What I Give Up vs. What I Get

It's the end of the first month of 2009, and for us, it was a great one. We made great strides to being debt free and saving. I have really, really cut back on my wasteful spending, and have been pretty good at sticking to a menu and have reduced our grocery budget greatly. I am excited to start a new month and see how much better we can do now that we have a system.

Which brings me to my topic for today: What I Give Up vs. What I Get. Since starting a new budget and setting high goals there are things I have given up that were normal to me. But I have gotten a fw things as well. I made a list to help me see things in a better light, and see that isn't now all about sacrifice, but about balance and finding a flow between savings and living.

What I Gave Up:
1. I don't get my nails done anymore.
2. I limit where I drive, or run several errands on a single trip.
3. I plan my menu better and use what I have on hand.
4. I made more things from scratch now on my days off including cookies, pancakes, muffins, dinners. Then I freeze them and can pull from them throughout the week.
5. I don't get new clothes every week.
6. Energy drinks.
7. Dining Out.


What I've gotten:
1. I find that I like doing my own nails, it's fun and relaxing.
2. By planning my errands I am saving time for myself, which I didn't realize I needed until I had more of it!
3. I like to cook, and find that when I plan a menu cooking isn't stressful. It also saves time at the store and at home to have a list to follow and not wonder what's for dinner.
4. I like baking, and I like being able to know the quality of what's in my pantry when I make it myself.
5. I have more fun making new outfit combinations out of what I have in my closet already, plus after cleaning and purging I find that laundry day isn't so terrifying because I now have ROOM in m closet and things I love.
6. I don't need energy drinks, they are BAD for me, and without them I save time by not having to run into the store to grab one before work.
7. I like eating at home, I like knowing I made dinner, that I saved money and that I can use the leftovers for lunches. I also realized that we didn't dine out because we wanted to, but more because it was a habit.

So, there is it-the balance between giving things up and having what I need. I recommend making a list, it helps me feel not so deprived, but more accomplished and orderly! What's on your list?