View Full Version : Can I do it? X $ a Month
I looked over all my spending data for the past 6 months and realized that I could save a certain amount of money every month by eliminating 5 categories of spending. My number is a specific number, but I'm not ready to state it here.
My point is that it is a specific number, and I have a specific goal that I have committed to meeting. My time frame is over a year, but I am breaking my journey down into 6-month chunks.
My categories are:
1. Books
2. Wine
3. Clothing
4. Highlights (for hair)
5. Travel
I've never committed to this level of expenditure control before. I've felt that these 4 out of 5 of the categories are "essential," but in the thinking process leading up to committing to this goal, I've realized that none of them are more important to me than my goal.
I'm a little nervous, because I've made the commitment to the goal already---it is a No-Break-Promise type goal, AND I've never had this much control over my spending except for many years ago when saving for a downpayment on a house. Also, "X" is for me a large number. We're not talking Baby Steps here. It is the nature of the goal that it can't be done with Baby Steps.
Also, this is not a month-on, month-off type thing. It has to be sustained for at least a year, so I can't "cheat" by eliminating the 5 categories one month, then "re-offending" another month. I've carefully documented that I still can meet all my truly non-elminat-able expenses, including occasional big ones such as insurance bills. So I think this is ambitious but really do-able.
I'm posting this here to ask for your support. If anyone would like to join me in an X - Dollars - a- Month journey, hop on board. I'm actually 2 weeks into Month # 1 and I've kept my pledge so far. (Don't laugh!)
I can't possibly support you in giving up wine completely, if I understand correctly that that is what you are doing!:~) Only if you determined that you have an alcohol problem would be able to say "ok--go for it."
Also, this sounds like one of those punishing diets that no one can stay on.
I don't see why you have to go cold turkey on all of the things you listed.
Gosh I just am not being very helpful, eh? So ignore whatever I'm saying if that's easier for you, truly, what the H*ll do I know about your situation? Good luck!!!
I can't possibly support you in giving up wine completely, if I understand you correctly that that is what you are doing!:~)
I agree with Iris here. I view wine as food, and include it under our food budget.
For the last 10 years or so, I have helped run a small winery, and have learned a great many things about winemaking, the wine industry, and wine marketing. My top-level advice: the correlation between wine price and the quality of the wine is pretty weak these days, there is *a lot* of really good wine out there at bargain prices. And the dirty secret of the wine industry is that some of that inexpensive wine is basically the same stuff that's in the high-end-priced bottles.
So have some fun, and find some good < $10/bottle house wines, and drink wine in moderation!
You will find out if your goal is as important or more important than the categories you are putting on hold.
The goal would have to be mighty important for me to cut all those items out for a year. Even when we were ambitiously trying to pay off our mortgage, we left a little room for "luxuries". Life has to be worth living while you are working towards your goal. So we substituted a cheaper wine, and travel was camping trips and not hotels, and borrowed most books but bought a few that were really important to us. I think you are setting yourself up for failure by making it all or nothing. If you can make some allowances along the way, its going to be easier and you'll be more likely to stick with a budget for the long haul.
I appreciate the feedback and will think about the wine-related advice in particular.
I think I may have given a false impression of a bleak life on this X-dollar-a-month journey.
I will still be having fun going to museums and parks with friends, participating in church activities, reading (library books), spending actual money on concerts, taking my usual dance classes, and going to various professional conferences that my workplace funds...I'm hoping that the fact that I still have a lot of very enjoyable things going on even without the Five Categories will make this process doable. But, as one poster says, I guess I will find out whether that goal is really as important as I think it is! Thanks for the comments.
Good luck, cjones! We are also saving toward a particular goal right now and my approach is generally to cut some amounts from many budget areas rather than to eliminate some entirely. But I will join the challenge and eliminate a couple for the rest of the year: clothing and books. Having just cleaned out our closets, I know none of us needs any of the former; and looking anywhere in our house, it is clear that we have enough of the latter (plus we use the library).
Maybe you can make it easier to stick to the pledge if you give yourself some "get out of jail free" cards -- maybe 5 or 6 cards which say, "OK, I didn't meet my goal THIS time. But I will keep at it." Every time you slip or choose to purchase wine or hair highlights, you take one card out of the pile. Out of cards? Out of room for those expenditures for the rest of the year. A safety valve, if you will.
Good luck!!
cjpmes, to me, those categories sounds quite reasonable to cut out towards an achievable goal. Too many times, people are not able to cut things out and then complain that they cannot do those things/activities that they really want.
Be really clear on your goal and how important it is to you. Make a note to yourself to help you remember should you ever falter.
I would break this down into smaller timeframes though. Six months sounds really long but challenging yourself one month at a time and seeing how it goes would give you greater satisfaction of achievement, I think. Make a chart about $$ saved by your conscious choices to forego those categories each day, week and month. See how it all adds up very quickly. Weigh the advantage of indulging them with the goal as the the opportunity cost each time
fidgiegirl
5-20-12, 10:02pm
I cannot say enough about razz's excellent suggestion about a chart. I had one when getting out of debt and it wasn't until I did so that I was able to take the goal very seriously. But when I had a chart, man . . . look out.
The "get out of jail" card, at least on a mental level, is a good one. Although I would be tempted to fudge too often if it were me. I do think it's important, however, that if you have an inadvertent slip, keep at it. I used to kind of blow the bank after one slip, telling myself I'd already done the damage so what was the big deal if I spent $$ on x y and z while I was at it.
I am going to think about if I will join the challenge. I do want to save some $$, but since we haven't been doing tracking, that might be where my mental energies need to go. Especially since how will I know if I am cutting my spending with no baseline? That said, admirable goal and I will be here cheering you all on.
flowerseverywhere
5-20-12, 11:22pm
we did exactly what you posted for three years. In that time we did not buy new clothes, eat out or spend a penny on anything we did not need. Our goal was to pay off all debt. We did it.
If someone asked if we wanted to go to dinner we said we really didn't want to do so but liked to keep company with them so come on over for cards. Or packed a picnic and had a great time in a local park.
For gifts we did things for people.
there are decisions you need to make to figure out what are needs and what are wants.
needs include: Food, shelter, heat and clothing. Most of us have enough clothes and shoes to last for many years. Food can be cooked from scratch. Unless you have specific dietary needs (nursing or pregnant mother, someone who is ill etc.) it does not cost much to eat if you stick to the basics. For most of the time that humans roamed the earth there was no air conditioning. It sure is nice to sit down to a nice glass of wine at the end of the day but people live their whole lives never touching a drop of an alcoholic beverage.
