It has come to my own attention that I may or may not have some hoarding like tendencies. Not stacks of newspapers so high you need pathways through the house kind of hoarding but clearly I have stuff I don't need , won't ever use or don't need multiple numbers that thing. I also have come to see that when I'm anxious, bored or stressed I have turned to internet shopping. Not big purchases but many small ones. For instance, I have enough handmade goats milk soap from a lovely maker to last me a year. It gives me strange comfort in strange unsettling times. I also have a healthy supply of skin care products (all natural and handmade) in my cabinet, more than I need for the time being. And I keep a my favorite candles stocked on my candle shelf (also handmade and seriously salted grapefruit scent is important to my life...) I also do more Old Navy shopping that is needed, grabbing a couple of tops when I feel like I need a lift. And a generous book stack that will see me through many many years I mean months.
While none of this is complete budget busting or unreasonable on it's face, I have a serious serious financial goal. I've been building my credit and it's been working, having raised my credit score more than 20 points in the last year. I have a life plan that requires savings, discipline and getting totally real with my own excesses even in the small spending I do with great enthusiasm. Nothing huge but more small purchases than I reasonably need. And I've got a stash of embroidery kits, knitting projects, sewing projects and enough supplies to open a smallish shop. I have way more than I need of most everything and the weight of it is weight I don't need. So...time for a goal and a plan.
Obviously, a no spend 60 days is in order, that should be long enough to establish new habits. This means making my lunch and getting up 15 minutes early to whip up a smoothie on the way to work. Small changes that will pay off in both health and finances. $15 a day spent grabbing food out is $300 a month and that looks like something worth saving when I look at it from a bigger picture. I want something that will only happen if I get better at spending less, I want to feel better by eating food... that will only happen if I eat better food ( I don't care how it looks, drive through food isn't the food that will support your health, I know that, I just get late and it seems faster and I tell myself next week I'll do better, ugh). I want my house and life less cluttered and that means continuing to clean out what I've collected and NOT ADDING TO IT!
So here is my plan. My change habits and thinking and self soothing momentary spending and wasting plan. 60 days to change routines, mindset and actions. 60 days to financial, emotional and actual health improvement, 6 months to meet my big major goal. Change for a good reason.
1. Make a clear budget that allows for only essentials to be replaced when I actually run out. No more hoarding....
2. Use what I have. Read the books, make and create, do the gorgeous projects in my to do box. Mend, upcycle and make clothes, take my creative maker girl out of hiding shake off my big ideas and let my style reflect my spirit. Old Navy can't do that.
3. NO QUICK DRIVE THROUGH FOOD OR DRINK!!! (remember $300 a month saved, feed my body what it needs to be happy and well. ...easy motivation) this is hard, I know it will be a struggle. UGH...
4. Purge closets and drawers and boxes...donate what can be donated and empty out clutter and unneeded stuff...don't look at it too long, don't get emotionally attached to all the things...It will feel better to keep what really matters.
5. Read the books, then trade books with friends... find used copies or borrow... time for a library card
What I'm working for is learning to be fine without large stacks of soap, extra books, Old Navy tees and more projects than I can possibly ever complete. Fewer clothes that work better, cleaned closets and corners. Let go of what isn't feeding my goal and major financial plan. Live without soothing by mindless online purchases, wasting money ( and life space) and filling up on the things I absolutely know are meaningful.(and to be transparent, a salted grapefruit candle once a month, a girl needs good smells)...60 days and I will let check in at 30 and share how it's going. Heck if it gets rocky, we can talk about that too...that's how you do it, with love, support and a good plan. I'll be accountable and honest with myself and let you know what works, what is struggle and success feels like...
Here's to being frugal, thoughtful with money and stuff but mostly here's to making good plans. I got this. If you want to chat about your extra stuff and goals for yourself, let me know. I'm here.
Love Wildly
Barbara
dear Barbara: I have a sweet small public library that allows me to check out almost any book that I want to read /// I hope you get your library card and enjoy the savings! I am doing the 100 day project to assist me in my artmaking. I am doing a personal 100 day health challenge to fuel my body with movement, cleaner eating, and less screen time. I too have financial goals which entail me being a frugalGIRL, and have taken on 100 days of spending money only on groceries, gas, rent, phone, and essentials. I tell you all this, because I'm glad you are on a similar course. Let's cheer each other on! please keep writing- Deborah
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