Weekend Damage

Saturday

• $20.37 - Panera (lunch)

Sunday

• $10.57 - PetCo (gift for friend's dog, you can't bring the new baby a gift and leave the dog out, that's just not right)

I should also mention that I was at my parents' house this weekend and received some strangling birthday gifts. A gift card to Lululemon ($150), which I'm PSYCHED about, a gift card to Trader Joe's ($50), also psyched, and 4 new beads for my Pandora bracelet (frog, snake, silver spacer and a green glass bead). So while I didn't do a lot of spending I did get some loot. My mom also made me some waffles (three freezer bags worth) and a cake, which I took back with me. I never leave without a car full of food.

I also did a bit of shopping in my rents basement. It's a great place to stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, food stuffs and old books. I bet they thought that eventually I would stop using their home as a storage/restocking facility, considering I'm 29 now, the chances of that happening are slim to none.

Here's a look into the world of life visiting home...

They look peaceful right? Only when they're sleeping, which comes to a screeching halt at around 5 AM. Oh yeah, and throw a 90 lb. chocolate lab into the mix too. They're lucky they're so cute.

Thursday/Friday Damages

You may have noticed that I've been combining multiple days into a single post, hope you don't mind. I tend to be rather busy these days between working full-time and going to school full-time. Fun times, I know. But hang tight for the end of the month wrap up! I'm sure that will be sufficiently shocking to keep you reading :) Or at least you can be entertained by the panic it evokes in me.

Thursday

• $0

Friday 

• $28.60 - Hess (gas for the trip to RI)
• $0.85 - Pop Tart (breakfast from a vending machine, I think it's time to go grocery shopping)
• $4.78 - McDonald's Coffee (Don't judge me, I happen to like their coffee, it's delicious)

Funny little story about my trip to the gas station this morning. There I am, minding my own business, feeding Veruca so she and I can continue to pollute the atmosphere together, when I hear a commotion behind me. So of course I turn to see what the heck is going on, as any of you would. Apparently the gentleman (I use that term very loosely) at the kiosk was not impressed that they were out of his Marlboro Menthol 100's and was throwing quite a fit about it, especially when the clerk offered him the shorter version of his brand (I have no idea what you would call those...just regular cigarettes? I only know what 100's means b/c that's my parents' preferred cig length). Well, apparently the clerk also must have made some comment about cancer, I couldn't hear what he said due to the glass bullet proof glass between him and the outside world...well the gentleman, let's call him Bob really lost it...started screaming at the clerk about how he doesn't need to hear it from him and that "I don't got the canc-ah, do you got the canc-ah." I know, priceless. Bob then proceeded to bang on the glass demand for the clerks name so he could report him to the Better Business Bureau, etc., etc. At this point I was done pumping my gas and thought that it might be smart to get the hell out of there before Bob went completely postal.

I suppose it's little run ins like these that terrifies my father that I'm not living under a rock in my parents' back yard guarded by pit bulls (god knows having their dogs guard me would do me no good!). Sometimes it's fun to tell him these things just to watch him get all worked up, other times I know better. I should mention that this happened in Watertown not in Boston so at least he can't throw the "it's not safe living in the city" line at me.

Just Amazing

These photographs by Douglas Kirkland would fall under the category of absolutely do not need...but look at them! Amazing. They each for for $600 on the Ruelala celebrity vault boutique and regularly would set you $2,400. Of the six options Jack Nicholson, Audry Hepburn and John Lennon were my favorite, with Jack at the #1 slot. This picture is so creepy, I love it.

Interesting Product...

So while shopping for my new hiking boots I stumbled across these little babies, the Vibram Five Fingers.

I will admit that this is not the first time I have come across them, there was a guy in dodgeball that used to wear them religiously. I just played it up to him being strange. Apparently they have quite the following though. Their junkies claim they're great for water sports, hiking, trail running, yoga, pretty much any sport that can be tackled barefoot.

