Environmentalism + Self Development + Frugality = Epic Win

Investment

willpower23 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:11:04 +0000

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell

Solar is within years of cost parity with coal… this makes me think that we should start analyzing land with high concentration of sunlight near major cities.. land that’s considered cheap and not in demand and buy it up… then we can sell it back to utility companies at a premium in the future once the put up massive solar farms.

January 2010 Spending

willpower23 — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:11:26 +0000

1/1/10 $2.41 bananas at Vons
1/2/10 $8.17 groceries at Trader Joe’s
1/2/10 $4.29 cinnamon raisen bread at Panera
1/3/10 $5.93 large pizza at Giant New York Pizza
1/4/10 $5.37 dinner at KFC
1/5/10 $6.29 lunch with Jeff at Yam Cha Cafe
1/5/10 $1.10 grass jelly for Jeff and I
1/5/10 $2.07 water and tofu at Fresh and Easy
1/7/10 $12 lunch at Antique Thai with Dennis, Alan and Nancy
1/8/10 $4.31 dinner at Wendy’s
1/9/10 $14 laser tag for Ultrazone for Liezel’s b-day
1/10/10 $222.60 fridge and groceries at Costco
1/11/10 $3.71 groceries at Fresh & Easy
1/12/10 $4.34 duck soup at Yam Cha Cafe
1/12/10 $1.10 drinks for Jeff and I at the market
1/13/10 $6.74 lunch at PLNU with Eric and Louis
1/14/10 $4.45 Machaca Burrito with John Hedricks and Derek
1/14/10 $11.78 groceries at Marukai Market Place
1/14/10 $7.60 slippers and bath stuff at other Marukai
1/15/10 $6.52 unagi bento at Mistuwa for lunch
1/15/10 $2.27 large premium coffee at McDonalds
1/17/10 $52 dinner at Oceanaire with Michael
1/18/10 $24.38 groceries at Ralphs
1/18/10 $14.13 sleeping pills at Wallgreens
1/20/10 $4.00 wedding card for Michael
1/23/10 $223 wedding gift to Michael

I decided to stop keeping track of this anymore.

I started getting mentored bya millionaire and he told me to stop worrying about my expenses and worrying about how to make more money. He’s been showing me how to make good trades.

December 2009 Spending

willpower23 — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:30:12 +0000

12/3/09 $8 lunch with CDR Ikehara at Hodad’s
12/3/09 $59 Clinique 3-Step Skin Care
12/4/09 $2.50 gas at Shell
12/4/09 $35.94 groceries at Ralph’s
12/6/09 $22.58 groceries at Ralph’s
12/8/09 $5.17 california burrito at Adalberto’s
12/8/09 $16.21 Omega 3 at Wallgreen’s
12/9/09 $7.35 lunch at Yam Cha Cafe with Jeff
12/10/09 $10.17 groceries at Fresh & Easy
12/11/09 $2.00 gas at Arco
12/11/09 $3.57 groceries at Fresh & Easy
12/13/09 $13 dinner at Golden State Seafood with Brent and Michael
12/13/09 $4.14 Yan-Yans at Ranch 99
12/13/09 $5 gave to Michael to buy me dried bean curd when he gets to Ranch 99 again
12/14/09 $28.15 groceries at Fresh & Easy
12/15/09 $4.24 groceries at Fresh & Easy
12/21/09 $2 gas at Arco
12/22/09 $7.30 lunch at Yum Cha Cafe with Brent and Jeff
12/23/09 $10.30 lunch at Santoka (Mitsuwa) with Nancy, Chris, Alan, Matt
12/24/09 $5.52 groceries at Fresh & Easy
12/25/09 $1.00 gas at Arco
12/26/09 $100 send to Michelle for Christmas
12/27/09 $20 paid Andy for buying my IMAX ticket and money for food
12/27/09 $30.17 U-Haul
12/28/09 $31 took Nancy and Chris out to Antique Thai for lunch
12/28/09 $6.51 Omega-3 at Target
12/28/09 $92.43 7-piece queen bed set at JC Penney’s because the landlady, Evelyn, wanted me to
12/29/09 $21.41 dinner for Andy, Eliza and I at Taco Bell
12/29/09 $100 gave to Evelyn for new sheets she wanted to buy me
12/30/09 $21.74 boots at Big Lots
12/30/09 $3.80 lunch at Burger King with Alan and Adrian
12/31/09 $10 haircut
12/31/09 $13.29 gas for Brent’s car
12/31/09 $4.30 dinner at Wendy’s

