Below are the 5 most recent journal entries recorded in exuberantmiser's LiveJournal:

Saturday, May 28th, 2005
3:46 pm	Sticking in my throat A day at the spa -- it IS my vacation after all...$20 on gas, $20 on lunch and $15 on sauna/mineral pool soaking. Option: take lunch and eat it at Beacon Rock? I just may be able to do this cheapo thing after all. Bonus: soaking and sweating every bit as relaxing as massages, wraps, facials, and pedicures. C. is gigging tonight - 2 drinks + tip = at least $16. I'll take a $20. Visualize drinking water and not feeling totally deprived. Visualize liking it because you're doing it for a good reason. (Comment on this)
Thursday, May 26th, 2005
7:23 pm	Not spending my next paycheck yet! $85.68 after getting the car ready to sell (oil, lights, coolant, etc). (Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 25th, 2005
9:43 am	The insidious cycle What an addiction! After spending a joyous (planned) day bargain hunting, sort of the last hurrah parade through Goodwill, Value Village, and Big Lots, and spending $100 on house stuff/summer clothes, and another $110 on groceries, all I can focus on is the stuff I think I still need! Time to make a list and a budget, and patiently standby for the next pay period! new iron/steamer - $18 new shredder - it can wait until the old one dies! upright file storage for kitchen $25 new printer and cable - $100 stylus for glidepoint mouse - IT CAN WAIT! belt $10 espadrilles - $20 Now the mind can rest until the next payday! (Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 24th, 2005
9:23 am	SWOT Analysis/Reality Check SWOT Analysis: Strengths: 1) This is a voluntary experiment. 2) I'm a good bargain hunter. 3)I don't particularly enjoy having lots of "stuff" 4) I have an established habit of saving money. 5) I'm debt free and committed to remaining debt free. 6) Intellectually, I have an philosophy of abundance. Globally speaking, we already have so much... Weaknesses: 1) General inattention/denial regarding money and spending. 2) Differences in philosophy with C. 3) Discomfort denying myself the pleasures of restaurants and entertainment - overall discipline. 4) I like high quality stuff! Opportunities: 1) A chance to confirm myself as a non-materialist. 2) More enjoyment of spirit, joy, fun, time, relationships. 3) Motivation to be more organized and mindful of money and spending. 4) greater appreciation of what we do have. Threats: 1) "over training" backfires 2) more spare time to...spend money! 3) differences in philosophy with C. may override the best intentions... The Reality Check: $380 in checking (after mortgage for June) $3,700 in savings. $1,000 in small biz acct. $6,400 in joint house account. $6,200 401K. (Comment on this)
Monday, May 23rd, 2005
12:59 pm	$2,193: My bi-monthly (twice per month) gross pay last week. $1,334: My bi-monthly gross pay from here on out. When it feels good it's called voluntary simplicity, exchanging your full-time all-encompassing job for a part time less-encompassing job. More space in your life, a lighter heart, creative problem solving, living still lower on the food chain. I did the math. The mortgage will get paid (on paper), I'll be able to buy groceries (on paper). My lifestyle won't change all THAT much (on paper). Like anything it will probably suck for the first few months. I'm prepared for that. I'm also prepared to document it dollar by miserly dollar. In the back of my mind I'm hoping I'll learn something. I'm still in denial. This weekend C and I went out for cocktails (and a light Thai dinner), I went shopping with friends (bought two bedspreads), and I'm taking the week off so I'm drinking wine at lunch. FIVE DOLLAR TRADER JOE's WINE! I am NOT giving that up, mark my words. And I'm not succumbing to a regressive state of taste. We'll just have to see what happens. (1 Comment |Comment on this)