Trying Not to Be a High Roller $$ in A.C.

We're not even gambling, at least not this time, our unlikely foursome of Mimi, Poppy, Punch and me. But it's fun! And still easy to spend a lot in any resort area.

Mimi took mini Mimi for a mani/pedi and other fun now.....I'm at a Starbucks in the Tropicana shopping/food court to work til they scoop me at 4:30. My editor awaits, on the other end of the internet.

Dashing to record money spent, because as a financial counselor I know once said, if you travel less, you spend less. I see how quickly and easily it is to insert that red debit card.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

• Gasoline, $15 plus tip for pump attendant who filled our tank, $16.
• Lick store in Tropicana, Jubes cube candy, 2 flavors for P., $6.31.
• Tropicana Bar Olon, appetizers, drinks + tip [this was our dinner], treated Mimi and Poppy, who generously paid the night's rent on their friend's condo for me, $84.64.
• White House Black Market fashion store at the Trop. Mimi [Hope] and I liked the same micro sequin drape-neck sleeveless top in lilac. I had a $30 coupon off $100 purchase. Tops originally $64 each but we paid $49 each with coupon. They didn't have Hope's size, S, so hers will be shipped free to her home. $49.
• Blue Mercury, beautiful Nest candle in Blue Garden scent for my condo, $17.06.
• Boardwalk shop, earrings for P. and Johnson & Johnson Blossoms Baby Powder, $11.41.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $184.42.
MONTHLY SPEND AS OF APRIL 24: $2,775.83.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR THIS MONTH: $115.65.

Big-ticket April spends so far [numbers rounded off], 24 days into the month:

Lamp, $79; luxe hand cream, $55; Giotto dinner to go + jar of imported Italian artichokes, $46; dog groomer/beauty salon, $75; vet for hamster, $157; necklace extension/repair/new clasp, $128; blowout, $55; Over the Moon, bday gifts for Punch friend + book for me, $60; Kings groceries, $132; liquor store, $32; bra/underwear/tights, $126; Joyist, $39 one day while working on assignments there; second blowout w service tips, $52; Punchy, Lululemon, $28; Justice, bday gifts and gift bag/pink tissue for Punch friend + shorts for Punch + $2 donation at register, $58; Kings groceries, $63; Joyist, $25 one day while working on deadlines; bike delivery, $35; Whole Foods, $69; CVS & Kings, Easter gifts/basket treats [counting lemon curd for tarts], $97; zoo day and lunch, spring break, $42; A.C. apps + drinks, treat Mimi & Poppy, $85; pretty lilac drape-neck top, $49. Steep subtotal of $1,587.

MONEY THOUGHTS: I see how easy it is to spend on vacation, especially when using a debit card, not cash. Keeping this log is helping a lot, though. I know I will be recording every dime.