Total: $707.76

Verdict: Major Fail

Yes I do understand that $100 given to Evelyn for the sheets, $92.43 for the queen set she forced me to buy and $100 to my sister for Christmas would make me under budget, but still I bought stuff like the Clinique for myself that was expensive so this is a bad month. I also could have stood up to Evelyn I guess… but I guess it’s a cost I considered for living in a $2 million dollar mansion… wanted to keep my landlord happy. I guess this isn’t that bad of a failure but it still feels like I spent too much by choice.

November 2009 Spending

willpower23 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:21:04 +0000

11/1/09 $10 lunch at Sushiya with Kurt
11/2/09 $10.14 groceries at Fresh & Easy
11/3/09 $5.08 burrito at Alderberto’s with Michael
11/3/09 $2.75 split a power sized Jamba juice with Michael
11/4/09 $23.96 groceries at Fresh & Easy
11/5/09 $7.50 burrito at Palimino’s with Louis
11/5/09 $36 pitcher, burgers, pool for Joe’s going away
11/8/09 $14 dinner at Golden State Seafood with Brent
11/8/09 $6 gas money to Brent
11/10/09 $2 gas at Arco
11/10/09 $6.04 groceries at Fresh & Easy
11/11/09 $600 planet ticket for Michael’s wedding in Panama
11/12/09 $14.10 CDR Roth’s going away lunch at Harbor Inn
11/13/09 $13.62 groceries at Fresh & Easy for potluck
11/16/09 $1.97 gas for scooter
11/18/09 $35.45 took Allison out for lunch at Sushiya
11/18/09 $11.73 groceries at Fresh & Easy (Discover)
11/18/09 $10 neighborhood fundraiser card
11/19/09 $9.50 lunch at Hodad’s with Cassie and Alex
11/22/09 $13 dinner at Golden State Seafood with Brent and Michael
11/24/09 $6.47 lunch at the Spawar cafeteria
11/25/09 $10.98 groceries at Fresh & Easy
11/27/09 $7 lunch at Thai Time II with Jeff
11/29/09 $18 dinner for Brent and I at Golden State Seafood
11/30/09 $12.63 groceries at Fresh & Easy

Total: $887.92 where $600 was the plane ticket

Verdict: Epic Win

$287.92 is amazing…

October 2009 Spending

willpower23 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:29:17 +0000

10/4/09 $20 money for dinne to Andy
10/6/09 $5.05 beer and bananas for Eric and I
10/7/09 $0.85 bought Allison a pop
10/8/09 $15 cab ride for Brent and I to airport

10/8/09-10/25/09 CHINA trip spent $2586.26 [$921.08 (Eugene) + 727.31 (Brent cash)] + $937.87 plane ticket

10/25/09 $16 cab ride to get home from airport
10/26/09 $2.00 gas at Arco
10/28/09 $2.18 water at Fresh & Easy
10/28/09 $4.18 water and mushrooms at Fresh & Easy
10/29/09 $6.37 breakfast burrito and pound cake at cafeteria
10/30/09 $2.84 two gallons of punch for Halloween party from Fresh & Easy
10/30/09 $14.08 lunch for Brent and I at Gaglione’s

Total: $88.55 + $2586.26 = $2674.81

Verdict: None

Took a vacation, I deserved it. No worries.

