Random. That’s what today is. All topics that really aren’t worthy of a dedicated post and well, I just have nothing else. I had planned to subject you to Belinda’s dare but I didn’t get showered on Saturday and I wore PJ’s all day Sunday was really busy this weekend.

So, hold on tight cuz this bad boy is all over the map.

Bullet style!

• We have been a little more conscious of our spending, though much hasn’t changed as of yet. Got a new budgeting software to transfer existing online banking information over rather then hoping I got it all manually. Dare I say it’s actually FUN! to see the graphs and charts of our spending habits. Now all I have to do is transfer our budget information over and I’m all set. I think I may actually like this tracking money thing. (Does that make me nerdy?)
• Mike is - as far as I know, since I don’t go to work with him - 16 days smoke free. He hasn’t tried to escape outside for some odd chore to be done and he hasn’t smelled like smoke at all. I really, really hope this is it this time. I am beaming with joy that he’s actually succeeding, but it’s so hard to get my hopes up because he’s lied about it before.
• I’m contemplating starting up designing again. I really miss it and want to get back at it. There have been a few requests from people wanting to know when I’m going to start again, so I think it’s going to be sooner then later. But! I have to fight Mike for the computer now since he’s taken over with his latest addiction. Plus, I think I am in dire need of time to sit down and work on my own design. There is so much I want to change, but finding the time has been difficult since I never have a chance to get on my damn computer.
• Due to the conflict mentioned above, Mike thinks it time to put some money aside for a new laptop for me, including designing programs - bought from a STORE!
• I have a new job, within my job, that started yesterday (hence no post). I have to pretty much follow around a senior staff member and absorb all the information he has in his brain because (I haven’t been told officially, I just think) he’s close to retirement. He’s pretty much a wealth of knowledge that needs to be tapped prior to it all being gone with him when he leaves. So until I start my maternity leave in September, I am his shadow. (The perk: I get to boss people around - including senior engineers - to make sure they are completing their project budgets and following them throughout construction. I’m really looking forward to the new challenge (and kinda the bossing around too).
• Oh, and I wonder something - this domain is due for renewal in 2 weeks. I want to transfer the registration from it’s current location to where I have my hosting, but they charge a fee. Should I wait for it to expire and then buy it again (hoping that someone doesn’t scoop it from me) or do I suck it up and pay twice. Anyone with prior experience with domain transfer, please shed some light.

I think that’s it for now.

So look for Temptation Designs! to be opening up shop again real soon! So I can work on making my budget look prettier and more back then red. M’kay?

I’ve never been one to budget my money; I’ve lived a life of: “if there’s money in the bank, we’re doing good”. I’ve gotten away with little savings, not looking ahead and no preparation for unforeseen circumstances. Should something arise that needed to be taken care of, well, that’s what credit cards are for.

I’ve been lucky. We’ve been lucky.

Mike has lived on very much the same track as I, though, a little more recklessly.

We’ve been contemplating a move lately, we have a second child on the way and we want also to stop living pay cheque to pay cheque. I’ve been suffering mild panic attacks as to how we can do all this and still live comfortably.

In comes the budget.

Thank god for family that are willing to help us learn, because without them? I’d be up shit creek without my paddle.

Sunday we sat down and went through our finances and realized that yes, we’re living pay cheque to pay cheque, but within our income. That was nice to know.

Though seeing where exactly all our money is going?

Not so nice.

I think I had heartburn all afternoon.

Now, Mike and I both make decent salaries and we’ve worked really hard to get where we are at this point: job wise. Our careless spending over the past 7 years would show otherwise. Eating out, banking interest charges and frivolous spending have eaten away at much of what would be considered extra cash.

Not cool.

So we’re cutting back. We’re taking out the wasteful spending by making lunches, not eating out as much and paying down loans faster then just by the allotted times given by the banks.

Dude, the hardest part? Making a damn lunch.

I’ve mentioned so many times that I am NOT a cook. I detest the thought of even trying to prepare a simple lunch. I think it goes way back to being forced to make my lunches while in school and having my mother breathe down my neck telling me what was acceptable or not. But I’ve made a commitment to do this and I have to do this in order to get to these financial goals we’ve set for ourselves.

Sunday night consisted of a few grunts and groans and a lot of swearing while I rooted through the cupboards for the easiest possible lunch solutions.

Nothing that I wanted.

I ended up packing a bagel, some cheese slices, an apple and a yogurt then placing it in the fridge to take Monday morning.

I forgot it.

Sitting at work in the morning, I received a call from Mike to let me know that he knew I forgot my lunch. He proceeded to remind me about the importance to taking my lunch and why we’re doing this.

Nothing like making me feel like a complete ass as I munched down on my take out spaghetti and meatballs. I’m pregnant! I can’t very well forgo a meal.

Then even after gentle reminders with a sprinkle of guilt, that lunch remains in the fridge again this morning.

Which leaves me with one conclusion.

Day 2: I royally suck at this budget thing.