I have heard both sides of the camp on running barefoot, I for one could never do it for fear of stepping on a sharp rock or pointy stick, the thought of which makes me shudder. Anyways, I can see how they would be appealing, at least in a trail running kinda way...lots of freedom for your toes, super sticky Vibram soles (and we all know how I feel about Vibram soles) and flexible, next best thing to barefoot...only with a little added protection so I guess better than barefoot (I should check and see if they're using that slogan...if not made I should copyright it so they have to pay me for it). I'm not going to lie though, they freak me out, a lot. So you can bet I'm not dropping the $75 to $90 that they cost anytime soon.

This picture also really freaks me out! Thoughts on these things?

Early Week Daily Damages

Monday

• $0

Tuesday

• $0

Wednesday

• $3.50 - Coffee and Bagel at Dunks (gift card!)
• $2.00 - Sunchips and a Diet Pepsi from the vending machine (very snacky today...I think it has to do with the dreariness of the rain) 
• $25 - BuyonWithMe (Manicure & Pedicure...usually $61) 
• $185.63- REI (only $110 out of pocket thanks to the REI birthday gift card from Matt)

Solid start to a week! Not so solid of a finish however. BUT a pedicure to kick off spring is kinda a tradition and let's face it a necessity. Nobody needs my post-winter feet in their lives without a little professional attention beforehand. Not to mention a pedicure alone is usually more than $25, so really this bargain was just too good to pass up! Am I right or am I right?!

Wondering what the $185 purchase at REI is? Well, I'll tell you. I am now the proud new owner of Scarpa Kailash GTX Hiking Boots! Yup, went with the Scarpas, they got great reviews and I was to hesitant to stray away from Vibram soles. Granted they're not in my possession yet, but according to my order confirmation, they arrive at the Boston store on March 10th, hopefully they fit. Fingers crossed.

 

Here's a little something to refresh your memory. 

It can almost be guaranteed that I buy myself some superfeet when I go to REI to pick them up. I love me some superfeet, they're life changing.

Viewing Delight

Not the lightest delivery, but a good message. It was one of our video's of the week for one of my classes.

Warm, Smooshy, Heavenly Temptation

...and first thing in the morning.

Even though I REALLY wanted these because the down booties I have now are beat/covered in tree wax from my last camping outing (maybe I shouldn't have been wearing them like they were hiking boots around camp, but that's besides the point). I stayed strong though.  It wasn't easy to convince myself that maybe my life wouldn't be over if I didn't have these little heavenly clouds snuggling my feet. Man they would have been comfie though.

Temptation: 0
Me: 1

Imminent Purchase...

The time has come to buy a new pair of hiking boots. My last pair made it a solid 10 years, not a bad run. My hopes for my new boots will be to live up to their predecessor, a pair of Garmont Flashes. 

Currently in the running are the Asolo Styngers.

The drawback is that they don't have vibram soles, which makes me nervous that they're going to be slippery, particularly on wet surfaces. As Kiki can tell you I have a history of falling on slippery surfaces...repeatedly. Also, one of the reviews said the adhesive they use to glue the soles to the boot doesn't hold up well in high temperatures and I'll be wearing these in the desert in Nevada.

The other choice is the Scarpa Kailash.

 

One of the reviews said the lace loops are plastic, makes me nervous that they'll break. Drawback...the color. They going to start to look pretty rough, pretty quickly. But ehh, who really cares what they look like so long as they're comfortable and keep my feet dry.

Both good brands, comparable features and good reviews. Right now I'm leaning towards the Scarpas though. They're a little lighter and they have Vibram soles, which I enjoy.

Favorite Theme Party EVER!

While I may not have spent all that much money this weekend, I did manage to come home Saturday night with my arms full of "new" goodies. You're wondering how this is possible...well I'll tell you. A Swap Party. Best idea ever.

This is how it works...
Each guest brings 10 items (which turned out to be WAY more than 10 items, but that just makes it more fun) to swap with the other guests. Then you're given a number and the guests take turns "shopping" from the piles of loot. At the end of the night any items left over are donated to a local shelter, in our case the Salem Mission. So basically you get to go shopping...for free. I know, awesome.

I should mention that I brought home more stuff than I got rid of...typical.  So here's what I walked away with...