So I think that if you go on total austerity you will still be living better than at least 90% of the humans on this planet. Instead of feeling deprived wake up every day and tell yourself how lucky you are to be alive and be able to work and contribute to the well being of your family.
Absolutely nothing feels better than to have no debt, have an emergency fund and reach FI.
I have mentioned this many times but many people here, including me found themselves in a situation due to circumstances beyond their control to be out of work. Injury, lay offs (rightsizing, downsizing ) etc. can hit anyone. People come down with diseases that cause them to need treatment and not work.
The more you have your financial house in order the better off you will be to deal with life.
flowerseverywhere
5-20-12, 11:26pm
by the way, you were not willing to post a specific number but I am. We eliminated $150,000 in debt in a little over three years. I worked two jobs, DH worked overtime whenever he could. Many people here have eliminated an enormous amount of debt in a very short time.
also you know what the first thing we did when we were debt free? I dumped our sock and undie drawers and we got all new, and we went to the local diner and had a meal.
really look hard at your categories. highlights for hair? Are you kidding me? is that worth having a millstone around your neck of debt? Books? LIBRARY. I read 4-5 books a week and haven't bought one in years. Travel? Have you been to all your local parks, state, county etc? Have you been to all the museums, historic houses, parks, natural wonders and events within 50 miles of your house? Wine? won't kill you to do without. clothing? do you really need something new? is there any way you can make do with what you have? Do you have items in your closet you have never worn? A signal to not shop. Besides the large majority of the clothing (and toys and some food) we purchase is made in countries with little worker protection, low wages and possibly child labor. Do you want to support that?
also you know what the first thing we did when we were debt free? I dumped our sock and undie drawers and we got all new, and we went to the local diner and had a meal.
Ha! That's just what my wife and I did when my first company went public. All the other guys were buying sports cars, we both got a dozen pairs of new ThorLo socks and some underwear. The socks and underwear lasted until the next company went public :-)
Welcome to the journey, Rosemary. Your categories sound very do-able. I joined Molly's No New Clothing for a Year Challenge when it was running and I saved a bunch. I didn't stick with it the whole 12 months, but then I didn't have the Goal that I have now.
I love the chart idea and am starting it TODAY!
For anyone who wants to look at how they run their money, I can't over-praise tracking. There are many computer programs and interactive sites that make it easy and will deliver the cringe factor very honesty.
I couldn't agree more with the poster who points out that even without my Five Categories I live better than 90% of the people in the world. I'm esp. fortunate in that I live in a large metro area with many free cultural attractions and beautiful green spaces.
I do say to myself "Highlights? Are you kidding me?" -- but -- in my profession looks are considered important, and people treat you with varying degrees of respect in part based on how you LOOK, especially if you are an older woman. Double underline that part about being an older woman. It is literally a matter of job survival. I am hoping that with good haircuts and good quality clothing (which I already have, don't need to buy more) and good posture from all my dance classes I'll be Ok without the highlights---I'll find out if people start coming up to me and asking if I'm sick (which they do if I forget to put on makeup). Yes, I inwardly roll my eyes, but I am not out to change my company's culture, I am out to keep my job and meet my financial goals.
PS--I am inspired by your story, flowerseverywhere!! Way to go and AWESOME on you guys!!! Doesn't it feel great to know that you had the power and inward discipline to do that!!
flowerseverywhere
5-21-12, 8:31am
PS--I am inspired by your story, flowerseverywhere!! Way to go and AWESOME on you guys!!! Doesn't it feel great to know that you had the power and inward discipline to do that!!
I got my inspiration from people here on the old boards about 12 years or so ago. You can do it. What really did it for us (which you mentioned) is tracking. To this day we write down every penny we spend.
I'm sorry you have to put up with the culture of appearance at work. Not just looking neat and clean with classic clothes, but people asking if you are sick without makeup? Yikes. I used to take the time to iron and make sure my clothes were neat when I worked in an office but nothing like you have to put up with. That would give me more incentive to be debt free, believe me.
The best thing about being FI or debt free is it gives you so many more choices. You don't have to put up with the bull - I was able to quit my high pressure soul sucking job and finish my work years at a very rewarding one.
You can do it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Bastelmutti
5-21-12, 12:38pm
I wonder if you have a plan in place for the travel category in case there is some sort of emergency (like an illness or death in the family) that requires travel?
ApatheticNoMore
5-21-12, 1:55pm
Also, this is not a month-on, month-off type thing. It has to be sustained for at least a year, so I can't "cheat" by eliminating the 5 categories one month, then "re-offending" another month
I think it's the tone people are reacting to here "I've never done anything even close to this before", however "I must", "no excuses" etc.. Very mustabatory :) (Albert Ellis). For instance the same goal acheived in a year with no months off, would be acheived in 2 with every other month off (and in somewhere in between with every few months off). But if your more than willing to give these things up then go for it!
I wonder if you have a plan in place for the travel category in case there is some sort of emergency (like an illness or death in the family) that requires travel?
Emergency travel is very important, I'm glad you included this issue in this discussion.
I have good liquid savings and consider emergency travel a part of my "cushion." I am incredibly grateful to my life circumstances and to my own fortitude at a certain period that I was able to set up this fund---but it's made me lazy about saving ever since then.
I'm glad you raised the point because it's reminded me of how easy it's been for me to dip in to that fund for non-emergencies. I am determined to stay out of that fund except for genuine emergencies.
I got my inspiration from people here on the old boards about 12 years or so ago. You can do it. What really did it for us (which you mentioned) is tracking. ....
You can do it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
THANK YOU!!! "You can do it" is going to be my mantra, and I'm writing it on my wall chart!!
One thing that might help you perservere with this is to introduce each of the restrictions slowly. It is pretty easy to be overwhelmed/frustrated when you try to change a lot of things at once. I think there is pretty ample research that shows more incremental change is often easier to maintain.
And I just have to say I love being part of a community where people celebrate major achievements with the purchase of new socks and underwear. Whoo hoo! Do we know how to live it up or what :) Seriously, though, its the little things in life that can really give us immense pleasure, and I love it that people here "get" that.
lhamo
fidgiegirl
5-21-12, 6:50pm
You can do it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Amen, flowers!!!!!!!!
