back in black!

So my 5 days in Phoenix were lovely, restful, and uber-budget conscious. (WELL, not for my hosts, God bless them!) I spent ZERO DOLLARS on Thursday AND Friday, yesterday I spent $10 on something totally frivolous and totally awesome, and today I spent $8.04 on a bagel with hummus and veggies (that I realized much later was red pepper hummus, ack!-- budget/breakfast fail combo!) and I put $10 on my Muni card to get home from the airport. It's $8.10 but I get a free transfer from the BART to the bus to my apartment. Not a bad deal. I also came home to my first unemployment payment (just in time to pay rent!), a catering check from last weekend, and for some reason, a small dividend check from an old 401(k). Also to my new swimsuit and my fancy sunscreen!!! So all in all the last 5 days have been pretty good for the pocketbook.

As we enter the time of the year where America's rampant consumerism is dialed up to 11, here is an interesting article on spenders vs. savers. We live in the twitter era of instant gratification, but I think it's good to note (if you're not too ADD to finish the article) he says you CAN rewire your brain. I have found this to be true. Two marshmallows later really is better than one marshmallow now. You just have to get used to it!

Now off to the gym, the bank, and the market, and back to make split pea soup and put up the Christmas tree! Costa Rica in 8 days!!!