Sugar Struggle

Above: The Color Block sugar bowl in bone china from Tiffany & Co., 2.5” high, $95. Love it. LINK here.

Sorry to repeat posts from Medium, but this one is important--and if you’ve followed my blog since I started it in March 2010, you know that.

https://alicegarbarinihurley.medium.com/i-know-an-addict-when-i-see-one-9e2187bdbcef

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I asked Fig to take Punchy (aka Skippy) grocery shopping with her and the teen brought back a big pack of airy, sugar-glazed donuts and God knows what else. I tried not to look too closely, and I don’t think I know where they are.

Drifting to sleep, I hope, on puffs of cotton and clouds, not sugar.

Good night.

Wi-Fi Scramble

Wi-Fi bill late, scrambling in and out of town to get on internet, to work, at Joyist and Starbucks. Punch has an appointment at 4:15.

Drove with Dan to Newark Airport 9 am for his flight to Dallas, one overnight to work at an event. Yellow hat and jacket in tow, to write 60-Second Novels; then we switched seats and I drove home. He will get paid by check tonight, so we will be able to reconnect soon.

I'm also owed payment for several article assignments, but not imminent. Sometimes you have to wait. My favorites are the direct deposits into checking account.

TCOY, restarting Day 1 again off Sugar Road

1. Felt jittery this morning. Also ate 3 very mediocre Pepperidge Farm chocolate-chip cookies that we bought for Punch and 2 spoonfuls of Nutella that stuck to my teeth. As Joan Didion said, Goodbye to All That. Texted some friends for support. Support received.
2. Healthy drink at Joyist.
3. Planning turkey burger and vegs for dinner.

MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

Tuesday, October 1

• Joyist, free punch on rewards card! Salem pumpkin smoothie, $0.
• Marcel Bakery & Kitchen, roasted veggies of day with hummus plus loaf of French bread to bring home, about $17.

Wednesday, October 2

• Joyist, The Greg smoothie, $12.
• Parking meter, $2.
• Starbucks, tall drink for Punch, $4.50.
• Starbucks, protein bar for me, $3.68.

RUNNING MONTHLY SPEND AS OF OCTOBER 2: $39.18.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $19.59.

Back to Day 1 Again/The Cakes Called My Name

I didn't post last night because I was so tired. It was our block's 45th annual party--the first was in 1974. I was a teenager living north of here in Dumont, where I didn't know of block parties. Dan and I bought our home 25 years ago, in November 1994. Figgy was born nine months later. Punchy came into the picture in 2007.

I've been running the bake-off for years, and people count on it. Since I've chosen to detour from the Sugar Road, we did pizza this year. (Party planner Heather's idea.) I also try to avoid that, but planned to indulge--you have got to see this stuff.

Nick finished his pizza on his backyard grill; Nate brought a prosciutto/fig jam/goat cheese/balsamic glaze wonder. We had Punch and Vaurie's Tropical Storm Dessert Pizza, a pineapple upside-down number that caught their eyes online; Beth's grilled veggie; Iam's two deep dish, one with meat, one with veggies; John's vegan [amazing]; Lee's veggie with pesto; young Sam's two, one with capers and olives; and Liliana's cauliflower crust with soy cheese and her adult-entry winner, Best of Montclair, a rectangular "grandma" pie with fresh mozzarella from Rosario's, sauce from Cucina 98 on Walnut Street, her husband Michael's homegrown basil, and dough from Whole Foods. 

Punch and Vaurie won for ages 13 and under and were proud. Their apple crisp didn't take the prize last year in our APPLE OF MY EYE contest.

Picture floral tablecloths, fresh garden flowers, shiny kitchen tool gifts for every entrant, cute pins made by neighborhood artist Maiko for four judges and me/George/Catherine. We three coordinated the event and our pins said UPPER CRUST. George tallies the numbers. Catherine cut the portions and brought a pitcher of ice water for the judges. Dan and I donated two $15 gift card prizes. Our neighbor, Peter, pitched in the great stainless-steel utensils for entrants. They were from his business and included kick-ass pizza cutters, spatulas, spoons, etc.