Ha! That's just what my wife and I did when my first company went public. All the other guys were buying sports cars, we both got a dozen pairs of new ThorLo socks and some underwear. The socks and underwear lasted until the next company went public :-)
Oh you millionaires and your exorbitant spending sprees :-)!
What i do: first try out all the free and low cost things out there to see how many of them you actually enjoy. You might be suprised that you enjoy a great walk, hike, bike ride or free local concert and pizza at the park more than an expensive evening concert, dinner out, nice outfit and bottle of wine. I know I do.
Secondly look at alternatives to things you like. Concerts? What about the free ones in your local community or look into a season pass. Wine? Discount wines on sale at wine warehouses. Dinners and movies out? Try take out or homemade and a rental DVd. Books, Cds, and DVDs? Borrow them free at the library. Heck I don't even own one single book. Donated them all years ago and now just borrow them from the library. I even did away with my home internet and use the libraries free wi-fi (mostly so I wasn't spending so much time online). I also don't have cable. Travel? Camping road trips are the way to go. Also vacation house rentals in off-season places are VERY inexpensive - especially if you are free to do multi-week or even month long stays. Bring the whole family and friends and split the costs. May only be $100/week or less for each of you. Or look for airline deals and inexpensive hotels. When I travel (and I do alot) I don't ever stay in my hotel room except to shower and sleep, so a bvudget place (Motel 6) works fine for me. I just paid a whopping $28/night for one in Utah (there for 3 weeks). South Lake Tahoe's Motel 6 is also around $30/night in summer. Close to casinos and nightlife. Tahoe, and other ski resorts, (especially in Colorado) have super low discounts on most hotel rooms during spring and fall (i.e. low season) and even in summer. You can stay in a luxury hotel in Aspen that goes for hundreds a night in ski season for around $50. I once stayed in Winter Park for a week at a VERY nice place that normally went for about $500/night in winter for $38/night. And by joining a local ski club (free) I am able to stay at their lodge (dorm rooms) for $15/night in Mammoth Lakes, Ca. in winter for skiing. The same place costs $5/night in summer. Lots of deals out there.
As far as making changes, I personally don't believe in denial - I believe in substitutions. Whether it's saving money or dieting or giving up some bad habit, I think the road to success is not in denying yourself those things, but in finding better (cheaper, healthier, more meaningful) subsitutions. If I can't afford the $60 bottle of wine, I can at least a fford a $5 bottle (or Two Buck Chuck at Trader Joes). If I can't afford a fancy vacation, I can afford a few days in a budget motel in the mountains or by the beach. So don't think about giving up things, just think about subsituting them for something different (and often better!!)
flowerseverywhere
5-21-12, 9:03pm
You only feel deprived if you let yourself. I have found people love to complain about the weather, about how they feel, about life is unfair etc. Just yesterday it was in the high seventies, beautiful fluffy clouds in the bright blue sky and a light breeze. Someone said to me "It better not get any hotter than this" as opposed to "what a beautiful day."
If you wake up every morning and the first thing you say to yourself is "I'm so lucky to be alive." Put a smile on your face and greet the first person you see cheerfully and make a positive comment to complement them, say something nice about the weather or how much you love an upcoming event. The more positive you are the more positivity will flow to you.
If you feel like you are deprived or unlucky life will be miserable indeed.
ApatheticNoMore
5-21-12, 9:23pm
I tend not to believe in excessive self-denial either. Or at any rate I believe the psyche is unruly, box of demons :). Deny id too much and revenge of the subconscious, deny inner child too much, and child will out. So that's why you need to have some fun and some things you like in life. Some people's thresholds for this may be lower. Substitutions are a great way.
Wildflower
5-22-12, 3:33am
Sutter Home Moscato wine is wonderful for about only $5 a bottle. :)
I love the "substitution" idea, and you have given some great examples, Spartana, thank you!
My categories are:
1. Books
2. Wine
3. Clothing
4. Highlights (for hair)
5. Travel
cjones--I will take up your challenge for 12 months with the following caveats:
1. books--no caveat, I will only read books from the library, borrowed from friends or otherwise free.
2. wine--I will allow myself two bottles of Aldi wine/month, plus whatever is gifted me.
3. clothing--will only purchase to replace a worn out item. My clothing is pretty minimal already, as those who follow my yearly count know.
4. highlighting--did this already. I cut off my almost waist-length blonde hair in January 2012. I am growing it out it's natural grey. I have found various Y-tube videos about how to cut my own hair and plan to never spend $ on my hair again.
5. travel--I have already bugeted for a trip to TN to see my oldest in June. I plan no further travel for myself...but will probably go 2-3x to St Louis to see my mother and will likely take DS#2 on a college tour next spring.
I'm in. My challenge starts June first.
I see things like flowerseverywhere does. DH and I have taken one trip in the last 5 years. It was a daytrip, 4 hours there, 4 hours back, in a Prius with 4 large dogs and a one-pound parrot. We went to Pie Town, NM (live in Santa Fe) to see a dog sanctuary that sounded much more sensitively run than anything around here--for when any of our dogs outlive us, as two are apt to do. Other than that, we buy a few clothes that seem to us necessities, like shoes and underwear. Other than that, haven't bought other things on your list for years.
I think a lot about how little most people in the world have and how much happiness we get from our animals. There is no one for whom we would take an emergency trip--most people in the world can't. Due to mortgage stress, it's easy to see many things as luxuries, as well as due to simple living like making our home care products from ideas I've gotten here and from The Simple Dollar. It helps me too that I once asked an old woman friend who'd been poor all her life how she makes it work and she said, buy only what you need and very, very few things you just want.
P.S. I forgot to say I go by Trent Hamm's question, What is the best use this money could ever be put to? and also by comparing how much I need a thing now to how much I'll need it when we're both fully retired (we both work part-time now) and living on less. A lot of things we'll need a lot more then.
awakenedsoul
5-22-12, 4:51pm
cjones,
It sounds very doable to me. You have your dance classes, so you have some fun. As a dancer, as long as I had my dance classes, I was happy. I've given up all the things you've listed, but I was never a wine drinker. I've got plenty of other hobbies and things to keep my happy. I eat really well, cook and bake everything from scratch, grow a lot of my own food, and crochet on my porch. You may even find more things you could give up. That's what happened to me. I started riding my bike everywhere, and realized that I really don't "need" a car, except for my monthly Costco trips. I have a Kia Rio, and it's paid off, so I just use it enough to keep it running well. This way it will last me another 20 years...I stopped using henna. I'm still having men hit on me, so I guess my hair looks okay, even though I'm getting some grey. (I'm 47.) I started taking cod liver oil, and that's been great for my hair and my health. I say go for it! You can always change your plan. I gave up television, and I'm reaching my goals much faster. I've thought of giving up the Internet and using the library like Spartana, but I'm not there yet...
