Friday, November 21, 2008
Love in the time of Austerity
Even before being desperately poor since the market's crashing to a 5-year low, I have been taking personal austerity measures for a couple of months now.
Not much fun to do (or to read i'd imagine... or is it MORE fun to read? ;) ), but essential for my mental and financial health.
I do have 1 indulgence: my pilates class which i utilise to the max by making sure i dont cancel for a fee, i make sure i do all the exercises in the correct form and push myself to the max, and i continue to exercise outside class (i've started jogging again! 30min for 5.5km, not too shabby). The results thus far - a lifted butt (YAY!), trimmer waist and better posture. YAY!!!
I havent saved that much to tell the truth (since i never did used to be a big spender, except on food and drinks, haha), and more than half of what i did save went to the kids.
Good breakfast, Snack after class, Art supplies, School related and required stuff, Clothes and shoes - they grow so fast, Stickers with their names for school supplies, Small pocket money to teach them to budget/ count/ get change and save, Trick and Treats and Kiddie rides within reasonable limits, etc etc
But the pleasure and satisfaction when spending on them is priceless.
And i guess E derives his pleasure when spending on me too. :)
- No book buying from Borders, no matter the discount - I go to the National Library.
- No new clothes - the last was a pair exercise pants from duty-free shopping in Changi Airport in September. the previous last were 2 $8 t-shirts from Baleno sale in August. and before that probably a shirt in May.
- No curry puff/ bbq pork/ egg tarts/ chocolate/ snacks except the from the pantry hoard at home, and nothing new until the hoard runs out.
- No drinks at lunch - only soup if available with meal, else cooler or tea from office
- No new bags - the absolute last was a Coach bag that E bought for during USA trip, and none else this year.
- No new shoes - the last were 2 pairs from factory outlet (ok, i confess! they were nine west. but still!) during USA trip in August, old shoes to mended by roadside cobbler instead of Mr. Minute.
- No new toiletries/ cosmetics until everything has been used up
- Saving electricty and water at home
- Buying groceries only when they are on sale
- Choosing cheaper alternative if and when possible
Not much fun to do (or to read i'd imagine... or is it MORE fun to read? ;) ), but essential for my mental and financial health.
I do have 1 indulgence: my pilates class which i utilise to the max by making sure i dont cancel for a fee, i make sure i do all the exercises in the correct form and push myself to the max, and i continue to exercise outside class (i've started jogging again! 30min for 5.5km, not too shabby). The results thus far - a lifted butt (YAY!), trimmer waist and better posture. YAY!!!
I havent saved that much to tell the truth (since i never did used to be a big spender, except on food and drinks, haha), and more than half of what i did save went to the kids.
Good breakfast, Snack after class, Art supplies, School related and required stuff, Clothes and shoes - they grow so fast, Stickers with their names for school supplies, Small pocket money to teach them to budget/ count/ get change and save, Trick and Treats and Kiddie rides within reasonable limits, etc etc
But the pleasure and satisfaction when spending on them is priceless.
And i guess E derives his pleasure when spending on me too. :)
# posted by yojanjan : 11/21/2008 07:32:00 PM
