Cheapskating.

Today will be a day when I spend no money.  I honestly can't think of the last time that happened.  There always seems to be something to spend money on, even something like a donut or chocolate bar, especially on a Saturday.  If only I could  do this more often.

How Cheap Can You Go?

It's something I'm thinking about at the moment.  How little can I spend on my "entertainment" budget?  I want to spend the absolute minimum possible.  It will give me an excuse not to do some things that are bad for me, and save me some money.  It's also a good exercise in acting intentionally, instead of following the same old patterns.  I'm thinking as low as three buck a week.  I've long been thinking about five, but three would be even more of a challenge. 

It's Nice...

...getting paid, isn't it?  Good thing I have some money in my pocket, because my bank is likely closed tomorrow.

Payment Due.

Dontcha hate it when some money you've been waiting for doesn't appear when you expect it?

Go Look Under Your Bed.

You never know what you might find.  Looking under mine this morning I found 2 bucks.  It's funny that I didn't notice I'd lost it in the first place.

Cash Is King.

Yesterday I got one of those phone calls you don't want.  My bank notified me that my debit card was being locked because of a potential data skimming, and that I'd have to visit my local branch to get it unlocked and to change my PIN number.  Since I didn't find out until after local branch hours had ended I was stuck with a grand total of 13 bucks to my name that happened to be in my pocket.  In reality I wasn't really broke since I do have a credit card with another bank, but I only use that card for certain things. 

This is the kind of thing that makes appreciate cash.  When you spend actual, physical money your entire savings aren't at risk, just whatever cash you hand over.  You're also more likely to think about what you're spending, instead of simply pressing a button and worrying about it later, like at the end of the month when your bank statement comes, and you suddenly realise that you've spend a lot more money than you thought.  It's probably a good idea to leave the card in your pocket except for more pricey things, which you're likely to buy at places much less likely to be the site of a skimming attempt, and pay for the small stuff with paper money.

In For A Penny.

There has been talk in Canada in recent years, as with other countries, of getting rid of our smallest currency denomination.  In Canada it's the penny.  A fellow I saw today might not be too happy with that if it does happen.  I went into a local Co Op gas station to cash in a lottery ticket.  The guy ahead of me was paying for $5.60 in gas with a bunch of dimes and pennies.  I arrived after it was all spread out on the counter, so I have no idea what the story behind this was.  I was surprised, as I would have thought the clerk would have told him they can't do transactions for that amount with small coins like that.  I'm sure whoever does the tally on the cash drawer tonight will be having some fun, unless of course they've been making sure to give out lots of dimes in change today.

Zero For Zero.

I actually managed to go through Saturday and Sunday without spending a cent. I wonder when the last time that happened was. Probably not since I was a kid. It's just too easy to find things to spend money on given the chance, but since I didn't leave the house over the weekend, having no reason to, I wasn't tempted.

I'm In The Money.

I've finally managed to do it. I've actually won some money at online poker. I took part in PokerStars Team Canada freeroll and came in 411th. As a result I won five bucks, the first time I've won actual money online. Of course I'm just going to turn around and spend it on a bit of flea level play and a really cheap tournament, but it's still cool to actually win something other than play money chips. Ironically I actually sat out the first twenty minutes as I was still eating when the tournament started.