Jo inspired this post today… I think I’ve actually posted on this before…not sure…

A few years ago, a friend of mine *my boss at the time* hipped me to this book:  The Automatic Millionaire

The Automatic Millionaire is basically a “How-To” on saving funds that you would otherwise *throw away* to compound interest and save for your future.

As soon as I got through the first chapter, I was pretty much sold. lol. I had an ING Direct account already, but this book inspired me to start automatically saving under the latte factor. The latte factor pretty much gives you a “starting point” as to how you can save. For example, if you’re an avid Starbucks drinker who needs that daily cup of crack, and maybe a lemon loaf…or a blueberry muffin *if ya nasty*…you’re “throwing away” about $5.00 – $7.00 a day on your latte. This money can otherwise be put into a high interest savings account and be put to work for YOU!

Okay, so my issue *at the time* was…shopbop.com.  Every time a new line was launched, I was itching to get my fingers on a cute shirt, or pair of pants. This was my latte factor. Instead of spending the money on the shirt, I’d simply put the money that I would have spent… into my ING Savings account.

Well…that kind of didn’t last long, because I simply stopped going to shopbop.com *unless there was something I wanted to look especially cute for*.  So, every Friday, I’ve scheduled ING Direct to pull about $30.00 USD out of my bank account into savings. And now that I’m used to it just not being there, I don’t even realize that it’s gone.

Same thing with my 401k. When I was working in the Corporate world a few months ago, I had my 401k set up and I was contributing at 12% per pay period, which was fine. And now that I’m not in the corporate world, I still have it set to pull a good amount of money out of my bank account every month. I gotta retire sometime.  I just don’t want to be broke when I do.

Yeah, it’d be great to win the lotto. I can’t front. I still play Mega Millions…lol. But until that happens, and while I’m still outsourcing my life, I’ll just go ahead and let ING do the dirty work.

I think I’ve been doing pretty good about not spending too much money so far this year.

In fact, I haven’t really splurged on clothes as much as I normally would.

Besides getting snowboarding gear, I hadn’t really done too much damage to the bank account that I wasn’t able to recoup the next day.

But…..yep, there’s a but.

On Monday, I purchased a few cute things from my favorite…shopbop.com.

They’re addicting. My only issue with this site is that usually when I purchase something, the next day or two later…it goes on sale. *scowl*

A few of the goodies I purchased…

In other news…I’m still maintaining the healthier me movement. I’m super motivated to live a healthier lifestyle and to continue being active.

Cycling class is on point. I purchased some new pearl izumis from Sports Chalet last week, and was super excited that they were on sale. When I locked into my petals this morning, there was nothing stoppin’ me. They really do help your riding.

I think we’re set with the snowboarding trip this Saturday. I’m super excited. It’s going to be lots of fun. Christal’s never touched snow before. Bring on the snowballs. a tee hee *is she reading this?*

Alright…part of living healthier is actually getting into bed before 10pm every night. Tonight will make the first night this week. *sideways look*

Love you guys…stay blessed.

Some clothes just don’t look as great unless a skinny *Read: starved* person has it on.

This, however, would probably look good on any body type. I’d Rock it.

What do you think?

Another example:

Somehow this screams marshmallow. Tsk Tsk.

I regret to inform you…that the pooch in the previous post….isn’t mine. And apparently, we wont be getting one similar. :hissy: But ummm…..yeah…the bag he was sitting in…..well…that’s mine……so what……..I bought a bag….*crossing arms*…..i cheated….a little…..OH FUGG IT, i cheated a lot……AND WHAT? whatcha gonna do ’bout it? *putting up fists* ….A girl has to buy clothes every once in a while…and you want her to at least look stylish RIGHT? *running behind door* I wanted my last purchase to be a good one….and dangit….IT WAS……duncha think? Well, even if ya DONT…it’s already DONE….it’s too late……lemme alone…..*shouting from behind door* WHO ASKED YOU ANYWAYS!

Anyhow…..I can’t WAIT for Wednesday…lol….life will be SO much easier….Mondays are always D-days…..feel like i have to walk in with my fist up ready for a fight. I think we have spinning tonight too……so like shatzi says…. I’m gonna have to take it out on the machine.

I feel like the last few weeks have flown by though…only one more month and 1 week until our Costa Rica trip and i can smell the clean air now. I’m gonna wanna bottle it up and bring it back to Los Angeles, and sniff it every few days to remind me of wonderful days gone.

I finally made a decision about the camcorder and as of now….there’s not significant need for one. I HAVE one….I guess, i need to just calm my cookies until the next latest sony camcorder tech comes out and invest then….come on…let’s be practical…how am i gonna be able to do all the things that I plan to do in the next three years if i keep feeding my technology habit…..*completely and utterly not even MENTIONING the clothing habit – that doesn’t count* :soapbox:

The weekend went rather smoothly…we went to see “The Interpretor” and “Sin City” on Saturday….Sin City was pretty okay….i wasnt expecting to like it since it was in Black & White, but you know what? It was perty good….it kept me enthralled because it was an action movie. I LOVE action movies. Same with “The Interpretor”……great movie…kept ya guessing the whole time….And i think i’d watch it on HBO in Demand when it comes out….maybe rent the DVD…..burn the DVD…..ya know…:thumbsup: After the movies, we went to Starbucks and I got my White Chocolate Mocha….soooo good goin down…lol….

Sunday, i spent two hours in the gym working necessary areas….and tonight….will probably be spinning class…but I’m not sure yet….it just depends on how i feel about driving…lol..

Hope you guys have a Happy Monday! :grouphug:

xoxoxoxoxoxo