Our house is up the hill, so it's a lot of trips up and down with supplies, etc. Dan and Fig helped, but it was still tiring. And my friend Amalia made two trips up for me!

The bake-off is a highlight; kids and adults enter. But we also have an ancient tug-of-war rope that's been passed down, barricades to close the streets so kids can run free, pinatas, a bubble machine and music!  And this year, two nice new neighbors, a married couple--both young, handsome men--hired a bounce house. It was amazing.

Those two generous fellows, Mark and Derek (sp), also brought a chocolate layer cake with thick vanilla frosting in a white bakery box from Little Daisy Bake Shop. Meg brought a rich chocolate on chocolate layer cake with the words BLOCK PARTY on top. And someone baked an excellent rich yogurt pound cake. I decided on the spot that I would indulge and start my day count again today. I don't think I regret this decision--if it can remain an isolated incident.

It was the little girl in me, the one who helped her mother bake Duncan Hines cake--the one who had her own miniature cake pan. Cake was honored in our family, a treat when we had it.

Onward. That's over, as my friend Jane would say. It doesn't help that I saw a picture of myself. I hadn't taken time to do hair and makeup. I looked heavy--and doughy. Did not like that.

After the party, Punch always says, I think we should do this twice a year.

TCOY for yesterday and today; Monday is new Day 1 off Sugar Road 

1. Mass.
2. Oats with fruit before bake-off. Probably filled me up a bit but not enuf to crowd out cake!
3. Water. If I drank alcohol at party, would have been even more off course.
4. Asked for help--from Dan, Fig, Punch, Amalia, Catherine, others. And requested clean-up help ahead of time on neighborhood list serve and Facebook group. Many people pitched in.
5. Biked to and from bank Monday.
6. Cleaned up my act. Fresh peach; Greek salad; chicken cutlets; artichokes.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Sunday, Kings, fresh pineapple and maraschino cherries for girls' Tropical Storm Dessert Pizza; dog treats; and paper plates for bake-off. $19.19.
• Monday, Kings, freshly breaded chicken cutlets, Greek salad, Palmolive dish soap, dog food x2, 1/2 pint heavy cream and 1/2 gallon whole milk [dairy products not organic, since only had $20.50 on me]. $19.91.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND Sunday: $19.19.
TOTAL DAILY SPEND Monday: $19.91. 
RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF SEPTEMBER 23: $1,714.86.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR: $74.56.

Compare to last month:

TOTAL SPEND FOR MONTH OF AUGUST: $2,895.06. ⬆️

AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39.  ⬆️

Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:

🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, NYC, dinner; plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.

🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including present for Fig and big yellow mum plant, $84.

🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including salmon for dinner and an iced coffee from the barista, $63.

🎟 ShopRite, groceries, laundry detergent etc., $50.

🎟 Sky Zone [worth it, Punchy went with her nice friends], $25.

🎟 Joyist, $29.

🎟 Kings, groceries, $46.

🎟 Piazza della Sole, comfy, high-end shoes, half-price, $90.
🎟 Gasoline, twice, $52.
🎟 Chinese lunch with Sis, $33.
🎟 Grocery shopping in Connecticut w Sis, $48.
🎟 CPAP dr. co-pay, specialist, $50.
🎟 Whole Foods again, including 3-pack soy candles, pound smoked salmon and Hydro Flask for Punch, $166.
🎟  Jackie's Grillette treat, casual dinner and soft drinks for three, plus tip, about $45.
🎟 Salon 212 blowout plus tips for job hunting Friday, $45.
🎟 Kings, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella for women's group platter, $58.
🎟 CVS, melatonin gummies, milk, Listerine, $30.
🎟 Kings, 1/2 gallon organic milk, 1/2 gallon oat milk, yellow baby potatoes, teriyaki sauce, Cabot shredded cheese, fresh black figs, 1.38 lb flank steak, etc, $48.
🎟 Kings again, groceries, $39.
🎟 Chez Josephine dinner with Candy and Allegra, $60.
🎟 Duane Reade, emergency makeup in Port Authority, $25.
🎟 Prize donation for pizza bake-off, 2 gift cards, total $30.
🎟 ShopRite, bake-off ingredients for girls plus a lot of groceries, $84.
🎟 Healthy Friday afternoon Joyist for Punch, Figgy and me, plus metal straw with cleaning brush, $33.
🎟 Kings, coffee beans x 2 plus other groceries, $34.

