SOMEDAY

First things first - HAPPY FRIDAY (oh my goodness how happy I am to say that!!).

But no time for dilly dallying today - let's get down to business.

I have a serious question to ask of you:

How do you stay focused and motivated for "someday" things when "now" things spring up?

To explain...

I want, more than anything (almost anything), to be a homeowner someday.

Obviously to purchase a home, one needs a down payment.  Therefore, one needs to save save save.

But how do you (yes YOU, dearest darlingest reader) stay focused on such a long-term goal when there are things here, there, and everywhere demanding financial attention?

Apartment things, fashion things, delicious food and drink things, fun outing and adventure things, adorable baby things to buy for your niece, stupid annoying things like car maintenance...

I'm pretty sure you get the point.

Future home purchase aside, I'm also going to be paying for a majority of my someday wedding.

That's not a price tag to scoff at, either.

And yet... these stupid now things tempt me so.

So, again, I ask:

How do you stay focused and motivated for "someday" things?

This lady needs your help :)

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ACCOUNTABILITY

My oh my it's May...  (and the first time I started this post it was October)

Spring is in full swing and temperatures hit the 90's this week!!

My very sweet, enthusiastic intern/roommate went home for the summer and my apartment is ALL MINE for the next month.

And between weddings, showers, bachelorette parties, college reunions, and (let's be honest) spring fashion... my bank account officially hates me right now.

So I'm going to (regret saying this, but) partake in something I saw on another blog (Modern Eve).

Monthly "what I bought" reports.

Keeps me honest.  Because addicts have to admit they have a problem.

And I love me some shopping.

So far?

I bought an iced coffee this morning at Starbucks.

And a tank of gas.

OKAY FINE AND I ALSO BOUGHT A SAUSAGE & EGG SANDWICH, but I gave the english muffin to my boyfriend a coworker.

Just kidding.

I mean I did, but I'm not going to bombard you with that much crazy detail.

Home stuffs, clothing stuffs, jewelry stuffs, maybe makeup stuffs.

That's what I'll be reporting.

Unless I go crazy (uncrazy?) and change my mind.

What do you do to keep yourself financially accountable?  Do you budget?  Save your pennies?  Stuff cash under your mattress?  I'd love to hear, because I need all the budgeting help I can get!!

LIES

*before you get too excited and start asking me for the links to the above sales, read the post title..*

Dear friends -

I love to shop.

Too much.

It is a sickness.  An addiction.  A very dangerous slippery slope.

And I try to be "good".  Sometimes I am.  Sometimes I'm not.  And sometimes I pay for my mistakes.  Literally.  With interest.

When I get into these bad cyclical ruts, I get frustrated with myself.

Don't get me wrong - I take full responsibility for my actions.

However, I am all-too-familiar with what I like to call "shopper's logic" that retailers encourage.  They practically shove it down our throats.  It goes something like this:

"Oooooh these are buy one get one half off.  I really like this one, 

and I don't really like this one BUT IT'S ON SALE... so I should get both...!!"

Lies.

Let's "do some simple addition" like our buddy Macklemore:

One shirt = $50.  But you love it, so we'll just go with that being a good deal for now.

Second shirt = $50 @ 50% off = $25.  That is totally half priced!!!!!

But you only kind of like it.  Is buying a shirt you don't really like worth $25?

Because now you're spending $75, plus tax, instead of just $50.  You're spending 50% more than you would just buying the item you actually like on something you don't really like.

So, by all means, enjoy the spring and summer sales.  Shop to your little heart's (or your littler budget's) content.  But just know that the retailers are lying to you.

You work hard for the money, so you better spend it right.

Right?

Right.

Love,

Broke Alicia