I am pleased to say that I have finally had a successful New Years! For the longest time, I thought that I was cursed to suffer year after year alone in my bed while the world was taking part in the biggest party night ever. I’ve never even had a kiss at midnight. In high school, I was distraught because one of my friends got to spend New Years with my crush. Once I got to college, I learned to loath New Years. Friends were out of town. I broke my ankle and watched Saturday Night Live from the comfort of my hospital bed while heavily sedated by morphine. I had no plans, so I was pissed and went to bed at 10:30. My friends bailed on me, and an ex-fiancĂ© propositioned me to have sex in his dad’s minivan in a parking lot the following day. No matter what year, I never seem to kick off the new one on the right foot…
This year, I was determined to do it differently. My boyfriend Eric and I didn’t really make any plans, so I kind of fell on my old staple: The Wine Room over on Park Avenue. The Wine Room is one of those amazing places in Winter Park where all of the up-and-coming 20-somethings rub elbows with established Gen X’ers and really hip Baby Boomers who are still 21 at heart. They play lots of music you’d hear in the club, always have a game or a UFC fight on an oversized plasma above the bar in the back, and about 100 different wines, champagnes, and beers for tasting- many samples starting at $1.25. They have an eclectic cheese selection, and have recently added a small-but-diverse food menu where prices range from about $6 to $14. The Wine Room is not your typical bar scene- everyone is pretty stylish, though there is no dress code. You might see some MILF once and a while dancing to the music with a pretty good wine buzz, but you’ll never see anyone obnoxiously drunk and puking. The service is amazing, and there isn’t much turnover so you really get to know some of the staff. Kevin is by far the most attentive and knowledgeable wine lovers I’ve ever met- Meet him! This is really one place where you can come with $5 and have a wonderful time with friends, or a romantic night with your sweetie.
Eric and I did find some parking right on the street on Park. The Wine Room wasn’t arm-to-arm crowded with people- which was a relief considering that was my deciding factor in not going to Downtown. There weren’t really any specials going on except for a few glasses of wine or champagne, but they didn’t charge a cover. As always, the place didn’t disappoint. I had ordered the Black and Blue wrap since they were out of smoked salmon needed for the appetizer I really wanted. The $11 wrap looked like a meal for two, and the server just chuckled as she apologized for making it too large (a friendly group of party-goers sharing the table top with us ordered the same thing after I raved about it, and theirs was the same size as well). Once I went to clear my tab I had seen that I wasn’t charged for the ginormous wrap. I called the server’s attention to point it out, but she said not to worry about it.
My total for the night? Most people probably spent about $30 just to get in a club, at least $10 for drinks if you were tipping your bar staff should the drinks be complimentary, and paying for parking. I paid under $20 for two glasses of champagne, a huge wrap that Eric and I had to share, plus the large tip I left the waitress who let the food slide.
A few minutes to midnight the plasma was changed to something being hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and the bar staff started passing out free glasses of champagne to anyone they could get to. It was great to finally be amongst all the people, anxiously awaiting the 10-second countdown, the excitement so think and infectious that you find yourself gripping that champagne flute with a smile so big it looks like a Chelsea grin. We all shouted in unison and clicked glasses. And yes, I finally got my kiss at midnight.
Eric asked me in his cynical fashion, “What’s all the commotion about with New Years anyways?” I just shrugged, but I guess it really is like what that drunk chick says in Forrest Gump: You get to start all over, everyone gets a second chance. Maybe this means that 2009 will be the year that it all gets turned around.
Resolutions
The Holidays have been pretty great. Since I don’t get breaks from work the way I did when I was in school, I’ve come to think of the days that the office has been closed as Winter Break for working people. Today is New Years, so the world has stopped functioning so that it can recover from one-too-many glasses of champagne. And what’s the best thing to watch when you’re home from work?
The Price is Right!
