June Check-In
While working on this post I started looking at budget blogs (like CaitFlanders.com) and minimalism podcasts (like Frugal Friends Podcast) and I went through all my to-do lists (so many lists) and crossed out anything that involved buying new stuff. I really let myself get so wrapped up in my fantasy mason jar zero-waste lifestyle that I almost donated all my plastic tupperware to buy glass ones to replace it. That makes no sense! I have so many things! I own two comforters and I was debating buying myself a new bedset for my move as a little treat. What am I thinking?!
Part of my mindful consumer lifestyle change needs to include buying mostly secondhand and thrift-ed things, but mostly focusing on what I already possess and being more grateful for all that I have. I wish I had a tangible way to track how much of my things I’ve already given away while packing, but I’m going to go through everything again as I get settled in my new place. I own so many pens, mechanical pencils, and post-it notes. Like many writers, I have a slight addiction to office supplies and anytime I’ve been around someone or some company getting rid of paper products, I have taken them home and hoarded it like a dragon. Growing up, I used to ask for everyone’s binders and folders they were about to trash, and I used to collect 10 cent notebooks at back-to-school time every year, and I still own dozens. It has to stop.
I have been so bad at budgeting and keeping track of my spending for any extended period of time. This blog is the first attempt at holding myself accountable to my saving and debt repayment goals through public shaming, but I am still working out how much to share since this is a public platform. I am toying with the idea of including a list of my purchases every now and then. I feel comfortable saying that I paid off 5% of my credit card debt in May (I’m so proud of that!) according to Credit Karma so I’ll tentatively use that to start keeping track each month.
I actually ended up moving on Friday but wrote the bulk of this post before that, so I am already settled in at the new house and I brought so many things to Goodwill that they started rejecting some of my stuff.
Another fun caveat is that I’ve decided that for the month of June I can only drink alcohol on 5 different occasions. It can be whatever or whenever I would like, but only on 5 days maximum out of the next 30, for both money and health reasons. I’m so tired of both tipsy impulse-spending and hangovers. I’ve been keeping track of my drinking habits without trying to change anything for 3-4 months now and with this new move, I’m ready for an experiment.
What budgeting or frugality media should I check out next? What are your savings goals?
Savings as of June 1: $2000
Credit card debt paid off (May 1-June 1): 5%
