I have been gone.....I have good days and bad days and I have had a bad week and a half. Good times. When it comes to my budget, what I have been struggling with is my current medical bills and my OLD medical bills. Plus of course old outstanding debt that I have been dreaming of paying off.
I created my Mvelopes under Medical. This is what I have
Medical:
Deductible
Prescriptions/supplies
Dr. T
Dr. JG
AEC
Lab Bills
(abbreviations are for privacy)
I felt good about getting those in there. I didn't fund deductible yet, because my current bill to JG IS my deductible so far for this year (minus around 50 dollars). So next payday I plan to fund the deductible the remaining amount. I have funded JG 100 for this month, Dr. T only 50, lab bills 80, AEC nothing yet and prescriptions supplies over 200 dollars. I KNOW! Over 200 dollars!
Which brings me to my next frugal thinking. I have heard that mail order prescription programs can cut your prescription expenses more then half! (Thanks RT!). I am going to look into this as my issues are chronic and disease in nature. Meaning, most of my prescriptions and supplies are basically "for the rest of my life". So getting those expenses cut down will definetely help me.
Also, as my issues are getting "Handled" finally I think my medical expenses should now be going down (knock on wood). This will help. BECAUSE getting caught up in the medical department along with "birthday season" on my horizon, I was not able to fund my savings envelope one cent. That bums me. In fact it has ruined my saturday morning.
Keep plugging along, Mvelopes users. Sometimes our planning bums us, but it is all for the future and getting us out of the whole we are in. Its better to be bummed about our plans not working out how we wanted them to this funding period, then keeping our head in the sand and sinking into a deeper whole by ignoring it all.
This post was a bit scattered, I apologize.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Budget: What NOT to sacrifice!
We all are very very interested in cutting our grocery budget. And with our family it is difficult due to many multiple food allergies. I can say I am a model mother when it comes to my smallest kidlet who has the most allergies. However, we MOMS do ourselves a terrible disservice and leave ourselves out.
So this post is about….don’t sacrifice yourself. You take care of your spouse, your children, your in-laws and outlaws, close friends and neighbors. So why do we leave ourselves out of the “most important” list?
I get lazy. I too have multiple allergies. Not so great ones. Usually, when I eat things I am not suppose to I get sick…very, very sick. However, I sometimes cheat because I am 1. Lazy and 2. Because it is cheaper in my mind to cheat then to stick to my allergy diet. It’s tough.
So now…yes my grocery costs are cut down but guess what I am waiting for right now? A doctor visit. So what did I trade? A lower grocery bill, but co pays and medication to get myself right again! Guess which is more expensive? Yep…the doctor bills and medication.
So the important thing for me (and all of us moms and dads) is that our health matters, it matters more than busting our budget.
So later, I will be changing my goals up at the top right of my page. I will continue to find cheaper ways to feed us, BUT not at the expense of our health. I am telling you, hives over your body, including the bottoms of your feet and a red swollen face are just NOT worth it anymore.
Please excuse me while I go “try not to scratch”.
So this post is about….don’t sacrifice yourself. You take care of your spouse, your children, your in-laws and outlaws, close friends and neighbors. So why do we leave ourselves out of the “most important” list?
I get lazy. I too have multiple allergies. Not so great ones. Usually, when I eat things I am not suppose to I get sick…very, very sick. However, I sometimes cheat because I am 1. Lazy and 2. Because it is cheaper in my mind to cheat then to stick to my allergy diet. It’s tough.
So now…yes my grocery costs are cut down but guess what I am waiting for right now? A doctor visit. So what did I trade? A lower grocery bill, but co pays and medication to get myself right again! Guess which is more expensive? Yep…the doctor bills and medication.
So the important thing for me (and all of us moms and dads) is that our health matters, it matters more than busting our budget.
So later, I will be changing my goals up at the top right of my page. I will continue to find cheaper ways to feed us, BUT not at the expense of our health. I am telling you, hives over your body, including the bottoms of your feet and a red swollen face are just NOT worth it anymore.
