Inspired by the recession, I have decided to take control over my money and stick to a budget and live a life in the slow lane.
Two weeks ago I was surrounded by the allure of excess amidst 'The Strip' in Las Vegas. Today I am amidst the images of real life; tuna cans in the cupboards and boarded up stores on Bloor Street West. While the recession begins to rear it's ugly head in Toronto, it is merely a reminder to me that I need to regulate my spending diet and get off the roller coaster of feast and famine.
Last week I was sick and on a diet of steady television and too much idle time. So I took in an episode of Oprah and Dr. Phil on how to save money followed by two episodes of Til' Debt Do Us Part. Needless to say I had Benjamins on the brain.
These shows reinforced the nagging feeling I had that I need to gain control of my spending and learn how to enjoy more on less. I need to have my funds on regular feeding schedules rather than embroiled in my current binge/purge relationship. So in this spring purse cleaning mode I have decided to follow Gail Vaz-Oxlade's (host of Til' Debt Do Us Part) budgeting guide.
In her show she makes the couples put aside money in a glass jar each week for a given budget category (i.e. $100 a week for gas and parking) based on their budget worksheet. I found myself daydreaming these past few days of having that control over my money, rather than buying a hot pair of Rock and Republic jeans, then two weeks later putting Starbucks on my credit card.
And so, this week I sign-up for a new lease on consumption, having done my budget worksheet. I am taking the money out of my bank for the week, dividing it up into envelopes to ensure that I don't spend all my pay immediately on a large purchase (uggh, no new TV just yet) and have no money for gas in a few weeks. A stripped down portfolio. I like it - for now. We shall see how I feel in a few weeks time . . .
Rags To Riches (TV Show from the '80s) "That's what she wants"
(featuring Tisha Campbell-Martin of Martin TV fame)
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