This is ridiculous. I'm having such a hard time not spending money. It's pathetic. I'm feeling pathetic, sad and lame. How hard can this really be and here I am making a pity party for myself.
Here's a list of things I've been tempted to buy:
- A great old 8 pane window that I want to paint with chalkboard paint to make a menu board or Family Home Evening board. $20 on Craigslist (I'm hoping it is still there on April 1st)
- A bra (Victoria Secret sent me a $10 off coupon that expires on March 31)
- Sewing books
- Shoes for the Summer specifically these or these
- Vintage zippers on Etsy
- This really awesome picture of the Salt Lake Temple on Etsy
- Socks for Calder
- Fabric, lots and lots of fabric
I did get free underwear from VS. Thanks to them for that coupon. It wasn't totally worthless. I also have three free coupons to Noodles & Co. I've used one so far. There's something to look forward to.
I've almost given up MANY MANY times. Here's what's keeping me going. I have already done 12 days. I'm almost half way done. If I quit now I know that I won't be able to live with it and will probably be doing this again in November trying to keep my resolution. I know some of you are reading this and rolling your eyes. And it is pretty pathetic. I should be able to do this with ease and poise and happiness.
I was talking to a friend of mine today who's husband is in school and they are living very frugally. As we were talking she mentioned that my month is basically her life. I felt pretty lame. It really put things in perspective for me. Yep, I'm materialistic and lame.
9 comments:
Cami, you are definitely awesome! You took on this project in the first place, after all (nobody who was really materialistic and lame would have done that). I was impressed when I read what your goal was. And here is a link I've been meaning to send you. It's a recipe I tried recently that was specifically touted as low-cost. I quite liked it. They suggest serving it with cornbread. Oh, and I couldn't find andouille sausage so I just used kielbasa--any smoked sausage will do.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/red-beans-with-andouille-sausage
Are you kidding? In your post when you talked about what you were going to do for the month, I thought to myself, "Psh. Yeah right. I could never do that."
You set some pretty rigid standards for yourself this month. Yeah, some people live that way all the time. But it's usually not because they want to. They have to. And there's nothing wrong with having a hard time living like that for one month. We all struggle with it.
Aww man. and here I was thinking I was doing something completely heroic. I'm going to go on thinking that I am. And if I'm a hero, then the one who inspired me most definitely is. So take that.
No way, you're not lame and materialistic! Your post is exactly why I didn't have the guts to join you this month! I knew that would happen to me, and I'd probably give up. I do think you can do it, Cami, but I also think if you make one or two exceptions for yourself or slightly modify the rules, then it would still be considered a success! Is that terrible that I am telling you to cheat a little?! Hope not! It might help your sanity though! :)
p.s. If you plead your case to VS on Apr 1, they might still take your Mar 31 coupon. I ask stores all the time. (If it has a barcode they have to scan on it, then it might be a harder sell)
Nooo! I don't think you're materialistic and lame at all. I think your goal is wonderful and I'm sorry if I made you feel bad. I'd like to emphasize what one of the comments said about how some people live that way because they have to. ;) That's where we are. Necessity...not desire. And desire is much more important. :)
You are awesome Cami!! I would have such a hard time wit this too!! But you are STRONG!! I think I might have to give this a try too!! I have the same fabric addiction, so pathetic!! haha!! Keep it up, you are almost have way there!! Love you!
I think this is a great experiment and that you can make it. If there is something you are really worried won't be available in a few weeks, maybe think of a way to get Jason to buy it. Otherwise, I think that most things will still be there when your purse opens up again, and buying them will be even more fun because you have waited. ps. thanks for all your design website tips!
Cami, I think you are being pretty hard on yourself. You should be very proud of the success you've had so far and build on that. I have found that particularly after Christmas, its really hard to break the spending habit. When I have been getting gifts for other people I get accustomed to the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of looking forward to the mailman or UPS bringing something to the door. I have to go through a period of not looking at my favorite websites, and recycling catalogs without ever looking at them because the temptation is too great. Oh, and the quilting stores call my name and I have to put in mental ear plugs. You can do this!!! You will have such a sense of accomplishment. I really admire you for not only deciding to do this, but for doing it so publicly. That takes a lot of courage. The thing you can really look forward to is the sense of accomplishment you will have at the end of the month.
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