Thursday, November 12/Finances Friday, Nov 13 2009

Today I paid off one of my two credit cards in full and put a payment plan into motion on the other.  Both companies actually made settlement plans with me and I was able to pay half of one balance and they considered that a settled amount.  The other company reduced my total by 25% with a 25% down payment (i.e. if I paid $500 today they would reduce the entire debt by $500) and then set up a monthly auto-debit in the amount I specified.  In order to take advantage of this I have seriously stressed my budget between now and Dec. 10 (my next pay date after rent is due on the 1st) but I figured it was worth it to save money in the long run…at any rate, not being able to pay credit card debt is a major stress and I am glad to know I have things under control and the credit card companies know I’m on it!  I was reading this article this morning and it made me realize how lucky I am to have found my job!  So many are struggling just to find a job and I know how they feel!  I also realized how lucky I am, in this economy where people are taking whatever they can get in both salary and office environment, to have found a job where I like the people and the environment and am making more money than I expected!

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Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Breakfast
Endive
2 potatoes
Chicken Leg/thigh
Total Spent: $8.57 (amazing, two croissants and a cup of coffee cost $5.85 while an endive, two potatoes and chicken only cost me $2.72!  One of the croissants was for M by the way…I didn’t eat two croissants by myself.  Though I love them so much that I could!)

Breakfast: Due to my late night w/M I slept in this morning and had to purchase breakfast out.  Croissant and coffee w/cream

Lunch: Leftover ravioli w/pumpkin-sage cream sauce; 1/4 apple and half banana (leftovers from yesterday’s breakfast and lunch); water

Afternoon Break: None

Dinner: Salad of endive and avocado w/tangerine vinaigrette; roasted chicken leg/thigh and mashed potatoes; red wine

Dessert: None as I was much too satisfied!

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What I Wore:

Tweedish slacks by Ann Taylor
Black Cashmere Turtleneck by Banana Republic
Black Boots by Aldo
Red Cashmere scarf from J. Crew
Diamond Studs
Black Gucci Handbag
Black Sunglasses
Black Wool Coat by Braeton

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Wednesday, November 11 Thursday, Nov 12 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
2 Beers
Total Spent: $17.50

Breakfast: I had the day off today for Veteren’s Day…holidays in the middle of the week rock!  I had a leisurely breakfast of  oatmeal w/slivered apples, lemon juice, brown sugar and walnuts and a glass of milk; buttered toast and coffee w/cream

Lunch: Banana Sandwich; water

Dinner: M took me out to dinner and then to my first Celtics game at TD Garden.  We met up at a pub near the Garden and had I had a shepherd’s pie for dinner (ok, but not great…too much salt and oregano and not enough beef) and a beer. We shared two more beers at the game (which is why I spent so much on two beers) and then went out for another at the end of the game.

Dessert: None

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What I wore:
Jeans by Ann Taylor
Red Cahsmere sweater by Ralph Laurent
Black Boots by Aldo
Black Scarf (gift)
Diamond Studs
Black Gucci Handbag
Black Wool Coat by Breaton

This scarf is actually black though it looks almost navy here.

 

 

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Tuesday, November 10 Thursday, Nov 12 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Ground beef
Total Spent: $3.55

Breakfast: Pears on toast w/honey and almonds; coffee w/cream

Lunch: I meant to have my leftover pasta but at 12:00 realized that I had a meeting at 1:00 and wouldn’t have time to go home and eat and make it back in time.  Luckily the cafeteria next door makes sandwiches to order!  Grilled cheese and tomato sandwich w/bbq chips; m&m’s; water

Afternoon Break: 1/4 of a HUGE apple that a coworker brought to work

Dinner: Beef and cabbage casserole; red wine

Dessert: 1/4 of a mini chocolate mousse cake (forgot I was given this by one of my boss’s last Friday night.  I put it in the fridge at work and finally remembered to take it home)

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What I wore (I felt so good in this outfit…it was a good day all the way around as I was in a great mood):

Grey Slacks by Ann Taylor
Black Cami by Banana Republic
Black V-neck sweater by Banana Republic
Black Boots by Aldo
Red Plaid Scarf (gift)
Diamond Stud Earrings
Black Gucci Handbag
Black Sunglasses

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Monday, November 9 Tuesday, Nov 10 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Breakfast
Milk
Mini fruit tart
Cheese Ravioli
Scallions
Total Spent: $7.11

Breakfast: Bagel w/cream cheese and coffee w/cream (I slept in this morning as I stayed up until midnight last night finishing my book!)

