I've "celebrated" No-Spending January, April and October and Low-Spending February, and now I'm adding September to the No-Spending list. Adding September to the list came to me when I was thinking about my glorious week on the river. There was lots of talking, reading, movie watching and visits with friends. One thing I didn't do was shop. I did spend twenty minutes in the college gift store, but without the intent to buy anything. I just enjoyed looking. We did do some grocery shopping, but I wasn't stocking the kitchen. Thanks to K's organization and thoughtfulness we had great meals and there were snacks and coffee whenever I wanted.
I've been an organized shopper this summer, but I've been a shopper. I bought exercise clothes, makeup, new sneakers, a tote bag, sweater and socks. These are all things I've needed, but a lot more than I've bought for quite awhile. For the last couple of years I've kept a list of things I planned to buy when I retired -- bigger purchases -- and I checked the first item off that list, too, my new and beloved iPad. It was a lot of shopping for someone who has tried to refrain from buying things.
I've decided to that it's time for another No-Spending month, and officially declare this No-Spending September. Whatever I own can last for the next month. The search for the out-of-stock lipstick I've been looking for can resume in October. Halloween decorations can be bought next month, too. Michael's won't be sold out.
One of the things I heard most before I retired was that I would save money if I wasn't working. I am spending more money. I brought my lunch most working days for years, didn't frequent pricey coffee stores and didn't invest in a lot of work clothes. Now I have time to meet friends for lunch, coffee and dinner seven days a week and there's a cute place on every corner in the neighborhood. Being at home during the day during the hottest summer in years has given me truly horrifying electric bills. I go through paper goods at an astounding rate. I don't want to feel deprived or be a candidate for an extreme thrifter reality show, but I do want to find ways to be economical and still enjoy living in New York City. I've got some ideas for grocery thriftiness, but that's for October. One month at a time!
I did get some of my errands done today, but a mishap in the middle of the day derailed me. I slipped on a puddle in the entryway of the grocery around the corner. At least four women shoppers offered to help me up and they couldn't have been nicer. My foot isn't too badly swollen, but it isn't as it should be despite spending the rest of the day elevating it with ice. If it's not better in the morning I will get an x-ray, but I wanted to give the ice a chance to work. I also couldn't see sitting in the emergency room on Labor Day for hours. I'll keep you posted and of course, appreciate prayers.
Always enjoy your visits and hope you had a much less eventful Labor Day than I did. Sweet dreams!