Age: 37
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Phrase that describes my relationship with money: Impulsive
Phrase that describes my parents’…: Dismissive and cheap
My 21-day goal: To be more willing to sacrifice my spending, on a regular. To do more of my grooming (hair, nails, etc.) at home. And to stop shopping because it makes me feel good (Retail therapy is real!)
My weakness: Shoes, clothes and buying unnecessary items at Target
My fear for these 21 days: No real fears. Looking forward to the challenge but a little "fearful" of what my hair may look like after week 2.
What I will miss most: Starbucks in the morning and weekly manicures
Last week in preparation for this sacrifice, I came up with a myriad of "what if and why me" factors, i.e. "Why me, God and what if I can't do it?" Yet the reality is that I'm grateful for the challenge of this financial fast.
Monday evening – the first night of the fast – ended with a grueling visit to the grocery store. I haven't been since the snowstorm in February. Yet, since then, I think I have purchased 2 pairs of shoes and 3 or 4 outfits. My priorities when it comes to money are a mess. Prayerfully, I will be "delivered" from these poor habits (or at least) begin the process of being delivered from them by May 24th.
*waits with anticipation*
But, I digress…
I actually prepared dinner last night and brought in my lunch for the past two days. Here are a few observations: cooking is therapeutic and what I make at home is much healthier than the $8 Cuban burger that I consume – daily. Oddly enough, I've been carrying the same crumpled $3 in my wallet since Monday and it feels liberating to say that I can't buy anything. It's all pretty fascinating, to say the least.
Today, on day 4, I am happy to report that I am still very excited about the challenge that this fast presents...but please: let's talk again *after* my quiet and simple weekend at home and my overdue manicure and bi-weekly hair appointments!
Oh, and maybe I should mention: Since Monday night, I have saved $60 JUST by bringing my lunch to work and preparing breakfast at home. To God be the glory :-)
5 comments:
Wow. $60 in four days? If you saved all that money you know by the end of the year you would have saved close to $5,500 just by changing your eating habits alone? Not to mention clogging a few less arteries. I get it. I love burgers too!!! Cooking is quite therapeutic to say the least. I am proud of the mindset you have taken which is one of positivity and not deprivation. The challenge will be not to binge once the fast is over by buying all the stuff we felt deprived of during the fast. Oh and believe it or not, your nails won't die if you only get a manicure every two weeks. Ha ha. Keep pressing. Talk to you later.
Desiree
Awwwww thank you Dez! I have the best "accountability partner" ever. Oddly enough, the CB is a salmon burger from a very healthy establishment who shall remain nameless lol but still, I can monitor my own cooking. I need a number cruncher on my team...that $5,500 made me do a dance :-)
A. Thomas, thats whats up. I haven't been totally keeping count of how much I saved because I am frugile and I BEEN fasting from spending money. Plus I haven't missed a meal. Lol! Actually I was giving money to put in my pockets ($7.50) because people know I am fasting and went out yesterday for Cinco de Mayo. I can get by fine and make money doing this... People know my sturggle so if they ask me to come... and if they paying I am staying. Figadeal me!!!
That's a good look, BM. Keep up the good work. It's amazing what you don't realize that you don't need until you're "forced" (willfully or otherwise) to be without it.
Cooking has become therapeutic! That is a great revelation! Way to go!
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