June Credit Card Update: $8,004

CC1 was: $0
New Balance: $0, but with $1408 (yikes) in activity

CC2: Was: $2270
New Balance: $2195

CC3: Was: $4457
New Balance: $4404

CC4: Was: $1981
New Balance: $1405

Old Total: $8,709
New Total: $8,004

I could fudge some numbers to get that number below 8k but it isn't worth it, I haven't done the best with the frugality as of late, and don't feel like falsely rewarding myself.

CC1 was very active this month, but was paid off in full because I got a bonus for the year! I bought two plane tickets to visit the future in-laws, a birthday present for the FH (future husband), tickets to Cali and about $400 in business activity that I haven't been reimbursed for as of yet. Once I get the reimbursement check, I will put it towards CC4, that damn pesky college credit card that you sign up for, get a blanket, 18% APR and a slap on the back for your cluelessness. However, I have noticed that their recent APR is about 10% right now for me. Once I pay it off, I may switch CC3 to C4 to take advantage of a lower interest rate, I'm now paying about 37 a month in interest on CC4. Even though I really don't want to give any more money to CC4 as they have made a pretty penny off of me over the last 10 years.

I will say that I don't regret any of the CC activity, it was all necessary and paid for in full. I'm finally rewarding myself for my credit card accomplishments by going on a mini vacation to California to visit a friend. Well deserved, I think.

Once the dust settles on all of the activity and reimbursements, I think July will be a banner month!

Essex Street Market

The Essex Street Market is great for many reasons. A fish monger, a cheese monger, a meat monger, a vegetable monger and a fruit monger all in one place? all those mongers? I stopped by after work for dinner groceries and picked up the following for under $10:

Shrimp: $3.99
Celery, pears, corn, scallions and cilantro: $3.25
Eggs: 1.75

Um, delightful! and the opportunity to buy expensive cheese. But I held back. Trying to be frugal again and all that.

There is also a great restaurant at the other end of the market that really represents the traditional tastes of the lower east side, the latin-jewish yumminess.

Combining Forces

My household just became a dual household, which I used to fantasize about when I was making less than half of what I'm making now. This comes with many yet-to-be-realized advantages, like splitting utilities, rent and groceries, but also many sacrifices in the personal space categories and my front closet.

That said, I've been very non-frugal as of late because I know that I'll have another person contributing to rent, cable and bills. This is not how I wanted to proceed.

Also contributing to my non-frugality is my totally unfounded perception that less than 9k debt is somehow less serious. The frugality is precarious INDEED.

I need to get back on the frugal horse. Esp with a wedding to pay for.