This is the plan: having just stocked up at Costco, I plan (1) to purchase nothing for the household, (2) to not engage in eating out, (3) to spend nothing on groceries (I have full cupboards/freezer and a fledgling garden), nor (4) to indulge in any fabric purchases (my main financial temptation) the entire month. We are working towards some incredible financial goals and if I can do this, we will meet some of them.
It’s edgy.
It’s painful.
It’s a proving ground.
A talented friend at A Candied Apple is not buying anything new in 2011, so I can do one month, right?! Right?!
*Grimace*
I haven’t littered this blog with the struggles we have been facing, culminating in a move to *gasp* Utah in October 2010. Some have been financial, others interpersonal, still others a test of my faith and stamina. Remember when I noted that on our drive home from Nauvoo we had a chance to redirect our family’s course? It’s one of those decisions in life to which later you may trace many beautiful experiences and successes.
Tangent—there have been a few of those moments already: my decision to stay in school at Brigham Young University (BYU) after my freshman year there; my decision to serve a full-time mission for the LDS church in Moscow, Russia for 18 months; my decision to move to Washington, DC upon graduation; and of course, my decision early in the fall of 2006 to marry mr. j, after we were engaged (amazing story), while standing on the piers at Peterhof, just outside St Petersburg, Russia. Having my girls has also been amazing. I can honestly say I have given myself over to motherhood, and though the beautiful experiences are obvious, the successes are not quite as apparent. The obligatory rolling over, sitting up, crawling (sorta), walking, talking, potty-training—definitely, but the development of character, accrual of knowledge, and prudent life choices aren’t really there yet.
Anyway, back on topic—from the moment our family redirected our course, we have been overwhelmed by the amazingly good and the amazingly bad—from physical to emotional to mental to temporal. About three weeks ago I began to unravel. At first I thought it was normal due to stress and demands, and then it was apparent it was not normal. Luckily, with a little lab blood work, we figured out what was going on and I am feeling better every day. During that time, things fell off the priority list, and other things came into discernable focus. What a gift! I am armed with a clear vision of what needs to happen and what I can do to make it happen. And you know what? It’s happening.
And when I say, “I”, I mean “us”—me and my mr. j. Not usually prone to public displays of affection with mr.j, I dedicate this post to him, my partner in all endeavors.
And may the force be with me as I try to exercise some restraint this month :).
The girls being girly with our favorite neighbor young woman
My view of the girls and the sunflowers from my perch on the rock wall
Oh you can totally do the month! I'm very impressed that you are going without buying groceries! Way to go! Try to focus on the goal, keep yourself busy and the month will be well worth it! I can't wait to hear how it goes.
ReplyDeleteI did it! I did this very thing for Lent a couple of years ago! With a little preparation and some cash set aside for perishables, it is totally accomplish-able. One a one-person budget, I managed to not spend almost $1000 (although I had more than a month to not spend). Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm going to email you about Russia. :)
I'm so proud of you for your awesome goals! You can totally do it and you make me want to be better at my frivolous spending. A LOT can be accomplished when we put aside things that just don't matter and really don't bring us happiness anyway. LOVE and miss you!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Let me know how it goes!
ReplyDelete