Trying to stay positive

Yesterday I ended up spending $206 at the dentist... which is just crazy in my book but, since I may need teeth in the future, I paid it. This was far more than I was hoping to be charged. I ended up switching my hair appointment to next paycheck, which left me with $40 in savings. Here is the new budget break down

 

$167-Prespent

$645-Rent

$60-Food

$74-Books

$16-Phone

$10-Gym

$206 Dentist

***** Savings of $40

Looking at the small amount of savings for this check makes me sad. A part of me wants to say fuck it, it is only $40- let's buy something pretty. Yet, another part of me realizes that I would have paid for the dentist appointment whether I was on this spending fast or not. Before I would have eventually over drafted my account since I have nothing left in savings. So in a way, I guess I am okay with the fact that what I wanted to save was spent instead of me overdrafing.

I am hopeful that I can budget my next check in a way that gives the old savings account the boost it needs.

Until then I am going to stay positive that I can make this work....

What is this about?

"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." This quote has been sitting in my cubical for the past year. I put it up to inspire me to make a change in my life, but the more it just sits there, the more it taunts me. I live a life of excess- not to the point where I am chilling on fancy yachts, with sexy men feeding me grapes, while I throw hundred dollar bills everywhere... but still.... I’ve let shopping, eating out, drinking, etc. become a big part of me. This is not the lifestyle that I want for myself. I have made it my resolve to make dramatic changes in 2012 in order to have the life that I want. I’ve decided to be content with what I have by creating a life without excess. I am taking the Spending Fast Challenge from "And then she saved" (here is a link to http://andthenshesaved.squarespace.com/spendingfastguidelines/)

What does this mean? No more lavish spending, except that which is absolutely necessary.

What I will have to spend money on:
Rent (I don't want to live on the street)


Bills (obvs)


Household items (cleaning, tp, etc.)


Cell phone (Pre-paid $30 per month)


Food (off brands, in season fruits and veggies, no fancy stuff- that includes fancy cheeses)
Gym membership (through work only $10- plus gym= healthy)

Bus pass (I walk most of the time, but like most humans I do get lazy)

Haircuts (I know these may not seem necessary, but my hair is really thick/unruly and impossible to deal with if I don't get regular haircuts)


 What I'm NOT spending money on:

Internet

Clothing (of all kinds)

Makeup
Eating out

Drinks at bars

Shoes

Gifts

Coffee at coffee shops

Etsy stuff
New music from itunes, amazon, or any other pay for music site



Will my journey be hard? Of course... already I feel like my mind is racing as I prepare myself for this challenge. Knowing that on January 1st, my life is going to change dramatically is scary. Part of me wants to take this time to hoard and binge while I still have the chance. Being able to see these feelings is making me understand more clearly that this is something that I need to do. For now, I am going try my hardest to keep my emotions in check and use this time to ease into this lifestyle. I know these emotions are only popping up from fear.