Money Woes

In this time of economic struggle, I basically decided that I would never do something I really don't want to do for money. In that category I include both stripping and accounting. This philosophy, of course, is conducive to a life of poverty, which I like to think of as bohemian chic. Despite the romantic head scarves and worn-out sandals, the anxiety is sinking in. This is New York City: I walk out into the street, breathe in the car fumes, and sneeze out 20 bucks.

I am caught in traps- everyday I spend money on coffee or tea. Usually it is less but it can be 2 dollars a day thats 14 dollars a week that could be 62 dollars a week! A travel mug and homemade coffee would solve that. I have a whole container of coffee in my cupboard. Milk goes pretty far and I can always steal from Starbucks since I hate that company (for less ideological reasons than you can imagine). But I lost my travel mug. Do I buy a new one? They cost 15-20 bucks. Do I want to spend that? Am I procrastinating because making coffee takes time? OR do I just really love buying coffee? Am I trying to convince myself that I deserve the happiness in that moment when I get to decide whether to get French Vanilla or Hazelnut flavoring at Dunkin' Donuts? What a circus the parsimonious mind can be.

So, I am going to concentrate on things worth spending money on:

1. Exercise: I know running in the park is free, and my dance classes at Ailey are not cheap, but by god do they make me happy and reduce stress. The good part: a happier, healthier me is more productive. Bad part: I get hungrier and consume more food.

2. Macaroni and cheese from Pinch and S'mac. It is so damn good, I almost went back and paid more for it after I finished. This stands for more though; a category I like to call Food Difficult to Replicate at Home. Anyone who going out to a dinner and gets pasta or a salad is only cheating himself or herself. I can't recreate that S'mac and cheese. I can't replicate Grimadi's pizza or Ethiopian cuisine. So splurge on that and come over to my house for tacos or stir-fry.

3. "Extreme" beer. After a recent near death experience that included all-you-can-drink cheap sake and cheaper beer, I cannot advocate this more. Bohemian chic to me includes beers imported from Bohemia, or at east look like they are. Barley wines and good strong ale, make me happier, drunk faster, and I wake up feeling JUST DANDY!

4. Unlimited Metro Cards. Every time I put twenty dollars into the machine and then watch my money dwindle each time I take a ride, I have a near panic attack. I travel around the city all the time so I definitely get my money's worth. AND seeing just "Go" on the little screen instead of my shrinking balance fills me with serenity. Just go. It feels almost free, depending on how much I can alter my universe into a complete state of denial.