Tag Archives: budgeting

November 2012 Budget Recap

30 Friday Nov 2012

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*NOTE: This budget is for shopping/food/gas only, or expense that I can control fully. I’m not including fixed expenses (mortgage, utilities, medical bills) because they’re fixed and honestly pretty boring to talk about. My TOTAL spending is not reflected in this budget. “Food & Dining” = Eating Out + Groceries *

Blown Budgets:

1. Food & Dining

2. Groceries

3. Gas & Fuel

4. Toiletries & Cosmetics

  • 2 pairs of Ardel Demi Wispies, 1 OPI Nail Envy Strengthener, 3 Hempz Sandalwood & Apple scrub, 1 Hempz lip gloss for only $7.15 from Peninsula Beauty! (I got $50 in credit from American Express on Small Business Saturday!)
  • OPI The Living Daylights - $3.12 after using $5 an Amazon giftcard I got from Swagbucks (referral)
  • Costco cosmetic brush set – $28
  • Chanel Notorious contour – $48
  • 3 Island girl polishes, Vegas – $6.46
  • 2 Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Eye cream travel size, Ebay – $33.99

5. Shoes & Accessories

Overall budget:

$-170

The Verdict?

I spent a lot of money on toiletries this month… The Chanel contour powder really put me over the edge and I needed a new eye cream for Justin and I.  I indulged in Vegas (at Zara and while eating out!) after I decided gambling wasn’t for me.  I hate losing money!  And Black Friday?  I didn’t buy much… I got some early Christmas gifts from Brandy Melville (see my haul on instagram) and a new computer from Costco but that’s about it.  The entire store was 30% off and the line was an HOUR long.  I did try to buy from Brandy Melville online on Cyber Monday but the website wasn’t working and I had to give up.  UGH.

Next months plans?

  • Mom has moved back home and now I’m cooking regularly again!
  • That reminds me.. I still need to buy a new fridge.
  • I don’t have any major plans for December… is anyone going after Christmas shopping?
  • My Christmas tree is already up and I added a few holiday touches around the house… I love this time of year.

♥ E&I

October 2012 Budget Recap

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by in Money, Monthly Budget Recaps, personal finance

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*NOTE: This budget is for shopping/food/gas only, or expense that I can control fully. I’m not including fixed expenses (mortgage, utilities, medical bills) because they’re fixed and honestly pretty boring to talk about. My TOTAL spending is not reflected in this budget. “Food & Dining” = Eating Out + Groceries *

Blown Budgets:

1. Clothing

  • Off the shoulder top from Necessary Clothing (I jumped the gun and bought it before I found out a cheap >$8 dupe on Ebay. DANGIT.)- $30.67
  • ASOS Lace Petite Playsuit.  I’m telling myself that I bought this for our Vegas trip tomorrow.  I have been eyeing this since it first came out and when it was on sale I bought it on the way home from LA… I’m wondering if it will go on further sale…? – $58.93 (omg just typing that out makes me cringe.. what was I thinking?? But I still like it. ARGH.)
  • Bebe corset top and Abercrombie sweater from Goodwill – $11.48
  • Seven for All Mankind light wash jeans from Goodwill – $10
  • Striped button down shirt from Marshalls – $10.84
  • 1 nude tank top for layering, 1 polka dot shirt (instagrammed here) – $6.27
  • 3 pairs of pants:  SOLD legging jeans, 2 pairs of J Brand jeans (blogged here) – $86.72

2. Gas & Fuel 

:(  Driving to LA takes a lot of gas!

Overall budget:

$-235

The Verdict?

I bought too many clothes :T  *shake fist at the shopping gods!*  I was too lenient with my shopping this month.  I think the ASOS playsuit and the deals I found at Neiman Marcus Last Call really did me in.

Next months plans?

  • Today is mom’s last day at work!  And its also her last day as my roommie :(  I will miss her around!
  • A contractor is going to fix a mistake that the original cabinet installers made… after that gets done I’ll be able to buy a bigger fridge!  Mom hates my current fridge (“You can barely fit anything in it!!!”  Being in an Asian household means the fridge must be fully stocked!)
  • I finished refinancing and my lower payments will start in December.
  • Phew!  October was a fun filled month!  We don’t have any real travel plans for November so I’m looking forward to spending cozy autumn nights snuggled up with Justin and Buddy (hopefully while drinking some hot cocoa or apple cider)
  • Oh and did I mention we’re going to Vegas tomorrow?! AHH! I’m so excited :D

♥ E&I

September 2012 Budget Recap

01 Monday Oct 2012

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*NOTE: This budget is for shopping/food/gas only, or expense that I can control fully. I’m not including fixed expenses (mortgage, utilities, medical bills) because they’re fixed and honestly pretty boring to talk about. My TOTAL spending is not reflected in this budget. “Food & Dining” = Eating Out + Groceries *

Blown Budgets:

1. Food & Dining

Coffee addiction doesn’t help much here… I’m all over the pumpkin spiced lattés in the fall :(

2. Gas & Fuel 

We drove a lot this month… we just spent two weekends in a row going back and forth to both of our parents’ houses.

