Shopaholic Reform: Frantic February Wrap-up

Sunday, March 7

Frantic February Wrap-up

The moment you've all been waiting for....the monthly tally.
Total - $997 (EEK)

The Breakdown (highest to lowest)...

Shoes - $240 (remember that I bought hiking boots this month!)
Random crap - $212.30 (the largest items in this category were filing fees for my taxes and my ski helmet)
Gasoline - $136.29
Health & Beauty - $105.34
Groceries - $71.91
Gifts - $64.60
Snacks - $34.97
Coffee - $15.64

Okay, so this is a bit higher than I was anticipating. Granted I had a little extra cash to play with this month because I got my tax return, which paid off one of my credit cards (super exciting) so that was one less bill to pay, and I also had some birthday money at my disposal. Regardless, to spend almost $1,000 in a month on random stuff is absolutely ridiculous.

I have a little spreadsheet (yes, I said spreadsheet...I know, I'm pretty impressed with myself as well) to record what I spend my money on and I have to say that when looking at the numbers...I have no idea what I bought in quite a few cases. I mean, I spent more on health and beauty products than I did on food! Although, the amount of money Aaron spends on food should probably be factored into this equation...but that's just too much work, so sorry for ya, it's not going to happen. I mean who has time for that.

So in closing, clearly I need to pay attention to the accumulative tally this month. Here's to exercising more control in the month of March!

3 comments:

Nicole said...: I just have to say I am very impressed you are using a spreadsheet. If you need to know how to make charts and graphs let me know...haha.; March 8, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm starting to think that Aaron's rubbing off on you with all this budgeting and keeping track of your money stuff. It's very unbecoming of a lady (and way less fun for me!); March 8, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Jack Skellington said...: Fear not, for I am horrible at budgeting...hence the need to eat white rice and frozen vegetables for lunch/dinner consistently.; March 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM

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Something to Chew On...

The downside to Globalization

1. “The general complaint about globalization is that it has made the rich richer while making the non-rich poorer. It is wonderful for managers and investors, but hell on workers and nature.”¹

2. Multinational corporations are accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labor wages and poor living and working conditions), as well as a lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage.

3. Multinational corporations which were previously restricted to commercial activities are increasingly influencing political decisions. Many think there is a threat of corporations ruling the world because they are gaining power due to globalization.

4. Opponents say globalization makes it easier for rich companies to act with less accountability. They also claim that countries’ individual cultures are becoming overpowered by Americanization.

5. Anti-globalists also claim that globalization is not working for the majority of the world. During the most recent period of rapid growth in global trade and investment, 1960 to 1998, inequality worsened both internationally and within countries. The UN Development Program reports that the richest 20 percent of the world's population consume 86 percent of the world's resources, while the poorest 80 percent consume just 14 percent.

6. Some experts think that globalization is also leading to the incursion of communicable diseases. Deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS are being spread by travelers to the remotest corners of the globe.

7. Globalization has led to exploitation of labor. Prisoners and child workers are used to work in inhumane conditions. Safety standards are ignored to produce cheap goods. There is also an increase in human trafficking.

8. Social welfare schemes or “safety nets” are under great pressure in developed countries because of deficits and other economic ramifications of globalization.

As manufacturing continues to decline, so does our ability to innovate. In the long term, this means fewer well-paid jobs, lower productivity, declining wages, declining living standards and low economic growth. Globalization is a big part of this decline and will affect all jobs and all sectors of the economy. From the point of view of multinational corporations and Wall Street investors, globalization is probably viewed as a wonderful phenomenon with many opportunities. But from the point of view of American manufacturers, manufacturing workers, the middle class, professional service workers and overall economic growth, I think the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages.

-Mike Collins, The Pros and Cons of Globalization (2010)