Month 3: Complete

 

this little mama is my favorite face and is wearing my favorite new headband in the shop!

Ok, so this month I save ZERO dollars. I was expecting it. Truthfully, I stopped tracking my money activity after my Vegas trip...
I'm sure I've actually spent more than I brought in this month. There's was a tiny bit of extra income with a couple sales from my Etsy shop and a Save the Date photo shoot, but nothing substantial.

Oddly, I don't feel as defeated as I probably should. I realize that I'm trying to correct bad spending habits that have been all I've known for 27 years!

Anyway, tomorrow is another day and begins another month!

Hope everyone is having a Hoppy Easter and a great Spring!

Day 87

I had to buy a new pair of jeans yesterday. I had been avoiding it because A. new jeans do not fall into the Needs catergory of this Spending Fast. And B. I wanted to lose weight before I went and bought myself a new pair of pants.
But unfortunately, it's been so long since I've been pants shopping that this month 3 of my 4 pairs of regularly worn denim have ripped in the thighs (YOU know, the spot where a chubby girl's legs touch when she walks...bah!)

Usually, I wear my "Lazy Girl Chic" uniform of leggings or yoga pants and an oversized shirt, but every once in a while you need to be able to put a presentable outfit together.

SO with my Target gift card in hand, I found myself a decent, inexpensive pair of black jeans. A totally boring, PRACTICAL purchase to make with my birthday gift card...but necessary (I swear, my pragmatic manfriend's sensibility is rubbing off on me far more than I'd ever care to admit.)

Now I'm wondering what do I do with the ripped, but not ruined jeans?
I could try to work some Pinterest magic on them and make them into some cool, ripped shorts.
Or maybe just hang on to them as loungy, lazy day pants. Or "painting" pants?
I can't donate them and throwing away a pair of Hudson's seems sacrileg!

Realistically, they're just taking up closet space right now. What would you do?

Whoops! (unintentional 2 week hiatus)

I'm the worst. Sorry! I have not abandoned you all! I have, however, accidentally abandoned my Fast, my diet, the gym, and any sort of routine I had for the past two weeks! EEP!
But I'm back, so you can all relax :)

In case you were wondering, Las Vegas is not the spot to go if are trying not to spend money. I repeat. STAY AWAY FROM VEGAS.

Now, this vacation was planned long before my Spending Fast was even a thought in my head. My brother was turning 21 and our family always celebrates the big 2-1 with a trip to Sin City! So I saved a few hundred bucks figuring that should be enough cash to avoid a trip to the ATM.



WRONG!
Oh, boy was I wrong. I spent more than double what I had planned. I felt like a dog that had been let off her leash for the first time! Seriously, out of control...

I bought:
... A million drinks + A million coffees= An empty wallet and heartburn
... So many (unnecessary) rounds of shots
... Cute (and sparkly) sandals so I'd stop whining about my aching feet
... 2 buffet dinners (that's 2 more than anyone needs to eat in one weekend!)
... Big, sugary, colorful drinks that have hangover written all over them
... Candy...whhyyy
... Gambling... (I don't even like to gamble because I don't enjoy the feeling of handing my money over and receiving nothing in return. I may as well just throw 20's into the wind. But I just had a feeeeeeling this time :/ )

So, even though there are a few days left of the month, I can say with 97% certainty that I will be writing ZERO in the "Saved" column of my March spreadsheet.

my sister and I with the p's minus the birthday boy. 

Happy birthday, little bro! Hope you had a great time...even if you don't remember most of it!

Day 69: DIY Sugar Scrub

These winter months are wrecking havoc on my skin! My legs feel like crocodile skin and my poor heels are a sight.
My first instinct, of course, was to buy Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper sugar scrub. Smells so delicious, you'll have to resist the urge to lick your ARM!

But, good lorddd, 36 bones for a 12 ounce container! Thanks, but no thanks.

So I took to the kitchen and came up with a scrub that I think it just as yummy as the Bliss version! Plus everything I used I already had in the house! Making MY scrub a whopping free ninety-nine.

Citrus Honey Sugar Scrub Ingredients
Sugar (I used organic cane sugar from Trader Joes. It's more course than fine baking sugar)
Light oil (I used olive oil)
Honey
Lemon juice
Salt
Tangerine essential oil
Empty container

In a small bowl, measure a little more sugar than would fit in your container. I mixed equal parts oil and honey, then added a little more oil because it was a little too sticky. I stirred in just about a teaspoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of salt. I mixed in a few drops of the tangerine oil at the end because it's supposed to be enhance cheerfulness :)
I don't have exact measurements because it will depend on the size of your container.

I keep my scrub in my shower! I used about a tablespoon of it and it left my legs and elbows feeling silky smooth! Plus my bathroom smelled like dessert!

Next time I think I'm going to try a grapefruit and lavender scented scrub. Yum!

Day 67: Make More Money

dough and a dear designs

For the first time in a long while, I have only one job. And for the first time since high school, I'm working only part-time. I make enough for the essentials. But I don't really make enough to put EXTRA money aside or have any sort of savings.

See Operation: Make More Money !!!


To keep myself busy (and to avoid spending senseless money), I've been crocheting my little fingers off! Blankets, hats, headbands, baby sweaters, wrist warmers...You name it, I'm making it. The more time a project takes, the less inclined I am to empty my wallet on other activities!

This week I opened my very own Etsy shop! I'm beyond excited to share my creations (and make a little extra cash to boot :) ) Every piece is custom made to your liking! New items will be added weekly!

Browse the shop, share with your friends, and let me know what you think!!
(Also browse my closet at Because I Shop Too Much where members sell and swap their gently used clothing and accessories!)

Post Valentine's Discounts

Today I didn't buy heart cupcake pans.
They were 75% off. And pink. And I wanted them.
They probably would have cost a whole dollar.

That's self-control, people.

Day 61: Month 2 COMPLETE!

So! The results for February are in!

This month I saved
$581.74 !!
*happy dance*

February was a tough month. Like, a REALLY tough month. As I mentioned before, there are so many birthday celebrations and Valentine's Day...and it was easy to let the rules fall by the wayside. Especially when wandering through the dollar store and around every turn is something sparkly or covered in chocolate.


If I'm being honest, with myself and you, I was pretty loose with the guidelines.
I took almost $70 in cabs...and only one of those trips was actually necessary. I went to the bar, a few times. And I signed up for an expensive gym.

Anyway, with the saved money, I'll be paying an additional hundred dollars to my credit card which has the highest interest rate of all my loans. Rather than make an additional payment to my student loans this month, I need to set some money aside until I find myself another second job.

Until someone decides that paying me to socialize and eat donuts and blog from about 11am-2pm everyday will be beneficial to their business, I need to stash some emergency cash for a bit.

If anyone hears of any job descriptions that fit...you know where to reach me..