$150 Challenge: The Final Day

Finally, the last day of our challenge. It's been a good month doing it together with the Hubby.

Here is a breakdown of what we spent for the whole month.

Gasoline: $61.39 (40.93%) One really can't survive in L.A. without a car.Food: $42.09 (28.06%) Thanks to the free employee meals, we saved a lot.
Cosmetics: $24.57 (16.38%)  I was so glad even with these purchases, we still made it!
Others: $11.00 (7.33%) which include:
         Medicine: $5.00 (3.33%)
         Entertainment and fun: $3.25 (2.17%)
         Laundry: $2.75 (1.83%)
Money remaining: $10.95 (7.3%)

The challenge has been fun with the Hubby doing it with me. He has been coorperative.

We will bring forward the remaining money into our eating out fund, which will start in November. From now on, we will limit $100 per month for eating out from January to August and October, September another $150 Challenge month,  $300 for November and December for $200. We need to do this because sometimes we ended up spending more than $500 per month for eating out only, which is definitely very unhealthy practise.

And thank you to all of you who have been patiently supporting us this month. ^_^ I hope you had fun together "with us".

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 30

We are almost there. 1 more day, and we can conquer our challenge this month.

Worked 10.5 hrs today. But I am not feeling tired, except for my legs. The sales at dinner was double lunch time.

A lot of people dressed in a fancy way, since there was a Halloween party 5 shops away. We had a greedy group of customers (three of them) who spent $50 on food, yet only tipped $3, and took two-hand full of trick or treat candy each person (which only meant for the little kids). So shameless!

Seriously, these people need to work in a restaurant to know how the business operates. Ok, better turn off my waiter's rant mode again. I need to finish this and enjoy my mask and shower time.

Remaining fund: $10.95.
No money spent!

So proud of ourselves. Halloween party tomorrow!! Just 5 min away from our house.

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 29

Lalala~~~ two more days and we can accomplish our mission.

But we spent a lot on food today. It is better this way, since the Hubby has a strong tendency to eat snack. With bread, peanut butter and Cheetos at home, no excuse for him to buy some small portion overpriced snacks!

We bought 5 items.
The Hubby's mini M&M and mini Snickers $0.40
Sara Lee 100% Whole wheat bread $2.29 (Saved $1.70)
Skippy Extra Chunky Peanut Butter $2.50 (Saved $1.19)
Cheetos Limited Edition Mighty Zingers $0.99 (Saved $2.00)
Barilla Spaghetti Rigati $1.00 (Saved 1.19).
Total spent: $7.18 (Saved $6.08)

With that, we only have $10.95 remain. I forbid the Hubby and me to spend anymore money for tomorrow and Sunday. He wants to buy coffee tomorrow, I suggested he just go to World's Market and Sprout for his free coffee, like he did today. :P Better, make his own at home. An excuse for him to use his expresso machine.



Lunch picture: Handmade noodle. :P It was ok. The gluten network was not good. But edible. The soup and the other ingredients were yummy though.




Dinner. Love this one. My first time trying a Spaghetti Rigati, I actually prefer this over normal round spaghetti. Sugar cured country ham was browned with olive oil. Frozen zucchini and tomato were shimmered to soft. The fluid from these vege was added with Marsala wine, flour, powdered white pepper and garlic chips. Our patio basil leaves for garnishing.

It was awesome. The salty and sweet ham added such a good flavor to the whole plate.

Weekends with a lot of Halloween fun is coming. ^_^

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 28

The Hubby spent money again today on foods. Hmmm... I should have bought another loaf of bread, that would have saved us more money.

He spent $1 on burrito and 40 cents on a pack of cheese cracker.

Ok, I'll just go to get some bread and peanut butter tomorrow. All I am asking now is we have at least $10 remaining at the end of our challenge.

Dear Hubby, can you make it happen?

Anyway, I am happy that today I got a free deluxe sample on skincare. ;) Thank you Origins. Hop over to my beauty blog if you are interested with the details.

I went to deposit my paycheck and tips. ^_^ Watching the figure in my bank account increasing is great for mind peace. I am the type of person the more I work, the less I spend. When I am jobless, I tend to spend a lot to release the stress. And eating a lot too.

Here is our fund update.

Day starts: $19.53
Day ends: $18.13

3 more days!

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 27

Update: Just got to know the Hubby spent $1 on Hawaiian Bread. So yeah, our fund is $1 less. Yike!

Woolala~~~ I am excited for my challenge to come to an end soon.

Another day of not too good tips. Got to know the tips that we earn for a week is equal to what they earn in another branch. *sigh*

Oh well, I am taking this place as my means to get training.

