wish list

when i think of something i'd like to have, i add it to the list. maybe it's the start of a christmas wish list of sorts, but really, it's things to do or have, big or small in cost, for my life. since i've pretty much eliminated clothes shopping from my budget, and really, shopping in general. these days, shopping involves groceries and coupons. some things on the list are practical, like a file cabinet. really? what 30 year old woman puts a file cabinet (at least 2 drawers) on a wish list? me. some will get accomplished, like a hair appointment and others will be put off for another season, but at least they have a home on my list. so far my wish list includes:

• flat, black knee-high boots
• file cabinet (at least 2 drawers) acquired (2) 2 drawers ones - they need some tlc but they were free!
• black watch (and/or a gold-silver combo option)
• hair appt w/ becky (losing the blond for the season) scheduled for 10/7!
• brown leather storage chest for the foot of the bed (organized storage is gonna be KEY in my new place!)
• back massage (would've done it sooner if it wasn't for this pesky eczema)
• new ring-finger ring since my "believe" ring is super bent
• Jefferson Bethke's book "Jesus & Religion" (out 10/7) pre-ordered after amazon dropped the price!

i'm kind of even hoping i lose my free cable when i move so that i'll be forced to (gasp!) read more. i have all these books i've accumulated and are waiting to be read so it'd be nice to "have time" to do that. it's not really about saving money since i already get it for free. ;)

happy autumn! :) 

SEPTEMBER 2013

GREAT NEWS! i found a smaller, cheaper apartment IN MY BUILDING! background: i LOVE my current apartment. it's big (almost 1200 sf), modern, bright (corner unit with lots of huge windows), and just plain awesome. however, it's a money suck and a pinch i feel in my bank account at the beginning of every month. stressful! so, i started looking around for a new apartment in my same neighborhood (aka the western side of the retail section of brier creek). i really wanted to stay in my complex but also found a cheap 1-bedroom down the road (literally) for about 830/mo. i pay a boat-load for my apartment (although everyone that comes over thinks i pay way more than i do) and would really like to be able to save that boat for a rainy day, so i was hoping to find something in the low 800's. the unit down the street did that EXCEPT i would have to rent a truck/hire movers, adjust to a new mgmt staff, traffic patterns, etc. and i could not take my washer & dryer (huge deal). long story short: i found a small (784 sf) apartment in my building that i will take ownership of in november. i will be doing most of (if not all) the moving by myself because the perk is i can do a slow, 3 week move since my lease isn't up until the end of november. i'll be on the top floor and will no longer have to complain/deal with a horny upstairs neighbor boy. and the best part, i'll be paying a full 150 less in rent alone for this unit. yes, 150! i am getting a storage unit but it's only 20/mo extra. so instead of paying a boat-load in rent/watersewervalettrash each month, i'll maybe pay 850/mo in rent and basic utilities. blessings.

i'll also be finishing up finacial peace university a few weeks before i begin moving...awesomesauce.

here are my aspirations for september.

- enjoy the 3 day holiday weekend! (hello, college football!)
- taking the 1st class towards obtaining CZO certification 9/5-6 at UNC School of Gov't
- Butner Athletic Park Grand Opening, Monday 9/9
- donations to Durham Rescue Mission (including that pesky blue plaid chair)
- hand-drawn zoning map project (hopefully will get to it labor day weekend!)
- re-tab / hi-lite my LDO
- increase church attendance...apparently, i've joined a sunday school class?!
- play keyboard at least 1x/week
- find my spare key or get a new key made
- exercise / food challenge: sweat more! yoga mat / workout dvd, no candy / just chocolate
- make a decision about where to move
- finish rectangle paintings (will probably wait until after the move)
- read & return literature to L.S.
- make a hair appt for october (cut & color: going back dark!)
- make a dry cleaners run (or 2!)
- pack up super-summer wardrobe and bring back some early fall clothes