My sister and I have committed to no spending in the month of January. If you want to see what this includes, check out my previous post here. Today I'm giving an update on how this is going so far for our family.
I didn't realize how many times in a week I just buy something when I want it or see something that our family might be able to use. This past week my daughter asked me to take her to Hobby Lobby to get a frame for her poster she got for Christmas. She was using her own money, so I thought it would be no big deal going to the store. Boy, was I wrong. I walked in the store and immediately was drawn to what was on sale. I had to tell myself to walk away. I went to the back of the store where the poster frames are located and low and behold, the clearance section is right next to it. UGH, another temptation. That is why I sent my husband to the grocery store the other week. I can proudly say that I left Hobby Lobby with only one poster frame for my daughter and nothing for me.
Since my husband was in the field, I had to take my teens to their activities this week. On Saturday, Marissa had her last Driver's Ed course and near the school is a thrift store I like to pop into when I get a chance. I was excited to see what they might have on sale. Then I remembered my commitment...NO SPENDING! This has become a challenge for me this week. It's so much easier when I just stay in the house and don't go anywhere because then I am not tempted.
But, we needed milk again. Did I tell you that we go through about 3 gallons of milk in a week? So with my list of fruits, veggies and diary, I headed to the Commissary the other day. I must say that while I did great at Hobby Lobby and resisting the thrift store, I failed at the Commissary. I did not completely stay within the scope of my list. When I am stressed, I tend to drink...soda that is and going to the store when you are hungry is not wise, I should have known better. I ended up buying a 2 liter of Pepsi, a frozen pumpkin pie that was on sale for $.99 and a box of ice cream bars. I should have just resisted those isles altogether, but I didn't. I also forgot that I needed some baby food since Olivia won't eat banana and I need a fruit to go with her cereal besides applesauce everyday.
My previous spending for the month was $20.35 and this trip cost me $56.89, so my total spending to date is $77.24. With my budget for the month for groceries being $150.00, I have $72.76 for the rest of the month.
I now know, not to go to the store hungry and take someone with me to help keep me accountable.
I think we can all use someone in our lives to keep us on track... an accountability partner. Maybe you are trying to be consistent with daily exercise or making sure you get your quiet time in every day. An accountability partner can help keep you on track by encouraging you to stay strong when the going gets tough. Find someone in your life who can spur you on to greater things.
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