Which do You Want First...?

...the good news or the bad news?

Okay the good news.  Last month I made my last payment on my student loans.  I AM OUT OF DEBT!  I have no more credit card, student loan, personal, car, or any kind of debt.  From here on out it is just the government and I.  Who knows maybe there will eventually be a way around that even.

The bad news.  My spending has been a little out of control this month.  My girlfriend and I went to Bali for the Xmas/New Years holiday.  That was all budgeted and we did not use any credit cards to pay for the trip.  We are usually pretty good about trying to drink a few beers or mixed drinks in our hotel room with things we purchased from the store before going out, or finding cheap tour guides, etc.

My problem is the mentality that sets in when you are on vacation.  Unfortunately there isn't a fridge near by not a kitchen to whip up a snack, or a meal.  When you out and about "touring" you want to sample many different kinds of food which means visits to several restaurants.  Plus you  might find yourself getting comfort foods from western style restaurants as we don't have those in Japan.

Once you leave your vacation spot however these habits don't just get checked at immigration (as much as I would like to).  They follow you back home and now I have to beat them into submission like Ed Norton in "Fight Club" wanting to "...destroy something beautiful."

My eating at restaurants, and getting snacks at convenience store spending has reached unacceptable heights.  I hope once my job starts back up on Tuesday this will force me back into my rhythm.  Even if that is the case however, the damage has been done.

I'll be posting my budget for my first paycheck outta debt hopefully this Friday.  I've just finished "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and will be trying to apply some of its teachings.