Game Plan

I am motivating myself to save. I would like to say that there was more depth to this statement, and that perhaps, I was even aiming to "save" in the more philosophical or metaphorical sense...whatever that might mean. But really, I am just trying to make those Numbers go up - or at least rest steadily where they are. No more of this depletion nonsense.

I always loved making money growing up, putting it in the bank account, and watching the numbers rise. I have had a summer job, every year since the age of 14, and all through university. I have never spent even half of what my earnings were, and so have been fortunate in knowing that there was always this little nest egg waiting for me to cash it.

First, it was saving for a car. Then the car came as a surprise, conveniently, right as I started driving.

Then it was for university. I was fortunate enough between financial aid, student jobs, and some savings my family had tucked away for me, that not even this effected the balance of my savings by much.

Graduation came, and I decided, it was now or never. I had been dreaming of Australia since I saw The Little Mermaid, and proceeded to become obsessed with the ocean. I wanted to have the ability to breathe underwater, or at the very least, become a marine biologist. Needless to say, I have done neither. I did, however, fly myself to Australia, and did a pretty fantastic job (if I do say so myself) of touring the East Coast over the course of 6 weeks.

Since my return, I have been working 24/7, and have not see the light of day. That, my friends, is what is known as "whiplash".

So here's the game plan I am instituting with the aim in mind of planning a rather fabulous and exotic trip out of the country. I will do it in the year of 2008. This is my promise.
Step 1: no superfluous spending.
- No designer coffee. My travel mug and homemade brew does me just fine. = a savings of $5 per craving.
-Bring my own lunch to the office. = $10 per meal (at least).
-No going out on the town, unless on a weekend - or at least, no spending on the town.
-Drink at home. I hate to say it, but I can pretty much pay for an entire bottle of wine with what it costs to have a single glass at a shwanky bar in the city. I am going to save such occasions for, well....occasions.

In using this Plan, I am confident that even my poverty-level income will garner me a vacation.

Now, who's on board????