Spending, Life, Income and Food Updates… 2/13/2012

Lunch Did you notice a Texas Toast theme above? I was really craving it this past week obviously. I say this every week, but this weekend went by way too fast. I had a lot of fun though! Luckily for me, work usually flies by, but classes drag on (so that’s BAD). I didn’t do…

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Last Updated: May 25, 2023

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Lunch

Did you notice a Texas Toast theme above? I was really craving it this past week obviously.

I say this every week, but this weekend went by way too fast. I had a lot of fun though! Luckily for me, work usually flies by, but classes drag on (so that’s BAD). I didn’t do too much this past weekend. I did a lot of cleaning because I knew people were coming over on Saturday night before we all went out. Spent too much money at the bars on Saturday night, but we had fun and won’t be spending that much in awhile.

We didn’t end up looking at wedding dresses with my friend because her and her fiance were going to look at houses across the state (so obviously she couldn’t be in two places at once). But hopefully soon we can do this!

The BF’s car is starting to act up so we’ve been talking about buying him a new car. He been powering through the past couple of years and has been driving a huge junker. He has the truck (which is a classic) but that’s not really for daily driving (especially since the other day 10 cars were stolen from his work parking lot, so I definitely don’t don’t the truck stolen). So we have been looking at cars, and his friend is selling a car that the BF loves. The car is super cheap so we’re thinking that right after the tax refund goes through, then we would just pay for the car in cash.

I think we’re just going to buy something cheap and reliable. We definitely don’t want something that would make us have payments again, but I want something extremely reliable, or something with cheap parts where him and his dad could easily fix it if something did happen. Him and his dad are going to go look at it sometime this weekend probably and decide.

What would you do? Would you buy something cheap like we did before, or opt for something newer and that’s more reliable? We’re definitely thinking of a Jeep Wrangler, but haven’t decided how new or old we want to go.

And I asked this the other day, but not too many people answered, so I’m still indecisive.

Usually on vacations, I just buy a cheap disposable waterproof camera, but this time I want a waterproof case for my actual camera. My actual camera right now is just a Nikon Coolpix (haven’t gotten my DSLR yet). Does anyone recommend any housings? Do they tend to work well or no?”

What does everyone recommend? I’m thinking I’ll just buy a cheap underwater case for my cheap camera that I have now, because I don’t want to risk putting my future DSLR underwater. What does everyone recommend? Do they work?

Here are my updates:
Getting rid of my work outfit laziness: I failed at taking a picture everyday to get rid of my out laziness. I did try everyday last week, so you’re just going to have to believe me. I was just feeling too lazy in the mornings to take pictures. But this week I will definitely take pictures in the mornings.

School: Only 11 more weeks until the semester is over. My classes are still going good. I’m kind of ahead when it comes to homework and that’s been nice. I just can’t wait until I’m done!

Extra Monthly Income: No extra monthly income this past week. But oh well! I haven’t put anything on eBay this past week, but I need to do that soon. I’ve been a little lazy and I have too much of an attachment to most of my clothes.

This doesn’t count as “income” because I should adjust my withholding and it’s my money anyways, but I did our taxes last night and we’re getting around $4,200 back!

WHOO HOO I am so happy.

Budget Cutting: I don’t think we’ve cut anything out this past week. I just got our most recent gas/heat bill and it was only $90! Definitely an improvement over last year. Very, very nice.

Shopping: I didn’t do too much shopping this past week. I did a secret shop on Thursday at Estee Lauder during my lunch break and didn’t do any other shopping while there.

Food: We went grocery shopping last night and spent $60. Mainly bought fruit, bread, milk and a lot of soda. The BF usually gets a soda everyday before and after work, so we stocked up on drinks for him so that he could stop getting a drink everyday. We figured he probably spends around $20 a week on before and after work drinks, and we only spent around $8 on drinks for him, so definitely a savings.

How’s everything going for you?

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Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Author: Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Hey! I’m Michelle Schroeder-Gardner and I am the founder of Making Sense of Cents. I’m passionate about all things personal finance, side hustles, making extra money, and online businesses. I have been featured in major publications such as Forbes, CNBC, Time, and Business Insider. Learn more here.

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  1. Congrats on your huge tax return–that's exciting! All of your meals look so yummy!

  2. Oh, those meals look good. My mouth is watering!I would definitely buy a cheap car, especially since vehicles have been stolen from his work place. Besides it sounds like he just needs something to get around in the week. He could consider a Honda Civic. They are inexpensive reliable cars. The parts on too bad either.When I go on vacation, I usually bring my regular camera. I don't usually take pictures under water. But you gave me something to consider on my next vacation. If your under water camera still works, I would just continue to use that and buy a cheap case to go with it.

  3. Live Simply- Live We

    Yum! Your food looks great! I would buy a cheaper car, and work my way up to a nicer car later.

  4. Miss T @ Prairie Eco

    Wow, that is a great tax return. Nice!!!I agree with Shondell. Cars are not an investment so get something basic that fulfills your needs. Buy used too so you aren't paying for depreciation. We invested in an awesome underwater camera last year. It is great for adventure sports which we do a lot of. Plus pictures are really important to me so I use it a lot.

  5. CeCe @Frugalista Mar

    Don't buy new and don't buy a Wrangler! The gas it costs to fill up will eat you alive. I'm biased but I say go for an old Honda. It takes me $40 bucks to fill mine up. Or if you like American cars go for one that is known to last and has good gas mileage. I can't think of one of the top of my head!

  6. Good looking food making me hungry here. I am keeping an eye on your tax return, a lot of money there. 🙂

  7. "How's everything going for you?"Not very good, I must admit.

  8. Your food pics look so tasty. We spent $60 at the grocery store too yesterday, that's usually our weekly costs for groceries. Not sure if $240 is good or bad for a food budget for two, but hey it all gets eaten so I dont feel its too high. 11 weeks left of the semester, thats exciting. Tabmy-cliffnotes.blogspot.com

    1. $240 is around what we spend also, I think that's good!

  9. Newlyweds on a Budge

    I would buy the cheap case for your camera. i wouldn't risk submerging a nicer camera.

  10. I always like to look at your meal pictures. everything is so delicious! We had quite a bit of garlic bread last week-wasn't planned, just my parents got it! And congrats on a nice tax return!

  11. Yea on the tax return!!! That's awesome 🙂

  12. Mmmm. Texas Toast. I also agree with buying an older but reliable car for the boyfriend. I just hate car payments.

  13. All that meat looks really nice. I feel like eating some now. High quality photos suck sometimes.I would try to get something younger and more reliable but still without having any car payments. I would go back to older models until I find something in my budget. I also find it unbelievable 10 cars can be stolen just like that from a parking lot. Island life has me sheltered too much.I don't know much about cameras but I would go with the disposable one again. You probably know more than I do.

    1. Yeah it was pretty weird that so many cars were stolen. He found out that one car was stolen, and then the police came and found the person. Then when the police left, the guy came back and stole more. INSANE!

  14. Thanks everyone!I'm pretty sure he is getting a Wrangler or some sort of Jeep though. He wants a car that he likes and he found a really cheap one, so we're checking it out this weekend. We're not worried about maintenance costs or costs to fix it too much, since him and his dad can do pretty much everything car related.

  15. A person will encounter all kinds of trials and tribulations and changes as the journey in the uncertain game called life. But as long as the have good health, a good plate of food to eat, a decent roof over their head, a steady paycheck, education, and know how to make a successful transition from “employee to side hustle millionaire,” they’re truly blessed. 🙂

    Wishing you a productive week my friend! 🙂