Please excuse me while I go “try not to scratch”.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Blow me away post at Frugal.net
If you haven't had a chance to check out Frugal.net today I highly recommend it to both husband and wife. A very nice eye opening post on a wife's perspective of what we truly want from our husbands. Beingfrugal.net
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Mvelopes: Cutting Fuel Costs
Auto: Fuel
How about we talk about this “super sucky” envelope in our budget.
I believe we all dream and wish for ways to cutting our fuel consumption/costs. Currently in Anchorage, Alaska we are consistently paying 3.01 a gallon or higher. I had budgeted 200 dollars for the month of January, feeling, at the time, that this was plenty. Why? Well it IS winter time, we aren’t exactly gallivanting all over the state fishing and hunting. However…its COLD. Oh it is so, so cold. This morning, my three year old did not want to get dressed and go to school because he isn’t exactly happy with the Caravans “heating” capabilities. In fact, the heater sucks. There is no other word I can use, it just can’t handle an Alaskan winter. This week the temps have been consistently BELOW zero. On average, every morning it has been negative 14 or lower. Yes, I said negative. This requires that the van be started at least 30 minutes before I plan on leaving for work. We also bring “blankies” when we go for a little extra comfort! This is not good for the fuel budget (the running of the car, not the blankies!). But running the vehicle to daycare, school and then work before the engine is sufficiently thawed out is not good for the engine either. So I can either use extra fuel, therefore burning through cash in my budget or ruin the engine but running it down the hill when it is to cold.
So, how does one cut fuel costs when you have to run the vehicle at least 30 minutes in the morning…and THEN another 30 minutes before you leave work every day? I don’t know either, but we can pray for warmer weather I guess.
A few things I DO know you can do:
1. Your fuel economy goes down the closer you get to “oil change time”. Remember 3 months or 3000 miles whichever comes first. I start to notice my average mpg going down as I hit about 2000 miles.
2. Keep your tires inflated to specs. This is also hard on Alaskans or others in Northern Climates because air contracts when it is cold. When we have extreme temp fluctuations (-15 to 25 above then back down to -20 etc) keeping optimal tire pressure is difficult.
3. Keep your air filter clean and changed. If the engine is working hard trying to suck air through the dirt filter, the car will be burning fuel to do it.
4. Spark plugs are a big deal. Every time it sparks a bit of the electrode wears away which makes your engine consume more fuel . Change them after 50,000 miles. If you are over that and have them changed for the first time you will notice a big difference.
5. Remember it takes MORE fuel to start a car, then to let it idle *for a short time* (say when you forgot your phone in the house and need to run in for 30 seconds). So even though idling 30 minutes before work kills your gas mileage, not so much for a quick minute when compared to a restart.
Any other ideas? Post them in the comment section! Believe me, we would LOVE more ideas to cut this budget item!
(Contributor to items 1-5, my husband! Isn’t he smart?)
Oh yeah, I had to up my budgeting envelope for fuel to 225. I hope the extra 25 will cover it.
Springtime where ARE you?
If you would like to see how cold, cold looks...feel free to visit my photoblog: Not a lot of words, mostly pictures
http://alaskawildphotos.blogspot.com/
How about we talk about this “super sucky” envelope in our budget.
I believe we all dream and wish for ways to cutting our fuel consumption/costs. Currently in Anchorage, Alaska we are consistently paying 3.01 a gallon or higher. I had budgeted 200 dollars for the month of January, feeling, at the time, that this was plenty. Why? Well it IS winter time, we aren’t exactly gallivanting all over the state fishing and hunting. However…its COLD. Oh it is so, so cold. This morning, my three year old did not want to get dressed and go to school because he isn’t exactly happy with the Caravans “heating” capabilities. In fact, the heater sucks. There is no other word I can use, it just can’t handle an Alaskan winter. This week the temps have been consistently BELOW zero. On average, every morning it has been negative 14 or lower. Yes, I said negative. This requires that the van be started at least 30 minutes before I plan on leaving for work. We also bring “blankies” when we go for a little extra comfort! This is not good for the fuel budget (the running of the car, not the blankies!). But running the vehicle to daycare, school and then work before the engine is sufficiently thawed out is not good for the engine either. So I can either use extra fuel, therefore burning through cash in my budget or ruin the engine but running it down the hill when it is to cold.