Starting Over: Sugar Standoff

I made it to Day 14 driving off the Sugar Road and then turned back on that sticky highway on Friday night......Dan's bday apple cake, recipe, scroll below for Nan*, contained very little sugar but perhaps even that amount, combined with being tired and running around all day and living with crazy vibes from people under this roof, including my own.....well, I ate 1.5 chocolate chip cookies and one of Punchy's snacks from the freezer, post birthday candles.

Saturday, I went to my book group and enjoyed the sweet, fresh mango and pineapple in the fruit salad Julie brought and did not have a slice of Karen's dessert. Karen's desserts are well-known and delicious; in fact, she gives piano lessons at her home and the children look forward to her baked treats every week. This one was a white chocolate/mascarpone cheesecake with dark chocolate cookie crumb crust, and raspberries on top.

The craving didn't overwhelm me. The fruit and coffee met my after-lunch needs.

But then: Punchy's friend came over Saturday afternoon. Very nice girl, strong athlete, aspiring singer--and the two of them love to bake/create together in the kitchen. It was okay when they made pizza with a ball of dough from the store for dinner. I planned on not eating it, because I'm avoiding pizza and pasta, but I eventually did have some, because Dan went to get dinner ingredients and didn't return until nearly 8 p.m. I have to learn to count on myself. He is too late too often.

Next, the girls invented a Nutella cookie recipe. They winged it, using a lot of Nutella, white flour, a stick of melted butter, some whole milk, a teaspoon of baking powder, a couple eggs, white sugar....and chocolate chunks.

Again, I didn't plan on partaking. I packed up two tins, one for pal to take home and one for Punch--who wanted to save the remaining dough for the block party, so we froze that in small balls that are ready to bake.

But I was upset over conflicts between Dan and Punch, and again ate sugar. I had some of the cookies and a little leftover apple cake and a spoonful of Nutella to top it all off.

So yesterday I started again on DAY 1 off the road paved in sugar. Clean slate. I went to a women's group [my weekend was overly busy] and did not have cannoli cake, blueberry tart, cookies or a pretty layer cake with strawberries and piped swirls of thickly whipped cream.

I had a mug of hot coffee with milk. I must say it's hard not to indulge as a matter of shared enjoyment in a group of women friends.

Anyway, here goes. Have to catch up on my money for Saturday and Sunday. I'm assuming zero for today as of now. Will update if that changes.

TCOY

1. Writing this post, looking sugar in the eye. Today is new Day 2.
2. Overnight oats for breakfast with toasted unsweetened coconut and chopped pecans, yum.
3. Red pepper, chicken sausage.
4. PLANNING on 7 a.m. support group and early yoga class tomorrow.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET/Saturday, Sunday

• Little Daisy Bake Shop, coffee for me and for Figgy, plus tip, about $6?
• Parking meter, $1.
• Whole Foods, 1 quart organic milk; 2 lbs. figs to make platter for women's group, $14.33.
• Kings, two 4-oz. packs prosciutto; two 8-oz. fresh mozzarella balls, both for that same platter; large bottle Italian olive oil; and 2 Hu chocolate bars on sale, $57.69.
• CVS, went for RXs, bought jar of melatonin gummies for Punch, half-gallon organic milk, small Dawn dish liquid, very large bottle Cool Mint Listerine, $29.54.
• Liquor store, 3-pack cute bottles of Rose wine to bring to Saturday book group, about $14 with tax.

TOTAL WEEKEND + MONDAY SPEND: $122.56.

RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF SEPTEMBER 16: $1,252.06

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $78.25.

Compare to last month:

TOTAL SPEND FOR MONTH OF AUGUST: $2,895.06. ⬆️

AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39.  ⬆️

Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:

🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, NYC, dinner; plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.

🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including present for Fig and big yellow mum plant, $84.

🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including salmon for dinner and an iced coffee from the barista, $63.

🎟 ShopRite, groceries, laundry detergent etc., $50.

🎟 Sky Zone [worth it, Punchy went with her nice friends], $25.

🎟 Joyist, $29.

🎟 Kings, groceries, $46.

🎟 Piazza della Sole, comfy, high-end shoes, half-price, $90.
🎟 Gasoline, twice, $52.
🎟 Chinese lunch with Sis, $33.
🎟 Grocery shopping in Connecticut w Sis, $48.
🎟 CPAP dr. co-pay, specialist, $50.
🎟 Whole Foods again, including 3-pack soy candles, pound smoked salmon and Hydro Flask for Punch, $166.
🎟  Jackie's Grillette, casual dinner and soft drinks for three, plus tip, about $45.
🎟 Salon 212 blowout plus tips for job hunting Friday, $45.
🎟 Kings, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella for women's group platter, $58.
🎟 CVS, melatonin gummies, milk, Listerine, $30.

*FRESH APPLE CAKE* 🍎

This is from a 1990 calendar. I reduced the amount of sugar in the original recipe [for instance, 1 tablespoon of sugar vs. 2 tablespoons].

Makes 9 smallish servings. I recommend doubling the ingredients and using a larger, rectangular pan. Baking time is about the same.

1/2 cup chopped walnuts [optional--and I like big, coarse pieces, not finely chopped]
2 large red apples, peeled or unpeeled, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour [this year, I used Cup4Cup gluten-free flour and it worked fine]
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt [excellent with French sea salt flakes; break them up with your fingers]
1/4 cup vegetable oil [or walnut oil]
1 egg, lightly beaten [this year, I used The Neat Egg powdered substitute and vegan Figgy and the rest of us loved the cake]
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 by 8 inch pan with oil, butter or cooking spray.
2. Toast walnuts in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir often, watch carefully. Remove from heat after a few minutes or when they start to smell toasty and fragrant and are lightly golden brown. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, with a spoon, mix chopped applies with 1 T. sugar and the cinnamon. Let stand.
4. In a medium bowl, with a spoon, mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt; set aside.
5. Stir oil, egg and vanilla into apple mixture. Add flour mixture and stir just until all ingredients are moistened. Stir in nuts if using (mixture will be stiff). 
6. Spread mixture in prepared pan.
7. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until medium brown and apples are tender when pierced with a wooden pick. Serve warm or cool.

The original recipe says to cut into squares and serve with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, which sounds delicious and over the top, but we have the cake on its own. ❤️👨🏻‍🌾 

Day 12, CPAP Doctor Visit

And...there's a Smashburger right next to his office. I usually get lunch after the appointment, before scooting on Route 80 West to the Parkway South to return to Montclair. Today I got a delicious mushroom Swiss truffle grilled chicken sandwich on small multigrain bun. No sides. In the past, I was greatly tempted and sometimes succumbed to the very good fries and milkshakes.

What's different by day 12 is that the cravings have decreased. I was not even tempted. That's a very big change.