September 2009 Spending

willpower23 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:24:55 +0000

9/3/09 $6.97 breakfast burrito and Monster at SSC cafeteria
9/8/09 $11.40 groceries at Fresh & Easy
9/4/09 $1.96 lettuce at Fresh & Easy
9/5/09 $15.14 for Brent’s b-day lunch for Brent and I at Thai Time II
9/7/09 $37 breakfast at The Cottage for Brent b-day breakfast and I (Andrea drove)
9/9/09 $21 dinner at De Jang Kum Korean BBQ with Michael
9/9/09 $5 buble tea at Tea Garden with Michael
9/10/09 $5.44 meatball marina at Subway for lunch with Joe
9/12/09 $27.18 boots from Big 5 Sporting Goods
9/12/09 $12.67 groceries at Ralphs
9/12/09 $1.11 shampoo at Target
9/12/09 $4.10 dinner at Wendy’s
9/12/09 $2 gas at Arco
9/14/09 $1.00 gas at Arco
9/14/09 $1.22 gas at MSF class
9/14/09 $10.88 Santana’s for Brent and I
9/15/09 $55 dinner at Oceanaire with Brent, Andrea, Jen
9/17/09 $57.75 dinner with Brent and Christina at Bertrand at Mister A’s
9/18/09 $55 dinner with Brent, Treff, Lazelle, Andrea at Ruth’s Chris
9/18/09 $2 gas at Arco
9/19/09 $2.50 split a large pizza with Brent and Andrea
9/20/09 $13.64 groceries at Fresh & Easy
9/21/09 $7.07 groceries at Fresh & Easy
9/23/09 $6.45 lunch at Thai Time II with Chris
9/23/09 $10 dinner at World Famous with Melissa and Lauren
9/23/09 $4.06 yogurt at Yogurtland with Melissa and Lauren
9/24/09 $7.34 lunch with Chris and Louis at Da Kine’s
9/24/09 $2.03 gas
9/24/09 $1 gatorate at gym
9/25/09 $3.68 groceries at Fresh & Easy
9/25/09 $11.88 groceries at Fresh & Easy
9/25/09 $13 drinks for Brent, Andy, Andrea and I at the bar
9/26/09 $19.18 groceries at Trader Joe’s
9/28/09 $17.78 lunch at Onami for coworkers going-away lunch
9/29/09 $21 dinner for Brent
9/29/09 $35 raquetball racket and glasses

Total: $509.43

Verdict: Small Win

There were a couple of one-time expenses like raquetball stuff, but more importantly I got to enjoy Restaurant Week and still be almost within budget so this was a good month.

August 2009 Spending

willpower23 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:15:43 +0000

8/3/09 $8.57 Thai Time II ($53.57 minus $45 cash the others gave me) with coworkers
8/3/09 $5.93 groceries at Fresh & Easy
8/5/09 $10 lunch at Sushiya with John and random NP
8/6/09 $20 went to Red Lobster with Joe
8/8/09 $19.81 groceries at Costco
8/8/09 $4.44 grilled chicken salad at Costco
8/9/09 $9.49 groceries at Fresh & Easy
8/9/09 $1.00 gas at Arco
8/10/09 $7.49 lunch at Pho Cali with Alan, Zuzana, Nancy, Alyson
8/11/09 $3.26 chili dogs at Carl’s Jr. with Eric, Cassie
8/11/09 $2.00 gas at Arco
8/11/09 $31.94 motorcycle gloves so I can take safety class
8/12/09 $6.47 lunch at cafeteria with John
8/12/09 $4.22 dinner at Arby’s
8/14/09 $10 lunch for Danah and I at the PLN cafeteria
8/15/09 $16.61 dinner at Sushiya
8/15/09 $3 tip for the fire performers
8/15/09 $1.99 snicker ice cream bar at 7-Eleven
8/16/09 $10 lunch with Brent, Morin, and Jen at a Mexican restaurant
8/17-20/09 $20 spent on the USS Vandegrift on snacks, ship’s hat and PT shorts
8/21/09 $3.77 water and oatmeal at Fresh & Easy
8/21/09 $5.10 california burrito at Hector’s Taco Shop for lunch
8/21/09 $11.58 groceries at Fresh & Easy
8/23/09 $15 dinner at Golden State Seafood with Brent
8/24/09 $2 gas at Arco
8/25/09 $9.38 lunch at Sizzler’s ($2 tip included)
8/25/09 $18 lunch at Venetian and gift for Adrian’s wedding
8/25/09 $11.29 grocierse at Fresh & Easy
8/25/09 $0.99 cherry jam at Fresh & Easy
8/25/09 $7.82 Steel Kettle 12-pack at Fresh & Easy
8/31/09 $4.81 groceries at Fresh & Easy
8/31/09 $9.81 water at Fresh & Easy

