Comments on: Day 17: Wanting it all

By: KimC

KimC — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:58:12 +0000

In all honesty, I find myself wanting less. For me, it’s like a fast. The first few days were hard, but then my appetite for spending shrank and disappeared, and now that appetite is comfortably and contentedly starving.
Not my kids, though. Really, I’m still feeding them…

By: Angie @ Many Little Blessings

Angie @ Many Little Blessings — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:46:56 +0000

I haven’t done it before, but I could totally see (knowing my personality) how it might make me even worse than I usually am about spending.

Good luck to you!

By: Maia

Maia — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:06:13 +0000

I do find my wants increasing as the month goes on. Mostly I’m wanting coffee (a latte to be exact), flea treatment for my cat (so I can stop doing all the work that goes with the cheaper alternatives), and … coffee.

By: Katina

Katina — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:04:14 +0000

I’ve been doing really well on my 30 days challenge, and then today I went into WalMart and saw all the wonderful fall things are out. It’s my personal weakness. I bought 4 placemats and a couple of other fallish things. It seemed necessary in the store, but when I got home I was feeling guilty about it. The funny thing is that I was embarrassed to tell my husband about my purchases, even though he hasn’t been doing 30 days with me and didn’t care at all. My mindset has really changed this month!

By: megilee

megilee — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:20:47 +0000

So far I have surprised myself with success in my grocery goal of cutting my monthly budget in half. (I think limiting to one area has been a big part of success.) I’m not sure if I have been “wanting” more things, but have been “justifying” more things lately. For instance, I just picked up a bread maker at a garage sale for $5 and “had” to purchase some of the staples that I don’t normally have in my house (yeast, whole wheat flour, powdered milk, etc.). This week looked worse b/c of that and the fact that I used some of my “savings” for the month to purchase enough meat/buns to provide BBQ pork sandwiches for a neighborhood block party I’m hosting this weekend for up to 50 people. That was part of the original plan, though, so I’m okay with it.

I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. I think making an instant, drastic change with everything is hard for anyone to handle. It may be more realistic to limit to working/experimenting with one or two areas at a time (i.e. groceries, clothing, gas, home improvement, etc.) I also agree that anyone who has spent as much time in her kitchen as you have in the past couple weeks can’t help but dream big dreams. ;o)

Keep up the good work. I enjoy following your ups and downs every day. You are inspiring!

By: Butterfly Mama

Butterfly Mama — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:13:12 +0000

YES!! I was dreaming about a master bathroom remodel last night.
I also feel it harder to keep my sense of entitlement in check. I have worked hard and I deserve…well, something right. I’m not supposed to work this hard just for snuggles with my kids am I? Yup I think that’s ok because the guy who plows his field just so his family can eat is WAY more entitled to a night out than I am!

Hugs,
Heidi

By: Tonggu Momma

Tonggu Momma — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:00:00 +0000

I’m feeling really inspired to try this. I have a couple of questions though — are you including gas in this? We couldn’t get by for two weeks without filling up at least once, otherwise the Tongginator wouldn’t make it to preschool. Also, do you feel this would be practical to do if you DIDN’T have a veggie garden?

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:40:34 +0000

There is a really good article on the Get Rich Slowly website today about advertising and the effect it has on us (okay me).

I really have to agree with the other posters Mary, you have spent SOOO much time in your kitchen lately. No wonder you are having thoughts of a kitchen makeover!

Good luck on the remainder of your 30 days!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:08:21 +0000

I am with you on the struggling. It is worse because we are at the tail end of a tomatis loop and I am starting to wander through stores to kill time. Yikes. So far so good. I did break down and buy a cake mix, sprinkles and frosting an hour ago though! It is in the oven and I can’t wait to eat it. Oh, I will share it with the kids and hubby. LOL!
Blessings,
Dawn

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:56:08 +0000

It does get easier. I’ve been on a spending freeze since Oct. 5, 2007 when my husband had his hours cut to part time. It was incredibly hard at first but I’ve gotten used to it. I don’t want to live like this forever, but for this season of life, it is ok. It also helps that I have some wonderful parents who help with the necessities of life such as clothing my child. I did really want to go on a spending spree last month but I managed to keep it to a few discount items and used money I received for my birthday.