Well, Dan was not happy with recent spending. He texted to say no more going to Whole Foods, Williams-Sonoma or Kings.
That's all well and good, and we have had this conversation a dozen times, but it means that we have to plan ahead well, with the one car we share. We have to have milk, bread, coffee and bananas in the house. And what happens if we run out of one and I don't have the car? I can walk to Kings. I cannot reasonably/happily walk to ShopRite in Bloomfield. Therein lies the pickle [and a pricey one at that].
He pointed out that ShopRite has organic produce; I know that. It also has organic milk, but he always buys the regular, much to my dismay. And I don't think I can get freshly ground almond butter at ShopRite, nor Pacifica brand beauty products; Whole Foods is home to those.
I will not be able to go to my beloved STITCH because it is no longer here, no longer my style temptation. But other ones will rear their pretty heads, no question. And, Figgy got me a $25 STITCH gift card for Christmas, much to my delight, and I will at some point head to the Madison, New Jersey store. Maybe for my birthday this January, I will ask for a Whole Foods gift card. LOL.
$MSOOP
That's all well and good, and we have had this conversation a dozen times, but it means that we have to plan ahead well, with the one car we share. We have to have milk, bread, coffee and bananas in the house. And what happens if we run out of one and I don't have the car? I can walk to Kings. I cannot reasonably/happily walk to ShopRite in Bloomfield. Therein lies the pickle [and a pricey one at that].
He pointed out that ShopRite has organic produce; I know that. It also has organic milk, but he always buys the regular, much to my dismay. And I don't think I can get freshly ground almond butter at ShopRite, nor Pacifica brand beauty products; Whole Foods is home to those.
I will not be able to go to my beloved STITCH because it is no longer here, no longer my style temptation. But other ones will rear their pretty heads, no question. And, Figgy got me a $25 STITCH gift card for Christmas, much to my delight, and I will at some point head to the Madison, New Jersey store. Maybe for my birthday this January, I will ask for a Whole Foods gift card. LOL.
$MSOOP
- I am working on my Rose Gold laptop at Joyist in Montclair. I worked at home Wednesday and yesterday. But today I walked into town. This food is tempting, filling and very healthy. After nine punches on your card, you get the 10th purchase free, which is generous. Anyway: 4 Chocolate Hazelnut Bites, $5 [made with nuts, cacao, coconut oil and not too much pure maple syrup]; warm organic Asian grain bowl with chopped egg, vegs, etc., $12; and the new housemade vegan coconut yogurt with mango puree and granola sweetened with a touch of honey, $8. So I am up to $25 already. But my next punch is free! I will be working here from about 12:30 to 4:30.
- At 2:15 p.m., I walked a few doors down to Chelsea Square because I left home without any lipstick or lip balm in my big tote bag and did not want to proceed without it. I didn't want to walk back for it [I have at least a dozen at home], so I texted Figgy to bring any one to me at Joyist, since she would be walking the same road to get to work at Montclair Stationery, right across the street. But she didn't see my text. Then I asked her if she had one I could borrow, and she didn't answer. I didn't want to walk to CVS. So I bought Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30 in Touch of Berry for $19.50 plus tax, bringing total to $20.79. I see on the Kiehl's link that it is $22 plus tax, so my price was good.
- The two bullets total $45.79. That should top my spending for today. I've asked Dan to set foot in ShopRite to get taco ingredients for dinner.
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Ouch! This has happened to me - you come to a decision just before the consequences of not making the decision hit - so I’m all, was going there anyway, don’t push!
ReplyDeleteBut also true that money stress is family stress, so can’t really blame a partner for speaking up (tho I totally do).
Anyway, keep being brave about self-improvement, and feel my support roaring up from the south...
Liz
I am faced for the first time in thirty years having to seriously budget and constrain my spending, as I am about to retire and lose my ample income. Tracking is the first step towards modifying a behavior, so I'm totally with you on this.
ReplyDeleteBut it's HARD. And family stress, and shared resources and decision-making, aren't something I've had to deal with (much) so your issues are that much worse. But I believe paying attention and being mindful is totally the right thing to do.
xoxo
Nan
Hi Nan. So good to hear from you. Wow, about to retire. Wow, wow. I hope there are more of those retreats in your future--like the one you did last summer? Looked so awesome. Yes, I am finding that mindfulness around eating and spending is helpful. Thank you for writing. Happy, healthy new year. Love Alice
DeleteYes, unfortunately, just staying OUT of the more expensive stores is sometimes the smartest thing to do. I saw your question on what I do when I go to Whole Foods to buy salmon. I never, ever get a shopping car there, and sometimes, I don't even get a basket. :O
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really sticking to it, Eileen! I like that. Love Alice
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