I was not really in a good mood this morning, quite a lot of things happened. But by the end of the day, when I decided not to care for these things, I felt more relax.

On a good note, my face condition is recovering. I love love love my well-trust skincare. It is expensive, but seeing how fast they heals my face, I guess it worth the money. I almost forgot how smooth my skin was during the days I used them in a daily basis.

We did not spend a single cent again today. I promise myself to focus on job applications for tomorrow and Friday. And, a proper beauty post in my beauty blog. :P

Here is an update of our fund.
Day starts: $20.53
Day ends: $20.53 $19.53

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 26

I finally finished watching the drama that I was hooked. Warned the Hubby no more taking out other dramas to show me, as I know I will not stop until I have finished the whole thing.

I need to put take care of a few priorities in my life now, so time to focus on those. A paper to finish, submit more applications to find a career, and read more books, not the entertainment types, but the intellectual types, that will help to make my brain active again. Do more workout, have a healthy sleeping habit and maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. Read less blogs.

Another day at work later, here is the update of my remaining fund up to yesterday.

Day starts: $20.53
Day ends: $20.53

I can see how much foods in our fridge and cabinet have reduced. I don't remember the last time we could actually reach to the back of our cabinet.

Maybe it is time for a huge Fall cleaning. ;)

5 more days. Yes.

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 25

Today is an emo day for my coworker and me.

I am getting fed up with most of the customers quality of our restaurant. I am going to find a 2nd part time job, once my face crisis is cleared.

Imagine our average tips today was only 8.7% for noon! Doesn't matter how good our service were, these people can never be satisfied. Luckily I still have Saturdays to earn a little bit more.

But I am still glad I worked in a worse condition, because I know when I get the experience, and be able to work in a more proper restaurant with different level of customers quality, it will worth the hardship now.

Anyway, another successful day of our challenge.

Day starts: $20.53
Day ends:$20.53

^_^

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 24

Just a very short update before I go to work.

Yesterday was our most boring Sunday at home. We did not even go out of the house one step. :P Blame it on the Hubby, I was suggesting to rent a movie to watch from Red Box using my free promo coupon, instead he introduced me a whole 50 episodes series of a drama. I am totally hooked. So, our dating was done at home, cooking remaining foods. He planned to make bread, but since we don't have yeast and eggs at home, we gave up the idea. Maybe next week.

Another thing is making me sad now. I don't know if it is because of the new BB cream that I tried, or because of the sauna-like condition that I experienced for the whole Saturday at work, my face had the worst breakout I have ever had. I don't even dare to go to submit another part time that I planned earlier. Please let me recover quick. I beliebe it is the BB cream since I have never used one before, and my face does not feel itchy. Now I just have to use my well-trusted skincare and no makeup for a few days, hopefully it will go back to my normal skin condition.

The Hubby nearly scared me when he said he need to go to a dentist appointment on Saturday. And he took $20 to go. I was a bit mad he did not tell me earlier, or else we could cut down the sausage we bought. Turned out he was pulling my legs, since the dentist visit was covered by the insurance fully. *phew~~~*

1 more week, and we are done with this challenge! Yeah! Did not spend any money on a Sunday. ^_^

Day starts: $20.53
Day ends: $20.53

XOXO: Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 23

Another long and very busy day at work. I am very exhausted now after 12 hr work, but I just have to tell this incident today.

*waiter's rant mode on*

I have never felt so pissed about a customer like I did today. But I did remain my cool, although I did not smile a her the whole time. What can I say, a very inconsiderate, selfish and rude lady. I didn't even want to serve her, and thanks to my coworker I don't have to deal with her that much.

Basically, we were at our peak time, busy with so many customers eating, settling checks and leaving the tables.

Earlier, there was 4 empty seats at the sushi counter, I asked if she would like to sit there, but she insisted a booth or table. I told her it would take some time, she said ok. So I gave the counter seats to the next two customers.

After about 15 min, she appeared again, and said, "Hey, there is a table empty already." I told her I know, but I have to deal with the bill first. But she said, "Why can't you clean the table for us now?" I told her will be soon, just a few more minutes as I have two checks on my hand to settle the paying. She could not wait, and started to say, "That's not a proper way to do business, you have to clean the empty table first."

F***! For the first time, I was cursing this word inside me, and instantly, I am not smiling at her at all from that point onward. I just cleaned the table for her, and let her sit down. While the other customers just looked at her bewilderedly. A few customers even felt sorry for me. Oh well, some people just think they are on top of everything.

I did not go to take her order. My coworker did deal with her, and she even wanted to just shove the food in front of her face. But that was not it, she requested more than 10 times my coworker to bring every single thing to her. Like a napkin, a small dish, refill water, a sauce, etc... all at different times!!

