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Archive for April, 2013

Bachelorette party dilemma. Should I go?

April 30th, 2013 at 05:45 pm

I've been invited to a bachelorette party. In Puerto Rico. For the 4th of July long weekend.

Expensive, of course. Tickets there, hotel, drinks, entertainment. And we will probably have to pay for the bride (though she can definitely afford it). Not sure how that aspect works.

My DH generously offered to watch the baby all weekend by himself and does not mind me spending the money. Still, it is money that could go towards our common vacation.

Also, the only person I really know there is the bride. I've only met the others maybe once or twice.

On the other hand, it is a new experience. I've never been on an away multi-day bachelorette party you fly to. However, these people are not too wild. Bride does not even drink! (others might though).

Bought a backpack today!

April 29th, 2013 at 09:45 pm

So I've been looking for a long time for a backpack that does not look like it belongs on a high-school student.

And several times, by the time I found something I liked, like these:



They were sold out everywhere and I could not obtain one at any price.

So when I saw something I liked and it was available, I just bought it:

picture from another website:

My commute involves a long walk, so it would be very convenient not to have to carry stuff on one shoulder and have my ipad and my water fit comfortably . It is casual, summery and yet stylish.

Finding extra benefits out of your job.

April 22nd, 2013 at 07:41 pm

There can be small benefits if you look for them.

For example, my DH travels to Maryland for work rather frequently. Besides the obvious benefits (hotel reward points and not having tolls and gas expenses of his regular commute to work) there are less obvious ones.

For example, now I have him get his haircut and routine car service there - it is cheaper than in NYC. And if we want a large purchase (like an ipad) he can buy it while passing through Delaware (a sales tax free state). These are snowflakes in a way.

Also, this weekend I took Amtrak to meet him there at the end of the week and we spend a weekend in Philly together.



I used Amtrak points for my ticket (he had some from the times where he went to DC frequently) and our gas and tolls back to NYC were paid for. We paid for the hotel, of course, since that was leisure. But still, little savings do add up over a year.

At my job, I'm taking advantage of the free language classes. I'm restarting Chinese this semester.

It is hard to admit you made a big purchase mistake.

April 11th, 2013 at 05:31 pm

The lazy boy recliner for the balcony. It is too big, does not work well in that space and it is hideous.

Even when I bought it, I knew it was hideous.

But, I was pregnant, hormonal and tired. I set down in it and was comfortable and that sealed it for me. I was far along in my pregnancy, I had heartburn when laying down and I thought that this was a solution.

I know now that an outdoor seating sectional would work much better for our family -- to have weekend lunches out there when weather is nice, and for everyone to be comfortable. But what do I do with this expensive chair now? I don't think I can even sell it. Because I bought it in hunter green. And if faded on the balcony under relentless sun. Now it is red. Except for the crevices, which are still green. So people think that it has mold (which it does not have), but I can understand why it looks that way.

Uggg. I feel guilty for making such a pricey wrong decision.

Weight and budget, are they the same?

April 9th, 2013 at 04:22 pm

When someone is unhappy with their finances, the key is to track carefully, do the budget, and not spend more than you bring in.

When someone has a weight issue, the key is to track the intake and outgo and not eat more than you can expend. Identical concepts.

Going over what you can afford by just a little bit on a regular basis gets you into trouble.

If you want to eat more than your calorie budget allows, you can work on increasing your allowance through exercise. It is like getting extra income on the side.

But why is is that someone who has no problem with the one, often cannot do the same with the other?

The willpower that extends to not buying that purse often fails when it comes to fries. Is it simply that one wants fries more than one wants a new purse?

April food challenge - Day 2

April 2nd, 2013 at 04:47 pm

Breakfast -
Apple
coffee with whole milk
Fage 0% with honey and pistachios.
All brought from home
Total: 300 calories

Lunch -
Left over Thai green coconut chicken curry with ton of veggies over rice
Total: 420 calories

I brought breakfast and lunch from home. And I have all the ingredients for chunky guacamole I will make for dinner.

I anticipate that to be around 550 calories for a nice filling portion.

Today is my non-running day, so no Haagen-daz vanila almond bars for me.

The only food spending will be DH's lunch.

Join me in April food challenge! cost AND calories!

April 1st, 2013 at 06:27 pm

In April, I will try to concentrate on food.

1). Eat at a calorie deficit. (Netting about 1,450 daily)
2). I want to eat varied and reasonably good tasting food.
3). I want to do it cheaper than I have but without compromising on quality/taste or health.
4). I need to post it here, to keep accountable.

Today:
Breakfast:
Fage fat free Greek yogurt with a teaspoon of honey, toasted unsalted pistachios and almonds, and a dusting of coconut shaving.
Coffee (made in office) with whole milk.
Breakfast calories -- 310

cost - unknown (Yogurt is $1.7 at the supermarket in Westchester, but would be $2.5 or more if I bought it in Manhattan. Toppings - hard to say, they are expensive, but I use such small amounts of it.

Lunch
Half of large lentil curry soup from Cambodian place. $5.75

I have no idea of the calories. I'll overestimate and put it close to 380. I had the foresight to bring few pieces of lamb I roasted yesterday. (Soup alone will not be a filling enough lunch for me, but this way I will add a quality protein without additional cost).
Lamb - 163 cal.
Dinner total -- about 550

Snack - coconut water - 60 calories

I was missing one ingredient for making dinner today (coconut milk), so I went to a store on my lunch break.
I bought
Coconut milk $2.29
Leek (1) $1.59
Canned lychees $3.39
(I love adding them to fruit salads and I like lychee martinis)
Half a cantaloupe $2.85
Total: 10.12

Dinner - not yet eaten, will log later.

So Day 1, I spent only $15.87 (we did a large weekly grocery shopping 2 days ago)