No fun until zero balance.

In the spirit of micro-managing my finances and reducing the amount of blind eye-spending I've been engaging in, I made up some rules (because that's always an option) related to my spending. These are sort of like Gibbs' rules from NCIS because I know them, and they could very well be numbered, but there's like three #1 rules, and the rest are really quite arbitrary in their numbering. Here goes nothing.
Rule #1: Use my debit card whenever possible and especially on groceries. This keeps me from buying frivolously because I know the state of my checking account, so I really can't stock up on things I already have (which are usually big ticket items) and it also encourages me to not buy that nice piece of meat or fish, but use what's already in the freezer or fridge. Or get creative.
Rule #1: Do not go out with work friends when they take day trips unless I leave my wallet at the office. This will also reduce frivolous spending because I tend to buy things I don't need, convince myself that I need something that I don't really, all while these thoughts are co-signed by my well-intentioned co-worker friends.
Rule #1: When I go errand running with Frank, make sure I follow him around and I don't wander off on my own or the errors of the other two #1's occur. Repeatedly.
Other rules: #2: no rewards until my credit card is paid off. By some loose math work, that will take two pay periods, roughly accounting for next month's bills (rule #5, pay bills that are consistent at the beginning of the month, whether the bill came in the mail or not). #3: Track savings account to make sure it isn't being touched or affected, and to cement in my brain that savings are for saving, and not for transferring to checking to help cover bills (see rule #4). Rule #4: Once money is deposited into savings, the account will be treated like a certificate of deposit where something horrendous happens and I'm penalized for transferring the money out. Rule #6: If I transfer money out of savings and into checking, the reward schedule will be delayed one pay period (2 weeks).
The reward schedule is jam packed with awesomeness. I'm very much looking forward to this spring. It begins the week of 4/16, because that is the week after the bill should be paid in full.
Here's the schedule. Feel free to use it as a template to assist in your own saving adventures. Enjoy!
week of 4/16: steve aoki show (food, gas, etc.)
week of 4/23: frames for home photos
week of 4/30: flowers for the house
check savings account balance.
week of 5/7: tricky tray fundraiser at st rose (tickets, food, etc.)
week of 5/14: mothers' day, SKRILLEX/INCUBUS WOOOOOOOO, and Ray and Frosty's wedding
week of 5/21: Jamba juice and flavored honey for tea that I spotted at whole foods
week of 5/28: get blue pumps fixed and search for gold flats?
check savings account balance.
week of 6/4: Elizabeth's 21st bday week WOOOOOOO
week of 6/11: food shopping at wegman's or whole foods
week of 6/18: nude pumps
week of 6/25: dinner out with special people
check savings account balance.
Now, keep in mind there are things that come before 4/16 that require monies. however, it will be minimal, and based on what my checking account looks like. rule #7: outings will be spent from the checking account (like dear Mau's bday card, etc.) to control costs, because I know if I charge it to discover, it will sit and rot for a while. Let's not add to the scratches on the card, shall we?
Anyway, it's going to be a big spring for many reasons. I need to get back to my saturday which consists of cleaning, laundry, fighting my headache, helping Frank, transferring photos (finally) onto the comp, and taking new pics of the blooming trees outside. I might check in later, I might not.
<3.

there's a hoooole, there's a hoooole.

This post will be dedicated to the things i need to do. i'm going to try and order it chronologically according to importance/urgency. Wish me luck.
I need to...
turn on some jams (moved up 1 space)
change into house-cleaning clothes
make a cup of tea (moved up 3 spaces)
vacuum the hallway
separate the laundry
eat a piece of chocolate
watch missed episode of modern family
maybe go with frank to pep boys.
organize gym bag (and collect nerve) for tomorrow
think about what i can make to bring to grammys from what i have in my kitchen
go to bed no later than 10pm
remind myself of what's around me and refrain from looking for more (move up several spaces, i don't feel like counting)
wake up (no one should take this for granted)
get motivated
make protein shake for post gym
check bananas for ripeness for pre-workout snack
do gym
call eddie
shower
drive to atlantic auto body with my game face in tow
apply game face
don't take no for an answer (this might appear more than once)
smile at a dog who is enjoying the sunshine out the window of a car
return home and continue house-cleaning duties
check in with sis and/or dad regarding chances of sleepover
prepare what i'm bringing to grammys
look up origins of st patrick's day
consider incorporating green into outfit
get rinsed and dressed
pack for sleepover if it's occurring
don't stop along the way to buy anything (do not pass go, do not collect $200)
contemplate on the way to grammys how to make more money
remind myself of the feeling i got when my mother became aware of the extent of my spending issues. (this one will be repeated, repeatedly.)
have fun at grammys, socializing with the women because the men sit quietly or are so loud that i automatically tune them out.
text frank
refinance my habits with bills taken out first rather than after the fact.
don't use my credit or debit card at all for a week unless for gas.

that's just the start. lets see how it goes. how did it work out with lowering your expectations? as soon as i remind myself to, i calm down. i notice it all the time.
anyway, music on, tea poured, vacuuming slippers prepared. readyyy, go!