The Start of My No Spending Challenge

My No Spending Challenge starts Sunday, but I am already thinking about it. Today I got a coupon in my email box for $5 off a $25 purchase at Rite Aid. That's not a bad deal if I needed anything from there, but I don't (and it can't be used on prescriptions) so I just deleted it. Even though the challenge doesn't officially start until March, I am trying to cut back on spending now. Today I have two purchases I have to make, I have to pick up a prescription and get gas for my vehicle. Tonight I am driving across the state to spend time with some folks over there. That actually should work out well since other than a meal or two out (which I already said wouldn't be included in the No Spending Challenge when it was with other people) I shouldn't need to buy anything. Weekends can be hard for me when I am at home since I have a tendency to work on home improvement projects - which always end up requiring a trip or two to Lowe's. So, this should be a good start to the month.

The trip should take about two and a half hours. Normally I pick up a bottle of juice or ice tea for the road at the gas station, but this time I have my big travel/sports container that I am going to fill up with water before I leave the office. Not only will it be cheaper, but also better for my waistline, though it may inspire an extra stop at the rest stop! If so, I will have to quick walk past the vending machines - I am a sucker for "road food."

Ever notice how once you decide you can't have something, it is the only thing you want?

Here I am at work and I have a gorgeous lunch of a leftover pork chop. beans with garlic and balsamic and homemade applesauce and all I keep craving is going out for fast food. I DON'T EVEN LIKE FAST FOOD!! It isn't fast, it is barely food and it is never cheap! (as opposed to my gorgeous lunch which cost under $3.00 to prepare.) Yet, here I am thinking about how tasty a fillet-o-fish would be right now. I have one or two a year and I swear I am craving one now because I am determined not to buy anything like that.

Don'tcha love how the brain works?

The good news is that I talked to the company accountant about changing my withholding for city taxes. I let him know that I really do live in the city, so he is going to get right on it. He says it has probably been that way for awhile, well over a year. I am guessing I didn't catch it last year because my ex and I were still filing joint taxes at that point and the refund hid the problem. I don't know. I got a copy of the taxes that were filed, but I'll be honest, I didn't go through them as thoroughly as I should have. Plus, I didn't meet with the tax accountant at that point, so if he did mention it to my ex, I didn't hear about it. Ah well, it is water under the bridge as they say. Nothing to do now but get it fixed. It should be solved for the next check which means I will only have two months of improper withholding.

I hope everyone has a pleasant weekend!


I love this photo by: eskimo_jo