goal #1 starts now

i got paid yesterday and it was both a relief and anxiety-ridden.
relief because i have moolah to spend and anxiety-ridden because i know i have to start making progress towards my #1 goal.
#1 goal being becoming financially secure.
so i started with knowing how much money i had in the bank and not how much money i could possibly spend with my August paycheck.
what's the difference? well, i haven't received my 2nd paycheck yet, so i shouldn't even be thinking of how i can spend that (sadly though, i made purchases in July that i credited for August). but hey, baby steps:)
then i deducted all my living expenses and whatever i have spent already before this paycheck to give me an idea as to my liquid status.
well, that was as fun as pulling my own teeth.
i am screwed.
and it is only the first weekend of the month.
plus, i have an upcoming trip that i would need spending money for.
ugh!
dipping into my humble savings is not an option.
i better get creative if i want to see myself through this month.
so with a heavy heart and a determined mindset, i plow on with the following game plan:
1. hello home cooked meals - spend my limited money on grocery and my somewhat open schedule cooking
2. reduce my carbon footprint - bike to work and to the gym at least 3-4 times per week until summer ends
3. avoid retail stores - i did this quite well last month but then right as July was about to end, I found myself hypnotized by the sale signs and dropped a benjamin in 30 minutes; i was happy with my purchases and they are all going towards my wardrobe revamping but my budget wasn't very ecstatic with me
4. be a hermit - stay at home for the next weekends until my already scheduled trip. luckily I have 10 Red Box coupons, which needs to be used by the 15th. and thank the heavens for Hulu and my co-worker's need to have me babysit her TV and satellite subscription for the next couple of months :)
5. switch tourist mode on - I am going to only allocate $200 for my IL weekend and i am going to try to make it solely a sightseeing, city immersing and people watching vacay (fingers and toes crossed really hard)
5. goodbye red military inspired stilettos -  i hope you are really meant for me and would therefore still be available and at a much lower price in September, just in time for Fall ;)