Name: Brian Fairbanks
Age: 28
Location: New York, NY
Profession: Freelance writer
Goal: Get back on a budget before he goes broke

As with most things in my life, it took a woman to make me realize my spending is out of control. Normally, I don't go on that many dates per month. Sometimes it's because I can't even afford to pay for dinner, and sometimes it's because, well, there isn't always someone special enough to use up my Ramen noodle money.

But in the spring of last year, I found myself on a second date, paying the three-figure check without a care. I certainly didn't ask her to cover the tip. "Do you normally have dates in the hundred-dollar range," she asked. I was startled, and not just by the frankness of her question. Two years ago I was barely scraping by on $22,500, working for friends and political causes. But by 2008, I had more than doubled my income, and my spending started to make up for lost time. In fact, it practically tripled.

As a freelancer, though, there's not a lot of consistency. In 2009, my income dropped to $40,000, but it's like I forgot my old frugal way of life. I'm still spending like it's 2008. How do I get myself back on budget before I end up writing a check my you-know-what can't cash?

Do you have a money quandary? A success story? A cautionary tale? We'd love to hear from you. Send an email to editors@bundle.com and include a photo.

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