CHALLENGE!!!!

as you might remember, october was NO SPEND MONTH (i haven't figured out how to put a link in here, so if you want to read about it, it is in my entry from sep. 30 2008). that was a great month for us. probably the best month ever. i was watching the oprah today and there were families on that had done something similar except for a week instead of a month. it got me thinking about how much october had changed my life. i have to admit it was a little hard at first. your mind is used to thinking the thoughts that it is accustomed to thinking. those thoughts used to be: what stores we were going to, what place we would be eating at, and how much time we would have until G had to go to work. (i have to admit that those thoughts are still there in a round about way, but not nearly how it was before the challenge.) but, once we committed to the challenge, and we realized that we would survive, the shift into awareness living was remarkable. i still very much remember how clear my mind felt when i began to think about where i was going to shop and then realizing that i didn't have to concern myself with that!

the reason why i am bringing this up again is because 5 months later we still are benefiting from the no spend month. i think i can officially say it changed my life permanently. we still only buy what is needed. i barely go shopping. (i have to admit that i bought a bag full of valentine's day stuff when target had it all for 75% off... i can't resist those cute lil treat bags!!) i don't feel that i need to buy clothes to show who i am. i've sharpened my cooking skills. we still might go out to lunch more than average. but in general, i can say it was a success and still is.

for the passed couple of days we have literally cleaned out half of our house. our house wasn't very cluttery to begin with, but just knowing that there was clutter in the cabinets and closets made my skin crawl. i firmly believe in the saying "cluttered house, cluttered mind" knowing that i've gotten rid of what i can has been a very long breath of fresh air! my closet is half empty. my kitchen only has what i actually use in it. up next is Lilli's toys. we do this often. but it's never enough!

i would like to challenge you all to really attempt a no spend month. i know that most of you might say that that will never work for you because of this or that. but it can work. you just have to commit. i just believe that it is truly a gift you can give to yourself and your family. (and the money you save can go to savings! that's always good and you just might drop a few pounds from not going out to eat! also good!) if you don't want to do the no spend, then try the de clutter of your house. clean out those closets! those cupboards! it felt so good to get rid of the stuff that i always held on to thinking that i would wear that later, or use that eventually. the truth is: you wont. you haven't so far. i also let go of the idea of having a garage sale. when i used to think i'd have a garage sale, it made me keep holding onto things. today, the thrift store got some pretty rad stuff!
if you accept this challenge, let me know! i'll check in with you often! and i'll bake you some delicious cookies! haha! but seriously... i will!