About 7 days ago I got the news from the accountant that my attempt at owning my own small business this year had been less then a success- I owed in taxes, and had saved what I thought was the beginning of a nest egg- in the bank- my loving spouse loaned me the funds needed to cover the tax bill and I found myself at 47 looking down the barrel at too few dollars left in my checking account- GULP. Of course I am lucky, and I have a cushion many do not- but it caused me to have a true reckoning- what had I done this year? Where did the money go-? I looked at my years bills and credit card statements and realized much of it went to mindless spending, stuff I didn’t need and couldn’t even put my finger on, books, blouses, varying size of clothing due to my up and own weight gain this year- (2017 was a tough year) and I realized spending and shopping had become by coping mechanism- audit was a self destructive one at that.
In the moment I made a crazy vow- “I’m not buying anything for a year!” then I did the awful job of creating a budget that would get me back in the green in a year and I realized that in fact if I were going to become solvent, that would need to be true. I looked around a bit and realized a few people had done this but not as many as you would think- and I decided I would try it….no spending for a year.
Then I told my wife and a friend or two and they were aghast, baffled, and basically they didn’t think I could didn’t think I could do it- so now I am seven days in and realized this is going to be much harder then I thought.
Here are my ground rules:
- I can buy food for the house and house related toiletries as long as its written in my budget.
- I can buy food outside if its a business meeting otherwise its eating home-except for a once a month “out night.”
- I can’t buy any thing for myself for the year that is not consumable- so no clothing, books, trinkets, shoes, music, purses, no quick trips for a cute blouse, bag, skirt, necklace- nothing.
- I can spend (max) 100 dollars a month in “Personal care” (Manicure, mascara, pantyhose etc., moisturizer)
- I can buy small gifts for others but never more then 100 dollars per month.
- If I can earn extra money in creative ways that doesn’t hurt the budget I can spend it how I please: for instance, consignment, or Swagbucks…
The first few days because it was Christmas- it didn’t really sink in, as there were treats a plenty coming my way- new slippers, a flannel robe I had been coveting from the Vermont Country store- but now, that the hectic season of giving has died down, Im beginning to jones for those after holiday sales I keep seeing plastered all over every media source- bit NOPE none for me…
I decided instead to focus on being grateful for what I already have. Things I have done to begin feeling more aware of what I am grateful for:
- Cleaned out my closets and organized my clothing so I could see my options
- Spent a long time looking at my cat Jimmy sleep- he was so happy and warm, it made me feel happy and warm.
- Savored a cup of earl grey tea
- Downloaded Swagbucks to begin earning some “free” money earned from taking surveys.
- reorganized my DVD collection because its free entertainment
Will keep you posted on how I fare as the weeks carry on, day 7 complete…. no spending!
Living Thrifty, Grateful and Fierce 