Go without new shoes for (at least) a month.
I jest, you say? Perhaps you’ve forgotten about THIS:
Now, I know I’ve blogged about my problems with spending before. In fact, that was what, not even a month ago? But the post was, in reality, a sign that I had been recognizing the perils of my impulsive spending, and I’ve since tried to be better about it. It helps that I have a very charming man frowning at me whenever he can tell I’m thinking about making a frivolous purchase.
And then we decided to move in together. And found the most perfect apartment, ever, in the whole world. No really, look:
Don’t be jeal. I know. It’s the mack daddy of sweet apartments.
BUT, it has also meant that money is unbelievably, incredibly tight, i.e., not exactly existent so much as it is non-existent. I am fine with this, we made the choice. And although I (we… okay, he) was/were worried, I’m actually really proud of (read: astonished) how well I’ve done at NOT spending any money.
It’s been interesting, to be sure. I’ve always prided myself on being up for anything, at any time (and thanks to bartending, usually had the funds to do it). But things are different now, especially because, for the first time in half a decade, I am not bartending. (It couldn’t have come at a worse time, but it’s been a blessed 40 hour work week, to be sure. ONE job?? I’m in heaven, even if I am poor.) I’ve had to say “No.”
No, I can’t go to Happy Hour with you. (This can only said through gritted teeth, and a stoic visage that refuses to let the tears out.)
No, I can’t go to that awesome 80′s concert on Monday night. (But my hot pink scrunchie and leggings did their homework and everything!)
No, I can’t go get pre-gaming Friday night drinks at that swanky restaurant’s bar in Dupont Circle. (This is sort of a wash, as the Improv really does require a much more filthy sort of pre-gaming to get in the mood.)
No, I can’t go out for restaurant week. No, we can’t get a hotel for an extravagant night out in Boston. No, I can’t afford wine more expensive than Franzia. (JUST KIDDING… of all the things I’ll sacrifice, the booze just ain’t one of them.)
Honestly, I think it’s been really good for me. I’ve started to see a $20 bill in a very different light. That’s not a manicure anymore… it’s a choice between a happy hour with some great friends, or maybe a festival on a Saturday, or even better, just effing save it until something comes along that I actually need it for.
I’m not saying I’ve undergone any magical transformation, but I do really feel like, for the first time in my life, I actually sort of get what my dad was talking about when he said “blah blah blah VALUE OF A DOLLAR blah blah HARD WORK BILLS TO PAY blah blah CLOSE THE DOOR THE A/C’S ON AND I’M NOT PAYING TO COOL DOWN THE OUTDOORS!”
I am no longer a capricious young girl of 24 years, superfluously ordering expensive shoes on a whim of ostentation, simply because they make my eyes sparkle (and give me legs for days). Obviously, I have magically matured into a fiscally responsible, almost-25-year
-old (snort) who has everything figured out.
But don’t worry, ladies and gents. My footwear may become slightly out of style, but I will never, ever, wear crocs. No matter how hard they try…
{ 22 comments }
I’ve never been so proud of anyone in my life.
And not to worry my dear, you’re not the only one making sacrifices. Today I actually bartered with someone. That’s right, the trading of good and services–not in the prostitute way, more along the lines of “Oregon Trail.” Now if only I could get my wagon train accross the river and shoot a buffalo or two…
Oh, man, are we poor enough for Recessions?
B: Thanks, darlin. But if you trade me for food from the indians (not dot feather), I’ll be pissed.
Shannon: Has their toilet not been cleaned in 3 weeks? Does the bartender look like he would tell you to gofuckyourself if you ordered a cosmo? Is the faint scent of urine and hooker blood in the air?
Then YES, yes we are.
I used to name my pioneers after my friends, then let them die of measles for my own amusement. Or I’d ford flooded rivers.
We do have to try Recessions, just please not on a Friday…insanity, I tell you! Insanity.
Ugh – your kitchen is amazing. Soooooooo jealous but super happy for you!! I want to see more pictures asap
Seriously, it makes me so happy to know how happy you are. xoxo
I lived with my ex from the time I was 24 till 30. I have to say, splitting the rent did incredible things for my savings account. You’ll find other ways to cut costs. I just realized that 94% of my income seems to go to restaurants…very annoying. But, if you do this right, at 30 you’ll have a nice downpayment for a house, instead of a heap of debt. And even if not…you’ll always have that wine rack! OMG!
SHUT IT, LiLi, SHUT IT.
B, srsly, waz trying to ford teh rivr wen my fcking oxen dyed.
Love ya gutssssss
I love Recessions, but perhaps love the karaoke more. I see a girl date in our future.
Those “dress” crocs make me feel physical pain in my heart.
