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.