At least I won't starve
Jul. 1st, 2004 11:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lydyWell, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that my start time at work is now 10:00 a.m., and that I'll be transitioning into a job which is about words and web, things I do much better than the things I am doing now. The bad news is that it's at 75% time.
Last time I figured things, if I pay my rent, refinance my debt, feed the cats and the fish, and maintain enough reserves to take the cats to the vet, I will be running at about a $50 per month deficit. No movies, no dinners out, no boughten lunches, no books, no clothes, no cappuccino, not so much as fingernail polish. I haven't figured out what to do about this. I guess I'll do what I usually do, skate from paycheck to paycheck, always on the edge of disaster, sometimes toppling in. Thankfully, we don't have debtor's prison in the US. I did check into bankruptcy, but I don't think I quite qualify. The "reform" of the bankruptcy law is amazingly draconian, even for the Rs. May they rot.
On the good news front, again, I'm going to NYC for a week and a bit. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I'm thrilled. I'll be staying with Patrick and Teresa. I had initially intended to go and see the fireworks up close and personal, but Patrick's band has a gig at a private party on the Fourth, so I'll be able to see Whisperado, instead. That's wonderful, I get to see Patrick play far too seldom.
Back on the bad news front, again, this is the last trip I'll be making anywhere for a long time, I expect. Unless someone wants to fund a trip, of course.
It's the root of all evil, you know. You don't want to be evil, now do you? Me, I'm already going to hell, just ask my mom, so it only makes sense for you to unload your excess evil roots in my direction, now doesn't it? *wry smile*
I'm always amazed at the fact that, no matter how tight it gets, I manage to get through. I've seen much harder times than this. The real problem is if I can relearn some of my more frugal behaviours. It was such a relief to be able to eat something other than a Lender's bagel for lunch, every day. Lords, though, that was so long. On that good side, maybe I'd lose weight.
Last time I figured things, if I pay my rent, refinance my debt, feed the cats and the fish, and maintain enough reserves to take the cats to the vet, I will be running at about a $50 per month deficit. No movies, no dinners out, no boughten lunches, no books, no clothes, no cappuccino, not so much as fingernail polish. I haven't figured out what to do about this. I guess I'll do what I usually do, skate from paycheck to paycheck, always on the edge of disaster, sometimes toppling in. Thankfully, we don't have debtor's prison in the US. I did check into bankruptcy, but I don't think I quite qualify. The "reform" of the bankruptcy law is amazingly draconian, even for the Rs. May they rot.
On the good news front, again, I'm going to NYC for a week and a bit. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I'm thrilled. I'll be staying with Patrick and Teresa. I had initially intended to go and see the fireworks up close and personal, but Patrick's band has a gig at a private party on the Fourth, so I'll be able to see Whisperado, instead. That's wonderful, I get to see Patrick play far too seldom.
Back on the bad news front, again, this is the last trip I'll be making anywhere for a long time, I expect. Unless someone wants to fund a trip, of course.
It's the root of all evil, you know. You don't want to be evil, now do you? Me, I'm already going to hell, just ask my mom, so it only makes sense for you to unload your excess evil roots in my direction, now doesn't it? *wry smile*
I'm always amazed at the fact that, no matter how tight it gets, I manage to get through. I've seen much harder times than this. The real problem is if I can relearn some of my more frugal behaviours. It was such a relief to be able to eat something other than a Lender's bagel for lunch, every day. Lords, though, that was so long. On that good side, maybe I'd lose weight.
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no subject
Date: 2004-07-01 11:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-07-01 12:46 pm (UTC)If you and Beth can just decide on a time for the Las Vegas thing, I'll pick up your other expenses.
MKK
no subject
Date: 2004-07-01 01:47 pm (UTC)B
no subject
Date: 2004-07-01 02:13 pm (UTC)Hope you come up with a way to deal with the money problem in the long term!
no subject
Date: 2004-07-01 02:53 pm (UTC)Perhaps we can eat our PB&J's together sometime at lunch once you're back from NYC.
Have a GREAT trip and travel safe...
no subject
Date: 2004-07-02 08:09 am (UTC)On Sunday night, make 8 ounces of pastry (8 oz all purpose flour, 2 oz margerine, 2 oz crisco, pinch of salt, total cost about a dollar) divide it into six portions and squeeze (rolling is slow and messy) it into six aluminum individual size pie tins (cost a dollar for six, but they're washable and reusable if you remember to bring them home). Saute two onions (cost, 20 cents) in a tiny bit of oil, add a teaspoon of dried tarragon and some salt when they're nearly done. Divide the onion between the tins. If you have/can afford ham, put some on the onion, it's nice, but not necessary. Grate 6 ounces of mozzarella (cost about two dollars) and put about an ounce in each tin on top of the onion. Beat two eggs and half a pint of milk (two or three dollars) add salt and pepper and pour an even amount into each tin. Bake in a 180C, 350F oven for half an hour, preferably when you have the oven on anyway for something else, because electricity costs money but I don't know how much. Eat one hot with salad or pasta or something. Freeze three. Take one each for lunch Monday and Tuesday. Defrost and eat the other three when next you feel like having them for lunch. Cost, a little over $6, or about a dollar a pie, and a nice change from sandwiches. Time, about half an hour messing making them, plus remembering to take them out of the oven, freezer, etc.
Prices Canadian dollars, but I'm assuming things cost about the same in USD as they do in CAD here.
I hate money. I don't have a lot of spare money myself, and this month is going to be a lean one, but I'll send a little in your direction when we get a bit ahead again.
no subject
Date: 2004-07-03 11:03 am (UTC)Cheap food
Date: 2004-10-26 10:16 am (UTC)Personally, I'm rather fond of just roasting a chicken and nibbling off of it for as long as it lasts. Then you can freeze the bones along with the necks and stuff and make stock when you have enough (you can buy necks and feet and stuff and use those too. My fave roast chicken recipe involves simmering garlic and the juice of a lemon in butter and olive oil, then adding a chicken. Instead of basting, I just flip it about four times in the hour or so it takes to roast it. (the oven is preheated to 400 degrees and then turned down to 350 when the chicken goes in.) Perhaps this would be a good thing to share the oven with the quiches. Roast potatoes are also lovely. I mash them up with parmesan cheese and chicken broth. They can be done alongside the chicken.