Total: $295.77

Verdict: Epic win, pretty straightforward

July 2009 Spending

willpower23 — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:13:51 +0000

7/1/09 $7.73 footlong Tuscan chicken with avocado at Subway with Eric and Cassie for lunch
7/2/09 $11 dinner with Brent at the Venetian
7/3/09 $16.22 groceries at Fresh & Easy
7/5/09 $11.49 groceries at Ralph’s ($16.49-$5 for Rheta’s cake)
7/7/09 $2.18 water at Fresh & Easy
7/10/09 $4.62 breakfast burrito at the SPAWAR cafeteria
7/12/09 $5 donation to Emy’s blood bank walk
7/15/09 $20 to get oil changed and lock fixed on Scooter
7/16/09 $13.70 lunch at Sushiya
7/16/09 $10.37 bike helmet and patch kits for bike at store with Joe
7/16/09 $40.45 fan, Smirnoff, bike pump, drink for Brent at North Island
7/16/09 $11.35 beef jerky, pierogies and bread with Joe
7/17/09 $7 lunch at Antique Thai with Alan and Brent
7/17/09 $18.04 groceries at Fresh & Easy
7/19/09 $14 to Andy for dinner
7/19/09 $3 for parking split with Brent
7/20/09 $5.44 carne asada burrito at Santana’s
7/21/09 $541 for fillings and teath cleaning at Dr. Maroon’s (got ripped off)
7/21/09 $2.37 jr bacon and nuggets at Wendy’s for lunch
7/22/09 $1.73 drink for a free burrito at Baja Fresh
7/23/09 $2 gas at Arco
7/23/09 $5.44 carne asada burrito at Santana’s
7/23/09 $1.09 snack at Jack in the Box
7/24/09 $11.75 lunch at Thai Time with Brent
7/24/09 $22 lunch at Arrivederci with Brent
7/25/09 $8.65 pad thai entree at Thai Time
7/27/09 $8.57 pad thai at Thai Time with Kurt and Eric
7/27/09 $4.81 groceries at Fresh & Easy
7/28/09 $13 lunch at Sushiya with John
7/28/09 $3 energy drink at Old Town
7/29/09 $1.36 fries from lunch
7/29/09 $1.25 SBUX fracpp
7/27/09 $13.79 groceries at Fresh & Easy
7/30/09 $6.95 lunch at cafeteria with NPs
7/31/09 $16.69 lunch for Kat & I at Lolita’s
7/31/09 $8.45 groceries at Ranch 99

Total: $875.49
Total without the dental: $334.49

Verdict: Epic fail. I shouldn’t have gotten ripped off by the dental scam but I did. Thus, the month was a disaster instead of a big win.