• Kate Spade green flats
• White House/Black Market cardigan
• Alice + Olivia sequin tank (tags still on)
• Pink super comfie sweater
• Amazing turquoise spandex shorts (perfect for my Halloween costume this year...oh yeah, I have it planned already) 
• 2 silver rings
• Homedics foot bath (I lost mine to my mom)
• Set of 3 candles
• Brown fringe purse
• Black/white/silver purse
• 4 books (The Unlikely Disciple, A Long Way Gone, Eat, Pray Love and The Devil Wears Prada)
• Intuition razor (still in packaging)
• Clean & Clear face wash
• Body Shop body scrub
• Pumice stone
• Mascara

Yes, I realize that some of this stuff is incredibly random and completely unnecessary, but it was free! Oh yeah, and I have absolutely no self control.

The crown jewel of the night...brand new Kate Spade shoes!!! Okay so they're not the most comfortable things I've ever put my feet in...but I will suffer through it, I mean look at them...adorb. Hopefully steaming them will loosen them up a bit as well.  

 

Ohhhh sparkles! I was thinking that I needed to get a new top for Court's Bachelorette party at the drag show...but clearly this top will suite the bill. Perfectly.  

Also note the black bag Aaron is so delicately dangling behind the top (he was thrilled that I had him helping with the display efforts I'll have you know). I have already transferred my things into this bag, and heart it.  

 

Ohhh fringe! Love.

These little babies are really going to make my 80's work out girl costume. Crucial addition. 

A Giant thank you to Meghan and Jen for hosting the party. Come September we're going to need another one ladies!!

Weekend Damage

• $48.24 - Trader Joe's (Case of wine and then some...a girls gotta be prepared)
• $20 - Cab home from Charlestown (I'm a great tipper after midnight)
• $4.00 - Dunks (Coffee for me, soda for Aaron) 
• $0 - Carwash at the Nissan dealership in Newton

All in all not a bad weekend. The free car wash for Nissan owners at the Newton dealership may just be the greatest thing EVER! It's going to save me a small fortune in car washes.

Friday's Daily Damage

• $30 - Sunoco - fueling up Veruca

Thursday's Loot

So today is a special day...it is a day for all of us to celebrate the date of my birth some 29 years ago (soon enough I will be lying about my age just like my Nana Juice, but for now I'm okay with it).

 

Really isn't this all we can ask for in life?

In honor of this blessed day I have received a number of fabulous and very much appreciated gifts from friends and family. So since the do quality as new "stuff" in my life, I suppose I should list them off, right?

Gifts

• Wii Active (WAY more intense than regular ole' Wii Fit)
• 3 Pandora Charms (a dog, little shamrocks, metal spacer with birthstone)
• The Green Book, Rogers and Kostigen (You guys will be reading excerpts from this little gem for quite some time!)
• A Dunkin Donuts giftcard (furthering my addiction to coffee)
• Delicious brownie cupcakes with lime green frosting! Yum!
• Breakfast at Elm City Bagel on the way to school (egg & cheese bagel)
• Cards from a variety of lovelies (some with a little $$$ stuffed inside...even more lovely)
• Dinner waiting for me (salad, a cannoli, Cadbury mini eggs...AKA little pieces of heaven and wine)

Here is one of the best ecards I received...

 

and now wrongcards has become another of my favorite ecard sites.  

So in summary...I didn't spend a dime! :) 

Thank you and goodnight.

Can We Talk About Something?

Let's shed a little light on why we're at where we're at...in terms of our super consumer nation, shall we?

Way back when following WWII some retail analyst dude, Victor Lebeau to be exact, came up with a scheme to deal with a post-war economy.

"our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption...we need things consumed, burned up, replaced, and discarded at an ever accelerating rate."
(This might sound familiar to you if you watched the Story of Stuff)

Well thank you for that sir! I mean really, are you kidding me with this? HOW is this a good idea! Why is consuming finite resources at an accelerated and horribly inefficient rate a good idea? FINITE...define it...that's right, as in not going to last forever. Oh but no worries, because we're humans!! So the normal rules that govern the rest of existence don't apply. Well thanks god! Now get out there and burn it, trash it, replace it and do it all over again! After all it's our duty as Americans. (dripping with sarcasm)

Does this infuriate anyone else out there?
Sorry for the rant...I do that occasionally.

