"Want, and Want Will Be Your Master"

That quote in the post title--my Mom used to say that to me. I have to research who originally said it.

She knew me well, didn't she? Or was it that she knew herself?

Still job hunting. Dan and I feeling the cost of medicines, mortgage, monthly IRS payment plan, etc. etc. But it does feel good to be working together toward a healthier financial life. I'm posting this now, at 4:05 p.m., in case I don't get back on WiFi before bedtime. But likely I will be at Starbucks doing a job application after dinner; if so, will check back in and update.

We are supposed to leave for Cape Cod this Friday nite after Punchy returns about 6 from her Keiki Explorers Club day. She will be tired, but we want to avoid Saturday traffic.

If I were richer, or had more pocket/"pin" money at the moment, I would have wanted to buy these things today, impulse buys:

• Beautiful Julie Vos jewelry, sample sale ends tonight [received email].
• Barneys beach-inspired jewelry [ditto].
• And especially the Moonlight Lover overnight floral facial oil and "The Martini" Emotional Detox Bath Soak with pink Himalayan salt that Gwyneth Paltrow loves. [I received email and read about it on her goop site.] It costs $35 but contains 3 cups, enough for 3 baths, per product copy.
• The pineapple-print beach coverup with fringe, size XL, that I just passed on a clothing rack outside a boutique on my walk here. So cute.

Do I need any of those things? Nope.

TCOY

1. Set alarm for 6:20, got to 7 a.m. support group. Helpful, always helpful. Moments of clarity and grace.
2. Did a load of delicate wash with Woolite, so my dresses are fresh.
3. Watered back garden.
4. Had lots of vegs in mushroom soup at lunch. Also: Oatmeal w pecans and banana at breakfast; and at Joyist, the Greg blend with banana, PB, raw cacao, dates and raw local honey.
5. A lot of ice water.
6. Walked to town in this ghastly heat, to get exercise--and because our internet bill is a bit late, so had to come in for WiFi to work. Still, Dan was driving in, and I took the step of walking. 
7. Private Benjamin appointment coming up this afternoon.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Marcel Bakery & Kitchen, many cups of free ice water and large mushroom barley soup, plus $1 jar tip, $7.97.
• Joyist, the Greg blend, $12.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $19.97.

RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF JULY 30 [AND STARTING JULY 5]: $1,593.25.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR: $61.28.

This monthly spend is pretty low so far, thanks to Punchy being Mimi-based for 2 full weeks--and me being at Sis's for four nights.

Big-ticket firecracker items in July: *Marcel bkfast w Punch and loaf of bread, $29; *Tory Burch sandals, $111; Starbucks Camp day, $94 [I subtracted the Bear Mountain pickles and peaches]; Punch bday gifts for friend + tiramisu w Elaine, $37; Joyist to write, + Punch drop-in, $30; one day of Joyist Reset Meal Plan, $35; Elixir of Love body creme, $30; Kings, groceries to make Bobbi Brown website chocolate-chip cookie dough, plus candle holder and votive, $32; and Nest Fragrances candles/lip balm website order, $82; took Sis to Thai restaurant for lunch, $36; The Paper Store, cross-body bag, notebook, etc., $66; Whole Foods, quiche and chocolate espresso custard ingreds plus groceries, $80.63; pre-theatre Junior's dinner for me and P,  $64; King Kong Bway ticket, $99; and that expensive Montclair burger w shaved truffle, about $28 with tip.