Lunch: Breakfast burrito made with bacon and eggs scrambled w/cheese all wrapped in a tortilla (can you tell I need to get to the store!?)

Afternoon Break: None

Dinner: Cheese ravioli w/pumpkin-sage cream sauce; steamed broccoli w/olive oil, salt and pepper; red wine

Dessert: Mini-fruit tart

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What I Wore:

Brown Slacks by Ann Taylor
Brown Cami by Banana Republic
White Sweater by J. Crew
Brown Heels by Aldo
Leopard Print Scarf (gift)
Diamond Studs
Brown Handbag by Tommy
Tortoiseshell Sunglasses

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Weekend Monday, Nov 9 2009

Saturday:

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Pizza
Total Spent: $11.00

Breakfast: Bagel w/butter and two cups of coffee at M’s

Lunch: I had a late lunch of banana sandwich and pirates booty, followed by some raw butternut squash (I’m discovering my favorite way to eat butternut squash is raw and cut into thin slivers…better than potato chips!); water

Dinner: Pineapple pizza w/M.  We were invited out to a friend of M’s to watch the New England Revolution (Soccer) game.  Our host provided chips and salsa and I had a small amount of those and two glasses of wine.  I had fun but think that next time M is invited to do this I’ll just stay home!  He needs a chance to be with just men from time to time.

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What I Wore:

Jeans by Express
Blue and White stripped tee by Le Radoute
Black V-neck sweater by Banana Republic layered over tee
Black low-heeled Boots by Bandalino
Diamond Studs
Black Gucci Handbag
Black Wool Coat by Braeton
Red Cashmere Scarf

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Sunday:

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Brunch: $15.00

Breakfast: Toast w/butter and a cup of coffee

Brunch: I met up with a new group of people for brunch in Boston’s South End.  This group seems like a fun group and I will definitely  be doing more with them!  I had caramelized banana crepes and a couple of cups of coffee.  Brunch was at 2:00 and didn’t end until 4:00 by which time it was getting dark so I was unable to take a planned walk through the South End when I was done.  I just went home and spent the rest of the day reading.

Dinner: Light dinner of baked potato w/scrambled egg and bacon; water

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What I Wore:

Jeans by Ann Taylor
Black Tee by Ralph Lauren
Gold Jack Rogers
Diamond Studs
Black Tank Watch
Black Gucci Handbag
Black Sunglasses

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Friday, November 6 Monday, Nov 9 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Breakfast
Drinks
Total Spent: $35.85

Breakfast: Two croissants and coffee w/cream

Lunch: Leftover Pasta; water

Afternoon Break: None

Dinner: I went out right after work w/M and a co-worker for drinks.  We ended up staying out till 10:30PM.  We did share a spinach and artichoke dip and each had a few beers.  M and I then went out for chinese (M bought) before heading home and falling into bed!

