Contest: One week to go ...& taking the weekend off

Hello,

thank you for reading. I'd just like to take a moment to point out the fact that there is still a 'two words' contest going on. It appears that there is one, current favorite for the contest but that does not necessarily mean they will be the favorite. If you haven't checked it out yet - go ahead and click here - or on the big "Two words" link on the right side panel. Put something up if you'd like...

In other news I am going to spend some quality time with the girlfriend this weekend, right after I finish up with some loose ends at work and balancing my checkbook. So I most likely won't be blogging again until Tuesday (have Monday & Tuesday off) - my apologies in advance.

In still other news I am tempted to link the E-bay Webpage for my priceless Childhood G.I. Joe's that are on sale right now through an e-bay store but, that would be just kind of a very, very shameless plug, and wrong(?)...so I guess I won't do it.

I'm backfrom vacation. and the budget worked this time

I'm a little jet-lagged and also convinced that I will not fly 'stand-by' anytime soon.

I ended up saving about $201 up until the time I reached Atlanta for my lay-over. I was so happy, I saved so much, I promptly spent about $50 on food and magazines up to right now - kind of counter-intuitive.

Once again, I'm a little jet lagged and I'm actually using a relative's computer (haven't made it home yet) So I'll try and give a more detailed update tomorrow. I accomplished most of my goals for this past week - looking forward to going clothes shopping tomorrow.

Out west, spending money like

it is going out of style.

Brief update, I did make it out to the wild, wild west for vacation. I'm having fun but, sense I have almost all track of $ exiting my wallet I feel I am definitely spending too much.

We went out last night, and are about to again tonight. Hopefully, tomorrow, Tuesday & Wednesday will be easier on the pocket books.

Goal for this week - not to break $150 + left in discretionary spending money until I've returned to Ohio.

A Debt-Free Vacation - at last!

So when, I get off work tomorrow I will be doing a number of things but, most importantly I will be preparing to fly far away from Ohio.

I have a red-eye flight on Friday to someplace really hot. it will be my first debt-free vacation since College. I hope to stay within my budget of $600 max, I told my girlfriend $50 a day (I'll be there 6 days, she'll be there slightly longer) . The only thing holding us back is there is a slight issue with our flight that appears to be all but resolved.

If I post late tomorrow night, then I didn't make it.

Hopefully that's not the case and I'll plan to re-post around Wednesday/Thursday of next week - again depending on flights.

Hopefully I'll be able to relax for a bit...might see some wonderful western landmarks too- I'll try and take pictures.

11 days to go? ... a potential snag (sigh)

So my girlfriend was going to pay for our vacation's hotel & rental car online initially and I was going to pay her back next week.

However, my girlfriend already has a hefty amount on her credit card from a recent trip she had to visit a friend a couple states over. Adding our vacation to her credit card would put her debt/credit ratio pretty darn close 100%. Her credit line is pretty close to my gross, biweekly salary for just the 1st job.

So, I might have to step up and put the cost of the hotel & the rental car on my shiny red 0% card. This would definitely push me back a week or so in the goal. Assuming my girlfriend can't pay me back for her half next week.

By purchasing the hotel & rental online today I know we'll probably save at least $100 bucks in the long run.

I'm also debating whether I should call her 'foster parents' and explain I want to 'talk to them' about the "M-word" - I might drive up and have a sit down while my girlfriend is at work. That will at least get some of the pressure off....