With the start of the new year, I decided to do things a bit differently. I am breaking the rules and going against everything “we should be doing”.  I’m not pinching pennies.  I want to shout it to the world, “I am NOT PINCHING PENNIES”.
Okay, maybe for a week or two, but whatever.
I’m not starting this new year with the mentality to save extra money, cut back on activities, never eat out, never get ourselves something nice to wear, or take a vacation because we are too broke.  I’m sorry, it’s nonsense. OF course, we’ll SAVE some money, but I’m so sick of not being able to enjoy life due to a strict budget.  Am I going crazy spending money?  NO.  We’re just spending a few bucks here and there and enjoying ourselves.  I am not regretting it one bit.  So, there!
For example: yesterday, R and I had our special day where I took him to the theatre and we had pizza afterwards. Okay, so if I hadn’t brought him, I could have saved a total of $40.  In my mind, the experience outweighed the measly $40. I have great pictures, he loved spending time with mommy (all by himself), and it was overall very much worth it.
Am I telling you to forget Suze Orman?
No, but I am telling you that she’s unrealistic.
I don’t know….. maybe I’m too young to grasp the importance of saving?
I just feel like it’s so much work, and we spend our time completely miserable when we can’t do anything and feel so broke, so why not have a little fun?
For the last few years, we have spent our tax return on paying down debt. I’m so sick of it. Why can’t we go away this year?  We’re doing it and you can tell Suze ;-)
Turks & Caicos, here some broke asses from NY come!
OF course, I dream about owning a house and bla bla bla.
In all reality though,  at this point, it’s very unrealistic.
We’re a young couple in NY.
We’re living on one income.
We pay almost $1800 a month just to live here (not including phone, cable, cell etc.)
So screw it! I’m not too worried about that house, anymore.
All I want is for my family and I to thoroughly enjoy ourselves.
I signed up R for some after school activities, we have been eating out once a week, I’m taking the kids to more events where they can have fun, and we’re taking a trip to the Catskills next month.
Can we afford it?
Do I care?
I’m not going to die one of those people. . you know, they leave their children hundreds of thousands, but never once in their entire life enjoyed themselves..
Negative.