June Spending 2009

willpower23 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:42:45 +0000

6/1/09 $5.94 groceries at Fresh & Easy
6/2/09 $1 fee to USPS to change address
6/2/09 $25 lunch + tip at Island Prime with Jerry, Matt and some girls
6/2/09 $5.98 bonsai burrito at Wahoo’s with Melissa and Jimmy
6/2/09 $4.30 venti green tea frappacino at SBUX
6/4/09 $8.58 groceries at Fresh & Easy
6/4/09 $10 lunch at South Beach Bar and Grill with Joe, Jerry, Matt and Sharon
6/5/09 $19.52 fill up Brent’s gas tank
6/5/09 $7 Sushiya (Brent covered the rest)
6/5/09 $5 owe Brent for Costco rotisserie chicken haven’t paid him yet
6/5/09 $6 coaster with Melissa from Old Town to Carlsbad
6/5/09 $6 tip for haircut at Sport Clips
6/5/09 $5 to Melissa for the cab
6/6/09 $4.34 meat thermometer at Le Gourmet Chef
6/6/09 $8.68 lunch with Melissa at San Sai Japanese Grill & Sushi
6/6/09 $4.75 white chocolate raspberry drink at Godiva
6/6/09 $44.55 socks and a polo shirt at Adidas outlet
6/6/09 $1.50 premium gasoline at Arco
6/7/09 $13.32 dinner for Brent and I from Roberto’s Tacos
6/8/09 $2.78 groceries at Fresh & Easy
6/9/09 $6.89 groceries at Fresh & Easy
6/10/09 $12.75 buffet + tip at Harbor Inn for Tony’s farewell lunch
6/11/09 $18.12 lunch date at Antique Thai for Sharon & I
6/11/09 $18.88 andes bags, toblerone and SBUX doubleshots at Target
6/12/09 $21.87 beers and pie for Andy’s party (Melissa fan)
6/12/09 $77 donation to Crohns and Colitus for Eliza
6/13/09 $17.05 lunch at Thai Time 2 ($29.05 – $10 Melissa – $2 Brent)
6/14/09 $12.78 dinner with Brent at Lolita’s watching Lakers win
6/14/09 $1.92 drink at Lolita’s
6/15/09 $11.97 wild salmon and other ingredients for dinner with Sharon
6/16/09 $5.08 water and beef jerky at Fresh & Easy
6/16/09 $11 for ticket to Del Mar fair ($33 but Brent and Zuzana paid me)
6/16/09 $10.11 dinner for Sharon and I at Lolita’s
6/18/09 $9 lunch with Zuzana, Nancy, Alan, Matt at Sushiya
6/18/09 $2 gas at Arco for scooter
6/18/09 $1.85 double espresso at SBUX
6/18/09 $3.39 triple espresso at Filter Coffee House for meetup group
6/20/09 $10 light dinner with Brent, Melissa, Zuzana at Sushiya
6/20/09 $3 parking
6/20/09 $3.75 deep fried Snicker bars
6/20/09 $6.50 giant polish sausage corn dog
6/20/09 $2.75 quarters game won a prize
6/20/09 $3 tickets for ferris wheel
6/20/09 $3 funnel cake split with Brent and Melissa
6/20/09 $11 split a Sham Wow set with Brent
6/20/09 $3 tickets for Melissa, Zuzana and I to see Hercules the giant horse
6/24/09 $4 water from Fresh & Easy
6/24/09 $5.20 lasagnas at Fresh & Easy
6/24/09 $6.50 lasagnas at Fresh & Easy
6/25/09 $6.82 groceries at Ralph’s
6/26/09 $26.57 lunch for Brent & I at Sushiya’s with Zuzana, Alan and Dennis
6/26/09 $2.00 gas for scooter at Arco
6/26/09 $16 for wax for scooter and got a free radio
6/27/09 $10 taste ticket for OB Fair to taste 25 chilis
6/27/09 $10 BBQ Gun from fair
6/27/09 $3 to buy Melissa and I drinks
6/27/09 -$3 because I sold some tickets to make $3
6/27/09 $4.30 venti green tea frappacino at SBUX
6/29/09 $8.36 groceries at Fresh & Easy
6/30/09 $2.51 lunch at Jack and the Box

Total: $579.16

Verdict: Epic Fail

Why did I exceed my budget by so much? It’s because of a few large purchases that were unnecessary like donating $77 to Eliza for Crohns and Colitus, buying new shirt and socks at the Adidas outlet, eating out too much like going to lunch with Jerry is a bad idea – they pick mediocre expensive places and going to the fair, and finally moving costs. I need to be more careful in July.

