It's A New Year

My new year starts on September 1. For the past 26 years of my life, September has been my turning point, I've entered 14 school years, started 6 new jobs, moved into 6 new houses/dorms/apartments, and saw the beginning of at least one major relationship, all in Septembers past. I always start this month with a feeling of anticipation and expectation for the year to come, but this year I am taking my New Year to heart, and making one sole and serious resolution: to finally and completely rid myself of my remaining credit card debt, and save up enough of a slush fund to ensure that my next move/career choice/major life decision is dictated by a personal decision or calling, not by money or finance-related pressures.

In order to keep myself on track (because I know there will be one friend out there reading this blog with a special and knowing eye), and in the process provide what will hopefully be a somewhat enlightening, amusing, and honest account of an admittedly strange and anal-retentive project, I will record every single cent that I spend. And report it all on this blog.

More details to come on exactly how much credit card debt I used to be in, how much I have left to go, my target slush fund balance and due-by date, and how I plan on getting there.

But for now, my daily report:

On September 1, I spent the following:

$20 - cab from Harvard Square, Cambridge to Holli and Joe's apartment in the South End of Boston (justified with the classic "I'm on vacation" excuse)
$7.65 - pack of Camel Lights (holy crap that's expensive! I think if I still lived in Boston I would still be an ex-smoker)
$43.22 - dinner at Dish with Lauren (delicious!)

Total: $70.87 (not great)