The ongoing search for austerity

I just found out that a colleague with whom I have a comparable household income (or should I say had, since our household income will be halved come January) spends only $600 a month on non-car, non-household utilities expenditure. This $600 covers him and his wife, by the way. $600.

In contrast, I spent $700 a month on myself, and frequently find that it's not enough.

I am a financial wimp. At least I feel better about turning down an invitation to go eat at a $30 per head Japanese buffet next week. I mean, I love Japanese food but we totally need to stop doing things like this.