So, how does one cut fuel costs when you have to run the vehicle at least 30 minutes in the morning…and THEN another 30 minutes before you leave work every day? I don’t know either, but we can pray for warmer weather I guess.
A few things I DO know you can do:
1. Your fuel economy goes down the closer you get to “oil change time”. Remember 3 months or 3000 miles whichever comes first. I start to notice my average mpg going down as I hit about 2000 miles.
2. Keep your tires inflated to specs. This is also hard on Alaskans or others in Northern Climates because air contracts when it is cold. When we have extreme temp fluctuations (-15 to 25 above then back down to -20 etc) keeping optimal tire pressure is difficult.
3. Keep your air filter clean and changed. If the engine is working hard trying to suck air through the dirt filter, the car will be burning fuel to do it.
4. Spark plugs are a big deal. Every time it sparks a bit of the electrode wears away which makes your engine consume more fuel . Change them after 50,000 miles. If you are over that and have them changed for the first time you will notice a big difference.
5. Remember it takes MORE fuel to start a car, then to let it idle *for a short time* (say when you forgot your phone in the house and need to run in for 30 seconds). So even though idling 30 minutes before work kills your gas mileage, not so much for a quick minute when compared to a restart.
Any other ideas? Post them in the comment section! Believe me, we would LOVE more ideas to cut this budget item!
(Contributor to items 1-5, my husband! Isn’t he smart?)
Oh yeah, I had to up my budgeting envelope for fuel to 225. I hope the extra 25 will cover it.
Springtime where ARE you?
If you would like to see how cold, cold looks...feel free to visit my photoblog: Not a lot of words, mostly pictures
http://alaskawildphotos.blogspot.com/
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Frugal Tip: Referral Bonuses
A girlfriend of mine was shopping around for a new cell plan. She and her husband are careful with their money and were looking for the "biggest" bang to their buck. I told her about my plan, the service etc. not expecting anything in return. When she went and signed up she told them that I had referred her to them. They told her I would receive a $50 credit to my bill!
WOW!!! I did not even KNOW my cellular provider had such a nice referral incentive program. What will I do now? TELL EVERYBODY! What a blessing!
So I gave her a BIG thank you and promptly called my husband and told him the good news. I haven't seen the credit yet but hope too on this months billing statement.
So my advice to you? Research your cellular plan and see what their incentive program is. Got anything else going on that might offer an incentive plan for referrals? Check it out and if you are happy with your service by all means tell your friends and family to DROP YOUR NAME.
WOW!!! I did not even KNOW my cellular provider had such a nice referral incentive program. What will I do now? TELL EVERYBODY! What a blessing!
So I gave her a BIG thank you and promptly called my husband and told him the good news. I haven't seen the credit yet but hope too on this months billing statement.
So my advice to you? Research your cellular plan and see what their incentive program is. Got anything else going on that might offer an incentive plan for referrals? Check it out and if you are happy with your service by all means tell your friends and family to DROP YOUR NAME.
Money for Life
Money for Life
Budgeting Success and Financial Fitness in Just 12 Weeks!
By Steven B. Smith
If you don’t have this book I strongly recommend it. I haven’t been able to let it go since it came in the mail. It sits next to my bed, it travels in my purse, it sits on my desk at work. I read it, I re-read it and absorb again and again as much as I can.
Why am I into this book so much? The motivation it gives me. Mr. Smith follows a few families that have stories so much like mine, some not as bad as mine and some, wow, that are really having a hard time! He writes about their thoughts and feelings, their struggles and their commitment to financial fitness, and it shows them DOING it. Mr. Smith writes about how “free” they feel once they have their budgets and plans in place, he writes about their PEACE.
PEACE, which is something I have never felt that I have had. Now I know where my unsettled feeling has be borne from. My finances. Those couples were correct,…now that I am some weeks into this, I DO feel so much more at peace then I ever have before.
If you are familiar with the program Alcoholics Anonymous you will understand the phrase “Rock Bottom”. I have always heard of it applied to alcoholics and addicts when they are at their worst. I think that phrase also applies to those of us who are Financially Disabled. We too have to hit “Rock Bottom”. We have to hit this before we can ever get our acts together and pull ourselves out. I think that is where my commitment has come from. I am tired of living on the edge financially, tired of the constant debt, tired of fear when the phone rings and checking caller ID. I was afraid of the mail and what new doctor bill it would bring. I CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE and I WON’T.