My categories are:
1. Books
2. Wine
3. Clothing
4. Highlights (for hair)
5. Travel
cjones--I will take up your challenge for 12 months with the following caveats:
1. books--no caveat, I will only read books from the library, borrowed from friends or otherwise free.
2. wine--I will allow myself two bottles of Aldi wine/month, plus whatever is gifted me.
3. clothing--will only purchase to replace a worn out item. My clothing is pretty minimal already, as those who follow my yearly count know.
4. highlighting--did this already. I cut off my almost waist-length blonde hair in January 2012. I am growing it out it's natural grey. I have found various Y-tube videos about how to cut my own hair and plan to never spend $ on my hair again.
5. travel--I have already bugeted for a trip to TN to see my oldest in June. I plan no further travel for myself...but will probably go 2-3x to St Louis to see my mother and will likely take DS#2 on a college tour next spring.
I'm in. My challenge starts June first.
Welcome, Fawn!
I appreciate your "caveats" in some of the categories. You've reminded me that I may need to buy some new jeans along the way, as one by one, my seven pairs of perfect jeans that I bought some years ago are biting the dust.
I also have a trip already planned that is 50% paid for. I committed to the trip before my Challenge, and I won't change that now. I think family trips are pretty much a necessity anyway--you can't substitute anything for seeing your family.
Good for you with the hair!
Hey Fawn (minimalist sister) how goes the hair grow-out? Do you regret cutting it (bravely shaving her waist lenght hair completely off for those of you who missed the "very cute" photo of her hairless - young Sneaid O' Conner never had such a cute bald head!). My now waist lenght hair will be cut off soon (maybe) and donated but I'll only cut it to shoulder lenght so I can still wear it in a pony tail. Post a new photo of your hair when you can! Love to see it.
cjones,
It sounds very doable to me. You have your dance classes, so you have some fun. As a dancer, as long as I had my dance classes, I was happy. I've given up all the things you've listed, but I was never a wine drinker. I've got plenty of other hobbies and things to keep my happy. I eat really well, cook and bake everything from scratch, grow a lot of my own food, and crochet on my porch. You may even find more things you could give up. That's what happened to me. I started riding my bike everywhere, and realized that I really don't "need" a car, except for my monthly Costco trips. I have a Kia Rio, and it's paid off, so I just use it enough to keep it running well. This way it will last me another 20 years...I stopped using henna. I'm still having men hit on me, so I guess my hair looks okay, even though I'm getting some grey. (I'm 47.) I started taking cod liver oil, and that's been great for my hair and my health. I say go for it! You can always change your plan. I gave up television, and I'm reaching my goals much faster. I've thought of giving up the Internet and using the library like Spartana, but I'm not there yet...
I have a lot of fun!--dance classes, church, museums, friends, my family, and books---those are what I most enjoy and I wouldn't think of giving up any of them. Clothing and highlights might take some deep breathing. I love that you gave up TV--I keep basic cable only for a relative who visits once a month or so and is miserable without it.
It's great to hear from people who live very happily without these Categories of expenditure that suck up so much life energy.
Hey Fawn (minimalist sister) how goes the hair grow-out? Do you regret cutting it (bravely shaving her waist lenght hair completely off for those of you who missed the "very cute" photo of her hairless - young Sneaid O' Conner never had such a cute bald head!). My now waist lenght hair will be cut off soon (maybe) and donated but I'll only cut it to shoulder lenght so I can still wear it in a pony tail. Post a new photo of your hair when you can! Love to see it.
Well, I still haven't figured out the whole avatar thing...but I will soon...after state track this weekend....our 4x 800 team (DS#2) won sectionals w/ a time of 7:53:00.
Well, I still haven't figured out the whole avatar thing...but I will soon...after state track this weekend....our 4x 800 team (DS#2) won sectionals w/ a time of 7:53:00.
Congrats to your son! I also loved your daughters duct tape prom dress - very funky, cool, bitchin', gnarly, hip, rad and ... a... neat-o. Isn't that what the kids say now a days :-)!
I can't possibly support you in giving up wine completely, if I understand correctly that that is what you are doing!:~) Only if you determined that you have an alcohol problem would be able to say "ok--go for it."
Also, this sounds like one of those punishing diets that no one can stay on.
I don't see why you have to go cold turkey on all of the things you listed.
Gosh I just am not being very helpful, eh? So ignore whatever I'm saying if that's easier for you, truly, what the H*ll do I know about your situation? Good luck!!!
I would be careful of the all at once sort of thing too, but it seems like you have it under control. And like others have said, tracking is so very important. Make sure to do the steps of YMOYL - the tracking chart really helps.
Ha! That's just what my wife and I did when my first company went public. All the other guys were buying sports cars, we both got a dozen pairs of new ThorLo socks and some underwear. The socks and underwear lasted until the next company went public :-)
One thing that might help you perservere with this is to introduce each of the restrictions slowly. It is pretty easy to be overwhelmed/frustrated when you try to change a lot of things at once. I think there is pretty ample research that shows more incremental change is often easier to maintain.
And I just have to say I love being part of a community where people celebrate major achievements with the purchase of new socks and underwear. Whoo hoo! Do we know how to live it up or what :) Seriously, though, its the little things in life that can really give us immense pleasure, and I love it that people here "get" that.
lhamo
Me too - love the idea of socks and undies. That is usually what we spend money on more so than anything else. I get (working for NPS) an uniform allowance, and usually get anywhere from 4 to 5 pairs of socks a year. Of course, I wear them out with all the standing and walking that I do, but they usually can last ~ a year or so. I usually also use my allotment for shorts (which I use when I am off work too) and green jeans (yeah, my wardrobe is really green, at least it goes with pinks when I am off season...)
And of course I love the idea of going to parks (local, state, and federal) whenever you can. Once you get in, usually all the activities are free or minimal charges and you can bring food in for picnics! Camping is also a great option and some thrift stores have gently used equipment. Or if you live in an area that you do not even need to worry about a tent, sleeping out under the stars is a great way to go.
