To hell with this already.

I'm a lousy budgeter. Can't deny it. No trouble getting all my bills paid, which is good, but like many other bad-budgeters, its the saving ahead/getting ahead that stumps me more often than I'd like (thank goodness my IRA and 401k are treated like bills, budget wise).

I do want a 360, though.

So, looking at things now? I hope to get a 360 no later than the end of January. Is this like losing weight during the holidays? A hopeless and futile attempt at something? Saving during the holidays?

I don't think it is.

Here's the plan. $25 per check until then will be set aside. Cash, that is, hiding in a German beer stein I was given as a gift one year. I'll get six checks before the end of January, so that'll be $150. In all likelihood I'll get some money or giftcards at Christmas (since I tend to be hard to shop for), and I've got some friends wanting to have a business card designed ($25-50). I need to be looking for more side-jobs anyhow.

What about Christmas gifts? You know, the season of giving and all that? Ah - that's where I'm going to cut out a bit on myself. Some extra effort to remember to pack a breakfast and lunch versus eating out will help, and I've over-budgeted for one of my expenses, which frees up some money too. I won't have to sacrifice anything significant, basically.

So, the goal is to $200 usable for buying an Xbox 360 Arcade no later than January 31. I can do this. I think like a lot of people I've got things I want and want to do, but keep looking at them like they're impossible because I never sat down and planned out how to do it. So, I sat, thought, and this is what I came up with.