Hi David,
Lately I have found myself wondering where all my money is going?! Coincidentally, my mother just bought me a copy of The Automatic Millionaire. I have not read it all the way through yet, but wanted to share what I have learned already. In addition to my day job in the payroll department of a social science research firm, I am also the Executive Director/Stage Manager of a local semi-professional theater company. We currently have three shows in various stages of production. What this means is I often go straight from work to the theatre. I looked at my latte factor for yesterday alone and now know where all my money is going. I stopped by my neighborhood Starbucks in the morning for a $3.80 mocha, lunch in the cafeteria was around $6.00, on the way to the theater I grabbed carry-out for dinner at around $5.00 then mid-way through rehearsal I ran across the street to the local cafe for another coffee at around $3.50. That makes my latte factor for ONE DAY $18.30!!! I’m blowing almost $100 a week without even realizing it! Starting tomorrow I’m making my own coffee at home and the theater, bagging lunch to work and stocking up on frozen dinners (they go on sale for $1 each frequently). Another thing I’ve know for some time (that I need to start practicing), is how important household orginization can be in saving money. Several times I have found myself buying more tape, scissors (black skirt!) because I need it right away but can’t find the ones I know are in the house somewhere. De-cluttering and organizing my house is right up there at the top of my new financial planning list. I look forward to reading the rest of the book.