Hello friends,
I want to share my first month's result: success!
I don't want to jinx myself by bragging, but honestly---it was easy! I am shocked at how un-painful it was.
My life feels exactly the same except I have fewer errands. Boo hoo--NOT!!!
I'm thrilled I was able to meet my goal this month and grateful that nothing happened in my life to make it too hard to do (such as a serious illness or home repair emergency).
cjones....yes, brag here! This is the place. congrats to you on your experience. Fewer errands sounds pretty darn good, actually. good for you.
And fawn...that is one heck of a four by eight time...way to go, guys! (I had two relay runners amongst my kids, so I do know a good time when you post it). Hope they do even better at states.
Congrats to your son! I also loved your daughters duct tape prom dress - very funky, cool, bitchin', gnarly, hip, rad and ... a... neat-o. Isn't that what the kids say now a days :-)!
Apparently the now compliment is "badass." She says that was the most frequently used compliment for their outfits at the dance.
cjones--excellent start! I start mine next month, but really started when I first joined, just haven't been tracking yet.
OK. General appeal for help in posting photos? Do I have to create a flicker account or something somewhere? I can't seem to just get the photos from my computer to the forums.
iris lily
5-31-12, 11:31am
OP, great job in May! Fewer errands is a great side benefit.
fidgiegirl
5-31-12, 6:03pm
Awesome, cjones! So glad it went well and thanks for popping back in to share about it. Here's to June!!! Keep on keepin' on!!!
Yes, thank you, fewer errands is a beautiful lifestyle enhancement.
Reflecting back on this month, I have a sense that just cold-turkeying on certain categories has worked well for me. There is no slippery slope. It also helps that I haven't given up anything that matters that much to me---we'll see if I can still say that when my hair is more grown out and the highlights are two-toning their way towards my shoulders.:D (Is there a smiley face with hair that has grown-out highlights?)
Fawn, I see you have blazed the trail in the area of sane hair management. Good for you!
Me again. Middle of Month Number 2.
Would like to hear from anyone who has succeeded in growing out their highlights. I'm a bit depressed at my appearance right now, with an inch of very dark brown at the top and golden/brown tresses the rest of the way. Somebody please tell me this gets easier!
I purchased $500 worth of clothing, and returned every bit of it. I see this as a stress response to too many late hours at work (required) and resulting inability to get to dance class, which leaves me craving the endorphin rush I get from dancing.
Besides my goal of "x" dollars a month, which is funding something that is extremely important to me, I truly believe that sticking to this journey will result in a better life quality. Thank goodness it's the weekend and I can get to a dance class both days, Happy Dance!
Thanks for listening.
Dance your stress away! That's so much better than mall shpping,
Wow, returning all of those clothes will be good incentive to not buy again. I HATE returning stuff.
awakenedsoul
6-15-12, 6:46pm
Congrats cjones! You can do it. Stress reduction is really important so that you don't slip and do something like the $500. shopping spree. That's great that it's been going so well. I feel the same way. I prefer no television.
Oh, and I don't know if you like sewing, but I darn my socks. I get the needlepoint thread 40% off at Beverly's. A neighbor taught me how when I was a little, girl, and it's really relaxing. Plus, it makes my nice wool socks last a lot longer!
Enjoy your dance classes! I agree about the endorphins!
Me again. Middle of Month Number 2.
Would like to hear from anyone who has succeeded in growing out their highlights. I'm a bit depressed at my appearance right now, with an inch of very dark brown at the top and golden/brown tresses the rest of the way. Somebody please tell me this gets easier!
I purchased $500 worth of clothing, and returned every bit of it. I see this as a stress response to too many late hours at work (required) and resulting inability to get to dance class, which leaves me craving the endorphin rush I get from dancing.
Besides my goal of "x" dollars a month, which is funding something that is extremely important to me, I truly believe that sticking to this journey will result in a better life quality. Thank goodness it's the weekend and I can get to a dance class both days, Happy Dance!
Thanks for listening.
I did this. I had dark brown hair and golden highlights for several years. My daughter is a hair stylist, but I was tied of the upkeep. You can cover the highlights with a permanent hair color that matches your roots. If you have a little grey coming in, don't worry, the permanent color does gradually fade. I have been without color for about 1 year. Probably about 15% silver now. I hope to be able to go silver naturally.
Me again. Middle of Month Number 2.
Would like to hear from anyone who has succeeded in growing out their highlights. I'm a bit depressed at my appearance right now, with an inch of very dark brown at the top and golden/brown tresses the rest of the way. Somebody please tell me this gets easier!
I have to say when I read your original list I thought everything sounded totally doable except the highlighting thing.
I have been highlighting my hair for many years. And I had gotten so blonde that I finally switched to another stylist so I could have her work it darker. A year later, it is now darker so as the highlights grow out between colorings, the roots don't start being noticeable for much longer. Right now, it's been 13 weeks and it's starting to look like I need it but I don't know if I'm going to get it done now or wait until school starts again in August.
If you've got really dark hair and a lot of your hair is processed with color there is absolutely going to be a major line of demarcation. For me, looking nice is a lot more important than buying stuff. I just feel down if I don't look my best. Is there some way you can take some money from some other source to pay for highlights (far fewer foils and only one color--much cheaper) and get it done less frequently rather than cutting it out completely? Another option would be getting a partial done rather than a full head.
Otherwise the only other thing I could suggest is pulling it through the cap which I've always thought looked pretty crappy or just cutting it all off completely like some others have suggested.
Good luck!
Also, looking at your list, highlights looks to be the cheapest thing of all. For me it would only cost about $30. per month. I would try and think if there's some way I could shuffle something else in my budget to do the highlighting.
fidgiegirl
6-15-12, 8:32pm
Is there a way to get a supermarket dye to touch it up so it's not so noticeable? Disclaimer: hair dye phobic, so truly don't know the answer. You've probably thought of this.
Thanks so much for each response. I chuckled at bunny's comment:
"I have to say when I read your original list I thought everything sounded totally doable except the highlighting thing."
Part of what makes this hard is that my facial appearance has changed so much in the last 5 years. I used to have a round, soft face that turned heads, along with a big floaty cloud of silkly natural curls. Now I have a thin face with lines and thin, straight, dark brown hair (thank you, Cancer!). I realize I should just be thankful I'm alive, period, and I am. But DANG!!!
