The past month has been expensive. We knew it was going to be. We talked and planned and calculated carefully. The two hotel bills will be covered by profits from the respective conventions. The down payment on the next book has been planned for. The repairs to the vehicles were not a surprise nor were the bills for eating out while traveling and the gas it took to get there and back. But it is one thing to carefully plan and calculate in advance. It is quite another to have all those bills come due nigh simultaneously. The tab was over five figures. I am suddenly inspired to re-institute many frugal habits which fell by the wayside while we were so stressed and busy.
The timing on the intention is good. The kids start school tomorrow and we’re going to be settling into a new life rhythm. I can build frugality right into the pattern. The first place to start is with meals. I need to be cooking from scratch rather than grabbing from the freezer. With life moving a little slower, I should have time to do the advance planning that cooking requires. Cooking gets difficult when Kids are already poinging around the kitchen complaining of starvation. I also need to clean. Howard’s office, my office, the pantries, the linen closet, the kids’ closets, all are in dire need of reorganization. I want to throw things out. Getting rid of stuff makes me feel in control of my life and it reduces the visual/emotional clutter. Lots has accumulated over the months of busy. It is time to clear out and to spend less.