If you are at your bottom, go to http://www.mvelopes.com/ and check it out.
Then go to the library or the book store and get Money for Life.
It will change yours, I promise.
Peace
Budgeting Success and Financial Fitness in Just 12 Weeks!
By Steven B. Smith
If you don’t have this book I strongly recommend it. I haven’t been able to let it go since it came in the mail. It sits next to my bed, it travels in my purse, it sits on my desk at work. I read it, I re-read it and absorb again and again as much as I can.
Why am I into this book so much? The motivation it gives me. Mr. Smith follows a few families that have stories so much like mine, some not as bad as mine and some, wow, that are really having a hard time! He writes about their thoughts and feelings, their struggles and their commitment to financial fitness, and it shows them DOING it. Mr. Smith writes about how “free” they feel once they have their budgets and plans in place, he writes about their PEACE.
PEACE, which is something I have never felt that I have had. Now I know where my unsettled feeling has be borne from. My finances. Those couples were correct,…now that I am some weeks into this, I DO feel so much more at peace then I ever have before.
If you are familiar with the program Alcoholics Anonymous you will understand the phrase “Rock Bottom”. I have always heard of it applied to alcoholics and addicts when they are at their worst. I think that phrase also applies to those of us who are Financially Disabled. We too have to hit “Rock Bottom”. We have to hit this before we can ever get our acts together and pull ourselves out. I think that is where my commitment has come from. I am tired of living on the edge financially, tired of the constant debt, tired of fear when the phone rings and checking caller ID. I was afraid of the mail and what new doctor bill it would bring. I CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE and I WON’T.
If you are at your bottom, go to http://www.mvelopes.com/ and check it out.
Then go to the library or the book store and get Money for Life.
It will change yours, I promise.
Peace
Friday, February 1, 2008
Mvelopes what a Blessing!
No, I haven’t posted...
Yes, I am STILL into my new Frugal Lifestyle and my Mvelopes program...
Where have I been you ask?
EMBROILED!
This is like a whole new career…where you walk in on the first day and instantly know you don’t know what you are doing, and you have no idea why you were hired! Yeah, that’s me….
However, I have had as my successes this month as I have had whiney moments. I know I am making progress. However, I have such a hurry up and get there personality that it is HARD to not want it all together and in place…NOW!
Yeah…that’s not going to happen now is it? I type that with a half hearted smile and a “I have gotten to know myself a little better” giggle. I am trying very hard to stay grounded in reality.
Mvelopes is an extremely valuable tool. If you don’t have a tool yet I do strongly recommend you look into it. It is really keeping me on track. The beauty of it is once you have placed your money in your envelopes…your brain THINKS it is spent and you learn to identify that money as “gone”, “bye bye”, “no longer in the equation” to be spent elsewhere. However, that is the MENTALITY it gives you. Thankfully Mvelopes is flexible enough, so if you DO mess up or you just plain forgot to budget something (like I have!) you can move that money in those envelopes around. Hey I was the QUEEN of juggle. I still need those options!
Perseverance and Commitment! Become these two words. I think if you really want to get out of debt, if you really really want that house you can do it. Once you make the commitment and start using mvelopes the rest comes. Mvelopes gives you instant daily gratification that the changes you are making are well, MAKING progress in your finances. I can see every day with each transaction where I am still overspending, what I need to watch and what areas I am excelling in. It is almost like having a tutor, correcting you as your write your thesis. You are being taught as you go along and It is extremely satisfying!
Yes, I am STILL into my new Frugal Lifestyle and my Mvelopes program...
Where have I been you ask?
EMBROILED!
This is like a whole new career…where you walk in on the first day and instantly know you don’t know what you are doing, and you have no idea why you were hired! Yeah, that’s me….
However, I have had as my successes this month as I have had whiney moments. I know I am making progress. However, I have such a hurry up and get there personality that it is HARD to not want it all together and in place…NOW!
