Daily Dimes 11/17/09

The current economic downturn can be looked at in two ways: Either an added obstacle to pay off debts from past mistakes, or an opportunity to take a fresh look at expenses in order to spend money on items or services you’ll actually get use out of.

Not everything about the recession is bad, though it may look that way. Not only is it prompting many to take another glance at their expenses and reprioritize what truly is worth spending money on and what isn’t, but many are now also saving some money for the next rainy day. Before this downturn, the savings rate was actually below 0 percent. Scary, huh?

First, the bright side of the recession …

Running on the Treadmill of Personal Finance

Ever since my senior year of high school when I joined a Gold’s Gym near my house, I have had the exercise bug. I love to work out. Not just because it keeps me healthy and in shape, though. It can also be an escape from the daily pressures and stresses of life.

Moving to Jersey City, gym memberships around here are generally pretty expensive. Add into the fact that I don’t make a great deal of money, and you have a recipe for fat disaster.

I didn’t use a gym for the first five to six months of living in Jersey City, relying on some bodyweight exercises, walking, and strict diet to stay in shape. After I got a huge tax rebate last year, I set aside enough of it to have a year’s worth of enrollment fees and monthly dues for Crunch Gym in New York City. I pay $69 per month to go there.

I like going there because it is very close to my job in Midtown, so I can leave my apartment early in the morning, go exercise, shower, get ready, and walk over to the office. I’ve been looking more locally to see if there is a gym opening within walking distance of my apartment so I wouldn’t have to lug all of my gym clothes, protein shakes, and work supplies to and from Manhattan every day.

Road Warrior Trade-Offs

Today is my last day in Las Vegas — this afternoon I’ll be flying back to New Jersey and trying to get back into my normal routine. (No, I didn’t win any money at the slots.) For the past few weeks, my birthday, business, and personal travel have thrown me off-kilter. Don’t get me wrong, I love celebrating my birthday and flying on my company’s dime. That said, I do enjoy being boring and having a regular routine of going to the gym, reading, writing, working, etc.

I’ve been at my current job for almost two years, and I have come to learn some tricks to traveling when my gym and normal food isn’t available to me.

Daily Dimes 11/6/09

It’s hard to know where you’re going unless you know where you came from. This is not only true overall in life, but particularly with your personal finances.

This is true on two fronts, covered in both stories after the jump in today’s Daily Dimes.