This whole "year of austerity" thing is not as easy as it initially seemed. Things I did not properly take into consideration: Sprite's gymnastics and cheerleading expenses - although I calculated her tuition, I did not include additional fees and competition admission for us - this stuff gets pretty expensive; Hair appointments - I seriously considered shaving my head to cut down on our monthly expenses...it wouldn't be the first time...; Groceries - I did include some flexibility for groceries and gas, but hardly the $300 that I spent at Sam's Club today...at least that should last us for a while...But should I have forgone the crab legs and shrimp? Should I have skipped the cupcakes and rice krispy treats for Sprite's lunch? Or the convenience of frozen pizza? How far are we taking this thing?
On another note Friday we were invited to take the kids on a Saturday outing with some friends, luckily we had a funeral to attend and were able to beg off, but that outing is exactly the type of thing the adults in our house are avoiding - Do we force our children into this vow as well? Today we were invited to go to the movies. After great deliberation, I decided that we wouldn't go. I felt kind of bad, but at least we're not getting the cable cut off, or cancelling our gym membership (our kids love to swim) or our membership to the zoo. I figure we already pay for a lot of activities - for the most part, we won't be participating in events beyond that. Is that cruel and unusual punishment? Today's kids are too spoiled anyway (me obviously trying to convince myself)
Anyway, after closer inspection of the books, I found ways for us to get through the grocery/ hair debacle without too much effect on our bottom line. I am totally committed to us reaching our savings goal this year...by any means necessary.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
This could be harder than I thought
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3 comments:
Okay, I think that this is a very admirable plan. However, I think that one thing is missing...reality.
I believe that you can save and save effectively without giving up the things you love. Life is about living...and you have to make sure you are happy in all ways...mentally, physically, SOCIALLY, and PERSONALLY. Will you really be okay with only doing at home activities? Will you really be okay forgoing a great sale at DSW for a $30 pair of shoes that used to be $200? I do believe that you can be more discriminating in how you spend, but cutting out spending?
For example...I have never spent, nor do I ever plan to spend $300 at Sam's Club. We buy chicken pieces, fruit, and juices at Sam's and that is about it...things we eat daily and things that freeze well. EVerything else, we buy for the two week period we shop for...we try to make sure all of that is eaten before we buy more.
We discriminate in what we spend...but we do spend.
I have found three pairs of shoes on Endless.com for $90.00 for ALL THREE, that would have cost over $400.00 at one time.
And hair...that is a necessity of mine I REFUSE to give up...as are music, craft items for IMMEDIATE projects, and at least one thing for myself per check (from small things like a new tube of C.O. Bigelow MentaLip shine to a new sweater or a handbag) making sure not to spend over a certain amount per month...and saving when my wants are more than that amount.
You all can do this...just look at it from a realistic point of view.
We actually did this for three years. The year we had Sprite we paid off all Etch-A-Sketch's credit cards this way. The next year we lived in Cali and didn't have a choice because we were so poor, and our first year here we saved every penny for our house. We buy most of our groceries from Sam's but we usually only go grocery shopping like that every other month. We have to get Sprite's lunch food and Danger Boy's diapers and the like. Personally, once I set a financial goal I am pretty good at keeping to it. I wish I would have set a limit for myself prior to going to the store and then kept to that. I am sure I will do that next time.
This is a topic after my own heart because this has been my struggle for oh so many years now. Just when I think I have it together something will throw me back into the financial peril called reality. So I too have begun to dislike the emails announcing a friendly outing. Not only will it cause me to pay for my two little ones but the gas I spend alone on a weekly basis is an absolute terror.
Being a single mother is such a huge responsibility because everything in the house falls upon my shoulders. I have forgone furniture in hopes of just getting bills paid. I have no credit card debt however I owe the student loan companies my life. Therefore causing me to become a life long student. And yes I love my youngest but I am ready to wrap her in cloths because I cannot continue to pay for her diapers.
So I haven't had a manicure or a pedicure since my lovely friends purchased one for me about four years ago and wearing my hair natural has reduced some of my expense however it can still be a bill for someone who is totally not talented in the hair area. I plan as much as I can what I can spend and what goes to bills on each check. It is no fun however I am in a better place now then I have been in years and I am convinced that it will pay off even further.
Also the word "no" hasn't caused physical harm to either of my children although they don't like to hear it.
So I offer that to you. It will get better.
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