Days 2-4: Dodged Two Bullets, But Got Hit With A Monkey Wrench!

Hi Blog World!!  I apologize, I have been off track for the past few days, plus had technical difficulties with the net!! :-/.  Fun! Fun! Fun!

So, on to the day 2 through 4 updates!  Day 2 was a little more difficult than day one.  I realize a lot of people like to have meetings over meals, or just love opportunities to get together with friends to eat.  In my full-time job, I work with youth between the ages of 16-24.  On Thursday, we took them on a field trip to a great technical training school in the area.  The trip was great and informative, I think the young people got a lot out of it, but of course it ended around…you guessed it, LUNCH TIME!  Afterwards, the Director wanted to take our participants out to lunch.  Long story short, we did not go and I’m glad.  Otherwise, I would have spent my money on fast food as it is difficult for me to sit in a restaurant and just watch people eat. – Bullet Dodged!

Later that day, I was supposed to attend a meeting with my community association at a local restaurant, that has really good food if I may add.  On the financial fast, we are not supposed to spend money on eating out or fast food.  Once again, I must state it is very difficult for me to sit and watch people eat, and not eat myself. :-/ Luckily, everyone was tired, so the meeting was cancelled!! Bullet 2 dodged.  I felt like everything was really lining up in my favor at this point. – Bullet 2

After the cancellation of the meeting, I thought I was good and started relaxing for the evening.  WRONG!  I got a call from my father that I needed to go out of town and pick up my sister. .  Always happy to help, of course I agreed.  So my husband and I got on the road.  We got hungry on the way, but didn’t stop for food. Although, I was more than willing at that point.  It was on the way back that I have to say I broke my fast. .  Only 2 days in.  By the time we were headed back, it was after midnight and I was quite tired.  We had to stop and get gas, but I didn’t spend any of my own money there. My dad contributed to it.  However, I did decide to get a Cappuccino because I needed the caffeine to stay awake.  I also bought a snack.  Now, I still go back and forth on whether or not that cappuccino was a need.  Of course I know it was really a need, but I justified it because I needed SOMETHING to help me stay awake on the drive back other than people. I’ll have to do better on the rest of my fast. . – The Monkey Wrench

Days 3 and 4 were pretty uneventful.  I didn’t spend any unneccessary money.  In fact, the only money I spent was on transportation, which of course is a need.  I was so tired on Thursday, I didn’t have a desire to go anywhere and spend anything.  Now, I do have a question – If I spend someone else’s money or someone buys me something that isn’t a need, does that count as breaking the financial fast??  I really need to know the answer to this question going forward because I need to know if that is breaking my financial fast.  All I can say for now is I didn’t spend any money .   

So, the financial fast is still on. It hasn’t been perfect, but I am glad I am doing it.  My bank account thanks me.  So far, it has given me a little more peace of mind because I know I haven’t spent any unneccessary money outside of the pit stop I made on my road trip back home.  Today is Saturday and I haven’t gone and spent any money.  Which is very weird for me because I usually like to treat myself to SOMETHING when I get paid or after a long week.  Oh well, its really not that bad.  I’ve paid a few bills and thats about it.

Now lets see what next week brings.  Tomorrow I’ll be clipping coupons to see what kind of deals I can get on some of the neccessities.  I’ve also found a few good sites for coupons online (will post links later).  My husband has also introduced this financial envelope organizing system to me, which I need to check out.  Next week should be interesting.  To all you other financial fasters out there, keep up the good work!!

- Jas Living Healthy -