Ughh! This month has been a little bit of a nightmare. I think my expectations of nothing was not really realistic with my work schedule and Valentine's weekend.
I have failed, not miserably but I have failed. Last time I wrote was the about the 5th and 6th. The next week was okay and I did really well. I think I bought a coffee and that was it, $3.85.
However that weekend was not so good. Eric and the kids went down to my mom's house, while I worked the whole Valentine's weekend. It worked out great because I was working crazy long hours and I knew I was not going to see them anyway. But I did spend way more than I had intended. Saturday I went to my friend's consignment shop just to peek around for the first time. I found two vintage dresses. Gorgeous and in perfect condition, these dresses are classic dresses. I need a black dress for a wedding I am in in May and for $40 I could not pass it us. If I bought this dress new it would have been $200 easily.
As for eating out....I did! I was running literally from Friday afternoon until Monday night straight. I am going to say I spent no more than $50 on food and coffee.
So, I have not wanted to write to admit failure but realized I needed to. It is the 19th today and the month is almost over. Nine more days in February. I think I bit off more than I could chew and I will be the first to admit it. I am not going to beat myself up over it though. I did make more dinners at home than normal and I was more conscience of my choices and I think that is good.
Working 40 plus hours a week and trying to cut corners in spending does not really happen. I am glad I tried and failed in a sense. I sometimes set unrealistic goals and then beat myself up over not reaching them. I realize that now and I am happy to say I can not do it all. I try to believe I can but not so much! This season of my life it totally different than any other I have had.
Hopefully you are able to learn from my mistakes and make good goals.
Obtainable goals!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Day 5 & Day 6 of 28 of Nothing
Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th
Saturday was a great day! I had an eye appointment at 11:30. I have not seen a eye doctor for about ten years. I have noticed my eyes being more tired at the end of the day. I think my iPhone is making my eye sight worse. It causes me to strain sometimes and my eyes did not bother me until I got it. Oh well.
So I went and got my eyes dilated for the first time too. Well that was interesting to say the least. I have always been able to focus and see anything but for my eyesight to go it was really frustrating. Wow! How do you people who need glasses 24/7 do it? I have a lot of respect for you all now knowing a small percent of what you go through. I discovered I do need a slight prescription and waited for the dilation to end.
After about twenty minutes I drove to my surprise. I went over to a day spa for a nice Valentine's day surprise! I got a massage and spent the afternoon at a spa doing nothing! What a great gift! It was the best massage I have ever had!
I went to work and had a decent night. That was Saturday.
Sunday was perfectly mellow. Kira unfortunately had a slight fever, so we stayed home from church. I cleaned the house and we hung out. Our friend from San Clemente was up and he came over for a little bit and watched the game. On Sunday nights we normally go into the restaurant, have dinner and I check to make sure everything is going okay. So Enzo and I went to eat at my work for dinner for a date. Our date night was sweet and super special.
Saturday: $0 I am not counting the massage since it was a gift.
Sunday: I did leave a $20 tip for our dinner
Total:$20
It is funny to me that because I am consciously trying not to spend, it is all I think about and want to do.
How are you doing? Maybe you are still spending but not as much? I would love to hear.
Saturday was a great day! I had an eye appointment at 11:30. I have not seen a eye doctor for about ten years. I have noticed my eyes being more tired at the end of the day. I think my iPhone is making my eye sight worse. It causes me to strain sometimes and my eyes did not bother me until I got it. Oh well.
So I went and got my eyes dilated for the first time too. Well that was interesting to say the least. I have always been able to focus and see anything but for my eyesight to go it was really frustrating. Wow! How do you people who need glasses 24/7 do it? I have a lot of respect for you all now knowing a small percent of what you go through. I discovered I do need a slight prescription and waited for the dilation to end.
After about twenty minutes I drove to my surprise. I went over to a day spa for a nice Valentine's day surprise! I got a massage and spent the afternoon at a spa doing nothing! What a great gift! It was the best massage I have ever had!
I went to work and had a decent night. That was Saturday.
Sunday was perfectly mellow. Kira unfortunately had a slight fever, so we stayed home from church. I cleaned the house and we hung out. Our friend from San Clemente was up and he came over for a little bit and watched the game. On Sunday nights we normally go into the restaurant, have dinner and I check to make sure everything is going okay. So Enzo and I went to eat at my work for dinner for a date. Our date night was sweet and super special.
Saturday: $0 I am not counting the massage since it was a gift.