Oh girl, I feel this. I was in debt by 24, because I needed for my own sanity to live alone in a super cute apartment for 6 years in DC.
It was worth it–but I was that girl who could never do dinner, never do random drinks, and my fashion obsessed was just looking-no touching.
All my plans had to be carefully planned out…and I hated it.
I never spent. Ever.
Then add in 12 weddings in a year and I was in like 10 grand debt in 6 months on top of not making enough to afford my place.
My birthday presents yearly from my parents were a shopping spree to buy the things I need (and I HATE to shop but LOVE to buy).
BUT NOW, I feel so much better knowing that I am almost out of debt and I learned a big lesson, DEBT is hardly ever worth it.
It defined my 20s (along with partying like a rockstar ya know)…so you are doing the right thing and I am terribly proud of you.
Oh and those Nanettes you admired of mine? Two years old and still in mint condition.
XOOXOXO
Sorry to yammer about me…but you are doing the RIGHT thing girl.
Debt SUCKS!
Oh PS–without my parents and their support and help monetarily when I needed it–I would have been homeless. Easy.
Nice digs! I am very jealous, as I prepare to move into my very own shoebox in the sky. Also learning to live on a budget. Said budget includes pedicures as a line item, though.
So what did I do yesterday? Shoes, of course. Stupid, stupid.
I bow to your fiscal superiority..*grovel grovel*
You guys are the bestest.
Jules: More pics have been sent! Enjoy… I hope they make your panties as moist as they make mine. You should come down for the housewarming!
Velvet: The wine rack is totally what did it for me. I’m not going to lie.
Caitlin: You should be celebrating. You and Zach are coming to live with us, remember? You can be our kitchen hobbitses who magically make dinner appear every night… I mean, uh, love you! Snuggles!
Whatever. I’ll ford your river.
Shannon and Lem: KARAOKE?!?!?! Why was I not told such things?!?! A girl date is most DEFINITELY in our future… And maybe that’s what’s making my heart hurt! Crocs! They’re everywhere! It makes perfect sense! Someone contact the authorities immediately! We finally have a reason to BAN CROCS!!!
KassyK: You are so right, my love. Other than my school loans, I’ve been fighting off a couple thousand for a few years- ever since I totaled my car that didn’t have collision insurance on it. NIIIICEEEEE…
I need to be nicer to my shoes from now on, they’ve gotta last me! (Except on dancing nights. They can be compromised for dancing nights!)
FEARLESS: Dear lord, bowing to my fiscal superiority?? There’s a phrase I NEVER thought I’d hear. And you’re right- pedicures totally SHOULD be a line item… but I have a very attractive man who feels differently. Maybe he’ll come around… if all I’m wearing is the pedicure… rowwwrrr
Or your man could paint your toenails for you! B, it’ll save a lot of money.
He’d kill me for telling you (all) this, but he’s actually offered… he says he has a very “steady hand”…
You weren’t lying about my steady hands.
For example, my skill at Jenga makes me seriously consider a career in surgery. Not that I would go to med school. Instead I’d just be brought in as the “closer” and some real Dr. would tell me which organs to slowly remove to save a man’s life. (The doctor was unable to do it himself, because like in the real jenga, he would shake just a little too much and someone would die.) I, on the other hand, have a steady hand and a strong mind and could pull that pancreas out–or paint a toe nail…same thing really.
Plus, we save $50. But the Korean lady massages my feet with daisies-blowing-in-a-meadow’s-breeze lotion… just saying.
Dress Crocs??? Where is that flying pig ring when you need it.
I’ve officially invited myself to go to Recessions with y’all.
And that apartment? Gorgeous! Congrats!
beautiful kitchen – and its too bad we aren’t the same size shoe – I would totally let you have some of the ones I have only worn once and will never wear again that are totally hot. damn it!
RR: Not even the flying pig ring can save us from this atrocity.
Frecks: I wouldn’t have it any other way… and yes, it is gorgeous!!! You’ll see…
Zip: That kitchen seriously makes me happy in my pants. Now if Restaurant Refugee and Lem can only show me how to use it…
KassyK’s is like a super extreme version of my experience. But basically, yes. Living alone was an amazing, one-of-a-kind experience I wouldn’t trade for anything, but it was SUPER hard on my fresh-out-of-school-on-a-liberal-arts-degree budget.
You are young. You will get there. Whenever I get down on myself about money and all of it, I think about the fact that my parents were married in their early 20s, and had to get by with lawn furniture in their living room for quite a bit. Then I think, GIT OVA YASELF ALREADY.
Usually I wallow some more after that, and cry on my macbook while wearing a pretty pair of shoes, but, ya know….perspective.
PS – My bloggy pal Tessie enjoys calling that a Middle Class Sob Story. How aprope-y.