Money Monday 21/3

Wow, haven't touched this tag in a while.  Before we blow the dust from it all over the place, here's some food:

Two eggs and two tomatoes, all fried in bacon grease that I've started saving.  Avocado for some more fat.  Mmmm, fat.  Part of a grapefruit the size of my head.  And coffee.  Nom.

This week's questions (original post here):

1. The most I've spent this last week was on PAYING OFF MY STUDENT LOAN IN FULL!  Yes I know.  I am just that awesome.  That's an extra $150/mo I have to play with now, and I'm probably going to put it towards rent.  Yep, I'm looking for a new place.  Anyone know of a cheap-but-not-crappy 1BR/1BA in a safe neighborhood somewhere around downtown Durham?  Let me know.  Hardwood floors and fireplaces droolworthy but not necessary.

2. Today I feel slightly abashed towards money.  I've been sadly neglecting my budget plans and my ledger for a month or so now, and while it was nice to just have fun without obsessing too much (among others, by taking off for the Outer Banks for a few days), it's time to kick it back into high gear.  I'm thinking about enacting an envelope system for the paying of bills and such, but I'm torn.  On the one hand, it's nice to literally see exactly where all your money is going; on the other, I'd like to set it up so I can pay my bills and rent online.  And even with checks, the money would still have to be in my account, not an envelope.  So maybe just sticking with virtual budgets for bills and rent, and doing the envelope shuffle for variables like food and gas (hopefully going to go down soon!)?  We'll see.  Any tips?

3. Money can't buy happiness.  One free thing I did last week was to go on a riverwalk!  For the uninformed, this is when you go to a river, normally one in a wilderness park with a hiking trail next to it, and then ignore the trail and just walk in the river.  It was a gorgeous warm day but the water was freezing!  Still amazing, even when it got up to my armpits.  I think I scared some hikers with my squawking.

4. I will consider this week a success if I stop slouching!  My back hurts like a mofo.  Also, total paleo at least 5 days.  I've been lax lately and I'm noticing the results.

5. I am thankful for this boy right here:

-N