I'm going to re-consider the highlights issue, but first I need get caught up on sleep and dancing and quiet time. Another issue concerning the highlights that worries me is my workplace, which is very youth oriented. Older women tend to get treated very disrespectfully if they don't look and dress a certain way. That alone may put highlights back in my budget, but I'll be danged if I let this affect my financial commitment. I'm hoping that if I can hang in there for a while the highlights will grow out enough and I'll discover that my natural look is actually very nice. When I've seen other women grow out their highlights I've ALWAYS found that they look great once the highlights are out. This is without exception. But *I* might be that exception!!!!!!
I'll also think about your suggestions, bunny, if I go back to highlighting I'll be sure to discuss those options with the stylist.
Thanks for the encouragement and good thoughts.
fidgiegirl
6-16-12, 11:08am
I'm not sure if Fawn is monitoring this thread. She recently got rid of her dyed hair, but had to do a big cut to accomplish it. Hopefully if she sees this and feels moved she will chime in with thoughts.
http://singlemomenough.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/the-haircut/
I looked over all my spending data for the past 6 months and realized that I could save a certain amount of money every month by eliminating 5 categories of spending. My number is a specific number, but I'm not ready to state it here.
My point is that it is a specific number, and I have a specific goal that I have committed to meeting. My time frame is over a year, but I am breaking my journey down into 6-month chunks.
My categories are:
1. Books
2. Wine
3. Clothing
4. Highlights (for hair)
5. Travel
I've never committed to this level of expenditure control before. I've felt that these 4 out of 5 of the categories are "essential," but in the thinking process leading up to committing to this goal, I've realized that none of them are more important to me than my goal.
I'm a little nervous, because I've made the commitment to the goal already---it is a No-Break-Promise type goal, AND I've never had this much control over my spending except for many years ago when saving for a downpayment on a house. Also, "X" is for me a large number. We're not talking Baby Steps here. It is the nature of the goal that it can't be done with Baby Steps.
Also, this is not a month-on, month-off type thing. It has to be sustained for at least a year, so I can't "cheat" by eliminating the 5 categories one month, then "re-offending" another month. I've carefully documented that I still can meet all my truly non-elminat-able expenses, including occasional big ones such as insurance bills. So I think this is ambitious but really do-able.
I'm posting this here to ask for your support. If anyone would like to join me in an X - Dollars - a- Month journey, hop on board. I'm actually 2 weeks into Month # 1 and I've kept my pledge so far. (Don't laugh!)
Let me put in a supportive word here - I have not spent in any of those categories for YEARS, except I buy about two new outfits a year to keep my wardrobe viable. I get all my books from the library, let my hair be itself, have no desire to go anywhere nor to drink wine. There are plenty of other rewarding things in life, most of which cost little or nothing.
Me again. Middle of Month Number 2.
Would like to hear from anyone who has succeeded in growing out their highlights. I'm a bit depressed at my appearance right now, with an inch of very dark brown at the top and golden/brown tresses the rest of the way. Somebody please tell me this gets easier!
I purchased $500 worth of clothing, and returned every bit of it. I see this as a stress response to too many late hours at work (required) and resulting inability to get to dance class, which leaves me craving the endorphin rush I get from dancing.
Besides my goal of "x" dollars a month, which is funding something that is extremely important to me, I truly believe that sticking to this journey will result in a better life quality. Thank goodness it's the weekend and I can get to a dance class both days, Happy Dance!
Thanks for listening.
One possibility for hgihlights is to go to Dollar Tree and pay a dollar for hair dye as close to your natural color as they have, dye the whole thing, and as it grows out the difference should be nearly invisible
I highly endorse frugality but have to draw the line at eliminating professional hair coloring/highlights/lowlights! My DH likes them and since I'm a "senior", I feel I've "earned it". Call me spoiled!! :)
Thanks for the encouragement, I really appreciate it. Interesting that highlights is the area where there is the widest range of opinions! To put you all out of your suspense -- I went out on Saturday and got my highlights. Both my appearance and my mood are a thousand percent improved. I may still try the Dollar Store idea, which is very clever---but for now I'm figuring out other ways to meet my goal.
Fidgiegirl: Thanks for that link. That photo is really pretty---if my hair had that wavy, gorgeous salt-and-pepper look I would ditch the highlights in a second!!
Hey, you gotta feel like you look good!
I do think an extreme Spartan lifestyle with Draconian cuts (yes, I teach ancient history) is absolutely doable. You've just got to think of the ways you can cut that won't feel like a knife in the heart to you.
kelli- I am monitoring the thread, and I have a photo of my hair, now grown out 5 months....but I am so computer illiterate. I need help learning how to post it. HELP!
Somebody explain to me how to get photos from my computer to the forums. Please.
cjones--wanted to commend you so far on your success with your goals and let you know where I stand.
books: $0
wine: $8.73 (this represents 3 bottles of Shiraz purchased at Aldi and one bottle free that was a birthday gift. I am one bottle over for the month so far, and it is only the 20th)
clothing: $0
hair: $0
travel: $0 (though later this week I will buy a tank of gas, aproximate cost $30 to drive to St. Louis. My mom is taking me out to High Tea for a birthday celebration)
cjones--I thought of another way you could lose the highlights if you wanted. You mentioned undergoing chemo...if you still have your wig, you could cut your hair short (all the highlights off like I did my blonde) and wear the wig until your hair got long enough to go without. Of course, you probably wouldn't want to do that during the summer. Just a thought. If you really like, or need for work, the highlights and can make your financial goals w/o getting rid of them: no worries!
Fawn, You are doing great.
When we started doing the RV lifestyle, I had my hair colored and did highlights. But my scalp got so dried out (I went prematurely gray when I was in college) from coloring my hair or having it done, that I went cold turkey and said Forgetaboutit! So I have whitish hair with some blond and some brown, with brown eyebrows (talk about a shocker). It is unique, and no hairstylist could ever make it this way.
If your work is very much against looking your age then that is ageism which is against the law. If it is really bad, ask for a raise so that you can get your hair highlighted and to buy some hip clothes. OR you could do other things with the hair - make it really short and wear scarves or hats or earrings, or funk it up with spikes or other such thing. Or don't worry about it and don't care what they think.
I also think you are doing great to keep with your goals, keep it up!
Thanks so much for each response. I chuckled at bunny's comment:
"I have to say when I read your original list I thought everything sounded totally doable except the highlighting thing."
