I've realized that since summer started, I have been pretty bad about keeping track of my money. I was good for awhile, but with all the random outings, fun summer clothes, and trips here and there, I started slacking. Part of it was that I didn't want to come to terms with my summer-induced reckless spending habits and part of it was that I got lazy. Either way, I need to be more responsible. For those of you in a similar boat, I'm extending these suggestions.

• Use Excel to look at your budget. Categorize how you like to spend your money and allocate your funds appropriately.
• Plan ahead and make sure you consider costs that aren't always a part of your monthly budget (like trips or large purchases).
• Save a fair amount for emergencies and maybe a small splurge for yourself.
  
• Stick to it! Or try to stay close. This is much easier said than done.
• Take advantage of free online budgeting websites. I am personally a fan of expenseview.com and mint.com. Here are my thoughts on the two:
  

It's not an incredibly extensive list, but I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other tips to budget or save money.

You can be my prince. // my knight. // You can be my Superman. // Save me, here I am.

After watching "He's Just Not That Into You" and having heart-to-hearts with certain individuals, I've been thinking.

A lot of my friends are guys. Great guys. I love 'em to death. But sometimes they can be such jackasses. No, not to me (usually), because they know better, but to other girls. Girls who actually give a shit [I think]. A lot of times my boys will talk to me about their problems and even though they're my friends, often I can sympathize with the girls. I understand how they hurt. And it seems like these fools never take that into account.

I swear they're good guys. And that’s part of the reason why this pisses me off so much. How many times have they all told me over and over again: "Ger, you just need to find a good guy.. blah blah blah" or some variation of that? What bothers me is that they are so damn hypocritical about it. They sit there and preach to me about finding a “good guy” who won’t treat me like shit. And trust, I want and deserve one and should theoretically find one. But then they say these things then turn around and do the same crap they claim is "unforgivable" when done to me.

Let’s face it, we girls are screwed. Not only are these "nice guys" hard to find (and I’m never really attracted to them), but good guys can and will treat girls like shit too. "Nice" is not 24/7/365. And people/circumstances/things change. It’s how life goes.

I know I've said it before and I'm not afraid to acknowledge that it works both ways. To be honest, if I were a guy, I’d probably be considered shady too. So I don’t know how much I can talk. Neither party is innocent. Girls do their fair share of messed up things to guys. I've heard some incredible horror stories. Eesh. I try to avoid being  like that, but relationships are not easy. And frankly, I'm not always nice.

I just try to keep in mind that everyone is looking for that person. The one. If I'm not it for someone, that’s fine. I’ll live. It might hurt at the time, but it won't change how they see me. Conversely, if someone thinks I'm it and I feel otherwise, that's not a feeling I can change instantly.. no matter how much I don't want to hurt them. I know we might be kind of young to think about it, but it’s in the back of our heads, whether we want someone to be that one or just scared because we don’t want to find that one just yet. It’s hard to explain and I’m probably not doing it well. But basically, it’s ok if a guy doesn’t want me, I know another one will. I’m not trying to sound cocky, it’s just true. And the same goes for everyone, someone else will come along. Things happen for a reason and life goes on. Lesson learned. Move on (or try). Sometimes we’re so blinded by our emotions that we forget this.

What bothers me is how some people go about things. Just know and really think about how your actions are hurting someone you supposedly care(d) about. How it makes us feel not good enough or like less of a person. Or makes us feel like our time, effort, and emotions were for nothing. Wasted. Pointless. I know stuff happens, but please be considerate. Lord knows I’m no expert. Who is? But think of how you'd feel if the tables were turned.

My friends aren’t there to be experts. They’re there to be there. To be friends. I know this. And they are just trying to smack some sense into me. But “The heart has reasons that reason cannot know.” Sometimes it’s just really hard to stop feeling a certain way, even when you know it’s bad for you.

Now that I've written the longest post of life, it's clear I have too many thoughts in my head and too much time on my hands. Who knows? I probably shouldn't be talking. I'm selfish and a hypocrite. Things are easier said than done. And you'll find yourself on both sides of this dilemma. But I truly believe that it will all turn out just fine if you just let things fall into place. :)


As we all know, the heart is the center of the body but it beats on the left; maybe that's the reason why the heart is not always right.

baby, i need you in my life!
where do i go?
what do i do?
i can't live without your love.
thinking of you makes me feel like i'm the only one for you.