Eric had made some pancakes and put on a pot of coffee, and I enjoyed the morning of getting to sleep in a bit and read a book before climbing out of bed. The PIR was on, so its mandatory that it gets watched- though I’m really not a fan of Drew Carey taking over Bob’s place. I secretly think that everyone feels the same way I do. Although I will say that some people might find Drew a little more useful. For instance, one of the contestants won her way up to the stage, barefoot no less, and used Drew’s shoulders as a pogo stick while she bounced around. That would never happen with Bob! He might punch you out, Happy Gilmore style. Say it with me now: “The price is wrong, bitch!”
Along with the obvious change in tone that Carey brings to the table, the announcer’s speeches have changed as well. When he was describing the trip to Paris as part of the showcase showdown, he said this little gem: “Do you like French Toast? Do you like French Fries? Do you like kissing people with your tongue?”
Ugh. Something that NEVER would have been said with Bob.
Anywho, I found this great article yesterday:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/12/30/o.can.you.afford.that/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
As much as I loathe those self-help kind of people, especially the Dr. Phil types that are just telling people like it is (which any good, honest friend will do) and getting paid millions of dollars for it, I am starting to like this Suze Orman gal. I really liked how there was a situation that I could relate to: Hannah’s story. Myself being a post-grad and having tons of school-related debt, there have been many things that I’ve had to cut back on. I know the feeling of having friends who had lucked out either through their college scholarships, generous parents, or landing a well-paying job even in this economy that has helped them with their finances. Sometimes it sucks having to say, “Sorry, I can’t” when they’re inviting you to the mall, out to dinner, or even to travel.
There are some friends that offer to rent the movies if you make the dinner. Even some that envy your budget-savvy ways, and aren’t embarrassed when you pull out your hoards of coupons to make a purchase. They want to go thrift storing with you to see if they, too, can find a vintage Lacoste sweater, and don’t mind moving dinner plans up a few hours to take advantage of Cheesecake Factory’s amazingly cheap bar menu. Those are the friends that are the best.
There are those friends who tell you, “Oh, I forgot how broke you are. Nevermind then.” There are some people who will flash their new designer duds around, forgetting the fact that you’d love to buy that Spring ’09 Gucci- but the rent, the electricity, the cell bill, and the student loans are all due that week and its going to eat your paycheck alive. And those are the friends that I’ve gladly cut my ties with.
That’s only one thing that I’ve done to set myself up for a successful year. Aside from surrounding myself with good people, I’ve made the resolution to have my credit card debt paid off in 12 months. I’ve started this 2 months ago, and so far I’ve paid the amount necessary every time.
And like everyone else, I’ve vowed to cut back on a few things in 2009:
1. Two weeks ago, I severed ties with what had been a part of my identity: my acrylic nails. I’d had them about four years, and I acquired a second mother- my beloved nail tech Carol Ann. Now Carol Ann and I chat via MySpace, and I keep an extra $30 a month in my checking account by doing my own mani/pedis.
2. I cancelled by gym membership last month. I’ll start taking advantage of my apartment’s facilities. That’s more gas in my tank as well as another $70 a month.
3. With the gas prices as low as they have been, I can now cut my gas budget from $25 a week to $15- an additional $40 that gets to stay in my pocket.
Um, can we say an extra $140? That’s roughly what I need every month to get my credit card balance down to $0 in 12 months.
Aside from that, I also do some other little things to help out day-to-day. For instance, I make my own coffee and bring it in my Starbucks travel mug. I also pack my lunch- usually leftovers from the dinner yesterday- but I do keep an arsenal of take-out menus for budget-friendly places in my desk at work should I want to treat myself every now and again. I also make sure to eat healthier foods and try to take care of my body. Getting sick before I gain health insurance and paid sick time from my employer is not an option.
Here is another article that I found in the Wall Street Journal that also gives solutions to some problems, although some of the problems were kinda funky. Example: You aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. But there are some great ideas in here, like cutting the cost of your health insurance, planning for college and retirement, and even a bougie-friendly solution of how to save your amazing Jimmy Choos. Do check this one out as well:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123068308029744121.html?mod=igoogle_wsj_gadgv1&
These are just a few things that I think anyone can do. Now stop reading this, evaluate your budget, and see what kinds of things you can do to cut back. Feel free to post some comments on here of what you’re planning on doing this year to save some money!
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