Learning as I go

One of the things that I'm learning as I go through this is how easy it could be to just slip back into old habits. Since Nathan has gone home there has been a sense of relief that I can get back on track. While he was here I did go out to dinner a couple of times (one of the biggest no-no's on my program). But I only see him once a year so and he is my youngest son! I had to ask myself several times to put everything into checks and balances because while traveling next year is the entire purpose of this program, I want to enjoy my time with him so while it felt very uncomfortable eating out on the last dinner because we had already eaten out once before, I just relaxed and enjoyed my time with my family. BUT now that he is gone I can see where it would be so easy to just go back to the way things were. My only saving grace has been that I think I actually LEARNED something prior to his arrival and now couldn't wait until I could just tighten things up again.

One of the best things has been my bi-weekly budget. Once my bills were paid which always feels great, I was able to just relax knowing Mary and I were all set this week. I was also able to loan my other son some money until his next payday. I hate doing that but his credit with me is outstanding so I didn't mind after I thought about it. I'm also learning where adjustments are needed on the entire program and how to make them. What I don't want to happen is I just adjust myself out of the program! I really want to spend some time this week reading more blogs from other people doing this and hopefully get some ideas on how they are making changes. I've learned is that I actually enjoy managing my money and making the right decisions as I work towards something I really want. I don't think I'll stop after a year but will fine tune this for life and hopefully teach all of my children how to live within a spending fast.

Heading into Week 2 and Payday

So I've started week 2 of my spending fast. I've had to compromise on some areas of "spending" or rather optimal ways to save. First one was air conditioning in my vehicle. I made it an entire week without using it and my savings were tremendous! BUT I looked like hell when I got to work so the first compromise was I will use the air if it's over 78 degrees in the morning and only on the way to work. I don't care what happens to my hair on my way home unless I have an appointment, then I will decide at that point. The second compromise was the dish washer. And this isn't really a compromise rather than a complete break-down. I was just so darn tired every day I came home that I just let them pile up and finally caved. My new plan is to attempt to do the dishes immediately in the sink so I don't run into this again.

I'm continuing this post a few days later. My son has arrived and I haven't seen him in a year. I've explained the plan and as of this writing he has been totally on board - calling me out on some frivolous spending. We did eat out a couple of times but for the most part, he's wanted to stay at the house and just chill. His dad was recently laid-off from his so him coming here and listening to me talk about saving money has sort of hit home. Mary has been great about keeping me in line. I'm hoping over the next several months to begin to work with her on our household budget so she can have a greater understanding of managing money. Well, sorry the post is so short, it's a holiday weekend and we have nothing planned other than a quiet cook-out in the back yard. Happy Fourth to ALL!!