Week 2 of the $10 Challenge

This weekend proved to be a little more "interesting" than the one before. Since the challenge was no longer new, it was harder to be as excited as before.  However, we made it through with change in our pocket going jing-a-ling-a-ling (my apologies to the Georgia Satellites)

This weekend had a bit of a theme without knowing it.  Friday night I went to our local high school's football game. Since I am a county employee it was FREE!! WooHoo. Unfortunately, they lost 53-10 but many of my friends were there and it was nice to see the kiddos in a relaxed enviroment.

Saturday, JV and I got up and didn't meet up until lunchtime. We went to Chick-fil-A where we had a card for a free sandwich and cookie.  I got a small drink again (1.44) and then headed off to McKay in Knoxville. While there, JV got some DVDs and I used my credit for some books that were from some of my favorite authors. JV's sister Donna and I like the same type of books so I texted her about the new series I am enjoying.

Afterwards, we went to Dollywood. It was pretty late and we were pretty tires, so we just went into the museum. I must admit it was alot nicer than I had anticipated.  It had many of Dolly's old costumes and letters and you could even listen to some of her older song.  They also had her "Coat of Many Colors" on display.

Dinner at Hardee's was a chicken sandwich with fries and a coke. The total was only $3.23 because I had a coupon. We had a great talk while there because it was completely empty. The talk helped to refocus what these weekends are about. They are to be fun and creatively inspiring. When they stop being that, they should stop.

Sunday was relaxing. I got up and did some laundry, cooking, the usual. However, the Greeneville Astros were having a Teacher Appreciation Night so by showing my pass, I got in there free as well.

The Experiment Begins

Well, it is January 5th,2009 and I am in my fifth day of my experiment on only buying necessities, not luxuries this year. I read the book Not Buying It by Judith Levine last year and was inspired to try the same idea this year. I will try and go an entire year without buying any luxuries.
I must say it has already helped me appreciate the things I do have. Becuase I now must plan in advance (something I hate doing) I get things done more effieciently. For example, I already have my sister-in-laws birthday gift done and her card sent out. She is going to have a fit because I am ALWAYS late with gifts and cards. She even called me today to tell me how excited she is.

As far as the luxuries that I have gotten for free this year.

1. a free blog site ;-)
2. watching Horton Hear a Who on the big screen at our local Hands-0n Museum. I hadn't seen it yet and was earlier debating as to whether or not to purchase
3. Found a free site www.sparkpeople.com for information on exercise and weight loss
4. Since I'm cooking now, I offer extra that I made to friends who were please with the offer. Unfortunately because it was so unexpected, there were no takers :-(

Drawbacks:

1. Friends have asked me to have lunch with them today and I had to say no because I brought my lunch.
2. Feeling a little ungrounded right now