Yeah…that’s not going to happen now is it? I type that with a half hearted smile and a “I have gotten to know myself a little better” giggle. I am trying very hard to stay grounded in reality.
Mvelopes is an extremely valuable tool. If you don’t have a tool yet I do strongly recommend you look into it. It is really keeping me on track. The beauty of it is once you have placed your money in your envelopes…your brain THINKS it is spent and you learn to identify that money as “gone”, “bye bye”, “no longer in the equation” to be spent elsewhere. However, that is the MENTALITY it gives you. Thankfully Mvelopes is flexible enough, so if you DO mess up or you just plain forgot to budget something (like I have!) you can move that money in those envelopes around. Hey I was the QUEEN of juggle. I still need those options!
Perseverance and Commitment! Become these two words. I think if you really want to get out of debt, if you really really want that house you can do it. Once you make the commitment and start using mvelopes the rest comes. Mvelopes gives you instant daily gratification that the changes you are making are well, MAKING progress in your finances. I can see every day with each transaction where I am still overspending, what I need to watch and what areas I am excelling in. It is almost like having a tutor, correcting you as your write your thesis. You are being taught as you go along and It is extremely satisfying!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
End of the Month
Lessons Learned!
Many so far!
Okay, I projected my first months budget as LOW as possible because I wanted to SEE how much I could NOT spend.
Mistake number 1. Because here it is almost the end of January and I have gone ever almost every amount in my budget. But I knew this, so you are asking why is this a mistake? Because it still leaves you with a feeling of FAILURE.
Lesson 2: Think about things you could have forgotten. Like uhhh clothing! My daughter needed a new bra. YES NEEDED. Another cup size up. Geez. Its not like we can run to walmart. They don't have the size she needs. The girl is in a size only Nordstrom or Gap body can handle. 60 dollars on one bra later....
Lesson 3: Car repairs? Okay mine is under warranty and I get a "rental" while its in the shop. BUT I was still responsible for the "tax" on the car AND filling the dang thing to full before I returned it. NOT in my fuel budget. And of course the dealer was using the full tank in the van as they were doing "test drives" to see if they got the heater working....
Lesson 4: Don't forget to budget in Sams club for your meat purchases. That put me over the grocery budget too. BUT, like I said I estimated the grocery budget as low as possible to see what I could get away with. I have done remarkably well considering I am learning the whole coupon sales game...but I know I can do better.
Lesson 5: Don't trust the yahoo's at the dealer to treat your car like it was their own. More on that later.
Lesson 6: Don't get discouraged. I admit, I have been a bit overwhelmed the last week or more. DON'T ingnore your spending plan and budget when you are overwhelmed. It makes catching up and getting a clear picture harder. Until its in your brain and you are on a role and doing well, it must be an everyday excercise.
Lesson 7: Stay TUNED in to other frugal/budget blogs. It gives me daily encouragement to keep going.
Lesson 8: Make sure you keep up on your medication shots. My wrists hurt so much right now, Ill have to continue later.
Many so far!
Okay, I projected my first months budget as LOW as possible because I wanted to SEE how much I could NOT spend.
Mistake number 1. Because here it is almost the end of January and I have gone ever almost every amount in my budget. But I knew this, so you are asking why is this a mistake? Because it still leaves you with a feeling of FAILURE.
Lesson 2: Think about things you could have forgotten. Like uhhh clothing! My daughter needed a new bra. YES NEEDED. Another cup size up. Geez. Its not like we can run to walmart. They don't have the size she needs. The girl is in a size only Nordstrom or Gap body can handle. 60 dollars on one bra later....
Lesson 3: Car repairs? Okay mine is under warranty and I get a "rental" while its in the shop. BUT I was still responsible for the "tax" on the car AND filling the dang thing to full before I returned it. NOT in my fuel budget. And of course the dealer was using the full tank in the van as they were doing "test drives" to see if they got the heater working....
Lesson 4: Don't forget to budget in Sams club for your meat purchases. That put me over the grocery budget too. BUT, like I said I estimated the grocery budget as low as possible to see what I could get away with. I have done remarkably well considering I am learning the whole coupon sales game...but I know I can do better.
