No Spend Month Days 1 and 2 (Or as I said often, "SHIT!")

Day 1: 
Well, I realized I'm addicted to consumerism. BUT it was taught to me by the ULTIMATE consumer- my dad. My dad will buy things just to buy things. When I grew up, Saturday and Sunday were shopping days. EVERY WEEK. And I'm not talking a couple of things from the grocery store- I'm talking hours upon hours at JCPenny, Sears, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, etc. And wanna know what we were buying? New stuff to replace the old stuff that we had just bought about a year ago! And that's how it's been. Every weekend, of every year, and on any of our days off.

Well, yesterday was no different! I do have to admit- I bought one thing. But it was for the blog and to do a review and I really did need it. But let me tell you- it was freaking hard. Here's how my day went as compared to normal:

Wake up and roll over- think about money and all the things I "need" to buy. Realize I can't because of a No-Spend Challenge aka "SHIT! Ughhh..." 

Check phone and mom has called, asking me to join them for breakfast. Politely decline and say I'm trying to not eat out this month to save money and lose weight- offend mom slightly. (SHIT! Number two.) 

Get ready for day, realize I need something from the store and off to grab it! Let's note that I literally grabbed the ONE item and proceeded to checkout. I looked at nothing else. I was proud!

Head to my parents house to use their internet (remember that post about my roommate?! Still bitter.) and sister convinces me to take her to Barnes and Noble.  Let us also note that I didn't buy anything! I did however, look at a few books. 

After dinner- dad asks me to go buy the family ice cream. He paid. Who says no to free ice cream?! 

Spend two and a half hours online "Shopping" for cruises. Old habits die hard, right?! 

Total "extra" spent on day 1: $25 (you'll find out later what it was)

Day 2:
Today I completed the challenge correctly! I bought nothing extra! (I did rent my college books for this next term.. but that's a necessity at this point.) In fact, I spent the afternoon babysitting so I made money instead of spent it! Yay me!

Total spent day two: $0 YAY!!

New Year Resolution #1- Stop living for stuff

Recently I realized that I probably was creating an addiction to shopping. I'm not talking jokingly, I'm completely serious. I would spend HOURS a day shopping! That's how I spent every moment I possibly could! It gave me happiness- or so I thought. But recently, I've begun weeding out my stuff and being very aware about where I spend my money and what I bring into my space. And I realized- I have so much more time!

Before I would just shop to fill up time and space- because I felt empty inside. I felt as though I needed STUFF to make me happy. But it was the exact STUFF that was making me miserable and giving me way too much anxiety!

While I can't do much about my roommate's stuff, (unfortunately) I can downsize mine. So far I've gotten rid of two whole garbage bags of clothes, (I still have a full closet to go through at my parents too...) and a whole box of makeup. And yes- to answer your question- it feels amazingly free.

For the first time in months, I went out shopping with my best friend (she's a shopping addict too- takes one to know one, right?!) and I bought.. NOTHING. And believe it or not, I actually felt BETTER than I would've if I had bought something.

Starting January 1, 2015, I am going on a "No-Spending Spree" for 30 days. No, this idea isn't new or mine, it's been floating around on Pinterest for quite a while. But it'll be a crazy hard challenge for me- a shopping addict. Here are the rules I'm planning on adhering to:
1) No eating out (this includes fast food and sit down restaurants)
2) No buying extras (NOTHING extra, I have everything I need)
3) Sticking to ONLY necessities
4) No online window shopping (THIS IS GOING TO KILL ME)

This will be incredibly hard for me- but I need to do it for multiple reasons.
1) To keep steering  toward minimalism (or at the very least- needing less)
2) To save money (I'm sure I'll save AT LEAST $150 this coming month- but I'll let you know.)
3) To develop dedication and self control
4) To have extra time to focus on what truly matters
5) Getting one step closer to having my own place

Wish me luck, I'll need it.

Xoxo,
Brookilynne 

Out With the Old- For Good!

Well, it's that time of year again. Shocking isn't it? Seems to be flying faster and faster every year! And because of that, I've been researching minimalism. What's minimalism you might ask? Basically a simpler way of living-with more time to focus on what truly matters. Sounds great doesn't it? That's exactly what I'm thinking! I've compiled a list of some things I want to accomplish this coming year:

1) Pay off my credit card debt
2) Graduate from college. I'm so close!
3) Move into my OWN place WITHOUT a roommate!
4) Finally start focusing on my health. (And hydrate well- I turn 21 this year... Oh boy!)
5) Take a yoga class
6) Complete the 52 week money saving challenge
7) Volunteer
8) Get back into learning languages- I really love learning languages
9) Read more books

I'm starting to realize that having more in life isn't about having more stuff, it's about having more of the good stuff. (I.e. strong relationships, healthy bodies, strong minds, helping others...) So that's what I want to do this coming year- have more of the good stuff. 

So I started tonight, Christmas Eve, realizing that it's not about the stuff it's about the good stuff. And I'm truly enjoying every minute of it.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a goodnight.
Brookilynne