How about I spend $10,000 all willy nilly?

I've thrown the rules out the window. Today I'm going to spend $10,000, because that is about the amount of money I'd like to welcome into my life right now.

First, I need to set up 5 months reserve in an account. Not super fun, but practical fun. So that is a Reserve of $4765. Done and done. It will convince the Mortgage company that I'm a worthy customer, please and thank you.

And I want Times Select. I want to read that Op Ed that was called the Manicure Menace or something like that. I saw it over a woman's shoulder on the bus this morning and I want to read it when I get to the office. That is $49.95.

I'm going to spend $2000 on visits to the Dermatologist, spa treatments, allergy testing, and hypoallergenic lotions. I want to reclaim the smooth skin on my chest and neck. I want to say goodbye to the breakout that after 7 years hasn't gone away.

And I want something lovely and beautiful. Some books. I want to spend $400 guilt free dollars at the bookstore. And I want to drink coffee and eat cookies during the book shopping. $10.

I want to rent a car a few weekends this summer to visit my family. That is about $150 a pop. I'll go three times at least. $450.

And $700 to pay for that trip to Mexico.

Okay, I'm really only going to spend $8374 today.

Another imaginary office

I said before, in another post or three, that I want a new computer. Sara & Emrys said that the $1500 I'd budgeted before wouldn't quite get me the laptop goodness I'm aching for. Can a lady really ache for a new laptop full of laptoppy goodness? Is there any doubt that this writer wants a little more Sex In The City in her office set up?

A battery that holds a charge. Internal wireless cord. CD Burner, hell a DVD burner. Printer/Scanner/Copier capabilities. Cable modem.

I want to lounge in cafes across chicago, across the world, writing pithy works that will be critically acclaimed and also fly off the shelves. Can I get that critical and financial success? YES! I want to plop onto my half of my king sized bed (with my fantastic Tall Dork and Jewish husband on the other side) and type away. "Honey, put that away." "Just one more page, dearest."

Tippity, tappity.

A keyboard that is impervious to both Spidey's claws and grande Frappuccinos. That is weightless and fashionable, much like my RAZR phone (that I bought in real life.) A screen that never goes strangly blue or has a green banner across the bottom. SPell check in English, Spanish AND Hebrew.

Ah, what a glorious laptop that will be. I think it will set me back about $4,995.99, Those last few dollars? I'll get a coffee at the first cafe I sit to write at.

I'm going to make the $5K deposit and spend tomorrow.

Before I brush my teeth and go to bed, I'm going to go ahead and deposit $5000 into my account of prosperity. Tonight while I sleep, I'll dream about the lovely things I will do and buy with that $5000. I will also think about other lovely things and put the power of positive intentions in my own court.

God, I'd like to be recognized as a wonderful, loving and (okay, if you insist) sexy woman. I want my job to continue to transition into even more exciting territory. I welcome prosperity. I welcome love. The front door is open, so I just say, "Bring it on."

Around the world to eat

I think I'm up to $4000. I've just eaten a lovely veggie meal in Evanston and am about to head to the gym. Before I go, I thought I would spend the $4000 that was magically deposited into my prosperity account.

Tonight I'm thinking that I might fly around the world and eat some of the favorite meals, I think I can do that for $4000.

First would be back to Japan for yummy sushi and other delicious things that I'll cook at the table. Or maybe a trip to that little restaurant where we ate things on sticks and were surrounded by Japanese businessmen. I remember quail eggs and other anonymous meats. Yum.

In Argentina, there would be an afternoon at an Asado. Eating red meats and drinking red wines and playing soccer and drinking tea. There would also be milanesa with mashed potatos and an ice cold coke.

In London, it would be that basement restaurant. The one that resembled the monastary and had a thousand beers on the list. There I would have (sorry God) steamed mussels. Perhaps, also, I would go to a french restaurant and a pub for fish n chips.

In Assisi, Italy, I would have a proper cappuccino and some pasta. Then get on the train and go to Rome and find that alley sandwich shop. I would order (sorry again God, a lot of my best meals were before I was a Jew) that sausage and spinach sandwich with an ice cold coke.

