Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

November 20, 2008

The year has been flying by. I truly can’t believe we’re almost into December, which means it’s almost time for our trip to the U.S. which in turn means we then have just ONE YEAR until we leave for our trip around the world.

This is something we have been planning and saving for, for so long now that I cannot even fathom we’re actually going to do it. Because of the amount of time that’s gone into preparations it’s always seemed like something of a pipe dream even though I know we’re slowly but surely working on making it a reality.

All of a sudden both S. and I were both hit with a jolt of reality when we realized just how soon we’ll be departing (a year may not seem soon to some of you, but we’ve already been working towards this goal financially for two years now so in my mind, just one more year is definitely soon). Because of this, we’ve really decided to buckle down on saving. Now that my tax situation is resolved, I’m trying to work harder, write more stories, say yes to all the photography jobs that come my way and just make more money in general. And we’re cutting back in every way possible.

My monthly spending limit for extras is now 50,000 pesos. “This is rough,” I think, as I sit typing away from Starbucks, even though I know that fifty thousand for entertainment is more than enough. I’m not exactly a thrifty person. And to be honest, this year, which was the first year of both S. and I’s lives in which we were making enough to be able to freely spend and buy things we wanted. We went overboard. The spend spend spend is out of my system now, but I’m not going to lie…not struggling financially for the first time ever, was so nice. We were able to afford a great lifestyle and still save up about $25,000 dollars. However, we want to buckle down in the upcoming year. So, going out to eat is being cut back and like I said, I now have a self-imposed allowance.

It’s been hard to get used to. Old habits die hard. But, the upside of it all is that I’ve lost 2.5 kilos now that I no longer eat lunch out every single day of the week. The downside is that never leaving my house is boring. Which is why I ponied up $2,500 (pesos) of my spending money to get a frappucino and come sit at Starbucks in the air conditioning. It’s worth it to me. I’m often a lot more productive when I change up the environment where I’m writing. Anyways, the plan is to save $35,000 dollars more in the next year. It amazes me that by cutting back we’ll be able to sock away and additional $10,000 bucks! I mean, I don’t love not being able to order sushi delivered to my house at my every whim, but when we’re able to travel for another couple of months because of our extra savings, I know it will all be worth it.

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12 Comments

Great job, Mamacita! We’re working on a goal of paying off all outstanding debt. I’m halfway to being debt free (other than a mortgage, which is another type of debt all together). And then I’ll go back to school, but hopefully this time around work will pay for it and it’ll only be a temporary setback.

Comment by Ordinary Girl — November 20, 2008 @ 3:20 pm

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Wow, congrats! I’m in awe and totally jealous.

I told the people who issue passports I was going on a trip around the world (so they made sure to give me LOTS of extra pages) but I dunno how soon that’ll actually happen

Comment by lydia — November 20, 2008 @ 3:31 pm

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I know exactly what you mean… this past August Hubby and I realized that we seriously had to cut back if we didn’t want to end the year in RED numbers (yikes!!), so it’s been almost three months that we’ve seriously held back and I’ve come to realize that’s ok. Before, a weekend without shopping (even if just for a little something) or going out to eat sounded simply boring. Now, I’m actually happy that we’re not accumulating more STUFF that our tiny apartment can hold… and that our outings to restaurants, though more sporadic, have become more selective (and therefore we appreciate them more).

And the best part is that because of this, we’ll be able to afford going to Arg/Chile next year!!!!

Keep up the good work!! We’re expecting you guys here next year!!

Fned.

Comment by Fned — November 20, 2008 @ 4:20 pm

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WOW! only 1 year… that’s nothing at all. You must stop here on your way through the states! How can I convince you? 50,000 per month in spending money was my budget, too, while I lived in Chile. That was all the extras, clothing, drinks, lunch, etc. I got by just fine, you can do it! Right now that sounds heavenly, I’ve been on a $0 per month spending budget, haha, but luckily that’s getting better.

Comment by Amanda — November 20, 2008 @ 5:32 pm

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wow, that is so exciting! a year is not much at all. trip planning and preparation is so exciting… almost as exciting as the trip itself! especially when you work your tail off to get there.

we are trying to save some money too but not to go around the world . luckily it’s not that hard to avoid spending on frivolous stuff since i don’t like to go outside due to pollution and ridiculously powerful UV rays. and there is no starbucks… just a weird place called “sweet and coffee.” gotta say I miss those frappucinos

Comment by kumichan83 — November 20, 2008 @ 6:46 pm

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Kudos to you. You will have saved more than Seba and I made. You rick and the money will definitely be more appreciated on the travel end.

Comment by Clare — November 20, 2008 @ 9:20 pm

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dont rush away today before it’s over!!
there’s still some of 08 left!!

Comment by Nomadic Matt — November 21, 2008 @ 6:01 am

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That’s why I go to Starbucks too. The air-conditioning rocks. I’ve also gone to art museums in Europe for that reason.

Yes, I knew you were from the midwest… I just got my m’s mixed up.

Where is your first stop on your trip going to be?

Comment by Sara — November 21, 2008 @ 11:10 am

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You already know I think you’re a financial rock star.

As far as the trip goes, a year still seems like a long time, but it is crazy to think that it’s almost the same year that you’ll leave. And I know time will just fly by until then…boo!

Comment by Emily — November 21, 2008 @ 12:26 pm

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Remember, right after you go on your trip around the world, you and Seba need to start saving for the 80th birthday party you promised me. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. You told me 100 is the new 80!! Well, I guess by that time it’ll be a pretty big bash.

Comment by Ritamae — November 21, 2008 @ 6:56 pm

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Yay you get to visit the US! Which states are you going to? Your trip around the world sounds amazing (not that I know the details, just that I think it sounds cool). Isn’t it funny how when you are a little, like six years old, a year seems like such a long time and now, a year flies by and you are already into the next one?

Comment by Lindsey — November 21, 2008 @ 8:55 pm

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Hi five!

Comment by Dee Snyder — November 22, 2008 @ 11:58 pm

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