A fridge is on the way!

I bought a fridge.

I’m not sure if I should feel relieved because it only cost about $600 or if I should feel sick because it cost $600. Do you know how many freelance stories I have to write to pay for this thing?

My old fridge was a white side-by-side with an icemaker and water in the door. The new one is a freezer on top, kind of basic model with no ice or water. Frigidaire calls the color “Silver Mist.” It’s made to look like stainless steel but it’s really the gussied up country cousin.

I didn’t want the icemaker because it takes up too much space and, let’s be honest, it’s just another gadget to break. Besides, I use about six ice cubes a month so it really won’t be missed.

My other appliances are all white but given my luck these days I’m guessing my stove will die any minute now. So this way I can transition into a more modern black or stainless look in my future purchases. I bought the one that best fit the space, that has the largest freezer room and that cost the least to run (It should cost just $48 a year to operate). This little number should suit my needs quite well.

It also was reviewed well online.

Meanwhile I am operating with a dorm size fridge that my dad had in the garage. It’s pretty cramped but I can limp along for six more days when the new is delivered.

I am trying hard to not ask the obvious question but I guess it’s kind of hard to not wonder what’s going to happen next.

 

 

 

One step forward, two steps back

The “No Spend Challenge” went great this weekend! Mr. Wonderful and I engaged in some outdoor activities and enjoyed a little couch time. All free, all fun with no recreational shopping to speak of. On my way home yesterday, I tortured myself with a spin through TJ Maxx only to learn that they didn’t have one thing I wanted to buy. Nice,eh?

A quick trip through Aldi garnered $16 worth of groceries that, combined with the freezer/pantry stock should get me through the next two weeks.

Or so I thought.

Things didn’t exactly go as planned.

At home, I found a large puddle of water in front of the fridge. All of the ice from the ice maker had thawed. Funny. It’s not supposed to do that……

The compressor had blown on the fridge which is only about a decade old. A lot of food lost. Frustration mounting.

I do all this work, earn extra income and pinch pennies so that I can dig myself out of debt and maybe even…gasp….get ahead….only to fall further and further behind.

Deep Breath.

It will be ok. But now I will lose a day of productivity at work to go shop for an appliance I really can’t afford.

On the bright side, the sun is shining, the sky is blue and it feels like fall today. If Mother Nature is smiling it really can’t be so bad, right?

Keeping it together

The first few days of my No Spend Challenge have gone okay so far. No slip ups since the Subway cookie and I’ve had absolutely no interest in shopping or buying anything since then.

I’ve done this exercise several times in the past – for as much as a month at a time and as little as two weeks. The first few days are usually the hardest but this week has been relatively easy. Although, we’ve not made it to the weekend which is where I’m most apt to misbehave so I could be singing a different tune on Monday.

Be certain, I am not a materialistic person. I do not understand these people who are waiting in line for the new Iphone today and I really don’t care what kind of car you drive or how many Pandora beads you sport on your wrist. Those things are nice but they don’t really appeal to me.

I do, however, have a weakness for books and music and thrifting. And the $15 I spent at the local used music store a couple of weeks ago wasn’t a lot of money, especially for all the great tunes I bought …… but it adds up. And my life isn’t any better for owning it.  That $1.50 pack of gum doesn’t really enhance my life either

I reviewed my budget the other day and added up how much extra money I would have this month if it weren’t for the debt. The debt being mortgage, car, a small home repair loan, a student loan and a small amount of credit card debt. The amount was staggering.

What I wouldn’t give to have that money in the bank.

And that’s when it hit me.

I have given away that money and that piece of mind in exchange for gum and music and a closet full of clothes when I still have nothing to wear! Instead of buying this stuff that doesn’t really matter I should be paying off my student loan, paying off the home repair before it’s broken again, paying off the credit card so I don’t ever have to borrow money for a small expense again!

So in addition to retraining myself to stop buying unnecessary things through this No Spend Challenge I will be consciously reminding myself what I’m trading for the few things I think about bringing home from the store. I’m counting on this to help me keep it together not just through this No Spend Challenge but for the long run too.

What could you do with the money you are spending on stuff? How much better could your life be without the stress of debt? What are you willing to do to fix it?

 

A brief recess

It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood here in southern Ohio. I had a meeting at one of our state parks this morning, giving me the opportunity to roll down the windows for a quick drive and then, get this……. sit outside!

During the middle of a work day. Sit outside under trees!!!

It was positively delightful and refreshing and happy.  I left feeling refreshed, energized and ready to go back to work. If only every day included a state park recess!

 

Saying YES to your life!

Looking for some inspiration? Check out this new daytime talk show. It’s unlike anything else on tv. Their guests are regular people who have interesting and sometimes extraordinary stories. This show isn’t about gossip or tearing others down. It’s about saying YES to the life you have and finding happiness every day. It’s called the Jeff Probst Show and I’m hoping it’s around for a long time.

If you do nothing else, watch the first guest. If she doesn’t change your life or at least make your day, you have no soul.

Have a happy and productive day everyone!

I bought a cookie

I didn’t even make it through the first day of my No Spend Challenge without spending money.

Sigh. I bought a cookie.

Not just any cookie. A Subway chocolate chip cookie. It cost .49 cents. And it was worth every penny.

I was on my way to a class last night and stopped by the library which happens to be conveniently located across the street from Subway. It was going to be a long night and I was running on fumes. So I slunk across the street and pulled out my change purse.

Today is going better. No currency has left my hands so far. After work I will walk and go home to eat leftovers from my fridge. I intend to do a little cleaning so there won’t be time or opportunity to spend money.

Can you believe I didn’t even survive a day? How sad.