Got me thinking… I have so many random thoughts going through my head right now, I need to get them listed to really see where my life is going for 2008.
1. Starting to save for retirement again in 2008.
Stopped the payments because I maxed out my contribution for 2007. I know I’m oversaving, but I’d rather oversave than undersave so that way I have the option of pausing the payments rather than scrambling to find the cash for it.
2. Going to really actively replenish and save for my emergency fund again and hold off on debt repayment for now.
I really understand the need for it now, especially after what happened a month ago. I want it to be a healthy sum $5000? And if my debt repayment gets down to a reasonable amount like $2000 – $3000 left, I’ll withdraw the EF money and clear it in full.
3. Am not expecting a bonus or a salary increase this year. Boo.
I hope I get one, but I’m so jaded and irritated with the bureaucracy that I just want to collect a paycheque, do my job well (I love, love, LOVE it), and build my skillset so that in case I do end up leaving I’ll be set.
I can always get a job somewhere else doing what I do, and with the way the industry is going they need me to stay at the company, so I am fairly sure I won’t get fired.
I just won’t “rise” in the ranks as fast, but to be honest, I’m not sure becoming a manager is all it’s cracked up to be, and if it’s something I want any more.
The only reason I wanted to rise in the ranks was to make more money, not so much because I want to have more responsibility. But if I adjust my lifestyle and give up a couple of things (will list them in this post), I am MORE than comfortable on my salary at the moment.
4. Am giving up on buying makeup I don’t really use any more.
On a regular basis if I start with makeup, I wear the following (or I don’t wear any at all if I’m not going out/going to work):
– Brown eyeliner *optional, really..*
– Concealer (Makeup forever in #2)
– Cargo blush
– Lip balm
– Eyelash curler
– Maybelline Great Last Mascara
And for special occasions I’ll bring out the Bare Escentuals powders, and my eyeshadows and go to town.
That’s it folks, no more purchasing cool makeup or anything that I think is neat. I don’t even use it, so it’s a waste of my money.
Oh, and I don’t even use my expensive Sephora brushes any more. Ironic, or what? I have them just in case, but at this rate, they’ll last forever because I don’t even use ’em. Good. 😛
5. Toiletries spending is getting snipped
I’m definitely buying the following and nothing more:
– Shampoo
– Conditioner
– Olay Concentrate for Heels, Knees, Elbows to use as a body lotion (best stuff ever)
– Contact lens solution
– SpectroGel *optional.. have been using water and a light bit of soap lately*
– Nivea Makeup remover
Basically I’m giving up buying shaving cream (I find it doesn’t do anything, and I can just use the shampoo I lathered up or conditioner to shave with), I’ve given up dying my hair (too much maintenance. I dyed it back to its original dark brown).
I’m not buying nice smelling body gels/soaps/washes or lotions any longer even though the packaging and marketing is so tempting on it!! I’ve found the best lotion in the world for my skin, and I’m sticking to it. Besides, body gels/soaps are overrated for my skin, they tend to dry it out more and make it itchier than usual…
The less I do to my skin, the better.
6. No more clothes..
I went through my closet and .. DAMN!!… I can cut at least 60% of the stuff in there. I have enough clothes to last a lifetime nad I rarely even wear them because of the nature of my job (we don’t really dress up, it’s more business casual, leaning towards casual). Ditto on the shoes. I’m done with purchasing that stuff.
I just need to concentrate on buying a really amazing winter coat that’ll keep me super warm in -30 weather with windchill and a hood, and thermal underwear (ooo sexy). Oh and some really ridiculously warm boots.
7. No more jewellery or anything like that.
I have way too much as is… seriously. If you saw my collection you’d freak out. I could fill a couple of drawers worth with this stuff. I have enough. J’ai fini.
In fact, I’m thinking I might give some of my items away to friends for that clothing swap I was talking about for 2008. Necklaces, rings and other items I don’t wear any more. I hope they’ll enjoy it more than I did…
8. Going to cook more this year
I have my cookbooks out and this is the year I’m experimenting with food. 🙂 Probably because BF is really into food too, and I’m getting excited about cooking for him and him making me awesome dishes 🙂
9. Going to play more pool
I keep telling my friends that I want to go play pool, but this year, we’re really going to do do it and have a good time. BF loves pool as well, so that’ll be our entertainment instead of going to the bars (too loud and noisy, plus we both don’t drink), or going to the movies (too loud and noisy, plus he has a home theatre and a nice bed to cuddle on), or going shopping (we don’t need anything…)
9. Sorting my life out
Organization is the key for this year. I’m going to try and migrate everything over into electronic format, and get everything cleared and ready to go. By the way, ezdivorce.ca comes highly recommended by moi. The guy who runs the site, Adam Slater, is really professional and is genuine.
Don’t go to the other BS lawyers who want to charge $400 for the first hour of consultation and then another $500 + court fees for retaining her services for something as simple as a damn uncontested divorce.
If it’s a simple no muss, no fuss divorce you want, ezdivorce.ca is the way to go.
10. Figuring out how this travel/long distance thing is going to work
It ain’t cheap, I’ll tell ya that. And if I have debt to repay.. I’m going to pray I’m on projects away from my ‘home’ city so that way I can at least fly to BF’s home every weekend without using my own money.