Lesson 5: Don't trust the yahoo's at the dealer to treat your car like it was their own. More on that later.
Lesson 6: Don't get discouraged. I admit, I have been a bit overwhelmed the last week or more. DON'T ingnore your spending plan and budget when you are overwhelmed. It makes catching up and getting a clear picture harder. Until its in your brain and you are on a role and doing well, it must be an everyday excercise.
Lesson 7: Stay TUNED in to other frugal/budget blogs. It gives me daily encouragement to keep going.
Lesson 8: Make sure you keep up on your medication shots. My wrists hurt so much right now, Ill have to continue later.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Mvelope: End of my First Envelope Funding
Wow. I am now at the tail end of my first "envelope funding", i.e., a few days before the next paycheck and subsequent funding. This is where it gets "tough". My allowance is "gone" and the grovery envelope is empty. I am having this huge internal struggle to not blow the budget and go to the store tomorrow. If I do...then I will be in the SAME place in two weeks, struggling, but even earlier.
I can't wait until this month is over. I re-evaluate Feb 1, where I underbudgeted and where I over budgeted. I don't think we have to worry about over budgeting...ha ha ha.
I am still reading Money for Life by Steven Smith. It helps. Reading other families stories helps. I am not the only one struggling with financial education!
I can't wait until this month is over. I re-evaluate Feb 1, where I underbudgeted and where I over budgeted. I don't think we have to worry about over budgeting...ha ha ha.
I am still reading Money for Life by Steven Smith. It helps. Reading other families stories helps. I am not the only one struggling with financial education!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Mvelopes: Thinking Ahead
It is sinking in fast, which is a good thing.
I have committed. It makes me think ahead, but it also stresses me out. The apples are almost gone and I don’t fund my grocery envelope until Monday. Where did the apples go?
I had also forgotten to place on envelope for funding for prescriptions. How I could have forgotten that one, when the pharmacy knows me by name (think the television show “Cheers”)?
I am not the only one who's brain is evolving: everyone’s thinking is beginning to change! My eldest daughter wants to go to her “hang out place” on Friday night. I said “let me think about it” but my brain was all ready clicking through my envelopes. I hadn’t set up a children allowance envelope... what was I thinking? Eldest daughter immediately piped up with “Grammy sent me ten dollars for being on the honor roll, I would like to use that if I can go”. GOOD FOR HER! First I felt guilty that she would use her honor roll money. Then my brain swung around and realized that, this is what Grammy would want her to use her money for. Her Friday night entertainment is her reward from her Grammy and Grampy.
I am thinking ahead. I am tweaking the budget as things come up that I had forgotten to include. My behavior is changing. I want two new filters for me camera, before I just would have went to the store and purchased them at full price. My husband says he has best buy bucks…and we also received coupons in the mail from best buy. Come Friday night I can walk into Best buy and get my two filters for FREE, and I stay in-line with “buy only what I need.” Do I feel guilty for using the best buy bucks and coupons for my camera? Nope, because there is absolutely NOTHING at Best Buy that the family NEEDS. That is our want store, our candy store so the coupons and bucks cannot be used for anything that the household needs. One day I hope to make a little extra income with my hobby too so this is building up my “future” business (c:
Another example of change: One of my favorite sweaters is “bally”. Last month I would have been shopping Victoria Secret online looking for a replacement. Instead, I sat down with a roll of duck tape and a dull leg shaver and went to work. My kids were fascinated. Questions, questions were flying from their mouths: “Why was I doing this?”; “Who shaves a sweater?”; “You look like your Waxing Elmo!” (That last one had us in a fit of giggles. Think a long strip of duct tape, pressed on the sweater, then removed with a zip, full of red fuzzy fibers.) It took me the entire time I cleaned up the sweater for them to get the concept that I was keeping my sweater in tip top shape so I didn’t have to buy another one. I was making my clothing last.
I don’t feel “poor” for doing this, I don’t feel denied…I actually feel better about myself. I feel freer because I am making the choice. Sure I could go shopping and buy myself a new one. I don’t want the easy road anymore. The easy road leads to debt, no savings and…no house. This road I am traveling has a neon reader board every step of the way that brightly blinks what my savings will be if I stay true to this path. Every dollar I spend that I don’t “need” to, makes the road longer and frankly I am tired: Tired of always playing catch up, tired of stressing about a bank balance, tired of stressing about Christmas, birthdays…kids need new shoes etc. This path will allow me to meet any challenge head on.
