Welcome back to Claire from Online by me, Claire, from Online. I have long passed the halfway point of my summer, and I’m in a stage of acceptance. My break actually didn’t feel so short — I usually spend between 10-15 days in Illinois, which is fun but really breaks it up, and I didn’t make the trip this summer. Trying to savor the last few weeks of slow mornings and midday workout classes!! This week, I have to admit, I was extremely Love Island (US)-pilled, but to combat my usual “I need to be outside when it’s sunny or else I feel weird and like I’m not making the most of my life”-itis, our pool was closed for maintenance and soul ties is craaazy. I started the current season & made it to the Movie Night episode in less than 72 hours. To quote Leah, “let me preface this by saying I am sick, I am ill.” Cookie’s still sleeping a ton (and growing like crazy!!!) so it really worked out. All caught up now & happy to pull you for a chat about it.
Here’s how & what I spent this week.
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Monday, July 8th
Every Monday I get paid by Stripe for my Substack subscriptions, and I had recently received a few affiliate payments to my PayPal, so it’s not really a payday, but kind of a payday, and it’s definitely a pay-my-bills day. Right now, I’m focusing on paying off a personal loan ($2,278), and my car payment ($2,150), and building up an emergency fund. I’m set to pay both off early and I am feeling super motivated!!!
$414 towards personal loan
$375 car payment (+principal)
$100 Amex payment
$26 Discover payment (paid off)
$15 on iced lattes from our local shop. $7.50 each is wild but the baristas are soooo nice, tip your baristas!!!
I went to Pilates, Eric made red beans & rice, I made some delicious no-churn raspberry Oreo ice cream (recipe from Broma Bakery), and took Cookie on her first real walk! :’) Eric and I started watching Alone — I had never seen it, but we were enjoying it!
Tuesday, July 9th
$54 at Petsmart — Got a travel kennel I don’t love that I am honestly hoping to return over the next few days and Bocce’s Bakery training treats. Cookie loves these things, especially the peanut butter & bacon flavor.
$3.50 on Sonic drinks for myself and Karly! (It’s always happy hour on the app!!)
$10.89 for Apple TV+
$19.70 on Sharpie bullet tip creative markers! These have been making their rounds and they’re pretty freaking amazing. A little bit of an impulse purchase, but it is what it is, if you don’t trust I’ll get some use out of these, you don’t know me at all. ;)
$21.89 on a nail polish carrying case. This has been a long time coming. It’s great, it’s fine, it meets a need!! Love that all of my stuff is in one place now.
Wednesday, July 10th
NO SPEND DAY BECAUSE I LIIIIITERALLY WATCHED TWELVE HOURS OF LOVE ISLAND. I went to work out and took Cookie out for her little Cookie playtimes, but other than that, I was LOCKED IN, BRUV. I made a big bagged salad with all of the fun additions, had a little sodie pop, folded laundry, surely I responded to some texts and emails and I think I vacuumed1… but I think I clocked in a solid 12 hours on the island. HELP.
Thursday, July 11th
$189 - Pilates studio membership & worth every single penny
$51 on groceries — standout treats this week include peach kombucha, big tasty raspberries, & Carolina Gold BBQ chips!
Friday, July 12th
$4 - New York Times subscription
iCloud storage
$30 in donations at the 22nd Annual Art of Wine at Walton Arts Center! My friend Antha and I were gifted tickets to this incredible event that we somehow hadn’t ever been to in all of our years living in NWA. I will be going every single year from here on out, it was SO FUN. I’m working on a journaling spread today and will fer sherrr be posting a reel.
MIDNIGHT SPRITES & made this TikTok
Saturday, July 13th
My Cometeer order ($79.36) was in the mailroom overnight (my fault); cut to me being shocked that liquid nitrogen does what it’s supposed to do :) Many of you know I work with them so product is often comped, but this was actually my regular old subscription that I forgot to skip. I’m really not complaining because I know I’ll drink ‘em, I’ll just be set for awhile! ;)
Spent a lot of time in my five-year journal! I’m almost caught up <3
$11.79 Cane’s box combo, baby!!!!
Sunday, July 14th
No spend day, technically!
Put in a huge Atlas Stationers order with store credit (paid shipping). Such a treat!! I’m soooo excited about my Esterbrook Estie (and it’s on sale! I got a fine nib which is out of stock, but all my medium/stub people…), among other things. Show and tell soon!! Thank you for using my links, I am so very appreciative, and love partnering with the very best hometown shop ;)
Made delicious coffee at home! Had a crunchy sandwich for lunch! Ate a Chipwich after dinner! Love that for me.
Training treats dispensed: I don’t want to know
Total workout classes attended: 6
Total $ paid towards my debt: $915
The Wishlist
A skort (still)
Earrings (still)
An entirely new desk, might be hollering at A Brand
Adidas Gazelles (still)
One of those criss-cross applesauce big desk chairs. May get one for my office at work. ✶⋆.˚
Thanks for reading! This has been a fun way for me to wrap up my purchases & links. This is not a line-by-line budgeting dashboard. I believe in value-based spending. There will always be bills, essentials, gifts, and things I omit (both by choice and because I forgot about something, lol). This is literally just for fun. Check out past wrap-ups below:
July 7th | June 24th | June 16th | June 10th
(WEEKLY-ISH SUMMER SERIES!)
May | April | March | February | January
Byeeeeee,
Claire
Eric replaced (upgraded) our dinky Amazon cordless vacuum (absolutely terrible, hated the experience) with a Dyson. This is his journey and I support him. It’s really nice and makes vacuuming fun!!!!! Obviously super helpful to have a decent vacuum with the addition of Cookie girl!
Already commented on Insta, but so excited about your Estie! I have a Honeycomb and Winter White, both in gold. One is fine and one is extra fine. They both write so smooth... like buttah. ❤🖋
OMG welcome to Alone! Any thoughts on who will win? My bf and I finally started a top and bottom 5 in S10.