I've been having a hard time copping with my new lifestyle which also affect my travel fund because I didn't plan on any emergency money or anything. It results in me spending my money in there and I completly lost track of it again... Another thing which bother me is that I don't have any warm enough sweaters in my closet and it's getting colder and colder where I live which mean that I have to go shopping again. The good thing is the January big winter clothing sales.

I was embarrased to write everything down for the year 2007. However, I've been doing pretty good in 2006. I came to realized today that I must face this before it's too late. I know I need a budget... But how can I make one that I will stay committed to? I guess I need to figure it out myself. All I know is that I need to priorize some things before the others.

Maybe I need to put the money that I have left in my travel fund in a mutual fund. I'll talk with my financial advisor tomorrow about it. I'm feeling the need to start all over again. I need to feel poor again. XD

Here is what I jot down that I might put in my budget #2.

Budget #2

Things that I need:

- School bus pass: 42$
- Phone bill: 37$
- Go out and stuff: 30$
- Beauty: 20$

Things that I want:

- Jewelries : Need a new one at least once a month but can do without (~10$)
-Yoga class : Take one at local place 2nd semester
-Dance class : Take it with friend at the 2nd semester
Language class: Take it at the 3rd Semester

I don't have anything to talk about these days... All I do is work and hang out with friends (usually at my house).

Dad wants to pay me once a month instead of twice per month because it costs him 0.87$ to deposit my paycheck. I don't mind at all because I don't need the money for the time being and most of it will go into my travel fund.

For the moment, I want to concentrate on how I'm going to make a reasonable budget and my plan B part 2.

Okay I guess I have many surprises this month... I need to repay my dad the cellphone bill from last month which is 37$, my new cellphone which cost me 104,99$ + tax (I lost my old one last Christmas and my plan is not over yet), I went shopping yesterday to buy two t-shirts for Morocco which was 10$ each and snowboots for 40$. I don't have any money put aside because... well I put it all in my challenge money.

I think I have to pull myself out of the 20$ challenge and make a budget or some sort. I also need to make appointement for vaccination in the travel center and... I have to buy a few conservative clothes for my stay in Morocco when summer comes. All my clothes are form-fitting and a lil revealing in their point of view from what I read in the book and internet.

Anyways, I don't feel like I'm failing in saving my money. I have new responsabilities and I'm not going to try to avoid it or ask my parents to pay it for me. Don't worry guys, I'm still going to blog here. You'll be hearing from me often from now on. =)

Today around 2-3 pm, I'll be finalizing my payment for my plane ticket. I took the one which was 105$ more which was to avoid changing plane twice and spending the night in Paris which will cost me in the end.

Wednesday,I paid 1000$ in cash to my travel agency, I have 305$ left to pay this afternoon and I will get my ticket on Saturday. So far so good. I'm contacting my friend through email and I'm starting to read some things about the country.

Called in at my dad's friend agency this morning, I got a slightly cheaper price ticket(1210$) with the same itinerary. I figure... Well I already make a deposit at another travel agency which was a mistake! Need to visit the different travel agencies next time I want to buy a plane ticket.

My #2 mitake was that I didn't think about paying just a little more. I could have got a better itinerary and I don't need to stay overnight at the airport. It was only 50$ more!! Aaarg... I'm going to try to change my itinerary at the same travel agency that I made a deposit for. Hopefully next time, I will remember this mistake and the other one.

My final decision well... I'm going to buy the ticket at the travel agency that I made a deposit at. It is the second cheapest price that I encounter. Not bad at all!

I made a 50$ deposit to a travel agency for my ticket to Morocco. I have till next Saturday to pay in full. My ticket is 1275$ and I am paying with my own money!! =D

I look around the travel websites and most of the tickets are around 1300$ to 1500$. I'm looking at another travel agency tomorrow to see if they have a cheaper price.

I'll be going for three weeks from June 30th to July 22nd. It's a high season and I think the ticket is pretty cheap already. I heard that I have to book early because it will get quite expensive later on. I doubt I'll get the chance to find a better deal where as London,Paris and other major destination often have great deal at the last minute.