Wednesday's Daily Damage

• $9.03 - Nalgene for my mom (No more bottled water!!)

Hopefully it's small enough to fit in the bottle holders at the gym...or she'll never use it. 

Tuesday's Daily Damage

• $ 87.87 - Giro Ski Helmet (Regularly $199.95...HUGE deal, thank you Tramdock)

Okay, so I have a bit of a conundrum...there are a number of birthdays and events coming up and I can't very well post how much and where I spent money on gifts. So after giving it some thought I've decided that money I spend on gifts will not be posted until the day or day after the gift giving event, with a little note indicating when I actually purchased said gift.

The Story of Stuff

No way to embed this one either. Please click on the link though and watch it.
Everyone should really watch this at least once!

Enjoy!!

Monday's Daily Damage

• $23.64 - Hess
• $17.54 - CVS (saved $6.23 between my CVS card and coupons)

Important Public Service Announcement...

Dear Readers,

I am an idiot. I just found one of the books that I bought off of Amazon as a pdf...FOR FREE! So I could have just downloaded it and read it off of my computer or my eReader thing. Brutal. Hence, I am an idiot. Particularly because the reason it was so expensive ($47) was because I needed to have it shipped quickly so I actually paid for expedited shipping, usually I just go with free/slow shipping method.

I haven't checked to see if I can get the other two books that I ordered online for free yet, I can only handle so much irritation in one day.

Lesson learned. I will not make this mistake again.

Here's the link for Gangs of America in case you would like to read along with me. 

Sunday's Daily Damage

Happy Valentine's...or something. Not my favorite of holidays, so Aaron and I are staying in to gorge ourselves on a plethora of homemade appetizers and watching a movie as an alternative to fighting the hoards of people, which ultimately would end up in both of us being irritated anyways.

Today's loot...

• $49.74 - Trader Joe's (actually only paid $23.67 b/c I had some $$$ left on a gift card from Christmas)
• Edible Arrangement from Aaron for V-Day

 

Delicious

Saturday's Daily Damage

Fell off the bandwagon today. The shoe selection at DSW proved to be a more powerful than my willpower. I broke down and bought an adorable pair of Bandalino blue pumps. Love them, and even came in a box made of post-consumer recycled materials printed with soy-based inks. At least that's a positive, right. Although they were made in China, does that cancel out the goodness of the packaging? Probably, huh. Damn.

It should be mentioned that I DID NOT buy the bag that I had in my hands. A little pink clutch that would have gone perfectly with my bright blue Nicole Miller dress, which I plan on wearing to at least one wedding this summer. I guess I have to give Aaron credit for that though, he guilted me into only buying one of them, I chose the shoes. That bag will haunt me in my dreams.

• $ 47.05 - Amazon (3 books)
• $ 54.95 - DSW (Bandalino heels) 
• $ 41.34 - Baby gift (organic cotton blanket and bodysuit...totally adorb)
• $ 45.10 - Intermission Tavern (pre-show grub and beers)
• $ 8.50 - Charles River Playhouse (showtime beers) 
• $ 3.00 - Donation to AIDS research collection box at Blue Man

Also I seem to be on a book kick this week. I bought 3 books this morning on Amazon after looking for a book I need to read for class this week at the closeby libraries and books stores and failing. Gangs of America: The Rise of Corporate Power and the Disabling of Democracy, The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals and Sustainability by Design: A Subversive Strategy for Transforming our Consumer Culture. They're all for different classes. Much like greeting cards, I can't just buy one book. Looks like I'll have a lot of reading to do in all of my spare time these days.

It should be noted that Aaron dropped his fair share of $$$ today too. He bought us tickets to the Blue Man Group at the Charles River Playhouse...hence the pre-show and showtime food/beers. 

Clearly the color of the day was blue.