In Indiana I would have pork chops with macaroni and cheese. And then pork loin that my Dad cooked.

In Tel Aviv I would have that yummy salmon I had at that one place. And I would have falafel and I would have shawrma. And I would have strawberry, banana juice at the base of Masada.

And back in Chicago, I would go to Jack's for Chicken Pot Pie. It might cost just over $4000, I'm not going to price it out. But I think it is a lovely plan, so in my magical world, $4000 is just the right amount of money.

And what can I do with $3000?

Did I mention that I spent some time at the Hyde Park Art Center this week? It was really lovely. Apparently they have loads of classes and workshops that are open to the public. Let me start by getting some lessons and things. How about printmaking? I took that in Argentina and quite enjoyed it. The class is $190. Plus $18.00 for the 10 pass metra ticket to get me to and from the city.

And I'll also want some sort of nice portfolio to carry my work in and store it in. A FlexExec is $54.00. Easy enough. And why not grab some canvases and a decent amount of paints and paintbrushes while I'm there? Go crazy Leah, you have permission to spend $500 on art supplies. Hooray!

Now I'll go ahead and pay Cathy back for our trip to Puerto Vallarta this summer. That is $700 for four nights on the beach. And why not bring along two more fun friends and pay their way. Not that we need two more people in order to have fun, but it might be nice. Perhaps right before we leave, two men realize they can't stand the thought of a week without us and must join.

With the last $192, I'll pick up a new bathing suit and a few supplies for the trip. A large brimmed hat, some sun-tan lotion. You know, the odds and ends you need before you spend a week in a bathing suit.

$2000 on a new day two.

As I said, I've gone back to the beginning. This morning I got up at 6:40 AM. Shocking, considering I usually roll out of bed at 7:40 AM. And to really get to work on time, I need to leave my house by 7:50 AM. My mornings are usually very challenging. Yesterday I wrote a wishlist and on that list was getting up earlier with time to exercise and write. Well, today I'm writing.

I think I would like to spend the $2000 on twice a week personal training sessions. At my gym, integrated training (cardio with Yoga or Pilates) is $55.00/hour. So I would do that twice a week for the summer and we are calling the summer 16 weeks long. $1760 on early morning training. (And checking out the webpage, they actually have Yoga once a week at 6AM. I could do that for free.)

With that last $240, I'm going to get myself a coffee every day for awhile. My preferred coffee is $2.24 at Metropolis. Best coffee shop in chicago. $240 will last me 107 days. Which is about the length of the summer. Coffee is something I've cut out of my mornings--not all my mornings, but early in the week. I wait until I get to work and it is free. But I'd like to go back to my daily coffee ritual, I enjoy it.

There you have it. Someone to help me exercise in the mornings and some coffee to get me through my commute. I'd like to point out that it is only 7:21 AM and I'm showered and have written. Normally I'd be juggling snooze buttons between three alarms on two phones. I prefer this.

And immediate returns.

Yesterday I returned to just $1000 and was immediately on the receiving end of prosperity. First was a work outing that I forgot about and being able to spend the afternoon making art instead of sitting in my cube. Second was winning a raffle at work for two tickets to Shedd Aquarium. And third was getting word from my mortgage broker that my condo has appreciated $25,000 in one year!

Huzzah!

I'm starting with $1000 again.

I realized that this was easier and more fun for me at the beginning. I found that I was more open to prosperity and indeed, saw some very fun effects of the $1000 Experiment. Lately, I've lost my money rythm and am starting to feel stressed. I think instead of adding a stressfull $22,000 shopping spree, I'm going to start with the basics and go back to blogging daily here.

So, back to day one, square one and the first $1000. It turns out that the hebrew lessons I'd budgeted $75/hour for are only $40/hour. In reality I'm taking them, my first lesson was last night. (How about that Leah, you found something from your list that you wanted and you treated yourself.) Instead of twice monthly, I'd like to take the lessons weekly for the whole summer. Let's say there are 16 weeks in the summer and $40/lesson. $640 on Lessons. Oh and $30 for the book for the lessons.

