I can do this.


Month 1 of the spending diet is coming to a close, and this month I was able to put $1000 in my emergency savings fund as a buffer, and throw $1,525.47 at my car loan.
The high is unbelievable. Saving truly does feel so much better than spending. $16,568 left in car/medical loans to go.

I can do this. I am that much closer to true freedom and more choices.

This month wasn't super easy, but it honestly wasn't that hard. November (road trip home to the Northeast) and December (holiday gift pressure) may be far more difficult.

I've been reading some good books this month... Right now I'm in the middle of Tim Ferriss's Four Hour Work Week, and last week I finished Freakonomics. I'm thankful that my audible membership doesn't run out until May! And then, if I am still in debt, I will do the library thing instead of renewing. And speaking of renewing entertainment memberships, I did not renew my beloved Pandora Pro membership- September 22nd was the last day of blissfully ad-free listening. Ads make me cringe and put me on edge (much like little yappy dogs do).

But... Convenience can bring debt. And eliminating a form of entertainment (ad-free radio) means I begin to appreciate the forms of entertainment that I still have... Audio books, jigsaw puzzles, and the internet.

Love may be infinite, but appreciation is not. The less I have, the more I cherish what's left.

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