ORIGINAL BUDGET: $1500

I stuck well under this budget. Spent around $1300 actually. I could have spent less, but Etsy beckoned and I bought 2 wrap dresses (what? this is the summer of dresses after all).

I shall post pics once I actually get the dresses in my hot little paws.

It looks like a budget of around $1000 – $1200 is enough to live very comfortably with a little shopping and entertainment as an emergency month as I managed to make it under, even with my sister visiting.

My budget for June will be very low because we’re getting an apartment for a month as a deal from a friend… And July onwards will be super low as well, living in a studio.

My networth stayed the same as last month, because my investments went up the same amount I spent for “living” on rent, etc.

Woo hoo!

No extra money earned this month..

Original Post: How I would fare on a $1000 budget a month (Revisited)

My original answer was:

Oh no.

There is no way I can cut it down because my rent is too high at $575, which is already split between BF and I. Without a doubt, I’d need to move to a different apartment.

My new answer is:

HELL YES I can do it.

How fortuitous that I predicted I’d have to move to a smaller apartment ($375/month chopped from $575/month), because that’s exactly what I’m doing!

It would still be a bit of a stretch to try and save for retirement and savings as well, but it’s possible for me to live on $1000/month, assuming I suddenly stop buying all toiletries and clothing until I’ve saved $10/month for 3 years…

My utilities have also dropped to $12.50/month. Rather than $40/month as I had predicted before, we actually spend a lot less.

I wouldn’t like to stick to $1000/month only, but at least I know it’s within reach.

This one is mostly about food.

These were a pound of vanilla scented chicken wings that I prepared on top of a bed of rice and soy sauce.

Went to Fox & Obel.

Found a Candy Heaven inside.

And ended up buying these Lemon Icing covered Blueberry shortcake.

Man.. they are incredible. I’m craving some now.

And some of the most beautiful tomatoes I’ve ever seen.

Totally natural, heirloom tomatoes. I hate the tomatoes that look too perfect and round.

Crab cake

Corn cake and Chowder at Whole Foods

White Vanilla Raspberry ice cream shared between BF and I

And then a bucket of Ben & Jerry’s pistachio on another day —> OUR FAVOURITE!

Yummers. Chicken Scalloppini and Potato Latkes

Bought fresh fish and some white rice. Sometimes, simple is best.

Big disappointment: Giordano’s for the pizza

Clam Chowder. Meh.

The Fettucine Alfredo was good though. Delicious, juicy pieces of chicken.

Disgusting. The deep dish looked even worse. Glad we didn’t order that.

But the bread was heavenly. Ate the whole thing.

Chicago Fashion

(I don’t want to understand this one, but at least she has a style).

Cool hair.

This was awful. Hard to see, but she had a muffin top sticking out on the sides.

Totally wrong. Wear a longer shirt, lady.

She was stunning. Looked amazing.. love the Pumas.

Reason number 3483571943834 why girls should not wear tights as pants.

Your legs look fatter and more marshmallow-y than they really are.

Girls dressed alike when they met up. Was kind of creepy but funny.

She was SO CLOSE.

If only she had a skirt on… or some colour. Anything..

Looked like the Wicked Witch of the West.

This was awesome. Office Window Pac-Man.

Leaving Chicago

That ended my Chicago Trip.

Next up: Chicago & Boston Shopping

Related Articles

• FB’s First Ever Trip to NYC! (Lots more talking)
• Boston (Also an FB First)
• Traveling Frugally and Intelligently
• What to look for in a hotel

1. Backing up your hard drive is very important. (Learn how to purchase an external hard drive and back up your work).
2. Having dark undereye circles is hereditary, so stop f&@*ing asking me if I’m tired.
3. The date is officially declared dead if the girl has to pay for her (or your) meal on a first date.
4. Don’t hide your porn in a USB Key named “Work Stuff” when you are passing it around the company.
5. Stop sucking up to the boss. Even she thinks you’re overdoing it.
6. Spending money at a sale to save money does not get you out of debt .
7. Stealing other peoples’ work and claiming it as your own is not the sincerest form of flattery.
8. Friends don’t make friends eat wasabi, telling them it’s a delicious, sugary green tea paste.
9. Any form of birth control is very important.
10. Buying a box of cookies and telling yourself you’ll only have one is a lie.

Sister came, just left yesterday

FB: Do you have everything?

Sister: Yes. I have it all.

FB: Are you sure? …*runs around apartment* .. No you don’t!!!

YOU LEFT YOUR FACE CREAM!

I am not mailing any liquids, gels or aerosols to you!!

Sister: okay, OK, chill! I forgot ONE thing. One.

FB: Did you get the door?

Get the door and then get the elevator button and I’ll lock up and do a quick check again to make sure you got everything….

Sister:…. you are SO Elaine from that Seinfeld episode when she woke up late and was trying to get rid of that guy, and his flight was in an hour…

Remember?

She’s running around screaming that he doesn’t need his sweater or his suitcase or whatever, and he just has to get on the plane to leave TODAY, and she wears her pajamas and a coat to get him to the airport…

FB: LOL. Get the door.

Sister: Okay, Elaine.

It’s not that I wanted her to leave … at all. But I didn’t want her to miss the flight and pay another $50 to do a flight change, after paying $40 in cab fare to get to the airport, only to wait for a late flight.

Anyway, had a good time with her. I ended up buying this travel wallet thing that is more durable and practical than a cloth bag, this facial scrub and Cor silver soap (she made me.)

I didn’t spend more than $150, eating out for breakfast and lunch. BF cooked delicious Japanese delicacies for dinner.

Also got a couple of emails for potential projects, but I am not holding my breath. There are more senior people on the market, and they’ll get first crack at everything.

I think my new goal this summer is to learn French since it looks like I’ll be benched for a while, while companies start up IT projects.

Going to bust out some Rosetta Stone, and maybe sign up for some French classes, and try to practice at home with BF.