I was just thinking… if push came to shove, I could probably give up the following items…

- Really good food and meat/seafood since it’s expensive.
I’m talking buying the best ingredients, organic, whatever from the grocery store, and switching to non-organic, cheaper meals and eating pasta every day with salt, pepper, some mushrooms and occasionally, chicken for special days. I don’t drink soda pop or any of that other stuff, just water and tea… so I’m good on the beverage front.

- Toiletries and Makeup.
I’ve realized I can live with just soap to wash my face. I don’t like it, but if I had to, I’d do it to make it work. Cannot give up shampoo and conditioner, or my Olay Quench Concentrate because I need to at least feel clean, and keep the nasty eczema at bay.

- Clothes and Shoes.
Such as purchasing new clothes or shoes. I have everything I need for every season. I just need to make them work.

- Cellphone/Telephone.
I’ll just cancel my plan (it runs out mid-next year anyway, so I won’t have to pay any fees!) and I’ll just use a payphone, or use the free telephones at work or in other establishments

I don’t really own a car, so no gas or insurance there. I just need a bus pass to get around.

I already gave up TV a couple of years ago, I don’t have a landline, no utilities, no apartment…

I guess I really couldn’t give up the internet, but I suppose I could just go to work and surf the net there and check my emails, so I don’t really need it at home, but it’d be one of the last things to go.

And electronics. I could give that up too. I have all that I need, and backups for most things. I’d make it work

Wow. I could give up everything. All I need is just food to survive on a daily basis if I’m on a project or even if I’m at home.

This is making me think. However, I don’t want to deprive myself so much I end up hating it. Paying down debt is one thing, but really pushing it to the limit when you don’t have to is a bit much.

Some of these pieces are really beautiful..

Store: Bridget Lynne Designs

But the prices for the necklaces are wayyyy out of my price range right now. In fact, forever.. I’d be afraid of losing them. But if you’re looking for a gorgeous pieces and are willing to spend for it, this looks like a good site.

Oh the earrings are reasonable-ish…… that’s good.

I’m a fiend for leaves… you all know that

Something kind of .. ethereal about this necklace. Soft and pretty…

Again with the leaves. I know, I know…. I must own almost every leaf-related necklace and pair of earrings (within my price range) in Canada

I like the femininity of these.

Ditto with this one… Classy and not like a big bright red flashy heart, more subtle.

I love the leaf (yes).. but I also love how it hangs on a single chain… so delicate and pretty.

These LOOK like leaves

So I called my student loans number today, and my loan is down to $16,500! That’s a fantastic jump from the original $29,000 it was at a while ago when I started getting serious on its butt.

If I didn’t have to pay for the divorce, I’d be down to $10,000… but c’est la vie.

As for spending, here’s what I spent this month:

Category: Budgeted —– Spent

Food: $30 —– $27.86

I think this was for a grocery bill I forgot to claim through the company…

Gas/Automotive: $80 —– $78

This was to fix up the old beater car since it needed maintenance, and to fill it up with gas

Toiletries: $40 —– $47.09

I can’t remember what I bought. I think necessities like girl stuff, and shampoo…

Clothing: $200 —– $192.49

This was our winter wear.

Electronics: $50 —– $40.72

This was the iSkin case for my iPod..

Miscellanous: $50 —– $133.19

I REALLY blew this one. But this was for paying the gas for Ex to go back to the city after we split, and to pay for the food/groceries on the way… and he bought me a present (with our money) before we split, so it came out of this category.

Telephone: $0 —– $0

My cell gets cleared by my company. I just paid only for Ex’s half this month out of miscellanous (see above)

Student Loan: $1700 —– $1700

I paid the bulk of it ($1000) before we split, so it was ’spent’ money.

Emergency Fund: $3331 —– $3331

Yea.. that’s all going to le divorce maintenant.. Really took a chunk out of what would’ve been a healthy fund. Oh well.

Car Insurance: $107 —– $107

I cleared the bill for this month for Ex…

On a positive note, for December, after I clear the remaining $1500 I owe Ex, and pay another $300 – $500 for the papers, I’m in the free and clear to begin paying back my student loans. I’m on track to clear them by the end of next summer if all goes well.