Sunday: I did leave a $20 tip for our dinner
Total:$20
It is funny to me that because I am consciously trying not to spend, it is all I think about and want to do.
How are you doing? Maybe you are still spending but not as much? I would love to hear.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Day 4
Friday was rough! It started out like a nice day. I had coffee with a girlfriend- $8.05. So much for the non-frufru drink. Work was busy at lunch and had a great shift. I went to pick up Enzo at school and then it began. He did not nap and was a nightmare. Poor bub, I know he was tired but he was beyond cranky. He was whining and crying over anything that did not go his way. We go and pick up Kira and it gets worse. When he is cranky, she is the worse thing to add to the mix. Kira antagonizes him like no other sister has before. SO for the one hour I was home with them I had to do damage control every five seconds. Needless to say I was done and actually anxious to get back to work.
Eric dropped me off and straight into work mode I went. We was slammed last night and had a very interesting mix of guests. Things did not run smooth. It was super to be busy and realize we need more people working, but it sucks when you can not get in a flow and make it smooth. Oh well!
So thankfully for me I get off work earlier on Fridays for now. Eric was still up in Atascadero and I was without a car. I decided to go and get a glass of wine and a little bit to eat. I know, I know I blew it! But it was so worth it! I had a perfect time and finished right when Eric came back into town. I needed a little treat and oh well, I am not perfect and I do not expect to do this anytime soon.
Coffee-$8.05
One happy mommy-$27.86
$35.91
Okay not a great start but not horrible.
Plus I realized we are not doing anything for Valentine's day because I am working all weekend (but mostly because I can not stand the holiday!).
Most people spend $40 on flowers!
Anyways here is Mr. Linky if you want to join in the fun with your posts.
Eric dropped me off and straight into work mode I went. We was slammed last night and had a very interesting mix of guests. Things did not run smooth. It was super to be busy and realize we need more people working, but it sucks when you can not get in a flow and make it smooth. Oh well!
So thankfully for me I get off work earlier on Fridays for now. Eric was still up in Atascadero and I was without a car. I decided to go and get a glass of wine and a little bit to eat. I know, I know I blew it! But it was so worth it! I had a perfect time and finished right when Eric came back into town. I needed a little treat and oh well, I am not perfect and I do not expect to do this anytime soon.
Coffee-$8.05
One happy mommy-$27.86
$35.91
Okay not a great start but not horrible.
Plus I realized we are not doing anything for Valentine's day because I am working all weekend (but mostly because I can not stand the holiday!).
Most people spend $40 on flowers!
Anyways here is Mr. Linky if you want to join in the fun with your posts.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Day 2 and Day 3
Wednesday was a great day. I was able to keep strong and not buy anything.
I worked a double and it was a busy day. Busy days keep my mind off wanting something.
Thursday was chocked full of everything. Another double today and I just got home. My feet are killing me tonight. I really want and need to buy support hose for my legs but it will have to wait. I really wanted to buy coffee today and a little snack while at Kinko's getting Valentine's day flyers done. Why do they have junk at the counter? For some odd reason I really wanted Mentos and a Snickers. Ugh! But I stood my ground.
Total spent: $0
Yeah! I did forget about a coffee date tomorrow morning with a friend so I just get a basic coffee and not a frilly frufru drink.
How are you all doing?
I worked a double and it was a busy day. Busy days keep my mind off wanting something.
Thursday was chocked full of everything. Another double today and I just got home. My feet are killing me tonight. I really want and need to buy support hose for my legs but it will have to wait. I really wanted to buy coffee today and a little snack while at Kinko's getting Valentine's day flyers done. Why do they have junk at the counter? For some odd reason I really wanted Mentos and a Snickers. Ugh! But I stood my ground.
Total spent: $0
Yeah! I did forget about a coffee date tomorrow morning with a friend so I just get a basic coffee and not a frilly frufru drink.
How are you all doing?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Day 1: 28 Days of Nothing
Day 1:
It was a hard start today, but I stood strong.
I was running late but still did not buy coffee.
I did get pasta and rice bread at Trader Joes.
Yeah! Day one was a success and I am getting in the mindset of not spending.
It was a hard start today, but I stood strong.
I was running late but still did not buy coffee.
I did get pasta and rice bread at Trader Joes.
Yeah! Day one was a success and I am getting in the mindset of not spending.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
28 Days of Nothing-Year 3
I have missed you all. December was crazy, not just with Christmas and traveling but work and getting into a routine. We are now at the end of January and it has flown by. I miss writing and miss interacting online. I have an iPhone through work now and I seem to do all of my online stuff on it but it is very difficult to type a post with my phone....ha ha.
