I really think that if I could get my budget under control, I could do the same with my diet, and vice versa. Right now I can't control either one. I record every bit of food I eat and every penny I spend, but I still go over on both. I don't know how to get there. All I want for Christmas is WILLPOWER.

I ate lunch from home today. Maybe that cancels out the fact that I purchased Christmas stockings for my parents last night and now will have to go out and buy things to put IN the stockings. ok, so maybe it won't. At least the stockings were 50% off, and candy will be on sale too. I always feel bad because the grown kids still have stockings (even the cats have stockings!) but mom and dad don't.

Tomorrow I will finish up my shopping. I was planning on doing it tonight, but with the ice storm and all, I think I'll stay in, do some laundry, and finish up my holiday baking.

I made a second batch of snickers fudge today to give out as holiday gifts. it is decadent and time consuming, but worth it.

I brought lunch to work every day last week. today I splurged a bit and got an egg nog shake at mcdonalds, some gorgeous blue gift bows, and the latest john grisham novel, but little things make me happy. unfortunately they also add up.

I am still going to make my goals...but January is going to suck. there will be no "fun money" next month!

...I left my homestay of six months and stepped onto the first of several flights that would bring me back home. Relieved to be heading back to familiar people and things, but a little wistful at the same time, I cried in the cab and mixed my languages. I was not looking forward to below zero temps at home, but I at least I was tan in December.

unfortunately, I am still paying off that experience, but I learned a lot from it. hopefully I will finally pay it off in February.

frugal things I've done lately:
- brought lunch from home yesterday and today.
- prepared a healthy dinner from scratch last night. (except for those stupid oreos...thankfully they are almost gone)
- didn't spend anything when I went shopping with a friend the other night. I didn't even feel all that tempted to spend.

a trip to walmart or target is in my near future. I will make a list and stick to it.