Things I spend my money on
Plane tickets: In the last month i've spend $1200 (thailand) $150 (Miami) $120 (NYC) $930(thailand pt 2) for a grand total of $20 something hundred dollars.
Food: While i travel, i like to experience what each area is really good at. In miami, it was cuban food. In NY, it was the pizza. Here in Omaha, i pay big bucks for top notch steaks and burgers. Otherwise, i'm cheap. I eat people's leftovers so that precious food is not being thrown away. Fun fact: In the usa, 25% of edible food is thrown away. So, I practice freeganism when i'm feeling brave and feel supported.
Bottles of alcohol: I bring this up not because i drink a lot, instead to point out specific examples in where my spending differs from others. I buy bottles of booze if i feel like drinking, because these usually cost somewhere between $20-40 dollars and will make generally at least 10 drinks and last me a month+, even if sharing with others, (which is always the case.)
Car insurance: I keep buying this because i guess it's simpler to pay for it than explain a lapse in coverage. Even if i'm not driving my baby very often any more. $50/month
Phone: I just haven't figured the technology to get rid of a cell phone bill yet. I have gotten my phone plan down to $30/month though on t-mobile...
Activities!!! One of my favorite things to spend money on!
Rental car in Miami so that i could visit the keys/ $350.
Swim with sting rays and have them eat out of your lap/ $70.
A whole key lime pie purchased in the keys/ $15.
Radical honesty workshop/ $2400
Turn-on in NYC/ $10
Cover charge to go out with Unicorn Smack and friends/ $30
Sensory Deprivation tank for me and a friend for his med school graduation/ $110
Haircut with barber in little dominica, cold beer included/ $17
Things i don't spend my money on
Car payment: Still gratefully driving my grandmother's car which is paid for
Rent/mortgage: Yup, i can put all of my rent money towards plane tickets!
Booze at bars/clubs: Yep, i don't buy alcohol! I drink water when i go out, or a pre-game with some of the tequila bottle which i bought earlier (see above). This saves me a LOT of money. A lot of people will have bar tabs of $20-60 a night, more even if they're feeling generous and will buy a round.
Coffee drinks: Biggest money sink. I get enough sleep at night and eat healthily enough that i do not require caffeinated drinks during work. Those drinks add up quick, plus the booze later that night to calm the caffeine jitters, you're looking at a pretty penny.
*STOP! IMPORTANT MESSAGE. A dear friend of mine explained to me a very powerful idea. You can only save so much, and only be so frugal (say half of your paycheck), but there is no cap on how much you can earn. So instead of focusing on saving, focus on earning. That way it doesn't matter as much on how much you spend. Being proud of saving $200 a month isn't anywhere near as impressive as earning $20,000 a month.
No hotels: When i'm not visiting friends or family in the states, i couchsurf. I meet interesting people and get to feel connected with wonderful individuals, or i camp. Otherwise i'm in thailand where a bungalow with private bathroom cost $7 a night...
Update:
I finish up here on the 26th, and fly to thailand on april 27th to dig deeper into a bitcoin project, returning on may 26th. If any of you are out that way, let's meet up!
I'm getting better at learning how i shoot myself in the foot and sabotage connection, and experiencing my experience. I'm also bringing a little bit of radical honesty into the workplace. I'm getting good sleep and stretching and exercising every morning. And i'm recognizing my resistance to certain activities (writing this blog and doing it anyways).
Considered shaving my beard, looked at the 28 degree weather forecast, and will be keeping it for the time being. Ya know, big news.
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