Spending: Day 25

No I haven't quit yet!

Though I have been neglecting my blogging.

We're 25 days in and not a take out container in site. I'd call that success. I have been DYING to taste some pizza hut (they JUST opened one up by house the last week of December! It's been torture!) but so far I have resisted. Six days left. I can do this.

I'm really happy with everything we've accomplished this month. You know why? Because we haven't struggled. We've only been allowed to spend money in 7 places, including the grocery store and gas, and we haven't really had an issue sticking to it. (except for ridiculous Richie and the Red Box, but I'm over it, I swear.)

So you know what that means? That means we can totally do this. Throughout the ENTIRE year. No we don't have to deprive ourselves of everything, but if we go out with the mindset that we can only purchase that which we desperately NEED, then we should be fine. At the end of the month if there is money left, then we can buy a pizza or do a little shopping for ourselves. Bills and important things first and foremost.

I'll make a more detailed "farewell to month one" post in a few days, but two things I want to share that REALLY helped up this month too. One is obvious, and one isn't so obvious. But both really help you keep your money in your pocket.

One: Budget budget BUDGET! Know where every dollar goes and why it's going there. Our family budget still needs a bit of tweaking and streamlining, but we've got our foot in the door. I always wanted to hammer out a solid budget but the "getting there" part has always overwhelmed me. There are so many bills and expenditures and comings and goings that I didn't want to deal with it, but I'm really glad I did. And a solid part of budgeting is learning the difference between "wants" and "needs." I really WANTED to buy Vailyn some new hair bows, the boys new shoes, myself some new books, (yay books!) but we could have lived without all those things and lived just fine. And if I would have went out and bought all those things, I would be at least 60 bucks shorter this month. That sixty bucks could be spent in a million better places. I'm glad that I can SEE that now, instead of just feeling deprived of the stuff I want.

Two: MENU PLAN! Can't recommend it enough. You'll thank yourself, you really will. Not only does menu planning cut out half my stress throughout a week (*fridge full of food* "RICHIE WE HAVE NOTHING TO EAT! WE'RE STARVING!"), but it also keep me from mindlessly buying a bunch of ingredients at the store that don't add up to anything. Now I only get what I need and I use every bit of it. No wasting of food or money. I'd still like to figure out how to successfully coupon and buy in bulk so I get the most meals out of my dollar, but that will come later I'm sure. Right now I am super happy to just have a solid meal plan every day and no more stress over what to make for dinner.

It's also really cool to see how God provides for all your needs in a REAL big way. Richie may move to  a new department at work soon and he'll probably have to take a pay cut, but I am at peace knowing that the techniques we learned this month will prepare us for whatever comes our way. We never ever go without, and we have no one to thank but God.

So stay tuned, month two starts in 6 days! Still don't know if we're doing media or food month next. I'll figure it out soon. My farewell to month one post will come soon and will be a recap of everything we've learned this month! Long blog post is a'comin...!