And I would like to go to a movie once a month for the summer after my Hebrew lessons. Since I'm already out at Old Orchard Mall, I might as well stick around like I did last night. A movie with drinks and popcorn average about $20 each.

While I'm there, with my extra $250, I'm going to go to Mario Tricoci and pamper myself. Their prices aren't on the website, but I'm going to guess that I could do cut, color, and mani/pedi for $250. With a margarita before I get on the bus to come home.

Oh Bugger

You know when you haven't been keeping up with your shopping when it occurs to you that you now have oh, $5000 bucks to spend. Life just sucks doesn't it?

I'm going to call the local nanny service and have them send over an amazingly well qualified nanny to chill with my boys for the day $170.00. I've been thinking a lot about good coffee, and rather my lack of it of a morning. So I pick up a new espresso machine... this one autta do the trick. $899.00, oh and they threw in 2 lbs of coffee and biscotti into the mix.

I think I'll call the chopper (Say $600) and fly on over to Seattle and get my hair done. A a cut and a fun color, say $250.00. Hang it all, while I'm at it I fancy a new color on my toenails. Kickin spa pedicure and manicure to really get into the swing of sunny Seattle in Springtime. $100 (I'm a good tipper) . What with my new feet and all I think I should splash out on this pair of pretty sandals. A bargain at $64.95 (even with all my new money I'm still a sucker for a bargain).

The weather is lovely so I think I'll go sailing for the afternoon. I chartered the Kittyhawk for a measly $750. Fully crewed, meals. Nice. Need a new swim suit ($170) and a hat ($400) to enjoy the sun too. Damn I look nice.

The wine cellar's been a bit empty and I figured I needed some good bubby to enjoy on the boat so I called and had them drop off a couple of bottles of my fave : Veuve Clicot. Delish. $200. And then I got a tip on a case of REALLY good red. So I picked that up too. $1300.00.

Geeze, getting tired. It's been a big day. I swing by Pike Place Market on the way back to the helipad to pick up some good seafood ($45) for dinner and then order a $150 gift certificate for the nanny. Gotta say thanks, you know. :)

Welcome new bloggers and sister UK blog.

Just wanted to take a minute to welcome Louisa and Jo--both bloggers extraordanaire who will be joining us in our experiment. Also to welcome another Jo in the UK, who has made a sister blog called 1000 Quid.

I actually thought that UK Jo was Chicago Jo, so invited Chicago Jo to join the blog. Lucky for us--both Jos are now blogging away.

Welcome!

Small cookies.

I'm new. First $1000 in the bank. Need au pair to start in Sept when school starts. Must start selection process. $250 application fee. New loft bed needed for kiddo as his bed will be used by au pair. That leaves me with $50 to get a new bra for mothers day. Not a nursing bra. Thrilling.
Change? I'll take a late and a donut, and a pizza for dinner. Cause I don't need to cook anymore.

Looking for Bloggers!

Have you been following our shopping sprees? I think it is time to welcome some new bloggers to the $1000 Experiment. Anyone want to join?

So, about that $21,000

Holy moly. I've slowed down, as the money gets harder and harder to spend. Know what I'm going to do with it? In the shocker of the decade. I'm going to buy a car. A used car, but a car.

On CarMax I've found a Honda Civic Hybrid for just under $21,000. The details are below. I think if I'm going to go the car route, then the hybrid is the way to go for me. Perhaps tomorrow I'll buy another parking space.

2005 Honda Civic Hybrid 4D Sedan
Stock Number: 3410458
Exterior Color: Blue
Interior Color: Gray Cloth
Mileage: 10K
Current Store: Hillside (Eisenhower Expy)in Chicago
No Haggle Price: $19,998*
Blue Book™ Retail Value:
Jan. - Feb. 2006 Edition $22,055**
Difference: $2,057

Now that everyone is reading Shaking, I've got $20K to spend.

