This month I feel the pinch of living on a budget. My guess is that many of you, in the throes of Christmas present, are feeling the pinch as well.
I don't like it, I tell you. I don't like it at all.
Probably the biggest annoyance with living on a budget is that I actually have to think about what I purchase, what invitations I accept, and how I go about my day to day existence.
Generally, such decisions for me were based solely on my emotion. Do I want this or don't I? Is this how I choose to spend my precious fee time or not? But, not this month... I have to look ahead and plan in advance. I have to weigh and balance my wants and needs. It's the classic debate between quality and quantity.
But...I want it ALL!!! What's wrong with that?
Before I bought my house, signing my life away to Bank of America, my life was oh- so different. I only rented a room. I paid no utilities. I had no car payment, and no children or college funds. As a result, I spent my income like any high-maintenance, just divorced , down and out, woman would... on me, me, me.
And even today, perusing five closets, brimming with clothes and shoes, I still think each is worth every penny (so long as I can fit into them). I look at old scrapbooks and the many photographs of at all the trips in the last two year and I still feel happy for the experiences.
But, deep inside, I know it wasn't very practical. And, it wasn't very smart -- practicing the "carpe diem" philosophy of finance management.
So here I am-- inside a condo with a thermostat set at 69 degrees, a refrigerator that actually boasts a little food and lots of alcohol (as opposed to going out for lunch and dinner every day), and I smile. It ain't that bad having pitched a stake in the ground. I like having a place to call my own. So, it's worth every Victoria Secret catalog I throw away before perusing. It's worth turning a blind eye to the stores full of sales
...for now.
Credits
4 comments:
Besides, handing over a couple of hundred thousand dollars should be the ultimate shopping high, right? Buy a house, no desire to shop for the rest of your life.
Well, it worked for me.
Very open post Diane. Most everyone I know juggles the bills the month of December. Having your own space though, it is worth it.
Hang in there, the month won't last forever. ;-)
3T
Being practical, Diane? I suspect there's a punch line coming. I'll wait for it....
I sympathize. Between vet visits, spaying, and obedience classes, I think my puppy is costing me somewhere in the neighborhood of $700. Not exactly what I wanted to do, right before the holidays. That said, its no trip to China ;)
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