Am worried a
bout how this long distance thing is going to work out… but I really do see this lasting.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
Victoria: You remind me of what I used to do before I started tracking what I spent… now instead of saying: Hmm that bill for $450 looks right… I make sure it makes sense, and I know what to expect in a bill instead of looking at the bill when it comes in, and paying it off right away… :\
And as for the 350 sq foot thing, I’m on board with that kind of attitude now. I don’t use very much space… my room is about 350 sq feet and with a bathroom and a kitchen, I could be quite happy since I use my bed as my couch…
I haven’t actually bought anything this year (The last time I went to the grocery store was late december) and I haven’t actually even been to a store, now that I think about it… I can easily pay off those credit cards ASAP and then I’ll put them in my freezer and I’ll use only the best card for me with a much, MUCH stricter budget, maybe $100 per week not including housing and bills, and I’ll make it smaller as I can.
I recently saw something on Oprah, this lady who has all of her belongings and everything she needs in 350 square feet. It got me to thinking, I could cut what I have in half and I’d still have way too much stuff! Then I got to thinking about all the money I’ve spent on those things and wow… That’s completely wasted money for things I don’t even use! I figured, if I cut my spending by at least half, I can pay off my debt in just a few months!
As for those pesky credit cards, I was completely unaware of what I was doing. I mean, they weren’t pure intrest, but at least half was intrest. I’d buy a pair of shoes for $40 and a water bottle for $1, and when the credit card bill came to $85, I’d think, “Alright, I guess that’s what I spent!” Without double-checking, I’d pay as quickly as possible. What a lame habit!
Victoria: oh honey you give me a heart attack when you tell me you’re only paying interest on credit card debt!! *takes a deep breath* 🙂 🙂
I’m definitely on the “frugaltalistic thing” this year… So far, so good, but I’m getting SOOOOOO TEMPTED….AAAH
I’ve never been good with eyeshadow, blush, whatever. I either can’t find a match or go overbudget. I’ve decided to be cheap this year. This is really the year I need to save money anyways, as I just got a whole bunches of debt from Christmas shopping and whatnot. I went way, way overbudget and I did a few calculations, and on a few of my credit cards, I’m paying pure intrest. I have to end the paying sometime! Maybe the resolution will only last until I next get to sephora, hah.
And also, my hair is really fine (not in a good way, either) and so my hair gets softened really easily and retains moisture.
Usually my hair gets way too oily if I use too much conditioner.
Victoria: Admirable!!
I tried that 2-in-1 stuff, but I found that I had to use a conditioner with that stuff because it dried out my hair (it can’t clean and condition at the same time 🙁 they were right..)
Body wash, same deal.. I use shampoo, or I just super slather on the Olay Quench Thermal Concentrate after I get out of the shower to counteract not using body wash
How about eyeshadow and that stuff? no?
I think I should cut back on toiletries and makeup, too… Just:
-Shampoo 2 in 1
-Body lotion
-Body wash
-Cetaphil moisturiser and cleanser
-Toothpaste and floss
-Lipgloss
-bare minerals
-mascara
-Loose Bare Minerals glitter for nights out
-Nail polish + topcoat
-Nail polish remover
-Olay wipes
That’s it!
Miss Angel: I’m glad to hear that!! Just don’t deprive yourself for the sake of being a martyr.
Rhea: We could always do more, but you know what? You’re actually saving for retirement which is more than what most people do 🙂 Happy Holidays!
I wish my problem were oversaving. I am putting away funds for retirement but always could do more, I’m sure. Happy Holidays!
So inspiring! I really want to cut back in 2008 too, and you’re list has prompted me to make a list of my own.
Good luck!
Laura: I agree.. but for sure the office where I am is really getting to be irritating because of the way they’re micromanaging. I am going to wait though 🙂 I still need to learn the language first!!
mrs.micah: It’s so liberating not to have to worry about that stuff any more..
Meg: Ditto – I have TONS of items I don’t use and it’s driving me mad that I spent all that money on there… And I’m with you – totally avoiding the malls 😛
I’ve got way more toiletries than I’ll ever need.
I plan on giving up shaving gel when I finally run out, and I’ve stopped dying my hair, too. In general, I plan to cut back on how much makeup I buy — especially lip glosses and eye shadows.
For some reason, we have a ton of bar soap, even though we hardly ever use hard soap. I think we got a lot as gifts over the years, and then my husband bought some Irish Spring in bulk back before he switched to using shower gel. I’m hesitant to keep it all, but I might as well use it.
I also have tons of body lotion which I hardly ever use. My goal: soak my feet in it enough times that I can make a dent in it (and maybe my feet, too).
I do like wearing makeup, especially different colors, but I’m just about set for… well, forever. The only makeup I’ve (ever) seen a dent in is my Prescriptive pressed powder, Traceless foundation, and concealer (though it’s a very small dent with that). I bought them all a year ago and still have some left, but I went ahead and got replacements for the first two items recently so I don’t run out over the holidays. I sooo don’t want to have to make an extra pre-Christmas trip to the mall.
That sounds like a good list…and it’s particularly refreshing to hear that you’re not as concerned about making up your appearance with expensive makeup and dyes. Let yourself be you and enjoy you! 🙂
Hey FB – this is just a thought, and I think you should probably not act on it for a few months till you and the new BF are more established, but if you’re still going strong after a few months, could you switch your “home city” to his city so you’ll never have to be apart from him on weekends on your own dime? Just some food for thought anyway…
Sounds like a great list, I should make my own…
SavingDiva: That’s what I’m finding now too. hence why I cut down everything… No more special masques, special scrubs for the face, special hair conditioners, WHATEVER. It’s all gone and I don’t have to bloody tote it around any more LOL
Oh and no more nailpolish, it’s a hassle to bring the remover, the separators for my toes, and the polish without it breaking
Wow! You’ve got quite a list! I think your beauty product cutdown is a great idea! I did a while back, and I have to admit it feels great! I don’t have 20 bottles and tubes under my sink…I have a few products and that’s it! Plus, I can get ready a lot faster!