Week 5, 6, 7, & 8 Status Update

Ummm....I hope I haven't started a pattern. It's been a month since my last post and my lack of updates equals my lack of focus on this project. I've been seconds from giving up several times now. It hasn't been over large items I've wanted to purchase either. Once it was because I wanted to buy sheets. I also tried to reason with myself that sheets don't count as buying something for myself (plus they're only $30)...but I forced myself to accept that I have perfectly good sheets so I do not need new ones.

I actually bought a toilet cover and bath mat from Target because they were WAY on sale...like only $3.88/each on sale. I felt incredibly convicted, so I used an app called shopkick to redeem points for a $10 gift card, meaning I was able to buy them without breaking the rules. Gift cards are free game as long as they are given to me or I earn them...I can't just buy myself a gift card.

Temptation I couldn't resist.

I have also purchased plastic containers to organize some things around our house. We're in the process of preparing for a move, which means I've been sorting through our belongings, purging, and reorganizing. I'll admit, I LOVE organizing...like REALLY LOVE it. It's one of my favorite things to do. Again, I struggled with the issue of want vs. need with these containers. My conclusion was two-fold: 1) I would have bought temporary boxes to move the items that are now in containers and 2) I will donate the amount I spent to Project Little Black Dress 2014. I'm also trying to sell some items we no longer need which could cover the cost of the containers as well...regardless I'm still going to donate to Project LBD 2014.

Week 1 Status Update

So it's been a week since I began the challenge to stop buying things for myself...for a year...in order to give more. Before beginning this project, it was already one of my passions to give to others. However, I didn't make much of an effort to give other than tithing and the occasional fundraiser that popped up on my radar.

I haven't felt much different this week. I realized that I don't really spend much money on myself in terms of things. I spend money on food and experiences. For example, this week I bought lunch on Tuesday and Friday. I also went to dinner with co-workers on Wednesday and with my husband on Thursday. Then we went to DC today, so we had lunch there and grabbed dinner after church tonight because we will both be gone this week for work (didn't want leftovers). I had only planned to eat out twice a week if you read my last post. But Wednesday's dinner, I didn't end up paying for, which means I technically only broke my rule three times by eating out five times instead of two. That doesn't justify breaking my rule, I'm just impressed I was able to keep my eating out somewhat in check. Another example - I bought bus tickets to NYC for my husband and myself.

These are minor purchases in my realm, but it opened my eyes to how much I spend on food. Having an unlimited budget for food seems like cheating, so I'm glad I made some rules for myself. When I bought the bus tickets, realized that I have a few trips planned this year and I will have to make an adjustment to the eating out rule, or I'll be really hungry (and not pleasant). Eating out rule adjustment - when Aaron or myself do not pay for the meal, it does not go against my two meal a week rule.

Now that I've confessed my purchases, even though they don't count, let's move on.