This is the very last night of my month long gift to Micah.
Remember — only $34 spent in honor of his 34th year
A couple of thoughts:
1. Not spending over $34 for an entire month was slightly anticlimactic after his birthday which was on about day four.
2. The jokes about “how many I.O.U.’s have you written” started getting old really fast.
3. I was on day six — had spent $1.99 total — felt really good. Then I went to Pretend City on free passes, and the $3 it was going to be to get Scout in. Unfortunately, I got bad info (figures mom), and ended up spending $11 for kids 12 months and over. So $22 later, I was beyond annoyed. I was being SO good, and this little blindside took me by surprise. (I would have just passed the whole thing up, but we were meeting a friend for his birthday.) No biggie — I would just have to readjust.
4. It is pretty easy not to spend money.
5. It wasn’t so easy when the Bloomingdales friends and family event was going on — or when the Kate Spade sale hit my Email.
6. I have about four things I am excited to buy tomorrow morning — but I can’t think of what one of them is, so maybe I’ll pass.
7. My mom and Tristen pinched hit a couple of times while I was in a tight spot. And I thank you now.
8. Micah took me on some dates that seemed extra special since these weren’t things I was able to just do on my own.
9. Coming up with activities for my kids used a little more creativity. Such as going to the pumpkin patch and only going on the 25 cent rides, and returning with no pumpkin. Or taking a 50 cent roll of pennies to the Spectrum and letting my kids go to every fountain to toss in a few. (Which they loved by the way.)
10. I love gift cards. I didn’t use many, but I love them as much as having money in the bank. And just knowing that I could use them at any time was totally exciting to me.
11. I REALLY want to have a friend working at Pottery Barn right now, so I can use the discount. Anyone?
*****
*****
*****
Happy Birthday.
You were pretty unappreciative at first, but after the few talks I had with you — you improved.
It was a bit tough when I had to turn down fun activities — especially when they included my kids.
“Frugal” is in my blood (have you met Pat?), but my “noveltyitis” is all me.
Eat your heart out — because you did not have a single charge on your credit card (from me) this entire 30 days. (Unless the groceries I bought last evening have already been charged.)
Kind of fun having a clean and clear bill!
*****
*****
Would I do it again?
YES — but only when my husband is turning 10,000.
Until then……
CHEERS!
| DESIGN BY