College has been overwhelming

I haven't given up, I just need some free time! I'll do my best to have an update by Friday.

My lunch today

Cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and turkey pinwheels with a sliced apple, a side of chips, and a throwback.

I haven't made much "income" lately...

but I have earned a lot of credits on sample sale sites.

I've earned $10 on Rue La La, $30 on Hautelook, and about $7 on The Foundary.

Well, I guess this will help me get through the holiday season...

Thank you to everyone who signed up for these websites. I sincerely appreciate it.

Great news article: From Farm to Fridge to Garbage Can

How much food does your family waste?

A lot, if you are typical. By most estimates, a quarter to half of all food produced in the United States goes uneaten — left in fields, spoiled in transport, thrown out at the grocery store, scraped into the garbage or forgotten until it spoils.

NY Times: From Farm to Fridge to Garbage Can 

Esra Su, sxc.hu

I've noticed that I've quit throwing away as much food since I started this project. I still throw a lot away, however. Like the roma tomatoes that I bought two weeks ago and forgot about.

Why is it crisper draws always become the black hole of the fridge?

I turned $2 into $5....

I got my mamapedia $5 starbucks gift card in the mail today!

Hooray!

I can't wait to get a peppermint mocha...

I'm back for November!

Now you can follow my spending follies on this handy-dandy Google spreadsheet.

I have not given up, though!

I ended October $83 in the hole. The good news is I put $633.43 on my credit card and I put $184.68 in my savings account.

So I guess there's success even in failure.

I've also started packing my lunch and eating at home a lot more frequently. Yes, I know what you're thinking -- I really did eat out that much more than you saw in October.

On Social Expectations and Set-Backs

Well, I've experienced a bit of a setback.

First, I spilled a drink on my keyboard. I had to buy a replacement. $11, but I'm not counting it since it's necessary.

Second, I've had a lot of social obligations lately. I purchased $68.35 worth of gifts this week, for a friend who is getting married, a relative who just moved, and a friend who is having a baby (not the one who is getting married).

And then yesterday I had lunch out with friends and dinner out with family. $15.73

On top of that, I purchased three Lorac lip glosses for $9 total from Haute Look (free shipping). I did this before any of the above spending happened. Really, I was trying to get ahead of the game for the holiday season. I also bought a $3 12-pack of Pepsi Throw-Backs.

So if you're with me, that's $96.08!

I'm so depressed. I pretty much know that this month is going to end in the red. I'm going to work my tush off to make up the deficit and be back in the black during November.