How Far is too Far?

Now since I have joined the working American public, I have noticed a few boundaries or rules, if you want to call them that. These rules for the working men and women of American are not spoken, but instead, implied. Now, I am passing what I have learned so far onto you:

1. It is o.k. to wear comfy shoes to work and change into fabulous ones as soon as you enter the office.

2. Business casual dress includes anything from a suit with a non-matiching tie to a golf shirt and jeans that were worn as the previous day's outfit.

3. If you drink the last of the coffee, make another pot or your co-workers will talk shit.

4. You get extra points if you leave the office after your boss. You lose points if you are leaving just as your boss steps in the elevator.

5. It's cool to talk about how wasted you got last night, but not cool to talk about how hungover you are and how little work you have done.

I saved my money by switching to bargain beers

I have been living in the heart of Manhattan for a little over a month and it is really starting to take its toll on me emotionally, physically, and most importantly, financially. For just graduating from college, I make decent pay and my rent is unbelievably low for New York City, but when it came to sitting down and going through my expenses, I quickly surmised that I have no money, bucks, moola, no green.

The first thing I did upon realizing my money situation was freak out! And IM Hotelie Blogger, naturally. After a few calming words from my friend, I called the bank to make sure that they did not mess anything up. Then, after the reassurance from the wonderful customer service person at my bank that I would, in actuality, not die and be able to pay for my credit card, I started to look at my financial loss as a positive thing. I would just have to cut back. Easy enough.

I decided that I would no longer wander into clothing stores on my walks home from work. No more retail rewards, only the absolutely necessary buying. I would make a conscious effort to cook at home, bring my lunch to work, and not go out to eat all that often. I would cut down my nights out to two nights per week. Simple.

Since none of that really happened, I have accepted that I will be living for the next couple years with no money so I better get used to it. I have made other adjustments to my life to try and save the pennies. I now research happy hour bars that have good drink deals and sometimes free food. I take advantage of "Ladies Nights" and 50 cent beers on the upper West Side. I eat oatmeal everyday at work. Saving money has actually caused me to go out more than I think I did before when I was blowing through my funds. Somehow, and I am not really sure how, I have been able to pay my rent and handle the credit card payments without sacrificing my love for bars. So I will just keep on keepin' on and partying at least four nights a week. It feels so great to be a struggling consultant in New York.