Monday, October 27, 2008

Monthly Round Up: Need vs. Want challenge

Kinda proud of myself, I must say!

My whole challenge for this month was to go on needs rather than wants.

I totally resisted the bookstore this month, and went to the movies using - ta da! - the gift certificates I forgot I had!

I bought a new fall/early winter coat, which I needed. Even better - it was on sale for $40! I had to get the cuffs taken up as usual, but since it was on sale, I didn't mind the tailoring charge.

I also finished my ultra-wide scarf - I can fold it over, sort of like a cowl, which TOTALLY stops the dreaded neck draft! I knitted it myself so it's in the colours I like. Even better - same concept scarf at the Bay was $60.

I still haven't found a toque I like, though, and I totally suck at knitting in the round. :-(

I had enough yarn left to start making a skinny accessory scarf, too!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Haven't posted in a while because.....

I have been soooooooo busy at work! When I get home, I want to avoid anything computer-related.

The extent of my free time has been spent watching MSNBC - I get home, eat dinner, watch Chris, Keith and Rachel, and then hit the hay to start the cycle all over again.

Ironically, it's done wonders for my savings.

I've also done something smart - I've signed up to put $60 a month into a Canada Savings Bond.

It's a good, safe and RELIABLE way to save money! Very important in this climate!

Our rush time is over and done with for the next few weeks, so hopefully I can get back to posting more often.

Oh, yeah - OBAMA '08!

Friday, October 3, 2008

A good shopping day!

In-keeping with my only buy what I actually need goal for the month, I decided to test myself in the mall.

I'm rather thrilled I went.

Not only did I *not* spend in a bookstore or music store, but those items I did purchase actually followed the major rules:
  • it screamed 'buy me, you look good!"
  • the items were on sale
  • I actually needed them

I needed gloves and I bought them - and they were on sale!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

A Strange Violation and October's Goals

I was going to update earlier but I'm still kind of weirded out by something that happened Tuesday night: someone stole my sweaty, yucky though somewhat new sneakers at the gym!

Yes, we are talking a seriously disgusting human who doesn't know where my feet have been! Y. pestis could be incubating in those sneakers for all the thief knows! Ew!

In light of that development, I had a brainwave vis-a-vis my goals for the month.
This month's goal is to achieve something not too ambitious but important nevertheless: I am going to make an effort to only purchase that which I actually need rather than want. These kinds of purchases include a new pair of sneakers (for obvious reasons), groceries, that kind of thing.

Today's Resisted Items - based on an "ooh, I could buy" thought:

  1. Iron Man DVD (it will be available On Demand soon enough);
  2. John Adams DVD set (I will wait until I can rent it);
  3. Blue Jeans;
  4. Boots;
  5. Flat shoes;
  6. Gloves and scarf (cold, damp and windy out with AC still on in office).
Ironically, my refusal to "mall" after a rough day at work meant that I had to evaluate why I wanted to spend. Answer: boredom, frustration, desire to validate my need to feel good and what I call the 'oreo cookie' urge - mmm, yummy, just one more, oh just one more, until the bag is empty and I feel like crap.

That tells me something - if I have a crap day - GO HOME AND EAT DINNER. If I *still* want it, I'll wait for the weekend. If it's still in my brain when I wake up Saturday morning, then I'll go look for it. I won't be stressed or off-kilter, so I will be relaxed and able to not impulse shop because I'll have time to compare prices.

Today's spending report, in light of those goals:

  1. TTC Pass since I need to get to work;
  2. New nylons (since I laddered my tights this morning on my way to work);
  3. Large Latte and a breakfast sandwich.
  4. Dinner from grocery store because I missed lunch - pre-made Caesar salad, pre-made beef goulash, green tea ginger-ale, chocolate sundae.

So, after having eaten, I've still got the "me want" thoughts on the following items:

  • blue jeans
  • boots
  • gloves
  • scarf

I'm waiting on Saturday. Let's see how the 'deep breath and wait' approach works out.