Things have slowed down around here, now that Diane has spent the last of her $20,000 and Cathy and Rayne are heading into finals. Me, what is my excuse? Work and I needed my wish list to grow.

As long as we are exercising our imagination and spending fantasy money, I'm going to plan my fantasy wedding. Unless I find out it costs more than $20,000, then I'll be planning only PART of my fantasy wedding.

First off, location. I want to get married at Berger Park. It is one of two mansions in the park district you can rent out and this is in my neighborhood. On a Saturday (it would be a saturday night, starting with heavy appetizers, then havdalah, then the wedding, then dancing... and probably dinner somewhere in there.) it costs $250/hour with a five hour minimum. So the space will be $1250. Although if I want time to decorate before the party... I'll make it ten hours so I don't burst into tears when the first guest arrives and I'm in jogging pants. $2500.

Let's see... then there is food. Caterer's don't put much informtion online do they? Lots of photographs and lots of menus, but no pricing. Grrr. I'm going to guess $75/person. This is Chicago and it is my Fantasy. I'm also saying 100 guests. So $7500 on food.

Gulp. I've already spent $10,000 and I don't have a dress, flowers, or a photographer.

I've always been told, don't skimp on the photographer. I want to use the same one my boss did for some of the coolest shots around chicago. Jai Girard. But if my boss could afford her, chances are she'll take a big bit out of my budget. Is $3000 a good estimate? $3500?

So a dress. It won't be this $600 classic DENIM wedding dress, although the more I look at it, the more i kind of like it. Truth is, I kind of want a non-wedding wedding dress. Kind of like in In Her Shoes. In the movie version, she wears a fantastic knee length dress that her sister makes. I can only find a photo of the top of the dress, but you get an idea. I'm going to budget $2000 for a dress. I won't tell anyone it is a wedding dress and I won't have to pay as much.

Flowers look to be around $1000, so I'll go with that average. (Okay, I just found that the typical Chicago wedding costs $21,440.00, so really I'm not too far off to be planning with $20,000. Of course, this doesn't include a honeymoon...) Things I'm missing...
Guest gifts, wedding rings, music, dance lessons, fee for the rabbi, cost of the chuppa, tuxedos and other stuff.

Mainly I want Berger Park, a good photographer, a funky dress, and a fun party. Lots of dancing, great views of the lake, a chuppa quilted from my mom's wedding dress.

Oh and a great groom. I also want Simon Stein from In Her Shoes. He would, of course, be free.

Read this book, then I'll spend my $20K

Today is the One Year Anniversary of Renee Kaplan and Robin Epstein.

They are friends of a friend and they are a growing part of "Princeton Alumni that publish books that I love and then feel totally envious of, but happy for anyway, because they write good books."That said... I don't think Shaking got a fair, um, shake last summer and that it should be THIS SUMMER'S hot new book.

And I think you should do everything you can to help make it this summer's hot new book. Got a Book Circle? Make this your book for June. Participate in Stitch n Bitch? Buy this for everyone in the group. Got a recent college grad who is depressed because she's temping when she should be making gazillions? GET HER THIS BOOK!

Buy ten copies and give it to ten friends who need a page turner with some inspiration from two lovely writers in New York.

They didn't plagiarize and they didn't go to Harvard.

The Last Hurrah

I mentally decided to stop the game at $15,000--I just hadn't had a chance to write that here. :)
My last hooray is a trip to this Hilton in the Maldives.
The accomodations alone cost close to $8,000 if I stay in the Bed & Breakfast with a guest. Add in flight, food, souvenirs, and dinner at the fancy underwater restaurant there.

The results of this experiment for me? Well, I've certainly learned how to spend more in my day to day life. Ha. Also, my last paycheck arrived about 2 weeks earlier than I was expecting, which was exciting. The funniest part is that the guy I'm seeing seems to keep coming into random amounts of money, which I guess ultimately affects me directly!

Thanks for the experience--I'll peek in now and then to see how things are going!