I think my weight was a couple pounds down since my last visit to that doctor 6 months ago. [I subtracted for my Tory Burch silver sandals today.] Nearly two years in, my CPAP is working. It was a learning curve. But now my oxygen is good. I'm not tired all day. I no longer get up to pee during the night. Dan says I don't gasp for air and stop breathing anymore.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Smashburger chicken sandwich and free cup of ice water, $8.95.
• Whole Foods Montclair again. I went for the lox, $19.99 per lb. I left with 18 items and a bill of $166.08. I also wanted to get Punch the Hydro Flask insulated water bottle she has wanted for school since August. When she and I were in this store the other day, there were only a few left, and today there were two. Fortunately, one was bright yellow, the color she wanted. Bottle, $29.95; good sourdough bread, $5.93; Boca vegan burgers, $5; half-gallon organic milk, $3.50; frozen toaster waffles, $3.50; chicken sausages, $7; pound of fresh figs!, $6; quart small local strawberries; 4-oz bag Hu Kitchen chocolate vanilla cashews, $7 [the 6 oz. bag online is $10 plus $10 shipping, so I figured this was good]; fancy cheese on sale, $6; lb. marinated salmon, $14; quart half and half, $3; big bag shelled walnuts, $7; and a splurge, but 3-pack of beautiful fall scented soy candles in jar, each burns 20+ hours, $32 [going for $35 + shipping at pfcandleco.com,]; feta cheese, $6; and 2 gallons water to use in my CPAP machine. But I think I better now stay out of Whole Foods for a while. PLANNED FAMILY DINNER FOR ALL OF US TONIGHT, MAKING BIG PLATTER WITH LOX, SOURDOUGH, GARDEN BASIL OLIVE OIL, CHEESES, NUTS, FRESH FIGS, THOSE SMALL STRAWBERRIES. I EVEN HAVE VEGAN "feta" CHEESE BUT IT'S NOT THAT GREAT.
• CPAP doctor/pulmonologist, specialist co-pay, $50.
• ATM bank fees, $7.
• Charity donation, Covenant House, $30.
• Java Love, Punch Love Child drink and a cookie plus tip, $7.47.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $269.50.

RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF SEPTEMBER 11: $992.42.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $90.22.

Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:

🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, dinner; plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.

🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including present for Fig and big yellow mum plant, $84.

🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including salmon for dinner and an iced coffee from the barista, $63.

🎟 ShopRite, groceries, laundry detergent etc., $50.

🎟 Sky Zone [worth it, Punchy went with her nice friends], $25.

🎟 Joyist, $29.

🎟 Kings, groceries, $46.

🎟 Piazza della Sole, comfy, high-end shoes, half-price, $90.
🎟 Gasoline, twice, $52.
🎟 Chinese lunch with Sis, $33.
🎟 Grocery shopping in Connecticut w Sis, $48.
🎟 CPAP dr. co-pay, specialist, $50.
🎟 Whole Foods again, including 3-pack soy candle, pound smoked salmon and Hydro Flask, $166.

Day 7, "Dan, Make More Veggies, Please!"

Sis and Punch crinkle their noses at these, but I think they are a delicious snack with
a pour of cold whole milk. I just hope the wheat isn't a trigger for grazing.

I let Punch choose a couple of treats/snacks at Whole Foods after school. I don't intend to partake.

But if I'm tired, or fearful, or feeling down on myself, that's when they call out, from the far reaches of the freezer or the depths of the pantry.

I don't intend to succumb, but to answer with a steady NO.

Taking a leaf from Kim and F's book, I bought a very big bag of frozen artichokes. Dan was fixing dinner. Make more than that! I said. I need to have a lot of veggies on my plate.

Okay, okay, I'll make more vegetables, he said. He presented a mix of broccoli and baby carrots on the side, along with the broiled salmon and brown rice.

Grateful.

This switch to getting up at 6 a.m. to get Punch out for middle school bus has been hard.

My hot bath with salts felt great.

Good night.

TCOY

1. The bath.
2. Played Bach on kitchen speaker. Loved it.
3. Important phone conversation.
4. That's it. I meant to walk or bike, but didn't. I did eat healthfully. I feel full, not deprived.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Parking meter, 50 cents.
• Whole Foods, iced coffee from barista, frozen Daiya vegan supreme pizza for Fig, huge bags of frozen broccoli and quartered artichokes, Grape-Nuts cereal, snack for Punch and pals, snack for Punch, half-gallon vanilla soy milk, nearly 1 lb. marinated salmon fillets for dinner tonight, loaf Ezekiel bread, $63.35.

Total daily spend: $63.85.
Ongoing monthly spend as of Sept. 6: $297.84.
Average daily spend: $49.64.

Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:

🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, dinner plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.

🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including present for Fig and big yellow mum plant, $84.
🎟 Whole Foods, groceries, including salmon for dinner and an iced coffee from the barista, $63.

Day 6 Sugar Chase

Feeling good. Catch up tomorrow.

