Gah! One second I feel jovial and the next I am depressed... Here's my recent roller coaster

Went to Express for new summer clothing. I had saved myself a budget of $500.00. I got about $450 dollars worth of clothing for $300- well under budget.

Tragically, I paid 20 dollars for an adorable sweatervest, (orginally 60) and found out this morning that it didn't make it home with me. Will I look crazy if I bring in my receipt and beg them for one?

On the bright side, (kinda) the dollar dropped to a new low against the euro. I know, I know, this is actually pretty terrible for Americans as a whole, but not so much for me. I went to Europe at the end of last year, and still have about 700 euros in cash. I decided not to trade it in yet, which has helped prevent me from spending it... I bought the euros for about 12 cents on the dollar less than what it is now.. i.e. I made 84 dollars from hanging onto my foreign currency.

And the grand finale.. the DH is looking for a new job. I use the term 'looking' very loosely, since about 8 companies are actively begging/competing for him. He is an aerospace engineer, an industry where there is painful shortage. So far, the best offer is about 170k/ year and we get to stay in sunny florida, I keep my good-paying job, and I don't have to uproot my entine life. That would put us grossing about 225k/year. It would bring life to my financial plan, and we would be out of debt with a hefty savings in a matter of months. I could probably even pay off my car- 7000 and 2.5 years remaining.

I have to admit I am more than a little excited.



It would be very nice.

Even though the week isn't over yet, I got an icky feeling as I was running through the total expenditure on discretionary spending. I'm starting to think the blissful denial was better- even though I know that's what got me into this mess.

I just got done shoveling out 251.34 for a new set of binoculars for the man. He is an avid birdwatcher and has wanted this pair of binoculars for as long as I can remember. Even as I bought them, I started to feel physically ill. They're supposed to be a gift for our anniversary. I know that generousity is important, but I feel like we have become so consumed with giving gifts. Its actually becoming difficult to think of things to buy him because I have indulged every whim he has ever mentioned. Believe me, I know that things are not the building blocks of a great relationship, but it feels so expected. Not from him, but everyone else.
A couple of days ago, I spent 159.00 on tickets to see a Dodgers-Red Sox game. Let me preface this by saying that I am, in fact, a fanatical Red Sox loving fool, and I completely understand that the hubby was just trying to do something nice for me, but as hard as I tried to talk him out of it, he bought those tickets anyways. When someone is so excited about a gift that they've decided to get you, how can you crush them by saying, "Well, that's very sweet, but its too expensive. Its the thought that counts." It feels like guys just can't comprehend that.
So there goes over 400 dollars.. poof... just because we want to show someone we care. How has this been engrained so deeply?
On the bright side, I am looking forward to making my fabulous tasting and fabulously cheap chicken curry for dinner tonight.
And thank you all for your kind comments. It takes a lot to get started on this.

I thought I would start this blog with a good introduction- trying to explain my seemingly obsessive addiction to... Stuff!

"What stuff?" you might ask.

Tragically enough, any stuff. Any item that can be sold, I think I have bought at some point or another. Oh, and did I mention that I have no self-control whatsoever and will spend riotously on anything that strikes my fancy. Yeah, its that bad.

To add fuel to the fire, I love eating out. Being somewhat of a self-proclaimed foodie and complete sushi-addict, its not cheap. I don't even cringe at spending 100+ dollars for the hubby and myself to go out to dinner.

So here's the thing: Up until this point, I've been in glorious denial, convincing myself its not that bad. But it is. Lucky enough, I think I've caught it reasonably early and I really feel like I have time to do something about it.

A note about the debt. It is the entire family debt. It incudes the absurd engagement ring that my hubby bought me and financed. (ugh)

If all goes according to plan, I hope to have the debt under 10K by the end of the year, and savings up to at least 10K.

Wish me the best of luck.