The "I WILL be debt free" diary...

ladymay

Well, I'm in Los Angeles woo hoo!! I had the grumpiest, meanest cbp officer at the gate, but after half an hour of interrogation he finally decided I wasn't a criminal or illegal alien so he let me in - phew! I was up for 25 hours altogether so pretty tired still but ready to go.

Anyway I'm all set up in the apartment and rehearsals start today!

On the money side of things, we're all going shopping tonight so I'll get a good idea of how much I can save/pay off/have a bit of fun with after food.

scubaangel

Glad you're there and getting used to it all, hope you've got the budgetting sorted out.

Still jealous.

ladymay

Thanks!

Shopping came to just under $80 but that included sunblock and laundry stuff. Mind you, I guess I'll need a couple of extra things every week. Like headphones, which I left on my desk in London and there's already talk of where we're going on nights out and our days off, so I think $150 a week will be enough if I'm careful. Luckily there's a citibank really close so when I get my wages I can keep my spending money and stick the rest straight into my account to pay all my UK bills.

Everyone seems really nice, I'm sharing a room while I'm in rehearsals and my roommate is just lovely. Everyone is working hard but doesn't take anything too seriously, and they're constantly trying to talk to me in their 'British' accent (haven't told them yet there's no such thing ). I'm having a really lovely time, and first day off tomorrow! We have a pool, gym and jacuzzi in the apartment complex so I'll be making the most of those.

Can't watch the six nations though. I guess you can't have everything.

scubaangel

That doesn't sound too bad, and at least things like headphones are a relatively one off spend. Even better that theres a bank near by so you can shuffle the cash to remove temptations.

Bless them for their attempts, I guess its no different to the number of Brits who go abroad and attempt the local accent without realising its so regional.

ladymay

Oh, I'm butchering various accents while I'm here, it's definitely a 2-way thing!!

Get paid next Friday, then it's every fortnight. Until then I have $40, unless I want to dip into my overdraft, which I might have to do as food is more expensive here... I know it'll only be a temporary thing but it's still annoying.

In other news, I decided to do a quick, 30 - minute workout yesterday with one of my castmates. As a result, I'm now having trouble walking!! It's shocking how unfit I am, so trying again tomorrow morning. A bikini body will be mine!

ladymay

It's March, how the heck did that happen?

I'm a bit homesick at the moment, missing the boy like crazy but having a good time. It was so nice watching the Oscars live at a reasonable hour

I'm really looking forward to getting paid this Friday!!! I need some more rehearsal clothes so I'm off to the 'mall' on Sunday hehe! Luckily There are some bargain stores that have prices comparible to primarni

Everything is settling down at rehearsals, I'm getting much more confident and less anxious about being good enough. I've decided the brazen American attitude is much better!

ladymay

Over a month since I posted here? Wow, time flies when you're working 50 hour weeks

Life is good right now, between rehearsals, costume fittings, and going over music at night I haven't really had time to do touristy things, but I guess the upside to that is I'm sticking to my budget ha! I'm also working out most days so I'm pretty tired all the time, but once I'm on the ship and all the shows are up and running, life will get so much easier and I'll be finding things to do with my time!

Nothing much to report. Still miss the boyfriend terribly, but it's totally bearable and we're both making an effort to stay in contact every day via Facebook and at least once a week via Skype, which isn't always the easiest considering he's on his ship at the moment. He's been nothing but supportive and I love him for that.

Oh, and I've already done my tax rebate - £960 rebate!!! :j:j:j planning on having a little splurge on make up and work out clothes, but the rest is going on the credit card!

Think that's it for now, and dinner's almost ready. I'm famished!

scubaangel

Glad things are still going well for you juggling everything, and keeping within the budget.

Enjoy the rebate!

ladymay

Oh god, it's my birthday :eek::eek::eek: 21 again!!!

Off to IHOP for dinner - it serves breakfast 24 hours a day, so what's not to love?

More importantly, one year to clear my debts. Let's do this...

scubaangel

Happy birthday L.M. Have a fab breakfast at IHOP (I so need one of those near me!).

I'll be starting my count down to hopefully being debt free by my 30th next week.