Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

Happy Monday! My weekend was good and relaxing, and i didn’t get much done even though I had a lot planned that NEEDED to be done. Oh well. Halloween has definitely taken over my life this past weekend, and I’m loving it! A lot of you were wondering about my skin problems that I talked…

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Last Updated: May 26, 2023

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Happy Monday! My weekend was good and relaxing, and i didn’t get much done even though I had a lot planned that NEEDED to be done. Oh well. Halloween has definitely taken over my life this past weekend, and I’m loving it!

A lot of you were wondering about my skin problems that I talked about last week. Turns out that nothing was wrong and I was given pills to make the white spots go away. The dermatologist said that it’s not a big deal but it’s extremely hard to get rid of the spots completely, so they will most likely keep coming back. So he gave me extra prescriptions to save me money on visiting him more than once, thankfully!

The Halloween costume that I talked about on Saturday did not work out at all. I obviously have no crafty skills at all.

The boy has a vacation in December. His work told him that he technically doesn’t have to take it (since he won’t get paid from his work), but it’s also one of the slower weeks for him so he most likely won’t sell much during that week. We’re thinking of maybe going snowboarding and skiing in Colorado. I’ve never really done either so we thought it would be a nice trip.

Does anyone know of any good resorts or hotels there? We would like to go to Vail, as long as it’s not too extremely expensive. If we do go, then it would be the week right before Christmas. Not sure if we will drive or take a plane either, as it would cost almost the same.

Let me know if there’s anything we should know about a potential Vail trip! Also, if you’ve ever gone and have a blog post with pictures or tips, then leave the link below please 🙂

My updates:

Spending: We did OKAY on spending this week, but not the greatest. Didn’t spend too much on food and $0 on drinking, but went to the movies (during matinee though so it was only $7.50 per person) and we did surprisingly rent a TON of movies, which still adds up.

Extra Monthly Income (this is on top of my salary from my job): I didn’t really make a lot last week, as compared to recent weeks. I made around $250 last week. And this is exactly why I don’t rely on my extra income, it is not stable! I do of course enjoy it still though.

Also, I’m trying to ramp up my Swagbucks. I haven’t searched using Swagbucks in forever but plan on doing so just for some extra Christmas present money. I have a shameless plug in now and it is for you to join Swagbucks using my affiliate code. I really love Swagbucks and have made over $200 in gift cards just from searching (just like searching on Google) and it’s SUPER easy.

Food: We’ve been doing better definitely. Our goal is to eat in Monday through Friday of this week. I’ll be thinking of a meal plan today and am going to the store after work. If you have any good recipes, please share them in the comments!

Being healthy: No comment… 🙂 I’ll do better TODAY.

How’s your spending, working out and extra income going?


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Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Author: Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Hey! I’m Michelle Schroeder-Gardner and I am the founder of Making Sense of Cents. I’m passionate about all things personal finance, side hustles, making extra money, and online businesses. I have been featured in major publications such as Forbes, CNBC, Time, and Business Insider. Learn more here.

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  1. Greg@ClubThrifty

    Glad to hear that your skin problem isn't a big issue. Have you guys tried Beaver Creek, CO? It is in the Vail Valley and it is awesome! I stayed there for a summer once. Not quite as big of a place. How many people are you going with? If you are interested in renting a condo, I'll put you in touch with my buddy's family. They have a condo right on the resort in Beaver Creek.

    1. I think it's just going to be my sister, the boy and me. We are going to try and find a fourth person though. Will check out Beaver Creek! And I might take you up on the condo rental.
      My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  2. I thought your extra income would continue to be close to $1k forever! Just kidding, but honestly you are right about the side income: it can be unstable.

    I have never been snowboarding in Colorado but it sounds like fun! I actually haven't gone snowboarding for three years now, might have to go this winter…
    My recent post Why You Should Not Paint Your Apartment

    1. Haha I wish it would continue at around $1K a week forever!
      My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  3. Heather near Atlanta

    Look at Copper Mountain. About 10 miles from Vail so you could go over and sightsee, but probably much cheaper.