Dessert: None

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What I Wore:

Jeans by Ann Taylor
Black Cami by Banana Republic
Red Cashmere Sweater by Ralph Lauren
Black Blazer by Banana Republic
Black Boots by Aldo
Diamond Studs
Black Sunglasses
Black Wool Coat by Braeton
Ivory Cashmere Scarf from Marshall’s

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Thursday, November 5 Friday, Nov 6 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Bread
2 Cans Pumpkin Puree
Heavy Cream
Mahon Cheese
Total Spent: $10.96

Breakfast: The last cranberry-banana muffin with butter; coffee w/cream

Lunch: Leftover Asian from Tuesday’s lunch; water

Afternoon Break: Coffee and two lemon-creme ginger cookies

Dinner: Pan fried pasta and butternut squash w/walnuts, fried sage and parmesan; bread; wine

Dessert: None

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What I Wore:

Grey Wool Trousers by Ann Taylor *
Red Cami by Banana Republic
White Wool Sweater by J. Crew
Black boots by Aldo
Diamond Stud Earrings
Black Gucci Handbag
Black Sunglasses
Trench Coat

*Ann Taylor is having a 40% off sale so last night I took advantage of it and replaced my grey trousers.  I had to toss the last pair last Spring as they contained Stretch (which I hate) and were sagging around my waist and hips.  I am also tired of  having only two pairs of Winter appropriate trousers.  I’ve decided that while my brown trousers need replacing as well I will make do with them until next Spring and then replace them with a light-weight wool pair.

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Wednesday, November 4 Thursday, Nov 5 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Lunch
Total Spent: $11.00

Breakfast: Cheese omelet w/buttered toast; coffee w/cream

Lunch: Lunch w/M – we went to our favorite Indian restaurant (I’d like to mix it up more but most of what is in quick walking distance of the college is some form of Asian food – or cheap college pizza!). We split an order of lamb stuffed naan (I like the garlic naan best) and I had a lamb coconut korma and rice; water; coffee w/milk

Afternoon Break: None

Dinner: Grilled cheese made with emmenthaler and thinly sliced pear; small salad of green leaf lettuce, shaved carrot and cucumber w/mustard vinaigrette; white wine

Dessert: hot milk and the last 1/4 of my pecan tart

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What I Wore (I HATE this outfit and will NOT be wearing it again):

Black Skirt by Banana Republic
Oatmeal Turtleneck by Banana Republic
Black Boots by Bandolino
Red Cashmere Scarf from Marshall’s
Diamond Stud Earrings
Brown Handbag by Tommy
Tortoiseshell Sunglasses
Trench Coat

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Tuesday, November 3 Wednesday, Nov 4 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Lunch
Coffee
Lemon-creme Ginger cookies (yes, an impulse purchase..bad Wholefoods for placing the coffee next to the bakery!)
Total Spent: $28.48

Breakfast: two cranberry-banana muffins w/butter; coffee w/cream

Lunch: I was invited out by co-workers at the last minute for Asian food – Miso soup; General Gau chicken w/rice; 1 crab rangoon

Afternoon Break: Cup of coffee w/two lemon-creme ginger cookies (I HAD to get these, yes HAD to  - lemon creme and ginger cookies are two of my favorite confections and when you sandwich the creme between the cookies?! I mean how’s a girl to resist?!)

Dinner: Leftover bratwurst stew w/bread; white wine

Dessert: sliced apple and gouda cheese; a small glass of wine

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What I Wore:

Tweedish Slacks by Ann Taylor
Black Silk Tee by Ralph Lauren
Black Boots by Aldo
Red Plaid Scarf (Gift)
Diamond Stud Earrings
Black Gucci Handbag
Black Sunglasses
Trench Coat

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Monday, November 2 Tuesday, Nov 3 2009

Daily Menu:

Daily Purchase:
Cannellini  Beans
Chicken Broth
Dried Basil
Bratwurst
red Onion
Green Cabbage
Wine
Total Spent: $27.40

Breakfast: 1/2 slices toast w/butter and raspberry preserves; coffee w/cream

Lunch: Peanut butter and banana sandwich; pirates booty; water

Afternoon Break: None

Dinner: Bratwurst Stew w/rest of croissant; cheese; white wine

Dessert: Another glass of wine

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What I Wore:

Brown Slacks by Ann Taylor
Pink Cardigan by Talbots
Brown Pumps by Aldo
White enamel bangle
Diamond Studs
Brown Handbag by Tommy
Tortoiseshell Sunglasses
Trench Coat

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