You gotta have heart and music

I just spent this snowy evening out at the theatre, seeing A New Brain. If you are a music theatre lover, here are four reasons you should get yourself a ticket:

1. The music is awesome! Fantastic harmonies, quirky fun numbers, and a couple of tug-your-heart ballads that might make you pull out a tissue. I love the way William Finn writes. The book is a little wonky though, so consider yourself warned.

2. The performances are absolutely top-notch. I couldn't find fault with any of them. And there's something so satisfying about hearing intricate, lush harmonies sung by amazing singers. Made me smile.

3. Acting Up Stage is a company built and run on pure passion. The artistic producer chooses shows that are more obscure, interesting works rather than relying on yet another classic revival to drive ticket sales. That's why I paid $40 to see this show rather than $80 to see Sound of Music.

4. It's still February and February sucks. February will suck less if you do something fun.

I think this was a worthwhile splurge... even though there are other things that require some money in my life. But more about that tomorrow!

Spent today: $41.50
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1700

Who wears short shorts?

I missed my weekly round-up yesterday, because I was babysitting my friend's adorable, hysterical children last night. They are almost 4 and 6 and hanging out with them is often like a fast-paced comedy routine. Every time they say something grown up, like, "You don't want to go there!" or "I can't even talk about it," I laugh hysterically on the inside while trying to maintain a concerned expression on the outside, so they don't feel like I'm dismissing them. They are a hoot!

Anyway, let's get the housekeeping out of the way first.

Spent yesterday: $7-ish, I believe (I'm too comfortable at the moment to get up and find a missing receipt.)
Weekly total: $104.83 (I didn't count what I spent last Friday, which was still in my wallet from the week before.)

Okay, back to today.

After a looooong day and a looooong week (although short technically, it was long spiritually) I welcomed in the weekend by enjoying a coffee date with one of my college roomies, who has just returned to town after an extended stint out east. And on my way home from that, while enjoying that buoyant feeling that a good friend can give, I stopped in at the drugstore.

And spent $50.

What IS it about the drugstore!? I didn't even buy anything super extraneous. And 95% of my purchases were on sale. But I had to buy razors. And let me tell you, readers, I use the ones made for the men folk. Always have and always will. Growing up, that's what my mom used, so she was the first one to buy me a sturdy metal-handled tool to take away all the hair that society says women aren't supposed to have. Oh sure, I've tried the cheap plastic pink things. I've even tried the ones with the dumb built-in soap. Nothing gives me sleeker gams that my beloved Mach 3. And so I pay the price.



I charged the visit. I had to! We also got groceries this evening, so there was no way I could stretch my budget to accommodate both AND the show I'm going to see tomorrow night. (More on that tomorrow!)

Do you drop a bundle at the drugstore? Tell me you do and make me feel better.

Spent today: $45 (Plus the aforementioned splurge.)
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1700

I just wasn't that into it

I didn't get a chance to blog last night, because I was out at the movies with a lovely bunch of ladies. Out at a free movie. One of my cohorts was gifted with a whole bunch of passes to see "He's Just Not That Into You," and invited us along.

Now, let's be honest. I really wanted to see this movie. Here's why:

1. A great ensemble cast that includes several hot young actresses, which usually translates to cute outfits. I enjoy cute outfits.
2. I read the book many years ago (pre DP) and found it both witty and totally true.
3. I have a serious soft spot for romantic comedies, even if they look kind of crappy.

I wasn't planning on seeing it in the theatre, but rather renting it alone some night. (My Blockbuster records can never be released, lest people see my record of renting truly shitty movies.) But when an offer came up to see it not only for free, but also with a small gaggle of great women, I knew I could go public with my desire.

I wish I could say that I loved it. Instead I was both slightly entertained and mildly offended. (Are women really as awful as this movie paints us? Maybe subconsciously I know that I've acted as ridiculous as some of the female characters, so I'm automatically defensive.) Why are great romcoms so few and far between!?

Now if someone could please give me a free ticket to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic." But only if the free ticket comes with great company.

Spent yesterday: $7.44 (Some quick dinner before the movie.)
Spent today: $14.58 (My dry-cleaning)
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1700

Quick hit

Apparently I don't feel inclined to blog during long weekends! But here I am, catching you all up on my spending, while also watching "Heroes." (Is anyone else totally annoyed every time they introduce a new character on this show? It's out of control!)

Anyway, Family Day is awesome! I'm SO happy that February is on the flip side now. Only one more Monday!

Okay, I'm going to get on with the money stuff and stop my excessive use of exclamation points.

Spent Saturday: $38.81 (Happy belated Valentines Day! Oops, another exclamation.)
Spent Sunday: $37-ish
Spent Monday: $0

A little bit extra

I just did my banking, so I wanted to update my tax number. Here you go!

Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1700 (Almost there, finally!)

An unexpected evening

This afternoon I got an email from the DP asking if I wanted to accompany him and his work peeps on an outing to see the SYTYCD Canada tour. His boss had an extra ticket. (In case you're just tuning in, hi. This is my blog. My DP works on SYTYCD Canada.) While obviously a very generous and fun offer, it gave me pause. Not that I didn't want to go, but that I didn't plan to go.

I am a capital P Planner. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of planning my time and then following through with my plans. Maybe it's just my birthright as a Virgo. But I have to try to fight against it sometimes, because I'd hate to be considered intractable. Don't we all want to hear others describe us as "easy going?"

So instead of coming home, heading to the gym for some cardio, making some spaghetti and meatballs, watching "Grey's Anatomy" online, writing the DP's Valentine's Day card, skyping with a currently faraway friend and finishing my current guilty pleasure read, I went to see the show.

It was good! Our seats were great. I had a nice time.

But I also missed my planned stuff.

Do I need therapy!?

Spent today: $8.27 (Dinner before the show. But it was all still in my wallet from last week!)
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1400

Free prix fixe

In what seemed like a smart budgeting move several weeks ago, I booked a Winterlicious dinner for the DP and I for this evening. My reasoning is that we could have our Valentine's Day dinner two nights early, since tonight is the last night for Winterlicious. (Oh, I just found out that they've extended it from February 16th until February 28th, but tonight was supposed to be the last night.) But as you all know, I have been spending far beyond my budget lately. And frankly, I'm starting to freak out about it a little. But we already had the reservations (and I really wanted the flourless chocolate cake, which was one of the dessert choices).

So off we went to Five Doors North. Dinner was pretty good. Our appetizers were just okay, but our entrees and our desserts were great. (Can I just say baby back ribs!) The restaurant itself is supposed to be sort of shabby chic, I guess, but I thought it was just kind of shabby. The bathroom was sort of gross even. Plus they serve wine in tiny little juice glass, which just doesn't do it for me.

But the important part, in regards to this blog, is that the DP totally treated me! Isn't that sweet? Especially considering that I've been spending, spending, spending while I still owe him a whole bunch of money! I'm a lucky girl.

Spent today: $27-ish
Weekly total: $131.23
Tax goal: $2000
Current balance: $1400