Slow and steady wins the race.

I am allowing for a bit of easing into things.  We have eaten out 3 times this week, which is a huge triumph considering it is usually 3 times a day.  My child is not one for left overs, and I have been working around that as best as I can.

The cleaning lady didn't come this past week.  I think I will drop down  to 3x a month as opposed to each week.  I know what you are thinking, but I am no kind of house keeper and if Ann will help keep things clean and orderly it is an expense I am willing to keep.

We bought one didn't need item.  It was a book for a children's book for $3.25. 

I will be more and more strict as we become more accustomed to eating left overs and no longer viewing shopping as a recreational activity.

I haven't forgotten to post more financial details, they are coming.

Yes It Has Begun

I am still here.  My efforts in November were a bit sad and December had it's holiday shopping, but I am ready to begin with a bang. 
I checked the bank statements for November and I spent over $800 on fast food and crap.  Keeping to the budget should allow me to save close to $2000 a month.  I will post the numbers soon.

Still Here

I have spent the month trying to capture all my spending.  Really, it has been very depressing with the holidays, and expenses for this and that the out going money calculations will be bloated. 

I am making improvements to the rental property.  Oh, by the way, I have a rental property.  I have to keep telling myself that the money spent on improvements now will lead to improved rental income later. 

Once the month is over I will have a better idea of where the money is going and how to stop the bleeding.

Making Plans and taking steps

I dropped my Netflix down to the 1 movie at a time option.  It will save me $5 a month.  That is not a huge savings, but I consider being able to reduce any comfort item a step in the right direction.  I now feel that it will be almost painless to reduce my cable plan when the time comes.

I have devised a meal plan for the week, and have a soup cooking in the crockpot.  I will begin "dropping the bottom out" now.  Why put it off?

Preparations-A brief note

I think it is important to set some ground rules regarding preparing for the coming year.  It would not be fair to my experiment to buy a years worth of toilet paper (for example), and then say, "Look how great I am. I didnt buy any toilet paper all year."  Instead I have decided to keep most of my shopping habits the same until next year.  Instead my prepartion time will be used reading blogs, planning meals, and creating a working budget.  So for me prepartion means planning.

Getting Started-Some background info

For years I have been reading simple living blogs and books, and dreaming about the day when I can retire (early) and live in tiny house or converted bus.  Well, you have to walk before you can run, and I am ready to take a tiny first step. I am gearing up for a year of doing without.  What can I do without?  How much can I save? It's an intriguing idea, and I will spend November and December planning and readying to drop the bottom out in 2011.