Week 1

First week down. I kind of wanted to post daily but it didn't happen. Had some ups and downs this week. Plastic usage was down so that is a plus. On the other side I robbed the piggy bank for food money on Monday...Overall I did eat more food from home than eating out all the time. I still have huge strides to make but as long as I'm going forward then that is the right way.

I also did make it out Thursday for a walk. I went a little over 1 mile. Liberty Park is such a beautiful park with lots of surprises! Then I went to a friends house and played some Rock Band and Guitar Hero. I'm not the best at it...I'm a much better drummer than guitarist though! (Sure Simba, just hop up and make yourself comfortable, I can type with you on my arms...silly cat). back to Guitar Hero... bangin' the drums is sure a great way to get stress out too!
This next week is shaping up to not be as busy but I'll have some homework I'm sure. And I'll need to rob the piggy bank for laundry money. But that's part of what it's there for :)

I've also realized that I need to determine a budget for Christmas. My plane ticket is already bought for our family dinner but determining on what to spend on goodies and family gifts has never really been a solid number. I feel like this year I need to decide on a number and stick with it. It is so easy to want to buy for everyone when really at some point they turn in to family gifts. Plus I have bought tickets to events here and in Seattle.
The other factor for Christmas this year is that I have a car payment this year and didn't last year plus I added a data plan to my phone so that is $30 more a month. Totally worth it though!!! I have a MyTouch 3G slide. It's part of the Droid family.
I'm still weak on getting my cable cancelled. The problem is that one of my summer shows ended two weeks after the fall season started and now I'm hooked on those...that and NASCAR doesn't end til Thanksgiving...so we'll see what happens when the season ends...maybe I can give up my cable for a couple months and find a cheaper option. I have the lowest package available that has the weather channel. I think that should be available on basic cable!
I have no homework next weekend so that should free up some time to redo my budget for the next 6 months or so. I'll let you know how ugly it is:)

IT Begins

In order to make this work I have to cut myself off from the plastic. Credit cards didn't get used much but my debit card did...FREQUENTLY! They are now out of my wallet and purse so I can't use them. This includes Visa, MasterCard, Firestone, Goodyear, debit card AND my check book. I really only use checks for rent and misc stuff but my debit I used for most everything else! Without immediate access to it I will have to plan meals and get up early enough to either eat breakfast or grab something to eat on the way.

My First Blog, The first day of the rest of my life

Wow. I now officially have a blogpage. My purpose is to have some accountability to you to help me achieve some goals.

I am impressed and motivated by cousin Lizzy and her husband Ryan's blog about not spending any unplanned money and the journey it has taken them. http://johnosons365daychallenge.blogspot.com/

I also enjoy reading my sister Dyann's blog and live vicariously through the triumphs and trials of her life with her too cool for words family. http://listingloquacious.blogspot.com/

I watched a show for the first time last night and it had a powerful affect on me. It is on MSNBC and is called 'til Debt do U$ part. It is about couples who need financial help and they get relationship work along the way. It's a great show and is inspiring to me that I can indeed, change my spending habits.

I also love Mary Hunt. She is the creator of Everyday Cheapskate now called www.debtproofliving.com. She shows that you can change your spending habits and save at the same time. Her 'degree' came from the school of hard knocks! She motivates me so much. I just need to apply what I've learned! She has a monthly column in Woman's Day as well.

Another purpose is to share with you my journey of getting healthier. Those that know me know that has ALWAYS been a goal; yet my waistline continues to grow. I have a walking buddy and we've met up once already last week! It was a great time and the time and miles go by faster when you have someone to chat with!

When creating a name I couldn't come up with anything as unique as 'listingloquacious' and was pondering 'reinvention of me' but needed a name that will outlive any 'reinventions'. I came up with 'this redheads life' but it was already taken. I thought of 'my not so boring life' but it is boring sometimes LOL...so I ended up with a combination of the two. (If I could remember it right now I'd list it...doh!)

So we'll go on this journey together. Please feel free to support, motivate, share your story and laugh and cry along with me~!

Cheers~!