So I am hear to say hello and tell you my hopes of next month. As you know I have done 28 days of nothing for the past two years and I want to do it this next month as well. I am sending out a challenge for anyone who wants to participate.
Guidelines:
1. Honesty: the most important thing about not spending money and writing about it is honesty. If you are not truthful with us then what is the point? It is a struggle not spending for me but knowing I have accountability here I am more likely to not buy anything. But if I slip and spend then you are the first to hear about it.
2. Your bills and basic food are not part of the 28 days. Obviously, you need to pay the gas bill, car payment or have food on the table. That is not part of the "nothing" challenge. However, your morning coffee drink and bagel at overpriced bucks is not a necessity. The new lip gloss or pair of shoes are the challenge. Saying NO to anything extra.
3. Post about it and be as detailed or general i.e.
Feb 2-day 2 I spent $1.65 on bottled water at the gas station.
It is up to you if you want to go into what you saw and wanted to buy. I think it helps to share with each other struggles it keeps it real and not holier than thou attitude.
4. Keep a running total of what you have been spending. It is the easiest if you have it in your post and then at the end of the month add them up. You will be so surprised at the extra money in your bank account at the end of the month.
You can link up using Mister Linky on Day 1.
Think about it and leave a comment if you want to participate.
Thanks for thinking about it.
So I am hear to say hello and tell you my hopes of next month. As you know I have done 28 days of nothing for the past two years and I want to do it this next month as well. I am sending out a challenge for anyone who wants to participate.
Guidelines:
1. Honesty: the most important thing about not spending money and writing about it is honesty. If you are not truthful with us then what is the point? It is a struggle not spending for me but knowing I have accountability here I am more likely to not buy anything. But if I slip and spend then you are the first to hear about it.
2. Your bills and basic food are not part of the 28 days. Obviously, you need to pay the gas bill, car payment or have food on the table. That is not part of the "nothing" challenge. However, your morning coffee drink and bagel at overpriced bucks is not a necessity. The new lip gloss or pair of shoes are the challenge. Saying NO to anything extra.
3. Post about it and be as detailed or general i.e.
Feb 2-day 2 I spent $1.65 on bottled water at the gas station.
It is up to you if you want to go into what you saw and wanted to buy. I think it helps to share with each other struggles it keeps it real and not holier than thou attitude.
4. Keep a running total of what you have been spending. It is the easiest if you have it in your post and then at the end of the month add them up. You will be so surprised at the extra money in your bank account at the end of the month.
You can link up using Mister Linky on Day 1.
Think about it and leave a comment if you want to participate.
Thanks for thinking about it.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Let Me Tell What I've Been Up To!
On December 1st everything changed! I got promoted to general manager of the restaurant that I have been a hostess at. What a blessing! We thought about it, prayed and knew it would be difficult at first. We knew we needed to make sure the kids were taken care of first and foremost. There is a Christian school that Kira got into and Enzo finally got accepted to a Montessori preschool. Th e last few weeks have been trying and stretching. We honestly felt that God had opened up all of the doors and we just needed to have faith and walk through!
Boy oh boy! He has really come through on every little detail. I am working more obviously, but as soon as we are more on a schedule, I think it will be smoother. Both of them start school on the 3rd of January and I feel like things will get more manageable. Since I will not be home as much posts will be few and far between while we are transitioning.
Everyone is excited about school. Kira has already started and loves her class, there are six other students. Enzo wanted to stay the day we checked out his school and his teacher is willing to met with his therapist too to see how much she can help in class with his left side.
I feel blessed and overwhelmed at everything so suddenly. However, I am so thankful for a God who is bigger than all of it! I am constantly clinging to Him for direction and patience.
Many blessings and love during this Christmas season to you and your family.
I hope to write our yearly update soon!
Boy oh boy! He has really come through on every little detail. I am working more obviously, but as soon as we are more on a schedule, I think it will be smoother. Both of them start school on the 3rd of January and I feel like things will get more manageable. Since I will not be home as much posts will be few and far between while we are transitioning.
Everyone is excited about school. Kira has already started and loves her class, there are six other students. Enzo wanted to stay the day we checked out his school and his teacher is willing to met with his therapist too to see how much she can help in class with his left side.
I feel blessed and overwhelmed at everything so suddenly. However, I am so thankful for a God who is bigger than all of it! I am constantly clinging to Him for direction and patience.
Many blessings and love during this Christmas season to you and your family.
I hope to write our yearly update soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)