So Spend Week Review.

A week of attempting to spend no money really was eye opening. I have an online shopping addiction. I can spend a HUGE chunk of my day shopping online. I rarely buy anything, but I love the shopping. I shop for everything and anything. I love it it and it is clearly a terrible habit. I get over 10 emails a day of different sales and deals I can buy. Then if anything interests me I spend a good chunk of time shopping the website of said deal. Some, I even leave in my inbox to shop again when I have more time.

We made it through the week spending only a little money and mostly on things we did not need. I went shopping with my sister in law on Thursday and thought I could resist the urge to buy something. I failed. Winners had my favourite brand of makeup. Winners never has my favourite brand of makeup. That brand of makeup is NEVER on a great sale. Therefore I had to do it. I have been using Joe Fresh cream eyeliner for a while. I kind of liked it, but I really loved my Smashbox stuff. So the eyeliner was a third of the price and then there was a lip liner and lip stick combo stick. I could not resist as this I feel is the key to my perfect red lips. Anyways that is me attempting to justify spending money. I knew if I did not buy it then, I would simply go and buy it on Monday and if it was gone most likely cry. Ok maybe not cry but at least pout. That is enough. I spent some money on some quality make up because it was on sale. I am happy about it.

Then Sunday came and the husband was tired of showering with a tub full of water so we bought some Drano. The tub has been clogged for over a week and because I did not want to spend any money I was attempting every natural form of de-clogging possible. Nothing worked so we broke down and bought some.

So mixed with the eye opening online shopping addiction, I also realized just how much food we actually have in the house. Our kitchen is small, but we did not even come close to depleting our supplies of pretty much anything but bread. This opened my eyes to the fact that we do not need to be buying so much food. This quantity idea will be easier when we have a meal plan for the week laid out, which has yet to happen and I need to get on that.

Anyways overall the week I found successful. I think we will definitely be doing it more often as it really makes a noticeable difference in the bank accounts and it was nice to think of things to do and such that do not cost money. I would highly recommend giving the no spend week a chance and see if you can do better than me (not hard I know).

No Spend Week.

I have been inspired by Brianna at Tea with Bri. Last week she did a series of posts on a no spend week, seen here. It is not the first time I have heard of the idea, but this time it hit home as it came at a time of which I am not unemployed. Friday was my last week of work. I finished the day Friday with mixed feelings. A part of me was excited because I need a break from the job, another part of me was slightly freaking out because there are no jobs in the foreseeable future.

With now being out of work, there are a number of projects that I want to get completed in the apartment. Unpack and organize the spare room is a HUGE starter, then there is the palet garden and patio decor that I had wanted to get done for a while. A number of these things require at least some money. Money that I do not want to be spending because we now have less money coming in. I am a shopper. When I am bored or looking for something to do, or anytime really I love to shop. Hence starting my unemployment with a no spend week seemed like the best idea there was.

So the rules for the week are simple. Other then gas and the normal bills that automatically come out of the bank (such as car payment, insurance, internet, cell phones) we will be spending no money. We will be eating the food that we have. I have more free time so I will be cooking and baking and getting a little creative. We will take advantage of the nice weather and do some free outdoor things like taking walks and enjoying the park.

I also plan to use this time of not shopping to plan my shopping. I know that sounds kind of crazy, but I find that if I plan my shopping and stick to it I will not spend on random useless things. For example, if I clean and organize the spare room and decide I need two Rubbermaid's it will save me from buying everything and everything that looks cool and could potentially help instead of simply the two Rubbermaid's.

With this time and the required creativity of food this week I also plan to make a meal schedule. I have been meaning to for a while but it just has seemed easier to find something in the fridge or slip out to the store for one thing and come back with twenty. A meal plan and a detailed shopping list I think will save us a lot of time, stress and money.

So I am excited for this week and if all goes well we may just do it once a month, both to help us save money, to be thankful with what we have and to reevaluate our spending.

Soccer Begins.

Monday night I felt like a little kid all over again. The weather was cold, I was nervous and in no way prepared for my first night of soccer in about five years.

5 Road Trip Saving Tips.

As my girls New York City road trip is getting closer and closer I am looking for ways to make this as budget friendly as possible. I plan to splurg a bit and will most likely see a broadway show and/or Taylor Swift, but I also hope to cut corners wherever possible. I want to do a lot of travelling in my life and the cheaper I do each trip the more likely it will be that a second will follow closer behind. So these are my tips on how to road trip on a budget.

April Books.

This month I clearly did not get a lot of reading accomplished, between the weather getting nicer, working more awkward shifts then normal and lots and lots of boot camp I guess reading just got pushed down on the priorities. I think next month might be a bit better as I am 3/4 done a few different books right now.

New York City Bound. {Road trip}

This July I am going on a road trip with some wonderful ladies. We are going to take a week, pack ourselves and out things in a car and head to New York City. On the way home we will then spend some time in Pennsylvania. I cannot express just how thrilled I am for this adventure. The more I research about things to do and what to see both along the way and in our destinations I cannot help but get over the moon excited.

Blog Under Construction.

I just wanted to give a heads up that my blog is going to be under construction for the next little bit. I have yet to figure out how to make changes, save them and make it so the entire world does not see my rough drafts. I know it must be possible, but I cannot for the life of me figure it out. As a result you will see a number of changes over the next little bit as I work to make my blog a bit more me.

So the husband and I are working hard on the new design and layout so expect (fingers crossed) some pretty cool things and big changes. Just please bear with me as I work out the kinks and try out some new things.

Have you clued in yet that I have NO idea what I am doing? Help/suggestions totally welcome.

New Routine.

This week has seen a new 'normal' in our house and a part of me is starting to really like it.

Previously the husband started work just outside of town at 8:30. I then started work in town at 9:00 most days. This worked out wonderful for only having one car. We both then finished work at 5 and therefore I was able to pick him up most days only about 15 minutes after he finished. This was nice as the wait was not too much and there was other people at the office and he was able to stay inside and finish up work or work on other things. We had a system and a routine and wonderful friends/family who would pick him up when I worked my one late shift a week.

All that changed however when the boss told the husband's office that everyone was now working 8-4:30. Therefore the office closed at 4:30. The mornings have been hard to get up, but well worth it in the end. I now wake up a half hour earlier, take the husband to work and then stop at the Tim Horton's around the corner from work. I go in and get various things accomplished for about 45 minutes before heading to work. It makes me wish that I liked to drink coffee, however the small frozen lemonade is on for $1, so I have been treating myself to that most days.

This week I have completed four job applications, one blog post, countless blog reading, facebooking and read four chapters. I am thrilled about the time that I have and wonder why I have not done this sooner. I feel refreshed when I get to work instead of feeling like I should still be in bed. Who knows, maybe I am turning into a morning person.

The before work is turning out great, and the after work has been working out only by the grace of God. I mentioned we have some great people in our lives and as a result things so far have been working out with the husband getting home from work. Monday night it was raining and therefore a friend picked him up. Tuesday I finished work at a library close to him and therefore was able to pick him up on my way back into town and yesterday a coworker of his brought him into town because she had commitments in town anyways. So the next three weeks (I am done work is three week ahh) will be a little more hectic and require a little more planning, however I am confident that things will work out.

So if you have been helping or have volunteered to help with our families one car drama we are SO very thankful for you and your offers. If it is was not for wonderful people, the husband would probably get very wet and bored waiting for me to get him every night.