probably saved me from a lot of headhache later on.