Monday, October 31, 2011

Cutting back

I recently returned from a trip to see my boyfriend in Phoenix. The trip itself was wonderful. The flights on the other hand not quite so much. Due to connecting flights I was in 4 different airports in the 5 days between the time I left and the time I got back. That also means I took 4 different planes. I had difficulty buckling in every single one. Though granted it was a little more difficult in the very small regional planes.

So that leads me to my first cut back. I'm putting myself on a diet. So far it has been very difficult. It was going really well trying to eat just a little less than normal. Although I have to admit I would get a major case of the hungries around 9 pm. Then last week happened.

Let's just say last week was a total disaster. I had done really well the week before so I cut back my calorie budget to lose 1.5 lbs per week. Well that was a mistake. I was falling more and more behind each day. But today starts a new budget week so I'm going to try to stick with that.

The other part that I'm cutting back on is spending. I'm not really used to having to live within a budget. I've always been in a situation where I made more money than I spent so it was never a big deal. Spend what you need/want and tuck the rest away for later. Well this last year has been a bit of a wake up call for me. I've definitely overspent what I've made. So I've had to put a budget in force. The first thing is to track spending this month and cut a little bit. First went the cable, my beautiful, beautiful cable. I insisted on keeping my Super Sports pack though. As good as the Lions and the Bills have been this year I can imagine facing the NFL season without it. It also includes NHL centre ice, which kind of makes up for losing TSN.

I'll keep you updated with my progress.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Big meeting today, no sleep last night

Okay no sleep is a little strong I got a solid 4 hours.

Today I have a meeting with senior management at my company which will either result in me getting paid more money, or moving back to Manitoba to move back in with my parents. In the end it just costs way more to live here than I had anticipated and I've been drawing out of my savings and going into debt in order to pay my bills. I have worked really hard at getting better after being off work for 2 years with illness and have been walking a tight rope of living a high enough quality of life to stay health and paying for it.

I'm against this whole occupy Wall Street thing but its hard to understand how a person can have a full time job which is well above minimum wage and still not be able to pay their bills. I should also note that I don't have children or a car, so it's not like I live extravagantly. I do live alone, but shouldn't a full time job allow you to do that?

I don't know maybe I'm spoiled. But I need to pay off my debt and I'm not sure I see another way.