3. Toiletries & Cosmetics

4. Home Decorating

  • Voluspa Candle (Suede Blanc) from Peninsula Beauty – $7.81
  • Two wire storage bins from Marshalls – $14.10
  • Indonesian mirror from Marshalls (blogged here) – $27.06
  • Solar lanterns for the patio from Marshalls – $13.10

5. Shoes & Accessories

  • Hair clip from Forever 21 – $1.08
  • Target Mocs (instagram) – $12
  • Target earrings – $3.02
  • Corso Como flats from Gilt – $44.95
  • Forever 21 stud earrings – $3.03

Overall budget:

$-193

The Verdict?

I tried desperately to meet my clothing budget (and I did!) but overall I still ended up in the red this month!  Can please I just blame it on the exorbitant gas prices? ;D I really felt that I was holding myself back in September and it doesn’t show.  Darn.

Next months plans?

  • Mom’s temp job assignment was extended until Halloween, October 31st!  I still have a ‘roommate’ until then :)  And no I’m not charging her for rent. Haha.
  • Justin and I will have a busy month:  Fall Mix Up concert this weekend, camping with Buddy in Sonoma County the weekend after that, then Disneyland, then a staycation downtown, then Vegas on November 1st!  Phew!  Action packed!

♥ E&I

August 2012 Budget Recap

04 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by in Money, Monthly Budget Recaps, personal finance

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*NOTE: This budget is for shopping/food/gas only, or expense that I can control fully. I’m not including fixed expenses (mortgage, utilities, medical bills) because they’re fixed and honestly pretty boring to talk about. My TOTAL spending is not reflected in this budget. “Food & Dining” = Eating Out + Groceries *

Blown Budgets:

1. Food & Dining

We ate out quite a bit this month! Oops.

2. Gas & Fuel 

August was the month of doggie day trips to the city or the beach! With rising gas costs and usually 1 hour each way, a lot of money was spent here.

3. Toiletries & Cosmetics

4. Shoes & Accessories

  • Rhinestone & spike Necklace from Ebay (instagram) – $9.52
  • Spike necklace from Ebay – $2.48
  • H&M rose gold collar necklace (instagram) – $14.02
  • ShoeMint Edith Pumps (instagram) – $70.45
  • Forever 21 Ring – $4
  • Target clearance wedges (instagram) - ~$11

5. Home Decorating

Overall budget:

$-302

The Verdict?

:(

I don’t know what it is about birthdays… I threw my reasoning away for the first half of the month and splurged on myself.  I told myself ‘hey its my birthday’ and went a little too crazy.  Sigh.  The one good thing about this month’s budget:  August was a 3-paycheck month.

Next months plans?

  • Buddy got into a biking accident yesterday at Golden Gate park.. we were biking and Buddy suddenly jumped out of Justin’s bike basket.  I have no idea why… anyway he landed on his feet but then began to limp.  We took him to the vet early this morning…We’ll have to keep him from doing any excessive activity because of his knee.  Poor guy.  I hope he learned his lesson to not jump from high places. :T
  • My mom will be ending her temp job soon and when that happens she’ll be moving out of my place and back home.  I’m a little sad… We’ve gotten closer over the months that she’s been living with me.  And I’ll also have to get back to cooking regularly… I feel like a spoiled kid again!

♥ E&I

July 2012 Budget Recap

01 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Money, Monthly Budget Recaps, personal finance

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*NOTE: This budget is for shopping/food/gas only, or expense that I can control fully. I’m not including fixed expenses (mortgage, utilities, medical bills) because they’re fixed and honestly pretty boring to talk about. My TOTAL spending is not reflected in this budget. “Food & Dining” = Eating Out + Groceries *

Blown Budgets:

1. Gas & Fuel 

… I did lots of driving!

2. Clothing

Unfortunately (well, fortunately for my wallet) I returned everything I bought from ASOS from this post.  In person they weren’t worth keeping.

3. Toiletries & Cosmetics

  • L’Oreal Sublime Sun Facial Sunscreen SPF 50 from Target – $9.67
  • OPI Nail polish in Pirouette My Whistle from Copious (after $10 of credits and wow it included shipping!) – $0.01
  • Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation – $15.11
  • Estee Lauder Toner from a Nordstrom mystery shop – $1.30 out of pocket
  • Modelco One Night Tan (2 of them) and ModelCo sunless tan mousse from TJMaxx on clearance – $29.26

Overall budget:

$+18

The Verdict?

Woo!  I’m glad the ASOS purchases were returned :D haha.  I really want to keep this behavior up.

Next months plans?

  • My birthday is coming up in a few days.. I’ll be 27!~
  • Camping with Buddy and Justin (probably Sonoma County?)

♥ E&I