    1. Definitely going to look into it! Thanks 🙂
      My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  4. adahat1

    Be careful snowboarding for the first time. I couldn't sit without discomfort for weeks and my wife broke her wrist. That was tough since she is a stylist therefore her job depends on her being able to use her hands.
    My recent post Peer To Peer Lending, What it is and why you need to consider it. Part I

  5. Budget & the Beach

    Not doing great on the spending from this past week (as you read). 🙂 BTW, I would choose Utah over Colorado. I think it's way cheaper and quite awesome from what I hear.
    My recent post Week in Review-10/28/12-I Buy Fitness

    1. Will definitely keep Utah in mind! I didn't even think of that.
      My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  6. No reason, we were just naming places hahaa. And I will check those out, thanks!
    My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  7. Awww it's alright! Hope you make lots of swagbucks.
    My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  8. Heather @ The Life Unexpected

    Hey girl hey! I have just moved to Jackson WY and its got AMAZING skiing/snowboarding. Like the French olymipic team likes to come play on our mountains kind of amazing lol. Check into Snow King and Teton Village. We have an airport in town that’s actually pretty big so it’s easy to fly into 🙂

    1. Ooooh thanks! I'll have to check that out.
      My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  9. Allison

    You know I never use swag bucks. I really need to get back on that.
    My recent post Im in a food rut

  10. therandompath

    So glad to hear that your skin problem turned out to be nothing! Yea 🙂

    Colorado sounds fun! I've never been. I've been sking but not snowboarding. You are going to have an awesome time!
    My recent post The Road Less Travelled

    1. Yeah I'm glad it's nothing!

  11. SavvyFinancialLatina

    Colorado is awesome. We went in the summer a couple years ago, and so far it has been our favorite vacation.

  12. I would LOVE to go to Vail. I have heard it is amazing.

    1. I've been looking at pictures and it's so pretty 🙂

  13. Haha I was not healthy at all last week and ate more than I should have on my cruise. I knew that would happen though so at least it wasn’t a shock.

    1. Haha good that it wasn't a shock!

  14. Yes this is something that we definitely need to keep in mind!
    My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  15. Sinister (very scary!), Scream 1 through 3 (classic Halloween movies haha), Chernobyl Diaries, Friday the 13th (we watched 3 of them, can't remember which ones since they all sound the same), and Halloween 1, 2, and 4.
    My recent post Spending, Life, Income, Food Updates…

  16. Glad to hear your skin condition is nothing serious. UT is an awesome place for a winter vacation:)

    1. I'll have to look into Utah!

  17. kimateyesonthedollar

    Of course, I'm biased, but I think SW CO resorts are the best. I've been to Vail, and it's impressive, but also crowded that time of year if the snow is good. If you wanted and alternative, you could get a Frontier or United flight to Durango and hit Durango Mtn Resort, Telluride, or Wolf Creek. Driving, it takes forever to get there, though. Wolf Creek and Steamboat usually have the best snow. If you are like me and do blues mostly, anywhere is great. If I hear of any front range deals, I'll let you know. Sometimes you can get lift tickets at the Kroger grocery store affiliates.

    1. I'll definitely look into these!

  18. i'm obsessed with your blog! i am so into finance and being smart with money..newest follower! XO emi
    chaseandem.blogspot.com
    My recent post sunday notes

  19. Sarah Kate

    Your snowboarding trip sounds like fun! I've been to Breckenridge and Key Stone, but never Vail. I would LOVE to do that one day!

    Sorry about the spots not being a quick fix. For the past 2 years I've been dealing with melasma on my face where I get little brown spots that won't go away. It can get really frustrating! So I totally understand you being worried about them!
    My recent post halloween prep

    1. It definitely does get frustrating! I wish they would just completely go away.

  20. Chelsea

    I'm going to use swagbucks as soon as I get home to Canada! I'm on the computer 24/7 so why not rack up some giftcards doing it? I can't do it while I'm living in New Zealand cause they don't work internationally which sucks!
    http://www.yourstrulyblog.com

  21. munchkin

    LOL love that picture!! So true.
    My recent post Sunday Social

  22. I remember when a ticket to the movies for a Friday or Saturday night was $7.50 per person and now that is the matinee price! I guess it just shows you how infrequently I make it to the theater to watch a movie.
    My recent post Do You Pay For Services You Don’t Use?

  23. Brick By Brick

    I have heard a lot about swagbucks so I signed up. Hopefully I can use it as well as you do.

  24. Janna

    Vail will be fabulous just before the holidays! I usually find deals through Groupon, Living Social, or Cheaptickets. I would fly if it will be around the same. Driving through the mountains will cost more in gas and is hard on your vehicle.