Friday's Daily Damage

• $20 - Lunch in CT with Sheila (can't remember the name of the place)
• $3.98 - 3 ebooks

Really the ebooks were free because I had a credit on my account...and even if I did pay for them now, you can't really complain about $3.98 for 3 books! (Two were $1.99 and one was a freebie). Love it!

Wednesday & Thursday's Daily Damage

• $0

That's right! Two days in a row without dropping a dime.
Let's see what the weekend brings!

Everything's Amazing and Nobody is Happy

Please enjoy this clip of Louis CK. Highly entertaining and pretty on the mark.

Sorry...it couldn't be embedded. Thank you to Steve in D.C. who sent me this clip in the first place and to his friend who had it as her gmail status.

Item Watch

So sometimes I see something that I love, but it's not on sale yet...and as we all know I am a salesmith. So what do I do you ask? I wait, patiently, like a trained professional ready to pounce when the opportune moment presents itself.

There are a couple of things that I'm watching at the moment, some are things that I will need/want within the next 2-3ish months and one of the items are just adorable and are absolutely not a need, they are a 100% want. These items inclue:

• A ski helmet (haven't gotten my ski legs back and I feel that it's in my own best interest)
• Hiking boots (mine have gone missing and were falling apart...they had a good run)
• Fabulous spring/summer heels (perfect for a wedding, bridal/baby shower or night on the town!)

I know...adorable. They also come in a floraly print, I'm undecided. (currently $79)

Tuesday's Daily Damage

• $15.00 - American Cancer Society - Daffodil Days Donation
• $13.86 - UPS Store - Shipping of a gift
• $9.57 - CVS
• $28.33 - Hess (Gas)

Today's total was higher than my average daily spending but come on I bought some daffodils for cancer research people! I will however admit that I have a weakness for CVS. I wasn't even planning on going in but it's right next to the UPS store...too tempting to resist. I went in thinking that I would just pick up a Valentine's Card for Aaron and instead walked out with three cards and a diet Pepsi.

I am completely incapable of only buying one card at a time. I love them, they speak to me...well the strange sarcastic ones do anyways, those mushy ones can just hang on their shelves, not interested. I have a small stock piling of cards for every occasion...I'm not kidding I have my grandmothers old stationary case and it's brimming with delightful cards. I am a firm believer that you should have 3-4 sympathy cards at all times. It's so hard to find a good sympathy card when you need one (and you always need one last minute...not something like a birthday that you know is coming) so when you do find one it's imperative to stock up. It's like always having a black ensemble at the ready, as my mother always says you need to be prepared.

Anyways...I caved to my weakness today, but the cards I got are hysterical if that means anything. I also enjoy e-cards, which are not only free to send but also tree friendly! Someecards is my favorite site by a landslide. Please enjoy today's selection below, in honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day.

TEMPTATION!

Okay so there is a limited time, exclusive boutique on Ruelala tonight, which I remember seeing in my email today but didn't pay much attention to it. I just happened to check to see what the upcoming boutiques were (I know, I know, I said I am trying to spend less...I can still window shop can't I?) and it's a David Yurman boutique!! Who I just happen to love. It's for the best that I got there too late and my favorites are already sold out, especially with the amount I'm getting back for my taxes so fresh in my head! I may have buckled under the pressure of it all.

Here were a few of the most alluring...

 

 

Necklace - $239, usually $550
Ring - $279, usually $550
Bracelet - $239, usually $475

Ah the lure of a sale...

Monday's Daily Damage

• Tax filing fees - no need to give you a number here, that's just weird. 

Sadly this year my entire return has been slated for paying off a credit card. Maybe not so fun, but incredibly gratifying! 

Weekend Damage

• $0

It was a weekend of savings! I did not spend a single penny. Granted this was mostly due to the fact that I was sick from Saturday afternoon through Sunday with a crippling stomach bug...but still...not a single penny spent. :) Quite the accomplishment.

Happy Weekend

Friday's Daily Damage

• $1.86 - Coffee @ Dunks
• $45.68 - Walmart (various toiletries, pens, kitchen type stuff)
• $11.48 - CVS (assorted stuff)

I had to go to Walmart today to complete the field portion of an analysis of the "ecology of Walmart" for one of my classes. So while I typically don't shop at Walmart b/c I find them irritating, dirty and loud, I picked up the random things I need while I was there...I mean why make a trip somewhere else (which more than likely would have been Target) when most of what I needed was right there. Let me just say...it is DAMN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE to find anything not made in China at Walmart, I mean impossible! I won't be back to Walmart for quite some time if I have anything to say about it.

