Christmas is done!

I got plenty of presents, but i also spent way too much money. I actually don't know how to remedy this. I couldn't buy cheaper presents, because cheap does not equal quality. I just need to focus on saving profusely. my new goal for the year is to save one thousand dollars. I will try to give you an update as the year goes on.

Step Stones

I went to the casino a couple of days ago to play bingo with some friends. I only played keno and one other slot which I won one. But that's not all... Wait for it... I didn't play blackjack!

I can't hardly believe it either.

<3Meaere

Windfall or Break Even?

As you guys know I struggled with going to the casino when I first turned 21. Thank goodness I calmed down a little and now only go about once a month. At one point, I felt like I lost so much money that I couldn't keep track of it anymore. Here's my delimma though: since I didn't keep track to the dollar, I actually think I came out ahead when I won the money. Of course now I am going to save the bulk of it. Gambling is a sunk cost. You will never get it back again when you consistently lose. If I hadn't gone to the casino, I probably would have saved that money instead.

"Que sera, sera"

<3M

Bingo!

I've really been refraining from going to the casino lately. It's been more than a month. I went with a couple of friends of mine tonight and  won at bingo! I am very excited and played a little slots, played a little blackjack, and gave my friends a little treat. It's always a good idea to show your friends some appreciation. I have met my Christmas Fund goal, of course.As for the rest, I will buy some necessities then save it.
(In my Bank of America bank account, which I really need to find a new bank because of their unjustified checking account fees starting in January.)

<3 and $$$, Meaere

I've been neglacting you...

I haven't written in two whole months! I also haven't been to the casino but two times tops. I have been really avoiding it because I don't have my awesome blackjack playing skrills yet. (see wishlist!) That said, I have been saving money to buy x-mas gifts for my family and friends this year and I am 88% done. That is pretty good with three months left to go. Eventually I will get back to the casino, but until then I will be saving, saving, saving!

<3Meaere

Starting a Week Off

Well, I went back to the casino tonight and lost $200 dollars and $80 off my paycheck. Since I deposited $200 last night, I now have no money to play with until next paycheck. I won a bit on slots but nothing much to write about. I'm sitting here watching my friend play Keno. Maybe a week off will teach me something...

Loss

I have really been dreading this post. So I'm going to get right to it. Four nights ago, I lost 300 dollars. Yes, you read that right, I lost all the money that I had won and more. I was very ill about it, but I just couldn't wait to get back to the casino to win it back. That's when I realized I definitely had a problem.

I re-evaluated my problem but didn't listen to the inner voice telling me to stop. Two nights later, two nights ago today, I went back to the casino with a plan. I took $100 with me. If I were to go down to $50 then I'd stop playing. At one point I was up by an extra $100, but I was losing and I got up from the table with $50. I deciding to celebrate my win by putting $10 in the slots.

Let's step back a bit and let me start by saying that from the day of my payday last week, I have taken out $180. I had lost $80 on the day of my Big Loss. Now we go back to this day, my running sub-total is $40 lost from my paycheck.

Well, I went back to the casino last night taking my same $100 and planning to win my other $40 back and to just come out even. But guess what? I won $160 tonight! Well, actually $175, but since I was with friends, I put $15 into the slots to be sociable.

As of now my all-time running total is now: -$260.
My paycheck total is: $120.

Side note: To be honest my all-time running total is what I consider a sunk cost because that is mostly money spent on bingo and slots before I discovered Blackjack.

You better believe that I took $200 of my $300 cash and deposited it into my bank account and out of my hands. I now know some strategy of when to stop playign and either cut my losses (from $100 to $50, per se) or hinder my winnings from slipping away from me (when I lose three hands in a row).

I do plan on going tomorrow night, so I will sign of as...
The girl who doesnt learn her lesson,
Meaere

Casino by Myself

Tonight I went to the casino all by myself, against my parents' wishes. As my dad put it, if you go with friends, it is a social event, but if you go by yourself, it's an addiction. Needless to say, it was so nerve-wracking!

Lady Luck was on my side tonight! After a disappointing loss and a trip to the ATM, I ended up on top. Remember my -$370 all time record? Well now it is lowered to -$167.50. That's right, I won $202 tonight. Very exciting, but I think I am avoiding the casino for a while so I won't push my luck.

To wind down from my win, I am watching Paris Hilton's new show, The World According to Paris, and I'm finishing the last book of the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay.

<$$3Meaere

Blackjack

Tonight I went to the casino and played Blackjack in person for the first time. I have practiced on iPhone apps before, but to feel chips in my hand was definitely an experience. At some point in the night I was over $150 but I busted out and only walked away with what I came in. Luckily it was my first time at that casino so I had some free money to play with and ended up winning $20 on the slots.

Overall, it was a very fun night and I can't wait to go again... I have a day off tomorrow, so I may go back to the lion's den.

Here is a rundown of my standing with the gambling circuit:

First time: 
-$44 bingo
-$40 slots

July 7:
-$54 bingo
-$247 slots
-$5 ATM fee

July 21:
+$20 on slots

That's right, if I've dine my math right I am -$370. Please wish me luck that I come out in the positive, or at least less negative.

Ace of <3Meaere

Car Shopping

I drive a gas-guzzler! Like 17 miles per gallon. Bummer. I currently have a stupid car loan on the thing from an idiotic decision. (One upside is that this is my only debt.)

My father wants me to trade it in for a more fuel-efficient car but that would mean a whole new car loan. What?
Longer debt, but better gas mileage? It's just not a fair decision.

As of right now I have only 18 months left on my car loan, but if I get a better car, my gas expense would be lowered at least a third.

Any suggestions?

Budget

I work in retail part time while I am going to college full time. I get paid biweekly and my hours fluctuate, so for the sake of simplicity I will start off my budget with 900 dollars a month, or 450 every paycheck. To be honest, most of the time it is more, but I will just shovel that into my savings.

Net pay:        900

Car Payment:   -300

Car Insurance: -160

Gas:           -100

Money Left:     340

O if only things were that simple! 


Where does all my money go?

Harry Potter

In about 24 hours, I will be waiting to see the last installment of the Harry Potter franchise at the drive-in. Just like many people out there, it will feel like the end of my childhood! I am really excited nonetheless, and I will tell you how the movie is.

On another note, I am watching one of my guilty pleasures, The Real L Word. Love it!

Credit Score

Just checked my credit score, and I don't even have one due to a "thin file".

Really hoping I won't have to get a credit card soon. I understand the credit cards are the DEVIL, but it is a bummer that I don't have credit yet at my age.