City Car Experiment: Day 3

Two days ago, my first day in the city with my parents car, I spent about $40 in parking because of New York's love/hate relationship with the car and lack of street parking. I couldn't find alternate side of the street parking for the car, so it had to come with me to my orthopedist appt and then to work. If you are dumb enough to drive into midtown manhattan, you shall pay. Alternate side of the street parking refers to a 2 or 3 hour window, 1130-1pm on my street, during which no cars are allowed to park on one side of the street so that a street cleaner can come through and move the filth around in circles before depositing it a half block down the street. Seriously, these things are like zambonies that do nothing.

When I drove home that night from work, I prayed that I would find a spot on the right side of alternate side of the street parking so that I could leave it there until Thursday.

My sister is blessed not only with the ability to find parking spots but to parallel park on a dime, on a hill, in the rain, in the snow, all with a screaming child in the backseat. I attribute this to the fact that she met and worked for Mother Teresa.

Well, something must have rubbed off, because the car has been parked safe and sound since Monday and I get to use it tomorrow to go to another appt and to help out with my nephew.

This car thing isn't so bad...

City Car Experiment

I often bemoan my lack of a car to my boyfriend's deaf ears. I just think it would make things like leaving the city for a weekend a lot easier. And I covet mini-Coopers. There! I said it!

I know, I know, that's so not green of me, but after a lifetime on the public transportation system, there is something freeing about getting in a car and having one's personal space to oneself.

So, today commences the week long city car experience. My parents went to Florida, leaving me with their car. So far, I've already spent $63 on gas and parking in the 3 days that I've had it. The first two days were spent in the poconos, therefore, free parking.

I'm getting ready to hunker down and find a spot on the right side of alternate street parking tonight when I leave work. That's so not exciting nor tempting.

What is tempting is stopping by Fairway on 125 for some groceries. Hey, they even have a Fairway Blog.

What I Didn't Buy Today

I decided that I need to reinforce good behavior with a little reckoning I like to call "What I Didn't Buy Today".

1. Shadow Bed Linens from Crate and Barrel, even though they are super pretty. How did I end up on this site? searching for a wedding registry gift


2. These dumb jcrew pants. I kind of need new work pants, and they are on sale, but do I REALLY need them? no

I'll try to limit these lists, but I did visit kayak.com for vacation tickets as my hankering for a vacation gets stronger by the hour.


Also...WTF happened on lost? So now Aaron is the fifth of the Oceanic 6? What happened to Claire???

February CC Update: $11,774

CC1 was: $596
New Balance: $0, zero, zip, nil, gone, out of the wallet, never again

CC2: Was: $2568
New Balance: $2488

CC3: Was: $4754
New Balance: $4634

CC4: Was: $4700
New Balance: $4652

Old Total: $12,618
New Total: $11,774

Dear CC4, I'm coming after you with at least $700 next month. You know what's coming, you've been offering me checks every week for balance transfers, calling me to get credit protection. Well, guess what? You are at the lowest balance you've been in 6 years, and you will get lower. You will get less and less of your nice 13.9 percent. You will soon be gone from my life, gone. For the first time since junior year in college.

Things I don't/shouldn't do anymore

The nature of budgeting and limited spending really cuts me sometimes. Most times, it is the small things that I pass up that make me sad, the manicures and pedicures I'll live without, the lunches ordered in, the expensive canadian yogurt that I love (my daily pleasure!).

But what bothers me most is the fact that I haven't visited my friend in California since he's moved there, that makes me sad. Other trips have taken priority over this one, mainly weddings and visiting the boyfriend's family. And I haven't spoiled my nephew with gifts and toys in a really long time. I know that he doesn't need all of the toys, but it is still fun to spoil him, that's one of the joys of being an aunt.

I may keep a running tab of little silly things that I miss, just to help me to avoid them, because damn, my cuticles are ugly and in need of some loving attention!

List of things I miss:
1. Manicures
2. Pedicures
3. Buying Lunch
4. Expensive Yogurt
5. Dinners out

Big items I can't wait to spend $$$ on:
1. Plane ticket to California
2. Unlimited gifts for my nephew
3. New curtains for apartment
4. New bedding
5. A proper VACATION

Cupcake Nirvana

Over the holidays, I received a gift cert to Borders and bought the cookbook Great Fast Food from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living. Love me some Martha.

I really have to say that every recipe I've tried so far has been stellar. From the mac and cheese to the bbq chicken. I just made cupcakes tonight to satisfy a little sweet tooth craving for my favorite: carrot cake.

After a surprising lack of butter, and a runny batter, I have to say that these cupcakes are incredibly moist and the frosting (so simple! cream cheese conf. sugar and vanilla!) is the perfect compliment.