The only diet I've ever stuck with ...

I like to think I'm pretty good with money. I set a budget and I tend to stick to it. But I had a bit of an indiscretion this fall. The bonus offer on the Southwest credit card has been calling to me for years now, and I finally signed up. And while I was totally willing to use my credit card instead of cash for three months to get those sweet bonus points, it was harder for me to stay on-budget without actual cash in hand. It wasn't a spending free-for-all (and I have several free flights in my future, so WORTH IT), but now I want to get back on track.

How am I going to do that? By joining the January Money Diet! Eliza of Happy Simple Living is a dear friend of my mom's, and an all-around amazing woman, and she hosts this annual challenge. The goal is to eliminate all unnecessary spending for one month.

I've done the diet twice (or three times?) previously, and it can be tough. But we're not talking "how many days in a row can I eat ramen?" tough, I promise. Eliza walks you through the month with tips to make it fun and several thought-provoking posts. It really made me watch where I put my money, and consider if I was getting the best use out of it.

ADDED BONUS: Each time I've done the money diet, I've saved around $500, and that's a nice chunk of change. I paid my biannual car insurance one year, and used it to start a "vacation fund" another. I'm excited to try it again as a single person, and I hope you'll join me. You can sign up here. Cheers to starting the new year off in a mindful manner!

I Fucking Love Amy Schumer

Over the weekend, I went to Nashville. Primarily to see Amy Schumer, because she's on tour yet not coming to Denver. Also to hang out with a delightful friend of mine, and eat good food, and have fun. I typed this up on my phone immediately after her show. I was going to edit it to turn it into a cohesive blog post, but it makes me chuckle as-is, so I'm just gonna post it. 

I fucking love Amy Schumer. More than Amy or Tina or Mindy or Lena, I feel like we're on the same page. She's smart and vulgar, and I think she might be a secret bitch, like I am. Like we're not totally mean to people, but we're judging you. So hard. We don't have ill will, but that's a fucking stupid sweater. Biiiiitch.

I went to see her in Nashville, and she just killed it. She was talking about how guys don't care if you gain 10 lb. Their primary focus is putting their dick in your asshole, and you're wondering "Should I get highlights?" Men do not fucking care. When she won that award at the Women of the Year event and said "I'm probably, like, 160 pounds right now and I can catch a dick whenever I want" it was like yaaaas, queen. I weigh like 100 lb more than I did in college, when I didn't think I was cute enough to have sex with, and I can get some whenever I want. Let it go, let it gooooo. You are worthy, and there's nothing wrong with you.

I should mention: I went to Nashville by myself. I also did this Labor Day weekend, and I felt suuuper self-conscious. This time around, I kinda love being solo. I walked down Broadway, then found a pub in Printers Alley to have a cider and a fucking delicious beet and goat cheese salad.

My point (or one of them; this is a mess even though I'm totally sober) is that you shouldn't be afraid to do things by yourself. I've hesitated to RSVP to events or buy tickets for things cuz I didn't want to go alone, and I'm really done with that. Treat yo'self and have a great time. It's not sad. It'd be sad if I were at home, wishing I was doing something fun. Not that staying home is bad; there are nights where I want nothing more to watch Hulu in bed. Lots of nights. But don't let the absence of a partner stop you from living your life.

Why are people still allowed to smoke indoors? So gross.

The Return of Confession Wednesday

The hilarious Kathy has resurrected Humpday Confessions, so I must join! Let's jump right in.

FIRST: There is a radio station in Denver that does Confession Wednesday, and has for years. So even though I know this linkup is called Humpday Confessions, it will forever be Confession Wednesday to me. Same same.

- Speaking of not knowing the names of things, I love the show Silicon Valley. However, whenever I tell anyone how cool it is, I call it Workaholics, a show I have never seen. EVERY. TIME.  Some of my friends have even started watching Workaholics on my recommendation. Oops.

- I saw this Dad Joke Survivors thing on Facebook the other day, and I laughed way too hard at all the corny jokes. Particularly the constipation one. Also told it to my friend and couldn't even wait for the punchline before I started giggling uncontrollably.

- We let someone go at work a few weeks ago, and (maybe this makes me the worst person ever) I'm really glad. We work so much better as a team without her, and the overall attitude/vibe is more positive. Sorry I'm not sorry?

- The other day I bought Kraft mac and cheese and cookie dough at Target, and the cashier was like "Ooh, your kids are gonna love you tonight!" Nope, no kids at my house, lady. Just poor life choices and a taste for powdered cheese.

That's all I've got for now. Hopefully I be back with more embarrassing facts about myself next week!