NOT keeping up with the Joneses

Ah the "Joneses", you might not like them, but everyone wants to be like them. It's hard not to compare ourselves with everyone we see (I think it's human nature). Once we finally decide that we don't need to have what our neighbors have it makes sticking to a budget a little bit easier.

I like nice things...who doesn't. It makes it harder to not want nice things when it seems everyone has what I can't have (and by can't have I mean can't afford), so what do I do instead...I fake it. When friends talk about going on a shopping trip...I go, put it on a credit card and worry about it later. But then what do I have? Stuff that when I see I think of all the money it cost.

Once enough is enough, you have to come to terms with the fact that you won't have what the Joneses have...for now...give it time and dedication on a budget and soon you will become the Joneses that everyone wants to be. And the best part will be that you can afford what you have.

One thing to help with this is that I have started telling everyone...really everyone...that we are on a tight budget, if it's not in the budget it doesn't happen. If I spend all the money set aside for groceries in one trip, no more buying groceries until the next budget meeting (thank goodness for food storage).

So sorry Joneses...but we are done trying to be like you, for now.

2 weeks down...lifetime to go

Well, our paychecks work that I need to review our budget every 2 weeks. I really do check it more often than that, but that's when I set aside time to review how we have done & what we have moving forward.

I am happy to announce that we are doing okay. Not as good as I may want, but it's a starting point. I just wanted to share the milestone. More to come in paying it down!