Tuesday, February 4, 2014

January Spending Freeze (no, this is not a joke)

If you know me, you know that the idea of a spending freeze is highly unlikely. I can be quite the frivolous spender. But three of my favorite bloggers (Steph, Marla and Erin) announced a January spending freeze and today is the day to report the results. I decided I'd give it a shot in my own weird way.

Aaron wasn't in on this so I didn't include times when we went out to eat (though we didn't do that as much as usual) and I also didn't include best picture Oscar-nominated movie viewings, because that's something we do every year. But as you'll see, I went to the movies on my own a few times and I am including those as infractions.

1/5 - I went to Target to get some necessities and as we all know, Target is the devil if you're trying not to spend extra money. I broke down and bought two sets of fleece pajamas. I had mentioned to Aaron that I wanted new pleasures for Christmas and I didn't get them (but I got other stuff I wanted so I'm definitely not complaining), and these were on clearance for $9.98 each. And let me tell you, they have come in handy during this awfully cold month.



1/8 - McDonald’s filet o'fish meal for lunch. I'm the girl who will just go through a drive-through at the drop of a hat for lunch if I'm out and about. I'm pretty sure that I had hangover belly on this day. I had already eaten lunch at home but then while out running errands I was hungry as if I hadn't eaten in days. Fail.

There were several times in January when Aaron had work "stuff" going on at the house. It was better for me to get lost. In retrospect, I could have hung out at the library for free, but noooooo. I went to the movies. I didn't see any that Aaron and I would see together, but I saw Hunger Games: Catching Fire, August: Osage County, Frozen and Saving Mr. Banks. And I pretty much had popcorn every time, too.

1/19 - This is my epic fail day. My friend Amy D invited me to a Silpada jewelry party in her neighborhood. She's new to town so I said I'd go with her (excuses, excuses - it's not as if I knew anyone there). I'm a sucker for jewelry and I spent way more than I should have but I love my new stuff.

#1 - a ribbon twist bangle bracelet that I fell in love with and it goes so well with
#2, which is my faux wedding ring (that I already owned). But then I also saw
#3, ribbon twist earrings, so I was compelled to get those too.


OK, OK, I may have also bought some stacking rings:

The extreme close-up is kinda blurry.

But wait, I also had several successes! I made several more trips to Target for necessary items and each time I did NOT buy anything frivolous.

Lane Bryant had their semi-annual sale and I seriously wanted to take advantage of the buy two-get two free bra sale, but I really didn't NEED them, so I did not partake.

I have a Sephora gift card burning a hole in my wallet. I'm almost out of my favorite Dior foundation and lipstick, and there's another lipstick that I want to buy. The gift card will not cover all of those, so it remains untouched. But you can bet I'll be visiting Sephora very soon now that it's February.

I also resisted buying lunch, other than the aforementioned McDonald's trip, even on the day when I hadn't eaten and I went grocery shopping and ONLY bought what was on the list and made it home to eat some leftovers.

All in all, not bad, except for the jewelry splurge. Oops.





Life According to Steph

16 comments:

  1. YAY for you!!!! You did much better than you thought you would and I'm sure Steph is proud as am I! Good job! :) Now, I'd like some of those jammies, please and thank you! LOL

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    1. Thanks! I think everyone needs those jammies!

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  2. I love love love your Silpada! I spent like a fiend in January.

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    1. Thanks, Gena! I still have the Silpada ring you gave me.

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  3. Good job. Just being aware and not picking up stuff to please every little body that I love while in stores is hard for me. I have not been a big spender on myself for years. My favorite splurge is nice perfume for myself.
    And the worst problem is - I hate to run out or be low on anything!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
    Love, Steph's MOMMA

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    1. Linda, I'm so bad about that too. I'll buy something way before I really need it because I don't want to run out. It was good for me to think before buying.

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  4. I love the bangle bracelet and the stackable rings. And it was a once in a while type of party!

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  5. I'd say you did pretty good! sometimes you need to treat yourself just a little!

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  6. Hey- it's hard to stick to it 100% all month! I had a moment of jewelry weakness too!! And McDonald's weakness...those damn fries and a large Coke were calling my name!

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  7. If I would have been around jewelry, I would have done the same thing. Those fleece pajamas looks sooo warm and comfy...can't blame you for buying those, either! Congrats limiting your purchases in January.

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  8. I think you did well! Target is fabulous and gets me in trouble a lot.

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  9. You HAD to have those stackable rings! They are simply gorgeous!! And look, I dont know anyone who didn't slip at least once. And if they say they didn't they are LYING!!!!!!!!!
    Cant wait for you to try that lipstick!

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  10. You did so good only buying that one lunch!! And avoiding Target extras is nearly impossible!

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  11. Those jammies look SO cozy! I think you did great!!

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  12. Even if it wasn't perfect, you did have some successes and that's what matters!

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  13. You still were more aware of your spending, and that's a huge thing! I won't lie, jewelry like that is my weakness too so I probably couldn't have resisted! ;)

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