Halfway to Spending July

Alas, the Star Wars Oreos did not come home with me --

But I was tempted!

It's still June and that means it's still No-Spending June. I stopped into Target today to buy cottage cheese -- their own brand is great and at least a dollar less expensive than anywhere else -- and alas, there was no cottage cheese. I decided to see if there was any quick grocery item I needed and I spotted the Star Wars Oreos in a giant display. Technically all food items are permitted in my own No-Spending rules, but by no stretch of the imagination could I justify buying these cookies, which are barely food. That said, I'd like to try them. I'm pretty sure it would just be another Oreo with more fun packaging. Has anyone tried them? Are they better than non-Star Wars Oreos?

I'm pleased with my lack of spending in June. I've bought food, airline tickets and one greeting card for $4.95. The card was totally irresistible and I have no regrets. I'm keeping a list of things I'd like to buy in July and a lip gloss tops the list, with another short sleeved t-shirt as the second item on my July shopping list, though the latter is only a "want."  Somewhat amazingly, I have used up every lip gloss/lipstick that I could find anywhere in my apartment. I thought there must be at least half a dozen, lurking in makeup and travel bags. It's the only "thing" that I need and my lipstick/gloss need is actually pretty dubious. I am getting by with Chapstick, and will continue to get by until July 1, but I am missing the lip gloss that I so took for granted. I'm reasonably sure that I will  buy a lip gloss on July 1 and will much more appreciate having it.  

New York is about to join the rest of the country in a massive heat wave and I'm figuring out how to amend my schedule to accommodate the predicted 100 degree heat index days. I'm going for more reading, more water and a few more trips to the Metropolitan Museum, where I can  walk comfortably in air conditioning and enjoy the surroundings. What is your hot weather go-to?

As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cool!

 

It's No-Spending June

 

There will be spending here -- 

The neighborhood has waited years for H Mart to open

There's been no-spending January, February, April, September and October. There's been Low-Spending February and September and in 2024 we're adding no-spending June. It's time to get back on the thoughtful spending wagon. 

I didn't go wild in May, but despite using mostly points for my trip to Paris, there were lots of expenses. At the end of the month, I looked at bills, balances and recounted all the fun and treats I'd had in March, April and May. There were two big trips -- Arizona and France -- and lots (and lots) of eating out. I realized this is a great reset month, both for spending and eating. The best way I know to reset eating is to cut out sugary treats and extra bread and the best way I know to reset financially is a no-spending month. 

My no-spending rules this month are the simple version, no buying things. I can buy food, eat out -- though I'm looking to be more thoughtful about this -- and buy tickets to events or flights. But things are off my list. I won't buy clothes, makeup or any of the cute things I see in store windows or that Amazon offers me. I do have a couple of birthday gifts that I didn't get in Paris, and those will be my exceptions to the no-spending rule. 

Anyone else want to join me in No-Spending Land?

The store pictured above is H Mart, which has a big selection of foods from Korea and other Asian countries. It just opened this weekend, so I'm holding off on a visit until the opening days crowds have subsided. I'm eager to explore it and will be doing a blog post with the treasures I find. 

We've had perfect late spring weather and I've got photographs to share from my excursions in the last week. I know the heat will soon arrive, but I've been making the most of days without humidity.   

As ever, thanks for visiting and happy June.