May 2009 Spending

willpower23 — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:54:32 +0000

5/1/09 $24.47 groceries at Fresh & easy
5/2/09 $20 entry fee for fundraiser party for Brent & I
5/2/09 $20 to buy raffle tickets for fundraiser
5/2/09 $1.00 gas at Shell
5/3/09 $36.05 dinner for Brent, Jerry, Emy, Scotty and I at Pho Ca Dao
5/4/09 $6.58 groceries at Fresh & Easy
5/5/09 $3.68 bagels + toblerone at Trader Joe’s
5/6/09 $0.76 bbq supplies + drinks at Fresh & Easy ($36.76 – $30 LCDR Roth gave me – $6 coupon)
5/7/09 $7.00 sandwich for Zuzana since it’s her birthday at Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe
5/9/09 $2.00 tip for water at Hooters with Andy and Barry since I didn’t eat
5/10/09 $1.25 gas at Arco
5/11/09 $4.59 sandwiches and water from Fresh & Easy
5/11/09 $7.91 groceries from Fresh & Easy
5/12/09 $3.99 sandwich and lettuce from Fresh & Easy
5/13/09 $8.09 pizzas, sandwich and water from Fresh & Easy
5/14/09 $14 vitamin D drops from Mike Stelmach
5/14/09 $10.99 groceries at Fresh & Easy
5/17/09 $5.72 In-N-Out with Jesse

Vegas Interop Conference
5/20/09 +$45 (won $50 tipped $5 at roulette)
5/20/09 +$100 spending money from Dan
5/20/09 $2 tips for drinks with Tim Altbaum at Interop
5/21/09 $7.53 lunch at Panda Express
5/21/09 $4.51 22 ounce Blue Moon at 7-Eleven
5/21/09 $2.10 ice-cream cookie sandwich at M&M World
5/21/09 $100 ticket to Cirque du Soleil
5/21/09 $16 drinks for Joe Altbaum & I on the strip
5/21/09 $7 cab from downtown back to hotel
5/21/09 +$66 (won $71 tipped $5 at roulette)
5/22/09 $1 room tip
5/22/09 $18.23 breakfast buffet + tip Mandalay Bay

5/22/09 $10 treated Andrea to Extraordinary Desserts
5/23/09 $15.05 birthday lunch at Fuddruckers
5/23/09 $17 flipflops x 2 and belt at Old Navy
5/24/09 $9.21 groceries at Fresh & Easy
5/24/09 $15 dinner with Brent, Emy & Scottie at Golden State
5/25/09 $2 gasoline at Shell
5/26/09 $4.99 grill pack at Fresh & Easy
5/26/09 $3 to rent skates to skate with Emy & Scotty
5/26/09 $23.03 treating the girls to dinner at some Pho place
5/26/09 $10.50 treating the girls to boba tea
5/26/09 $1.50 premium gasoline at an Arco
5/27/09 $8.49 lunch with Joe at the cafeteria
5/28/09 $3.71 screws at Home Depot for bike
5/28/09 $12 dinner with Melissa at Antique Thai
5/28/09 $3 gas for using Brent’s car to take Melissa to Antique Thai
5/28/09 $3.69 groceries at Fresh & Easy
5/29/09 $14 lunch at Hudson Bay
5/29/09 $1 parking at Hudson Bay (Sharon drove)
5/30/09 $4 gummy lifesavers at Target
5/30/09 $7 Portugal Fest food tickets
5/30/09 $2 gas for scooter at Arco
5/30/09 $1.09 water at Fresh & Easy
5/31/09 $5 gas for Brent’s car
5/31/09 $40 party bus fee for Eliza’s Crohns and Colitus
5/31/09 $3 tips at Stone Brewery
5/31/09 $3.91 pizza at Little Caesar’s with Melissa ($6.91 – $3)
5/31/09 $20 gas money for Sahar since she helped me move my bed

Total Normal Spending: $421.25

Total Vegas Spending: $168.37
Total Gains in Vegas: $211 ($111 myself, $100 Dan gave me to spend)
Net Gain from Vegas: $42.63

Total Normal Spending less trip gain = $368.62

Verdict: Decisive Victory

I think that this was a pretty good month. I got in under my goal of spending less than $400 but I lucked out because of my disciplined gambling at Vegas. I was actually up several hundred but my friend Joe Altbaum left and he had kept betting on his late-father’s number so since I was drunk instead of betting disciplined I started throwing all my money at the number and broke even one night instead of being up huge. Anyways, I need to be careful of my spending but I’m having tons of fun and I would say this was a pretty decent month because it includes moving costs as well.