Thursday's Daily Damage

• $1.25 - Coffee @ Antioch
• $1.50 - Brownie @ Antioch

My coffee consumption is starting to horrify me.

Wednesday's Daily Damage

Another good day! (Granted this is just the beginning)

• $25.72 - Irving (Gasing up Veruca for the ride to NH tomorrow)

Full Disclosure

In the effort of full disclosure I thought it only fair to share my most notorious shopping vices. For you see, I am a sale-smith. Not only do I have an uncanny ability to find a deal, I am incapable of resisting one. If it's on clearance...I need it in my life. I am also an avid online shopper. I have my favorite deal finding websites, which I thought only fair to share with you...

I give you the designer boutique variety of websites...
RueLaLa (my most favorite of them all)
The Gilt Group

and the sale item until it's gone websites...
Steap-and-cheap
Tramdock
Whiskey Militia
Brociety

the email you sales daily websites...
Shop it to me

Overcoming my online shopping addiction will prove to be my greatest challenge. Luckily RueLaLa hasn't had any boutiques I've been interested in lately.

A Loving Message From My Brother...

I received this response (slightly censored) from my brother about my new blogging endeavor...

"what the f*ck is this?  exactly what is the point of making money if you don't use it bring yourself some little bits of joy in an otherwise pretty f*cking depressing world?  rich dead people are still dead."

Deep. Nothing like love and support from your family.

Tuesday's Daily Damage

Pretty good day today...

• $1.75 - Coffee (UMass Boston Student Center, there for work)
• $18.42 - Fenway Farm Stand (Delicious veggies for dinner with some impulse, edible add ons)

That's all folks. Not too bad. 

A Message from Yvon (founder of Patagonia)

"Don't buy this shirt unless you need it."
"In an economy of abundance, there is enough. Not too much. Not too little. Enough. Most important, there is enough time for the things that matter: relationships, delicious food, art, games and rest. most of us in the United States live in what is thought to be abundance, with plenty all around us, but it is only an allusion, not the real thing. The economy we live in is marked by 'not enough.'...In the economy of abundance, wild salmon are given back rivers in which to run. Trees grow to their natural height. Water is clean. A sense of mystery and enchantment is restored to the world. We humans live within our means and, best of all, we have the time to enjoy what we have."

A little motivation to start my day.

Old Habits Die Hard

I rarely ever make New Year's Resolutions, mostly because I know the chances of me keeping them are slim to none, I mean if I haven't manged to make some desired change before January 1st...why would I start following it just because it's a new year? Anyways, this year was different...I made a resolution out of need, one of which has become the subject of this blog. To STOP spending money needlessly, thereby paying down some debt, saving some money AND breaking my pattern of being a mindless consumer...something that's embedded in our society. We need more, more, more...why?

Sounds easy enough right? Yeah that's what I thought. Sadly, I failed 29 days into the new year, when I fell victim to a Havaiana boutique on RueLaLa. Sigh. I'm a sucker for a sale...I mean two pairs of flip flops for $20 ($29.95 with shipping)! I couldn't resist.

So here's the deal, I realized that I much like a smoker trying to kick their habit, I cannot stop shopping cold turkey. So instead of resolving to stop shopping...I figured tracking how much I'm spending, where I'm spending it and what I'm spending on, while posting it on here for the world (so really my friends and family to see) I might be able to curb what I'm spending more realistically.

So let's lay out a couple of ground rules:

1. I will not report my monthly bills (I don't think you need to know when I pay my rent or car payment)
2. I will not report copays for dr. visits or medication costs (again, not really important)
3. I will not report an itemized list for groceries (WAY too time consuming and I mean a girl's gotta eat!)
4. I reserve the right to amend/add rules as I see fit (I mean this is my blog)

We'll see how it goes.