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.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Self Improvement Projects
To be completely cliche, I want to make some self improvements in this brand new year.
Over the past year, I've slowly become aware to how much I actually consume. Plastic cards and online shopping have made it very easy to spend without feeling like you're spending actual money. Take a scroll through my Pinterest page. Throw in some advertisements on all the things I "need" to have a life full of happiness and rainbows. And "SNAP" goes my self-control.
I've attempted to build and manage a budget for our household since we got married...four and a half years ago. I fail miserably at keeping up with it. Plus every month there is some sort of unexpected expense that only happens once every eight years that pops up and messes it all up. So I start and stop and start and stop and start and stop. It really hasn't been a huge deal because we're able to pay our bills every month, thankfully.
Through both experiences, I've felt a pull. A pull to get our budget under control in order to be more financially secure and to give more. God is calling me to live out my life as His disciple, in a way that honors Him. I am passionate about giving to those in need and helping those that cannot help themselves. This passage constantly comes to my mind, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." -1 John 3:16-18
Over the past year, I've slowly become aware to how much I actually consume. Plastic cards and online shopping have made it very easy to spend without feeling like you're spending actual money. Take a scroll through my Pinterest page. Throw in some advertisements on all the things I "need" to have a life full of happiness and rainbows. And "SNAP" goes my self-control.
I've attempted to build and manage a budget for our household since we got married...four and a half years ago. I fail miserably at keeping up with it. Plus every month there is some sort of unexpected expense that only happens once every eight years that pops up and messes it all up. So I start and stop and start and stop and start and stop. It really hasn't been a huge deal because we're able to pay our bills every month, thankfully.
Through both experiences, I've felt a pull. A pull to get our budget under control in order to be more financially secure and to give more. God is calling me to live out my life as His disciple, in a way that honors Him. I am passionate about giving to those in need and helping those that cannot help themselves. This passage constantly comes to my mind, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." -1 John 3:16-18
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Visitor's Log: Dad and Joe
Last weekend, my Dad and his best friend came to visit me in the little city of Washington D.C. A few months ago, I had mentioned that the Chiefs would be playing the Redskins this season at FedEx Field. He agreed that it would be fun to come watch the game. I then found RIDICULOUSLY cheap airfare and he bought a ticket for himself and Joe. That was that. All I had to do was buy tickets for the game. Thank you ebay for existing.
As soon as they arrived, I put on my tour guide hat and started pointing out everything as we drove by it. They flew into Reagan National, which meant there were tons of sites to see along the way to my house. The Iwo Jima Memorial was the only place we stopped to be tourist-y. I highly recommend going to see this in person. I did not realize just how big it was until going in person.
Ten days out, Dad had me check the weather. It was supposed to be in the 50s on game day. Three days out, the forecast had changed slightly. They were calling for a wintery mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain with a high of 32 degrees. The weatherman tend to be wrong when calling for winter weather, so I was hesitant to believe it would actually play out.
So game day came...
The pictures don't really show the extent of the wetness we endured. Let's just say, those ponchos were an enjoyment-saving investment. It snowed and rained frozen water droplets and sleeted. Good job weatherman, good job.
As soon as they arrived, I put on my tour guide hat and started pointing out everything as we drove by it. They flew into Reagan National, which meant there were tons of sites to see along the way to my house. The Iwo Jima Memorial was the only place we stopped to be tourist-y. I highly recommend going to see this in person. I did not realize just how big it was until going in person.
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| Joe and dad |
Ten days out, Dad had me check the weather. It was supposed to be in the 50s on game day. Three days out, the forecast had changed slightly. They were calling for a wintery mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain with a high of 32 degrees. The weatherman tend to be wrong when calling for winter weather, so I was hesitant to believe it would actually play out.
So game day came...
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| Dad and me |
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| Aaron and me |
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Writer's Block
As you can see from my frequent posting, I have had a slight case of writer's block. Typical I know. I'm a twenty-something, that has a blog about whatever I want it to be about, and yet, I have writer's block. I have several posts that I've started and never finished. And sadly, I believe I started those prior to my last post in March. I'll blame it on the beginning of the year, which held several major life changes: A got a new job, we switched churches, and moved closer to DC. I use "I blame" very loosely (meaning I know it wasn't that). I was probably just plain lazy and unfocused, which I shall blame on being a twenty-something. Man, I am good at assigning blame.
Really, I'm just poking fun at my generation and how sad we are. If you would like proof and comical relief, please view this video: Stuff Twentysomethings Say. Yes people, we are that pathetic. And yes, I really want to read the book 101 Secrets For Your Twenties by Paul Angone.
Alright, so what is the point of this post? I honestly feel like I've had writer's block and I really am as lame as those people portray me, as a twenty-something, to be.
I live in America. I have a degree. I have an awesome job. I have an amazing husband. I have good friends. I have a great family. And most importantly, I'm free to have a relationship with God and not be persecuted for it. I have multiple positives in my life that should inspire me to write (on my blog that no one reads).
I know that I get caught up in my problems (or what I think are problems) and I know that I shouldn't do that. I lose sight of all that is good in my life when what I should be doing is putting on my big girl panties and dealing with whatever it is. Life is all about perspective.
What I'm trying to get across is said beautifully by Robert Frost. He says, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." Pure genius.
-J
Really, I'm just poking fun at my generation and how sad we are. If you would like proof and comical relief, please view this video: Stuff Twentysomethings Say. Yes people, we are that pathetic. And yes, I really want to read the book 101 Secrets For Your Twenties by Paul Angone.
Alright, so what is the point of this post? I honestly feel like I've had writer's block and I really am as lame as those people portray me, as a twenty-something, to be.
I live in America. I have a degree. I have an awesome job. I have an amazing husband. I have good friends. I have a great family. And most importantly, I'm free to have a relationship with God and not be persecuted for it. I have multiple positives in my life that should inspire me to write (on my blog that no one reads).
I know that I get caught up in my problems (or what I think are problems) and I know that I shouldn't do that. I lose sight of all that is good in my life when what I should be doing is putting on my big girl panties and dealing with whatever it is. Life is all about perspective.
What I'm trying to get across is said beautifully by Robert Frost. He says, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." Pure genius.
-J
Monday, March 4, 2013
28 Days in a Black Dress...
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| Project Little Black Dress 2013 |
Well hello there! (I say to myself because I have a blog that I rarely write and have zero followers). Really that parenthetical part isn't necessary, especially after the February that I have just experienced.
Let's get started...
How much is a life worth? What is the price tag you would put on yourself? Pick one, "priceless" isn't an answer. So, now I have to answer that since I just made my non-existent followers answer that. Hmmm...this is a rather difficult one. I don't want to say too high because I like to think I'm humble, and I don't want to say to low because then I'm too humble. Let's go with $1 billion since this is a trick question anyway. My point is that it's difficult for us in the US to put a price tag on a human being. We think of ourselves as priceless or that we're invaluable.
Why does it even matter? Why am I even asking this question? Well, it all stems from my good friend, Elisa, over at the Average Advocate. This gal is quite an amazing person and I am quite fortunate to know her. She has a heart full of passion for those who suffer from injustice and a will to change the world. She is quite dangerous now that I think about it. She is the definition of an advocate. (Seriously, if you asked me the definition of advocate, I would say Elisa). She is always seeking to educate others on the injustice in the world and how we over here in the grand ol' country of the US of A can help those in need, those who can't help themselves.
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