Adding on Friday morning:

TCOY

1. 7 a.m. support group.
2. Ate healthy meals.
3. Walked Puff around block.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Whole Foods, large yellow mum for front stoop, quart half and half, half-gallon milk, freshly ground almond butter, crackers, 1 lb. lox, blackberries, sliced Provolone, 4-pack frozen veg burgers, 4-pack frozen "chicken"patties, dozen eggs, bunch bananas, back-to-school present for Figgy [black cotton PACT knee socks], Ezekiel English muffins, protein bar for Fig, case of sparkling mango water in cans, $2 donation at register for Whole Kids Foundation, $83.85.

Ongoing monthly spend as of Sept. 5: $233.99.
Average daily spend: $46.80.

Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:

🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, dinner plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.

🎟 Whole Foods, including present for Fig and big yellow mum plant, $84.

Reminder to Self: What I Wrote August 30

And I add white breads to this list--Italian, French, Wonder [yes, Dan sometimes buys that soft, airy junk for Punch], etc.

I’ve been on shaky ground w carb consumption this week. Being on a low budget doesn’t help. I cooked pasta for Punch and two friends at lunch today. Nice and cheap, $1.49 per pound.
I’d like to sketch out a plan of triggers to avoid:

1. Bagels. Too big.
2. Donuts, cakes, cookies.
3. Fried foods, including potato chips.
4. Ice cream. I had my ultimate chocolate-dipped vanilla custard cone of the summer on the Cape earlier this month.
5. Sweetened cereals.
6. Candy and chocolate.
7. Pizza. If possible. Sometimes it’s whats for dinner.
8. Sweetened coffee drinks.
9. Pasta. Also a tough one.
10. Crackers, pretzels.

And ADD more salads, brown rice, Ezekiel bread, steamed vegs, fresh fruit, unsweetened cereal, turkey on good rye bread.

September Starts with a Doggy Bag: Day 2 Carb War

I ate half my dinner at restaurant last night, had the rest for lunch today, after Mass. Pork loin, broccoli rabe, Italian red peppers...very good. I added 2 slices Ezekiel sesame toast, one with hummus and one with a moderate slice of gorgonzola cheese....both slices topped with a round of fresh garden tomato from my friend Elaine.

Riding Citi Bikes in NYC has been on Dan's bucket list for years. He and I did it today, and it was fun. We pedaled along the Hudson River, on that busy path. It was very pretty. I liked the blue bike, too--very sturdy, and biking always brings an element of girlhood freedom for me. The one downside was having to check in at a dock every 30 minutes....we did that at least 3 times.

TCOY

1. Mass. Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, Father Marc said as part of the Mass. I've heard it thousands of times, but today it really reached my heart. I think because Punch was not there to distract me. It shocks me, BTW, that I just calculated that in my life, I have been to Sunday Mass thousands of times. For every ten years of my life, if I went every week, and I usually did, that would be 520 times.
2. Excellent iced coffee in NYC.
3. The bike ride.
4. Long walk back to Port.
5. Enjoyed fruit--fresh figs, mangoes [bought both because Punchy loves them, too].
6. Listening to body, when it feels full, when it feels shaky, wobbly and hungry.
7. Had brown rice bowl with chicken and avocado.
8. Talked to Moey.
9. Making overnight oats.
10. Washed dresses.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• La Colombe iced coffee plus $1 tip, $5.50. Liked location at 27th Street Terminal Warehouse. Excellent decaf. 
• Birthday card, $8.50.
• Starbucks, $2.15.
• Citarella at Hudson Yards on my walk home, rice and chicken bowl, mango, figs, pesto, half and half, $35.
• Two DeCamp bus tickets, Montclair to NYC, $15.30.
• Printed Matter shop, dental floss with slogan on container for Fig, plus tax, $10.80.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $77.25.

ONGOING MONTHLY TOTAL AS OF SEPTEMBER 1: $77.25.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR: $77.25.

Big-ticket 🎟🎟 September spends:

🎟 Citarella at Hudson Yards, dinner plus fresh fruit, etc. to bring home, $35.