I realised, sadly, the other day that I've been living way above my means since I graduated from college.

The worst part is that Nicky the Fish has a great job, makes more money than I'll ever know (and he's only two years older than me) and he's happy. Even though he didn't study a lick of what he's doing now when he was in university his job still fulfills him everyday.

I always told myself that I would take being happy with my job over making butt loads of money any day but it really has hit me hard that I need to start working on my spending habits. Living from check to check is not smart and I find myself buying the most frivolous of things. Plus, I try to keep up with everyone else and have this desperate need to please everyone and I end up spending like it's no one's business.

So, in order to be proactive I must have goals, right?

• First, I will keep a log of my spending
• Second, I will save my money for Argentina
• Third, I will not try to please anyone but myself.

Now all I need to do is master the art of a spread sheet (why don't they teach that to writers?) and I'm on my way!