Black Friday

So I have to say today has been very long and exciting. It started at 4 this morning when I got up to hit up a few of the sales. We wanted to get two main things, a laptop and if the price was right, a blue ray player. Well, it was a pretty lucky day and we ended up getting both things. It was actually really calm, and organized this year. There were lines but they went fast and there were lots of the items that were advertised still there when I got there. I was pretty happy about it. I did end up with a few extra things but all in all I feel like I did ok, and I did not buy a single toy for my daughter (Well, ok, one toy from a second hand store for 1/6th the price for a new one and I have been planning on buying one anyways). We did spend ALOT of money but I guess when you are buying a laptop and blue ray it isn't exactly cheap.

So I know we wanted to do homemade Christmas this year but we are learning that sometimes, homemade is more expensive. We are both getting used, half price, or made things for Christmas which I think is good. And we will have home made things, just not only homemade. I decided to just make sure we fit within our Christmas budget this year, and we have been doing pretty well. One thing I think I have had to come to terms with is that I probably won't be getting my daugther a play kitchen. I have searched for months for the perfect kitchen. I finally found it but if we got it we would have very little left in our Chirstmas budget. So as hard as it is for me to set it aside for now, I think I am going to wait on it. I have found several other little things that she can open and I know she will LOVE. Most of the things she is getting will be used, the rest is things I bought either last year at the black friday sale or through out the year on great sales. Sometimes it is hard for me to let go of something I have in mind, but I know she really doesn't care if she gets a new kitchen for Christmas or not, so I am trying.

One thing that made today great was that when we got home from all the shopping we had a check in the mail from when we moved (we got an insentive payment for moving ourselves instead of using professional movers). The check covered everything we spent today plus some to save. That was a really nice surprise.

Travel and Savings

Well, this month I haven't been home much, our house that is. I went to my hometown for my brother's wedding and stayed for two weeks. I think travel does something to you and your wallet. I really tried to stay on budget but we ate out a lot and hit all the second hand stores, and there were just things there that I ended up buying. One of my biggest frustrations was purchasing airport food. I really thought I had enough snacks and food to last, but on vacation and with how long it takes to get across the country both my daughter and I were starving at our layover. I tried to find something semi healthy but cheap as well but that doesn't happen in an airport. On the way home we had a 3 1/2 hour layover and after a 4 hour flight with a 3 hour one ahead of us I bought dinner. I know this month hasn't been the greatest money saving month but I also feel like I have held off spending much more than I previously have, so that is a victory. I feel like I have let myself down, sometimes it is so hard not to spend.

As Christmas gets closer I am so tempted by all of the beautifully displayed items in windows and magazines. We have a list of what we are getting for Christmas for each other and others but I have that weakness to buy things for my daughter, especially when I can justify it by adding it to our Christmas list. We decided her one present would be a toy kitchen but now it has grown to a few other things that I either found on clearance or second hand. I am contemplating skipping the kitchen all together and just give her what I have. On the other hand I have been looking for months to find that perfect kitchen. One that meets all my expectations and has the perfect price tag. I have yet to find it, and even made several attempts at re-purposing but didn't get far.

Another thing that has made it hard was that we had yet again another car issue come up as well as a couple other big ticket items. I am trying to keep my mind on denying myself of worldly goods but it is really tough. I haven't reinstated Netflix so far, which I am surprised I have made it so long with out. I am proud of myself when I do make good decisions about saving and I feel like we are still saving, maybe just not half our budget.

I have been learning a lot about money though. We had a few opportunities to shop at costco and Sams Club and I realized how much cheaper it was to shop there, as long as we use what we buy there. I realized that if I sat down and made a menu with similar items for the week we could get what we need for cheaper, make a bunch of it and have a weeks worth of meals ready to go. Like if I go on a Saturday and cook all day Sunday I would be ready to go for the week. Or I don't have to make it all on Sunday. But I think having a plan for your meals is a huge help.

Well, I think that is as long as I should make this post. I can't wait to see how our November budget turns out.

Deny Yourself

I was reading and found this and thought I could pertain it to this blog.

. . . avoid spoiling children by giving them too much. In our day, many children grow up with distorted

values because we as parents overindulge them. . . . One of the most important things we can teach our

children is to deny themselves. Instant gratification generally makes for weak people.

Elder Joe J. Christensen, “Greed, Selfishness, and Overindulgence,” Ensign, May 1999, 9.

I really love this quote. I think too often I do this with my own daughter. I can think of several times that I just had to get her that because she would love it and she is only this age once and what if I don't have another girl and I will have regretted not letting her have that and so on. I have realized how much she really doesn't need. I have a habit of letting her pick out just one thing (with in reason) to buy when we go to the store. Often it is one or two dollars but it is something we certainly don't need and I now realize may be overindulging or spoiling her. It sounds horrible and I don't do it all the time but I have done it nonetheless. She is quite content with the toys she has yet I drool over toys that "I know she would just love." I know is is so young and could really care less if I bought her things or not so this is my resolve to put an end to the frivolous small purchases and I will start having her denying herself so she can learn that you earn what you have. I also am going to resolve to not buy her any more toys, unless it is already what I have planned for Christmas, for the remainder of my challenge. I know this is going to be a hard one but I really want to not spoil her.

Also an idea that we have done is put some toys away and pull them out again after a few weeks or months. It will be like getting new toys all over again.