Since my coworker does not speak Mandarin, she had been trying to call me instead all the time, doesn't matter I pretend not hearing her, after she called me for the 5th time. Then, I would just attended her at minimal courtesy by giving her what she wanted. I am very amazed with her "thick face" though. The husband kept telling her, "It's ok, we don't really need that." But she just insisted my friend to must bring that. Like instead of asking for two boes, she just request for one box at a time!! F***!

My poor coworker had to deal with another pain in the ass customer at the same time, while I have to deal with all the customers at the front part.

Seriously, I don't care if she is not coming anymore, in fact, we will be more than happy if she decided to do so. In fact, one of my customer made a remark about she should just go to eat in somewhere else instead of making such a big fuss for waiting for a few more minutes. A few customers waited for more than 30 min, and they didn't even make a single complain, and say, "It's ok, we know you guys are very busy." Talking about different level of courtesy.

Ok, I think enough of this kind of people. Our dinner time was super busy, but at least we don't have extra hard to deal with customers. Instead, most of the customers are very nice tonight. Thank you all for making my day better at the end of the day.

Ah, I am glad I have an off day tomorrow. *heart* But I am stressed with my face condition now, I think my new BB cream (1st try yesterday) caused myself break out very badly now. :(

Anyway, the Hubby spent $1 on buying a McCoffee.

So, here is a track of our remaining fund.
Day start: $21.53
Day end: $20.53

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 22

Just a very short update on what I spent yesterday.

$5 on medicione refill.
$0.19 on a banana.
$1.99 on a pack of sausage
$0.40 on the Hubby's snack
Total: $7.58

Day start: $29.11
Day end: $21.53

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 21

Another day without sun. Cold. Making ones lazy to go out.

Made a lentil soup and chicken with asparagus tonight. Roti canai was our carb. With guilt, I just had to fry some spring rolls and keropok to heal my crave for some sinful munching.

Then, in the middle of the night, the Hubby just popped out of the bedroom munching on a Vietnamese sandwich. -_-""" Sometimes I think I am married to a Peter Pan, seriously.

Glad that this is another day without expenditure.

Day starts: $29.11
Day ends: $29.11
Dinner for tonight: Pureed soup with lentil, tomatoes, zucchini and onion powder, seasoned with paprika powder and tumeric powder. Used some light soysauce and 1/4 cube of chicken cube for create the savoriness. Stir fried asparagus with chicken, flavored with wine. Pan fried two frozen roti canai for the Hubby while 1/2 piece for myself only, as I think I consumed too much carb earlier.

We are running out of peanut butter. Gosh! Didn't even know that we finished that quite fast. I think I am also addictive to milk tea lately.

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 20

I was tired and forgot to update my challenge last night. The business last night was bad, and worse, we had to replace extra $2 for the account balance at the end of the day, and we hardly earn any tips. There was $2 lack of a stack of $1 notes which was supposed to be a $20, but after counting three times, it was still $18. Must be the mistake from last night (since I know the person who do the counting don't count the bundled $1 notes, but I have no proof). So from now on, going to make sure I recalculate everything from the night before to make sure it is not our mistake.

Anyway, no money was spent yesterday.

Day starts: $29.11
Day ends: $29.11
Money spent: Nada

XOXO, Fish Fish

$150 Challenge: Day 19

Just came back from work. Slow day again. Rainy day makes Southern California more lazy to go out, I suppose.

The Hubby is working late again tonight. Decided to ditch my gym tonight, just want to relax and cook some dinner at home, watching my favorite TV program, and getting ready for another long day at work tomorrow.

Promise myself to submit at least two new job applications this Friday. *crosses my fingers*

Anyway, I spent a lot of money today! Oh gosh, our fund is getting less so much in a single day. But it is for good reason, to fill up my gasoline. The gasoline today's is 20 cents more expensive per gallon than the last time I refilled it. Ended up paying $36.91 for almost 12 gallons gasoline. I used it for work and 2 short-distance outings. So in average, I sepnd about $3.50 per day to go to work. Not too bad, but I hope I don't have to take over someone's else half-day again, it is just not worth it, rather do the whole day shifts.

Also, the Hubby spent $1 on buying breakfast today, while I stock up another whole wheat bread ($2) and margarine ($0.99).

So, here is the remaining fund we have, not much remaining. But the big spender (our gasoline) have been settled, so we are pretty confidence to be able to make it until end of this month. In fact, I am hoping we can have at least $20 remaining by the end of the challenge. ;)

Here is the update (retyped some of the amount for past few days as I missed out an expense).
Day start: $70.01
Day end: $29.11
Money spent: $40.90

Ok, no more spending for the next four days!

XOXO, Fish Fish