For February I decided that I was going to not spend money. I have recently been scared by my amazon spending amount and figured why not try to change that. So for february I didn't spend money. Here are some things I did allow though. The only thing that was allowed was bills. Those had to be paid. After this month, I spent $124.63 Here are my observations on those expenditures.
$3.05 on parking. This was on Feb 1st, so I chocked it up to forgetting. However, I could have cancelled the transaction and found other parking. But the convenience of it was what won. I didn't want to get back in my car and drive down the street and walk a couple extra blocks. The 3 dollars was too tempting for me to just NOT do the alternative.
$5.00 tip to the wax lady. I had this appt and needed it (IMO) and OF COURSE I HAVE TO TIP! what sort of person doesn't tip?!?!?!? The perception that I am a cheap person was just unheard of. I couldn't just not tip her.. right?!?!? I know the answer to that but How other perceive me turns out to be more important to me than I thought. Especially when it comes to money.
$106.23 on my taxes. I could've waited. I should've waited. But I became.... obstinate. I don't know what was going on that day but I HAD to get it done and this exercise be damned.
$10.35 dinner with my mom and bf's mom. I told my bf that I needed money to take them out because I can't pay for it myself. He gave me the money but those ladies went a little crazy in what they were ordering so it came out to be exactly what he gave me. So I had to tip. Again, I couldn't not tip. I also couldn't ask them to pitch in. What type of daughter would I be? A monster.
Now I say all of these things jokingly about myself but I've reexamined my relationship with money. I see these things and know what I need to work on. It's not just the acquisition of material things that I have a problem with. It is how I view money. It gives me comfort, it makes me feel respected or at the very least makes me feel "not cheap", and as someone who has a fulltime job I feel like I can provide for others.
Other things i noticed, I would always think... oh I need this or that and look on amazon or online to see the price. Then I would stop myself. It was a reflex to just purchase things immediately when I have the idea that I need them. Truth is that I can't even remember any of those things I thought I NEEDED.
The food. Oh god the food. I was using a website that you put in everything you've got in your pantry/refrigerator and it'll tell you what you can make. So my pantry and fridge are going bare. I love it. I've found great recipes and some not so great ones. But the food is being eaten now and not thrown away. Granted my bf purchased some food along the way, but I cook and he only spent on things that were mainly for him. I just happened to benefit from some of those purchases.
So those are my thoughts. Just thought I would share as it was an amazing experience. Now I can leave my wallet at home and not freak out about it. Has anyone else experienced something like this?
February 28, 2019 at 07:38AM
