money – Page 2 – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

30-Minute Warning XXXVIII

Well, what can I write here under 30 minutes?

First of all, I’m feeling a bit better than yesterday. I had a little mix-up at work, but I fixed it right away and eventually completed all of my tasks. And while I was working, I listened to my Song of the Moment, My Chemical Romance’s “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)” and then their first album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. As I’m typing this, I’m listening to MCR’s legendary album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.

Secondly, what are my weekend plans? Not much. Yes, I will go to Mass on Sunday. Yes, I will write more at home tomorrow and Sunday. And no, I’m not going out tomorrow. I looked back at my spending since December 2024 (a lot of them were spent on online shopping), and good grief… my savings account is hurting now. I need to be careful with how I spend my money in the coming months, especially since a subscription fee doubled and I need said subscription for work. Oh, I really need a second job soon—a part-time graphic design job, at least. Please wish me luck in my job hunting.

Speaking of weekend plans… Normally, on a Friday night, I would prepare a can/glass of Jack and Coke/Coke Zero (my favorite alcoholic drink), open my laptop, and start writing on my blog. But tonight, I’m just writing with no Jack and Coke Zero on my table. No, I’m not forgetting my drink. I just want to shake things up a little. But now I should get my drink.

(Gets an ice-cold Jack and Coke Zero from the refrigerator.)

Oh, and since I need to spend less money in the coming months and to take care of my health, I will start drinking 1 can of Jack and Coke Zero only per weekend. Also, my family gave me a box of 12 Jack and Coke Zeros as one of my Christmas gifts, so I don’t have to worry about supplies of my favorite drink for at least 3 months. The first can from the box has been in the refrigerator for a week, and now I’m drinking it. To my family, thank you so much and I love you so much.

That’s all I can share for today. Cheers to the weekend!

Song of the Moment LXVI: Spice Girls’ “Too Much”

Last Monday, I felt so unhappy and unmotivated that I skipped exercise time and my favorite cafe time. So last night, I went to the mall, had a fresh haircut, and ate my favorite BLT sandwich at my favorite cafe. I also made time to write in my journal and planner. All of those things made me feel better.

Today, I finished all of my work tasks, and I wrote again in my journal and planner earlier than usual. Then I was reminded of a 2025 resolution I still haven’t accomplished: finding a second job. Yes, it’s early to tell because it’s still January, and my current clerical job is stable. But I have to be honest: my current pay sucks and I need to keep up with the growing bills. I need another way to save more money. That means I need to find another job—a well-paying part-time job—and I need to do it more strenuously.

Anyway, after work and reminding myself about a resolution, I watched the iconic graphic novel-turned-film V for Vendetta, and now I’m writing this while listening to a hit by the Spice Girls, “Too Much”. It was my favorite song from the English girl group when I was young, and it’s still my favorite from them now—even if some of the lyrics remind me of a painful memory several years back.

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Published on January 22, 2025 at 10:31pm. Edited at 10:38pm.

30-Minute Warning XXXVI

So, what can I share here in under 30 minutes?

In the 10th entry of 14 Days of The Deranged Writer (2024), I would like to share how I feel: I feel better now. Why? Because yesterday, I finally found time to purely focus on organizing my birthday dinner this December 5. I already reached out to three of my choices for the venue (on Viber), and I will check out two of those venues today. I need to settle for a venue today and I can’t delay that any further.

Before the venue selection, I asked my family and a few friends if they were available on December 5, and even if there was no venue yet, all of them confirmed their attendance. I’m so happy to know that 12 loved ones – my parents, brothers, 2 cousins, and a few friends – are going, and that is why I need to settle for a venue today and then finally tell my beloved where I will celebrate my birthday. I don’t want to confirm the venue at the last minute. And that is why I’m writing this Minute Warning post at 2am.

In other news: There is this biker jacket that I have been eyeing like a vulture for years online, and even if it’s on sale because it’s Black Friday weekend, it is still ultra-pricier compared to my Bullet Club 10th anniversary jacket. But that’s the thing – it’s on sale. Should I get it before my birthday? Maybe I should as a gift to myself…

Inner Dewey: Don’t do that, you, idiot. You already bought a Deadpool Funko Pop, a Moleskine 2025 planner, a few more Moleskine pocket journals, and you have a birthday dinner coming up. You have enough birthday gifts already. Just don’t.

Me: OK, fine. I will not…

Inner Dewey: Good.

Me: …for now.

Inner Dewey: Come on, man. Even if it’s your birthday and it’s the holidays…

And time’s up.

Header image: Kacumen of Pixabay. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2024.