Part of what makes this hard is that my facial appearance has changed so much in the last 5 years. I used to have a round, soft face that turned heads, along with a big floaty cloud of silkly natural curls. Now I have a thin face with lines and thin, straight, dark brown hair (thank you, Cancer!). I realize I should just be thankful I'm alive, period, and I am. But DANG!!!
I'm going to re-consider the highlights issue, but first I need get caught up on sleep and dancing and quiet time. Another issue concerning the highlights that worries me is my workplace, which is very youth oriented. Older women tend to get treated very disrespectfully if they don't look and dress a certain way. That alone may put highlights back in my budget, but I'll be danged if I let this affect my financial commitment. I'm hoping that if I can hang in there for a while the highlights will grow out enough and I'll discover that my natural look is actually very nice. When I've seen other women grow out their highlights I've ALWAYS found that they look great once the highlights are out. This is without exception. But *I* might be that exception!!!!!!
I'll also think about your suggestions, bunny, if I go back to highlighting I'll be sure to discuss those options with the stylist.
Thanks for the encouragement and good thoughts.
Regarding youthful hair - there's a lady in my church who is in her late 60s and wears her two tones of gray hair short and spiked up, and looks absolutely fabulous, way better and livelier and younger than a 10 year old pic I saw of her with dyed brown hair just hanging down.
Hi friends,
I'm almost ready to post the June results, which are good. I did get the highlights and everybody in my world fell all over themselves saying how great I "suddenly" look. I'm talking even the lady at the grocery store, the mail guy, of course my co-workers, my church friends, my dance friends, my book group friends. I guess I live in a shallow, appearance-oriented world---but these are the friends I have and I love 'em. :)
Reader99, your friend with the spiked up gray hair sounds gorgeous! As soon as my hair starts turning naturally gray I'm going to try that!
I think there's gray, and then there's "gray." Meaning some gray hair is that beautiful silver color, and others, like me, get the dishwater flat metal gray. Also although my hair is naturally wavy it is also fine, so alas, no way will it "spike."
So, like many other women in the corporate world aged 50+, I'm going to continue to color. As long as color is $8/box, I'll continue the every-8-week ritual for the foreseeable future.
Didn't mean to hijack the thread, so good for you cjones on your financial results!
Thanks, Lainey. That's kinda how I feel about my hair. WAY TO GO on your $8 a box solution! That is a very frugal way to handle the hair coloring!
Here's how I did this month:
1. I met my commitment of X dollars.
2. My 2nd living room lamp burned out--I've been nursing these babies along getting them repaired every few months, because they keep burning out--the lamps themselves, not just the bulbs. With both of them out of commission I felt it was time to replace them with safe, reliable lamps, so that took me over my budget and I had to transfer $500 from savings to make the purchase. Could have gone the used lamp route, which is what I did with the previous lamps, but I kept having those issues with the wiring, so I went for new this time. Very happy with the purchase, no beating-up-of-self for using some savings money. I expect to recoup this money later this year or if that proves impossible I will replace it after my commitment is complete.
3. Yes, I spent money on the highlights. It fit into my budget somehow, and if I hadn't had the lamp adventure I would be able to still say that I met my monthly commitment without resorting to withdrawing from savings.
I think these household things (the lamps) are bound to come up and I probably should have accounted for that before making my X $ a month commitment, BUT: it is like a whole new improved lifestyle for me to be living without all the clothes shopping. So I'm still pretty psyched!
awakenedsoul
7-2-12, 10:09pm
That's great cjones! I bought my lamps at the Salvation Army. I got beautiful antiques for $15.00 a piece! They are brass and crystal. They are really well made and have a night light. On EBay they are selling for several hundred dollars. Aren't you glad you had your emergency fund money? That's the key. You're right, those expenses do crop up, and you didn't blow any of your budget on clothes. Nice work!
Thanks, Awakend. Your lamps sound gorgeous, what a find. Mine were beautiful and worked perfectly when I got them, but six months in I started having these issues with the wiring. I probably should have kept them just for that amount of time and then junked them after the first burnout rather than going the repair route---but I hate the anit-repair mindset. Glad your lamps are working so well for you, I agree there are some great bargains at the S. A. if you have a smart eye for them.
fidgiegirl
7-3-12, 10:14am
Wow, cjones, awesome!! What a feeling. I hope your confidence for this project is growing. Success breeds success and all of that :)
kelli- I am monitoring the thread, and I have a photo of my hair, now grown out 5 months....but I am so computer illiterate. I need help learning how to post it. HELP!
Somebody explain to me how to get photos from my computer to the forums. Please.
Hi Fawn - The only way I know how to post pics here is by creating an "album" here. It's super easy to do. Click on "community" above and then "albums". On the right will be a "create album" button - click on that and just set it up. You can select how your albums are viewed - I selected the "profile" albums that can't be viewed by anyone but myself. Once you create an album you can upload photos from your computer (just follow the steps) and then, once you have the photo in you albums, click on the photo and copy the "BB Codes" and paste it directly in a thread. Other people here use photo sharing sites and that may be easier but creating an album here has worked the best for me. Also, if you want your albums visable to everyone then don't use the "private" or "profile" setting. I wish more people would post photos and do albums but not too many have.
Or don't worry about it and don't care what they think.
This is my view too. I am "older" and have very long straight naturally blonde (with just a few grays/whites starting) with bangs and don't really care that if it's age appropiate or not. "I" like it and don't really care what other's think. I did post photos here of my hair (front and back) taken on my last birthday not too long ago and I think most people thought it was OK irregardless of my age - and if they didn't...well, I don't care because I'm the only one I need to please. So doing what works for you and not worrying what other's think is the best way to go IMHO. If highlighting it makes you feel great, then it's worth the expense. If it doesn't, then it isn't. I plan to color my hair or get it highlighted once it gets more gray (just a tiny amount at my temples now) and am fine with that expense because I'm not a fan of gray hair. but I'll probably keep it long as I find that it is much easier for me then shorter, styled hair that needs constant cuts. Buns, pony tails, pig tails, braids, long curls or flat and straight - I can do it all with minimal fuss or hassle.
I saw one of your photos and I think you look great, Spartana!
I saw one of your photos and I think you look great, Spartana!
Thanks! My "Barbie" pony-tail locks will live on a while longer..and then..snip, snip :-)!
