Extra Gig Money

So now I'm a gigging musician and my guitarist has guaranteed me $50-$100 per gig. It's not a lot of dough and barely covers my gas expenses to rehearsal and the gig, but that's not why I play music anymore. Now I play for the pure enjoyment of it, to have fun, play some excellent tunes, keep up my bass chops and get better, make friends, meet people, etc.! But it's nice to have the extra walking around money, that's for sure. Plus this weekend I made $175 for two gigs, so that's actually a nice substantial amount of extra $ for the week. I bought one of my boyfriends breakfast on Sunday morning and bought the other boyfriend dinner on Sunday night and was happy to do it!

My New Money Life

I will not quit Job #2 b/c the extra $ is just too good to pass up. Sure, it would be great to have my evenings free, esp. now that I'm playing in a band again, but big deal, ultimately. I'd just be sitting around the house watching tv/reading or out at Happy Hours spending $.

So I have much more $ at my disposal now that I am sans a husband and stepchild. Unfortunately it is temporarily going to lawyers' fees and some ridiculously expensive car repairs over the past couple of months (Oct: $700+ and last week: $881!!!). But I still have a nice chunk of extra $ to spend on ME. I am also spending a small amount of $ on my BFFF, JR, but that is worth it to me in order to have him with me and be my constant companion. I refuse to spend $ on a man again but hanging out with JR is different b/c 1. He is so much fun and makes me so happy and 2. I WANT to treat him to drinks, movies, etc.--not HAVE to do it.

Retail Therapy: My Version

These things are not expensive but do enhance my quality of life and provide a little therapy these days.

Bought:

1. Brain game word book (bought with coupon)
2. Big bottle of Coconut Rum (the value $25 bottle, heh heh)

Need to buy:

1. New David Bromberg CD
2. Luxury robe from...? Victoria's Secretions?
   
3. New Sports bras (time to replace anyway)
4. New dainty underthings (that he hasn't seen/touched!!!)
5. New rugs to replace his as I don't want to see them anymore
   

Well It's All About Priorities, Isn't It?

We were standing around the office yesterday. The subject of shopping came up and somehow it was pointed out that I, Adela, am the Master of Financial Wisdom, Coupons, Smart Shopping, etc. Another girl said that she took the Dave Ramsey financial peace class and they wanted her to cut her shopping budget way down, but she didn't agree with doing so. She said her clothing budget is $100/month and that was as far down as she could go.

I didn't tell them that I NEVER go clothes shopping. I mean, I've gone clothes shopping what, twice this year? And once for a bathing suit. I did admit to going to Taxi Taxi and getting stuff during their $1 sales but that's just b/c I couldn't imagine the looks of horror I would get from these other women when I confessed to never going clothes shopping. Oh my God. I've got better things to do with my time and my money.

But this is why I am going to be SO wealthy when I'm in my 40's and she won't! (She and I are the same age exactly!)

At Least Now I'll Be a Lot Richer Moneywise

It's amazing how much damn money S cost me. Now that he's out of my life and budget, my re-done household budget through January 2010 is much fatter. I am going to have SO much more $ by the end of the year. He was SO expensive to keep: massages, clothes, car repairs, haircuts, cell phones, cell phone plan, gas, movies, wrestling Pay per Views, DVD's, XBox and games, PSP and PSP movies and games, Starbucks, CUSTODY BATTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! And his daughter too. And I have a copy of his Social Security statement to prove that he has never made any significant income--EVER.

So yep. My days of footing the bills are over. Any men that dare to cross my path in the future better be prepared to SPEND. And one more thing: if I ever get married again, there WILL BE A PRENUP. I now know that marriage is a contract and a business arrangement in addition to all that other stuff it's supposed to be too.

Changed my W-2

It's always a challenge to try and stay one step ahead (legally) of the KGB I mean IRS. I have recently changed my W-2 at Job #2 so that hopefully having more $ taken out from here on out will soften next year's tax bill. Having a second job really hurts a gal, as far as the tax bill is concerned.

Reasons to be optimistic:

1. I have never adjusted my W-2 ever since I started working a second job back in 2007
2. I continue to max out my FSA at work (a measly $1,500, but still, every penny counts)
3. I did not do any skin care classes this summer at the public library, so will not be "punished" for that extra income

Reasons to be a little worried come April 2010 anyway:

1. S didn't work 8 months last year and this year he was employed all year; hence his income will be a lot higher
   
2. I contributed only the bare minimum (well, with a .05% on top of that because I like round numbers!) to my 403(b)--but I did that last year too since I was the only one working and we needed all the cash we could get at the time for living expenses and frankly, I am gonna keep this up anyway and open a Roth IRA as soon as is humanly possible! I'd rather pay the taxes now than when I retire anyway since I do expect to have my income keep going up, up, up...
   

Bad Grocery Shopping Idea

Since I am always at freakin' work or in the car I thought I would force S to help me out with the grocery shopping, which I do 100% of. So I sent him and the baby to get groceries last week--I needed nothing at the time, I usually eat on the road so I just told him to get what they needed. When I shop for the household I typically spend $60-80 at the most. They spent $122!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And they got mostly JUNK food: chips, salsa, doughnuts, chocolate, soda. Arrrrgh!