So, thinking ahead, I am sure there are other things I have forgotten but it will come. I am still toying with the idea of selling the van. What is nice is it is not a “have to”, however, not having the payment will help get me to my goals faster. I would assume an older vehicle without a bank note would be much cheaper in insurance also, so selling the van would help double the savings. I will cross that bridge in a month.
First things first: My behavior may be “changing” but I am not so naïve to think that it isn’t a work in progress. I have always been an “I want it I am going to buy it girl”. And at 38 years old, that’s a lot of years of UNtraining to do!
I can do it.
I have committed. It makes me think ahead, but it also stresses me out. The apples are almost gone and I don’t fund my grocery envelope until Monday. Where did the apples go?
I had also forgotten to place on envelope for funding for prescriptions. How I could have forgotten that one, when the pharmacy knows me by name (think the television show “Cheers”)?
I am not the only one who's brain is evolving: everyone’s thinking is beginning to change! My eldest daughter wants to go to her “hang out place” on Friday night. I said “let me think about it” but my brain was all ready clicking through my envelopes. I hadn’t set up a children allowance envelope... what was I thinking? Eldest daughter immediately piped up with “Grammy sent me ten dollars for being on the honor roll, I would like to use that if I can go”. GOOD FOR HER! First I felt guilty that she would use her honor roll money. Then my brain swung around and realized that, this is what Grammy would want her to use her money for. Her Friday night entertainment is her reward from her Grammy and Grampy.
I am thinking ahead. I am tweaking the budget as things come up that I had forgotten to include. My behavior is changing. I want two new filters for me camera, before I just would have went to the store and purchased them at full price. My husband says he has best buy bucks…and we also received coupons in the mail from best buy. Come Friday night I can walk into Best buy and get my two filters for FREE, and I stay in-line with “buy only what I need.” Do I feel guilty for using the best buy bucks and coupons for my camera? Nope, because there is absolutely NOTHING at Best Buy that the family NEEDS. That is our want store, our candy store so the coupons and bucks cannot be used for anything that the household needs. One day I hope to make a little extra income with my hobby too so this is building up my “future” business (c:
Another example of change: One of my favorite sweaters is “bally”. Last month I would have been shopping Victoria Secret online looking for a replacement. Instead, I sat down with a roll of duck tape and a dull leg shaver and went to work. My kids were fascinated. Questions, questions were flying from their mouths: “Why was I doing this?”; “Who shaves a sweater?”; “You look like your Waxing Elmo!” (That last one had us in a fit of giggles. Think a long strip of duct tape, pressed on the sweater, then removed with a zip, full of red fuzzy fibers.) It took me the entire time I cleaned up the sweater for them to get the concept that I was keeping my sweater in tip top shape so I didn’t have to buy another one. I was making my clothing last.
I don’t feel “poor” for doing this, I don’t feel denied…I actually feel better about myself. I feel freer because I am making the choice. Sure I could go shopping and buy myself a new one. I don’t want the easy road anymore. The easy road leads to debt, no savings and…no house. This road I am traveling has a neon reader board every step of the way that brightly blinks what my savings will be if I stay true to this path. Every dollar I spend that I don’t “need” to, makes the road longer and frankly I am tired: Tired of always playing catch up, tired of stressing about a bank balance, tired of stressing about Christmas, birthdays…kids need new shoes etc. This path will allow me to meet any challenge head on.
So, thinking ahead, I am sure there are other things I have forgotten but it will come. I am still toying with the idea of selling the van. What is nice is it is not a “have to”, however, not having the payment will help get me to my goals faster. I would assume an older vehicle without a bank note would be much cheaper in insurance also, so selling the van would help double the savings. I will cross that bridge in a month.
First things first: My behavior may be “changing” but I am not so naïve to think that it isn’t a work in progress. I have always been an “I want it I am going to buy it girl”. And at 38 years old, that’s a lot of years of UNtraining to do!
I can do it.
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