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=820&d=1341858662 (http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=820&d=1341858662)
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=821&d=1341858666
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=822&d=1341858670
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=823&d=1341858673
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=824&d=1341858676
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=825&d=1341858679
Thanks Spartana for the photo instructions.
cjones--you are doing great! Especially in sticking to your goals with the unexpected lamp expense.
I did OK in June. I bought 5 bottles of wine instead of just 2, spent $10 or so driving to see Mom, and $900 and change for our family vacation. Expenses for that included: 3 meals out, restocking DS and DIL's refridge after me and the descending swarm of teenage locusts devoured the contents, white-water rafting for six and 2 hour spulunking tour for four.
All in all, a good month.
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/album.php?albumid=81
Thanks Spartana for the photo instructions. The best I can do so far is create an album here and than link to it. I was trying to get the photos to post in the threads.
Above is link to photos of my haircut. They are in reverse order (but I'm sure you could have figured that out. ;))
cjones--you are doing great! Especially in sticking to your goals with the unexpected lamp expense.
I did OK in June. I bought 5 bottles of wine instead of just 2, spent $10 or so driving to see Mom, and $900 and change for our family vacation. Expenses for that included: 3 meals out, restocking DS and DIL's refridge after me and the descending swarm of teenage locusts devoured the contents, white-water rafting for six and 2 hour spulunking tour for four.
All in all, a good month.
Your hair is growing out so cute! like a Meg Ryan bed-head. I love it! Makes me want to cut mine now :-)!
OK to post a photo from your album into a thread post do this: Pick the photo from your album you want to post. Click on it to enlarge it. At the bottom right are 2 sets of codes. Right click on the one labelled "BB Codes" and then click "copy". Then, begin a new post (or edit an old one) and right click your mouse again and click on "paste". This will enter a the BB code (a series of numbers) onto your post (you won't see the photo just the code for the photo) but once you actually "post" your post then it'll show the photo. As far as making them smaller, bigger, or clearer...well, I have no idea how to do that. Maybe Alan knows.
Just wanted to give an update for mid-July:
1. Books--I have been sorely tempted by some books recommended to me by friends, but have resisted so far by either going to Amazon.com and reading a portion of the book which leaves me saying to myself "Yeesch! I'm glad I didn't waste money on that or reading part of it at Amazon and liking it and going to the library website and requesting it online. I figure any books I want to read that I can't get that way will be available after this challenge is over. And (bonus) my daughter is going through her personal library and culling what she no longer wants and she is "loaning" to me books that are of interest to me. I will not run out of things to read this year.
2. Wine--ok, falling down here. So far this month have bought 4 bottles of wine, and there is 2 weeks to go.
3. Clothing--bought a pair of jeans, replacing the pair I wore out last winter and a tunic to go with some leggings and a pair of work slacks, to replace a pair that was too worn to wear to work. Nothing extravagant.
4. Highlights (for hair)--still grey, still growing it out.
5. Travel--none since coming back from visit to son and DIL.
I'm doing OK.
Love your hair, Fawn! I've got very short, naturally curly, going grey hair myself, so maybe I'm biased, but I bet it makes you look younger.
lhamo
leslieann
7-19-12, 10:57am
The hair is wonderful, Fawn. I love the curliness and the darker colour is becoming.
I love your hair too, Fawn!
Here is my August update: (or rather end of July update): I spent $800 on a vacation to which I was previously committed. I also went outside my own challenge, which said "no new clothing," and bought $874 worth of new clothing for the Fall. Actually, I bought $2000 of new clothing and returned $1200 worth. Not sorry about the $874 even though it breaks the rules. I also bought $150 worth of ebooks for my next work-related trip, which involves several air flights and a lot of time alone. I've learned that when I travel alone I can get very depressed without enough reading material and there is nothing worse than being stuck somewhere without a book.
I realize this sounds like I didn't do well this past month, but somehow I still met my own X $ donation goal, not quite sure how.
Looking ahead, I want to step back from the clothing and expect to be able to do without any more ebooks, as work travel will be over for a while.
Ok, I officially no longer feel badly about the $600 worth of tops I just bought (67 pieces. sigh...). I do love all of them, and they are easy care. And, I paid off the CC I put them on and also paid off the tickets to go home next month. So, no harm, no foul.
And, yes, this is how I ended up with 80+ pair of slacks at one point.
Shadowmoss....I'd love to see a photo of your closet. 80+ slacks? 67 tops? Wow. My closet space is tiny about 3.5" wide. I have to really limit what I wear. Just the other day I was looking at one of my son's bedrooms and thinking "this would make a fantastic dressing room when he goes to college".
I have trimmed down the amount of clothes I have by a very large margin. I was thinking it is about time to count things again. I will try to get pictures of my current closet up on my blog this next week. The tops (and 2 skirts) I bought are light weight and don't take much room. I got a wholesale account at magicscarf.com so they were not too expensive. Down here I do my laundry more or less by hand, so things that don't have to be ironed to look good enough for work and that are cool (temperature wise) are what I was looking for. Add depression, boredom and a credit card, and well... I do like the tops, though, so it could be worse. Back at my worst hording I once bounced a check at Goodwill for $80 when nothing cost a dollar. That's how I got the 80+ pr of slacks, I did that type of shopping a lot.
Hey Fawn, you are doing great! I find the "no new books" part of my challenge very difficult---the logistics of reserving books at the library, going to pick them up and lugging them back is hard to fit into my schedule. How do you choose between going to a dance class and going to the library? SO much easier to buy them in digital form, but at the rate I read this is budget killer.
Shadow, I hope you have a lot of fun with your new tops! I consider clothing an art form and choosing and wearing nice clothes is one of the joys of my shallow life! When I set up the "no new clothing" part of my challenge had a secret caveat about 3 new items I want to buy for the winter. I'm finding this part of the challenge easier to do than I expected. After I bought that $500 scarf I nearly felt sick and returned it promptly--I used to buy a lot of crazy stuff like this and NOT return it, so I feel like I'm making progress.
shadowmoss
8-5-12, 10:46am
Progress, not perfection. I have my 'sanity money'. As long as it doesn't add to the debt or slow down the paying off of the debt I figure I have it temporarily under control. I'll deal with the rest of the issues after the debt is gone and I'm back in the States. That was something I learned about addiction. I can't be totally perfect right now. Sometimes I have to pick and choose my battles. Putting the goals in black and white (or pixels...) as you have is great to help you know what battles are important.
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