YOU WERE A GOOD ONE.

I occupied the first floor of this space for three years. It was truly the only place that felt like home ever since I moved out here in 2006. It hurts and it makes me sad that I will not occupy this space again. But, I'm starting over. At least I'm trying to.

HeyUSA!

If anyone is looking for some good laughs, I encourage you to check out Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart's travel show, "HeyUSA!" These ladies are too funny and are really pulling me through some bumpy rides.

LET'S START OVER.

source: CONGO Studio

Things have changed in my neck of the woods. I'm still adjusting. It's still unsettling and scary at times. You think everything has been figured out. You've been on this path for so long and all of a sudden, you hit a dead end. Maybe the path was becoming more rocky, more difficult to tread, but you march along, sometimes merrily, other times reluctantly. What do you do when you can't go any further? 

Sit and cry. 

Get angry. 

Bitch and moan. 

Forge your own path.

Move on.

I'm doing all of the above. Some days are better than others. These things take time. It will get better. 

Enough with being vague.

Right now, I'm taking the time to focus on myself. I'm doing a 12-week workout program with some friends, taking my dog for long walks in the woods, and watching a lot of bad TV shows that star good-looking people. Oh, and drinking some pumpkin hot chocolate while snuggling with some cats.

It will get better.

MODIFICATIONS.

source: strivingonward

I said I'd come back on Monday with a few modifications for my spending strike. Granted, it's 10 PM on Monday night, but it still counts, right?

When I came back from San Diego, I realized I had to re-evaluate a few things. I want 2014 to be a good, fun year, but I also want to be successful at paying off my debts.

Here are a few things I will try to do differently:

1. Allot $20 a paycheck to my "fun" money budget. This will be used for movies, dinner, etc. It doesn't seem like much, but I'd try to refrain from using it. Just because I have $40 in my "fun" money doesn't mean I have to use it. It doesn't seem fair for Matt to buy me movie tickets all the time and pay for my dinner.

2. Try to save $10 a paycheck for my trip to San Diego in July. If possible, I'd like to put a bit more away. If I save $10 a check right now, I'll have about $100 to take with me. Not bad, but a little extra would be a nice cushion. And I'll definitely be bringing my spending money in cash form because it's too easy to shop and swipe (my debit card).

3. Try couponing? I'm not sure this will work for me, but I'll have to look into it. Grocery shopping is already such a chore, but I know it's where we need a lot of work. Typically, we meal plan by figuring out what we want to eat that week but maybe I'll try seeing what's on sale at the grocery stores and work around that. This part may take some time.

4. Take it day by day. I get too anxious thinking about money and I shouldn't. I always think that if I just had more of it, things would be okay. I need to accept what I have and take responsibility for the position I'm in.

I feel like I had more to add, but I've been at work for nearly 14 hours and I am beat. I'll be back again with a post about my trip to San Diego (even though it seems like old news). G'nite!

xoxo, Jessica

HOLY CROW.

source: jasminestarblog

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I haven't posted in over a month, but let's get right into it!

 I have royally screwed up my spending strike and it was all San Diego's fault. Of course, I loved seeing my family and friends and had a grand 'ole time, but did I really need to spend nearly $300 while I was there? I don't normally spend $300 in any given week! I ate at too many restaurants and shopped until I dropped. I granted myself some spending money to eat out occasionally, but I told myself I wouldn't do any frivolous shopping. It all started because I forgot my running shoes. I wanted to buy a pair because I wanted to work out. I bought a pair at TJ Maxx. Did I work out? No. It's kind of funny. Along with the running shoes, I bought a sweater that I ended up returning because I felt guilty about buying it. I was going to return the shoes, too, but convinced myself that I was eventually going to buy shoes anyway. And then I just spent and spent and spent.

I wanted to get back on track when I came back home, but it hasn't worked out so well. I just lost sight of it all. And then I got my tax return but I have to save half of it for my trip to San Diego in July. I've already overspent for the month of February by $145. I haven't added any extra money to my credit cards at all.

I really want this to be successful. I just have to try harder. It worked out well in the beginning of January because I thought about it constantly. Doesn't sound like much of a strategy, but if it works, it works! I must remember: I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.

On a positive note, my trip to San Diego was wonderful and I am so excited to go back in July. My nephew is the cutest red-headed little babe in town and I miss him like crazy every day! I hung out with my best friend and got to be present for bridesmaid dress shopping and we watched Frozen and I loved it! I ate at delicious restaurants, although was very surprised at how difficult it was in finding vegan options. Most restaurants that offered vegan food were asian-inspired. I just wanted some pancakes for brunch one day but settled on a HUGE breakfast burrito with tofu. I was very happy to find a place (Paradise Yogurt) serving vegan soft serve ice cream! Before I was vegan, I LOVED vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles, so it was a treat to have.

Alrighty. So, I've been back in town for 2 weeks and need to get back on track! I'll return on Monday with a few modifications to my spending strike to hopefully make it more manageable. Happy weekend everyone!

xoxo, Jessica