Okay, so, I’ve never really been that great with money. Sure, I can stick some away and never touch it, but the money to which I do have access is fair game for me. I like buying myself toys, that’s all, and I tend to block out the fact that a five dollar gift to myself every day (to which I’m sure it rounds out) is an annual $1800 expense that’s just … gone, with nothing to show for it.

But now I’m supposed to be responsible, especially because I’ve started training to become a financial advisor, analyst, planner, whatever you want to call it - the terms are used interchangeably at the Firm, I’ve found. I can’t expect to get any clients if I can’t keep my own finances in order, now can I? So, yesterday, in a fit of passion, I scribbled down my typical monthly income, savings, and expenses … and nearly died.

Net Loss: -$190.66

What do you mean I’m spending more than I’m earning? Gah! (It must be noted, however, that because I put approximately $530 directly into my ING account each month, which is not to be touched, I count this as an ‘expense,’ or at least an outflow of cash. If I can’t touch it, it doesn’t exist. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.)

There were a number of things, though, that can be changed, and that will be changed. They are:

• cigarettes, $125 a month [This is in the process of being reduced, because, let's be honest, nearly a pack a day is just gross. I'm allowed to say that because I've been smoking for five years. That's right. I've already cut down considerably the past few days; it's taken me (with a little help from Meg) three days to finish one pack of ciggies. Not bad! Even if I allow myself two packs a week, that's a savings of over $75 a month.]
• alcohol, $120 a month [I probably go out drinking maybe twice a month or so, and on an average night I'll easily spend sixty bucks. Why? Six hours of drinking, maybe six or seven beers, a couple of shots ... it all adds up. And my problem is showing up at a bar with a wad of cash. From now on, I'll have a limit, and bring maybe $30 instead of $100 to the bar with me, and no ATM card. That way, I won't be tempted to spend more.]
• eating out, $300 a month [Ooh, this is the big one. For one thing, as mentioned above, you tend to forget that $5 here, $8 there adds up rather quickly. For another thing, it's detrimental to my waistline (yet another thing I've decided to work on). And lastly, I want to learn to cook. Resolution: more home cooking. The only problem with this one is that our flat's kitchen is often disgusting; often food is left out for multiple days to settle and solidify. Where cooking is concerned, it's a big turnoff. And I'd clean it, but it ain't mine, and it might make me vomit. Hmmm. We'll see what happens with this one.]

I figure, if I work on those three things, and stop buying random stuff for fun - like new issues of Cosmo - I can save roughly $400 or so per month. Not bad! I even passed on visiting Bally’s last night for their tour in favour of running on the treadmill in my apartment building. It’s not plush, but it serves the same purpose and doesn’t cost me $70 a month (that being said, if I get a raise or get myself in order, I might treat myself to a membership - I really miss the rowing and elliptical machines!).

Okay, enough dossing about. Back to the studies.