A Lovely Morning Stroll

It's amazing how time can get away from us. I went for a walk this morning, my favorite route in fact. For 2 hours I walk a trail through town that takes me past the nicest yards with the hugest flowers, through the dune forest, past the lake, and right downtown. I realized as I took in my favorite sights that it's been over 2 years since I'd walked this pathway. I strolled my son along with me this morning for the first time (he's almost 18 months old) and I know I hadn't taken this path while I was pregnant. Wow, over two years since I went on my favorite walk. Where has time gone?

I felt as if I'd been reunited with an old friend today; watching the squirrels scurry along, listening to the variety of birds chirping their morning songs, hearing acorns tapping to the ground after falling from trees, that twisty tree that grew all spun around, that waterfall in some clever home owners back yard, the dune grass almost as tall as me sparkling in the sun, and the best part watching the gigantic Lake Michigan emerge from around the bend while out of breath from walking up a dune sidewalk.

The best things in life are free. Two years is far to long to have been away from these little things.

Might life altering beauty cross your path today as well!

Day 50

Well I did it. I made it to NO SPEND day 50. That means that collectively I've almost gone two entire months of 2013 not spending a single penny.

In the grand scheme of things I don't know how much of an accomplishment this is. I know some people grocery shop once a week. Some people live far out of town and don't get to purchasing things too often. But I think more people than not spend money practically every single day. You buy a coffee or a pop, you pick up a donut or a candy bar, you stop for a hair cut or pick up a gift for someone; spending money is easy peesy.

Well 50 days down, 54 days to go. I'm shooting for 104 days of not spending this year. It's kind of fun and it definitely saves me money. A dollar here and a dollar there adds up very fast.

Welcome August

My husband has been using up his vacation days rather sporadically the past few weeks so that they don't expire once his hire date rolls around this month. It's been wonderful spending time together and living with a well rested husband. I almost forgot what normal felt like. I do try and avoid the computer whilst he's home so I apologize for my absence. I haven't been blogging or tracking my spending that well. He's at work today and then he'll have a few more days off. I've been spending the morning annoying my son and entering my spending.

Here's where I'm at.

2013 Financial Goals
Average $13.50 a day spending currently $14.65
104 NO SPEND days currently 47
No more than 45 days off the record currently 40
Maintain $1000 emergency fund currently $52
Stick to a monthly Zero-Based Budget I think I pulled this one off this month