The reason why I want to go to Morocco in a high and hot season is because I want to see my friend whom I've known her since grade 6. Almost four years ago, I made a promise that I'll visit her one day. Now, it is time to make this promise comes true and it is this year. When I come back, I'll have around a week to rest because I'm going to Vancouver (1 week) and Alaska by cruise (1 week) with my parents before going back to school. I really can't wait and I bet this summer will still be a blast even though I won't visit Barcelona which I don't want my dad to pay for my Spanish lesson... It's way too expensive!

Anyways, I'm still working on my plan B. I'll get back to you guys later on my plane ticket and my plan B.

Plan B :

2nd semester (January through May 08)
1. Take 7 or 8 courses

2. Work if I have time, if not, I don’t work.

4. Try to not go out often

5. Don’t go shopping too often and follow my list.

= Concentrate on my studies and save my money


Summer 08:
1. Go to Morocco to visit my friend in July (3 weeks)

2. Go to Alaska with my parents in August (2 weeks)

3. Take back English class in June (4 weeks) + Try to take an extra course
so I’ll get less course next semester.

4. Work part-time at my dad’s place

5. Try to take dancing class.

= Save as much as I can and try to find time with friends.

3rd semester (September through December 08)
1. Find a part-time job at a clothing store.

2. Take 7 courses.

3. Take dancing class or language class like Japanese.

= Save as much as I can

Winter 08-09:
1. Try to get a full-time shift at my new work place.

2. Try doing winter sports on my spare time.

= Save as much as I can

(To be continued)

Finally!! I'm adding money in my challenge money.

Although I've used some of them to pay for my 2 days Toronto trip and some birthday gift.

My paycheck is 782$.

Old amount: 4404$ + 294$
New amount: 4598$

Aaaw, I just realized I spent most of my money this holiday. I guess I have to write all my expense like in 2006. I guess I have to find a way to restrain myself.

I just realized that I have to stop wanting to travel to many place this early. I want to see the whole world but I can't with the amount of money I save. I'm not saying I'm quitting traveling. Just saying that I need to have more specific goals and stop changing my mind too often about where I want to be. It is good to be ambitious but I am more than I could handle and my money can't follow my goals.

That mean I'm going to make a plan B soon which will be less ambitious than the first.

Anyways, let's look at my winter 08 goal in my plan A.

Winter 07-08:
1. Work at my dad's place and the sushi's stand.

Now: I'm currently at my dad's place and my dad doesn't want me to work at the sushi's stand. I'm working five days a week and I have Thursday and Friday off. My hours of work are from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.

2. Do the things that I want to do in my goal 2008. (Will put up a list soon, currently writting it)

Now:
1. I want to improve my English and French by reading more book and asking my English teacher to tutor me.

2. I also want to improve my Cantonese and Hokkien language by talking to my family more. Since I'm working at a Chinese grocery store, all I need to do is talk with the customers.

3. Learn to ski or snowboard. I don't think I will have the chance this winter because my dad's will mess up our plan next week. He will force my brother to work and I'm suppose to go with him.

4. Improve my writting skill. I'm asking my English teacher to help me on that.

5. Find time to exercise at least twice a week. It is important for my health.

6. Learn to cook. I started to buy the ingredients already. This time is real.

7. Save my money which I fail a little bit hehe... Well I will catch up!

3. Enjoy life with friends and try to reconnect with old friends.

Now: I'm making plans with some friends already.
4. Go to Toronto with friends instead of New York City for two days.

Now: Went to Toronto for two days and bought many things for family like food and DVDs.

5. Visit my financial advisor and my English teacher.

Now: I've contacted my English teacher yesterday and I will call him tomorrow to find a day where I can meet him so he can tutor me. I'm planning to call my financial advisor this week or next. I'm having difficulty reaching her these days.

6. Learn to live a simple life.

Now: I have a very simple life. Just that I work and stay home these days which is very simple but I don't feel satisfied.

7. Be happy overall.

Now: I am getting irritated because I haven't exercise for a while.


I'll post my Plan B later tonight, I promise!