Possessions Month

So, we officially started the Possessions Month of our "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" a few weeks ago.  The way we are running it is a bit different from the book.  Rather that give away 7 things each day, we are going through 7 key areas of our home, and giving away all that we can to reduce our overall possessions throughout the entire house.

Here's where we are focusing:

1. Kitchen
2. Bedroom
3. Bathroom
4. Basement
5. Garage
6. Kid Zone
7. Living Room

So far, we haven't done very well.  For the last two weeks straight, Titus & I have been gone or had a meeting every night but last night.  And honestly, we were so tired, I didn't even think about going through any of our areas for "7" last night.  

But that will change tonight.  I will be home, starting in the kitchen, going through cupboard by cupboard (not that I have very many to go through!) and removing items that I have duplicates of, or just haven't used, don't need, or know someone else could use more than us.  I will begin to store these items in the spare bedroom until the time comes when we have gone through the entire house and I can take all these items either to a free garage sale we are trying to organize with the group, or a local charity that can distribute the items to people right here in Kearney.  

I anticipate this month being difficult for me because I don't feel like we have a lot of excess in our possessions to begin with.  While I know this is a fallacy, it will take looking at our belonging with another set of eyes to really make this a meaningful experience.

Hopefully I will have pictures to post of the piles of goods we are giving to someone who will actually use them.  How desperately I want to have an open hand and heart when it comes to the things of this world.  I' don't want to hold onto any earthly thing too tightly.  I want to let it go to be used for someone else.

Excess even within "7"

So, here's what I've decided.  Excess can happen even within the parameters of "7".  Honestly, I can find things I do not need at Walmart.  We can plan more road trips and spend more on fuel.

Here's where I've landed with this month.  I didn't take into consideration the spending habits we already had in place and how just because I may limit the number of places I spend money doesn't get to the real issues I have with money and spending.

Another thing I didn't take into consideration is that we already watch where every dollar is spent.  I daily view our checking account, do a cash flow assessment, and make sure we are on target.  Each paycheck is dived out and most of the money is spoken for before the money is spent.  For example, on my list this month is an oil change for each car and new tires for the  Corolla.  Is that excess because it doesn't fall within the parameters of what I set out for "7"?  Well, technically, you could say so.  But the reality in my world is that safety for our family and being a good steward of the vehicle we have is more important than sticking to the "7" parameters I set out at the beginning of the month.  

The question remains just what I'm going to do with the remainder of spending month with "7".  Do I keep going, feeling like I'm breaking rules when I spend money on tires because they weren't in my parameters?  Or, do I look at the areas where there truly is excess (convenience spending) and take the money normally spent on convenience and donate it to someone who needs it?  Do I look at my cash flow each day, and determine where there is more wiggle room than I really need and purchase food for the church food bank, clothes for the clothing drive for kids in town, a grocery store gift card for a friend truly living on each penny to feed a family?

If I'm honest, the heart of this issue isn't that we are unaware of where we spend money, live frivolously, or the sheer number of vendors who get our money. In truth I'm more apt to NOT spend money and hoard it for my family, keep it for a rainy day, because you never know what tomorrow might bring. The heart issue is that I often put my trust more in my good spending habits and our ability to earn money than I do in the God who has given us these abilities and provided for us every day, even when we are unaware of His goodness.  

So, I will continue to budget, meal plan, price match, limit the convenience spending.  But I will also pray for God to open my fist, release the money He has entrusted to me, and give more freely to those around me.

Month 4 of "7": Spending

It is hard to believe that we are entering our fourth month of 7: an experimental mutiny against excess, by Jen Hatmaker.  Some months have been easier than others, but they all have helped us to think beyond our daily routine and consider what things God might want to show us about how we live in each of these areas.  Each month, I have realized just how much excess we have, even when we feel like we live very simply.

This month on spending will be the same, I'm sure.  I look at our lives and I don't feel live we spend to excess.  We live within our means.  We have no debt.  Our cars are paid for.  We rarely eat out.   We shop clearance, off season, and thrift stores for clothes.  But, let's consider all the areas we DO spend money that we might not think about.  I did a quick survey of places not for fuel or groceries in the last month.  Here's what I found.

• Redbox (how we love our $1 rentals)
• The sweet tea I took my hubby for a treat yesterday.  I bought it at the convenience store. 
• Hair cuts
• Wendy's chili because I forgot lunch....again!
• Eileen Cookies for a junior high volley ball team
• Ice cream treat after a football game on a hot Sunday afternoon
• I-tunes
• Christian bookstore for a new Bible Study
• Office Max for binders for a new project
• Car wash to get the bugs off

And that's just in the last month. What about the last year?  Can anyone else relate?  I feel like we do pretty good because we don't over indulge in any big items.  But the reality is we nickle and dime ourselves every month with piddly little expenses.

So this next month we will take a closer look and where we spend our money and why.  We will limit our spending to seven areas.  And I can tell you, the list of ten above will not be on that list.  Here's where we will spend our money.

1. Fuel
2. Walmart
3. Weekend with the Kids 
4. Online Bill Pay
5. Emergency Medical
6. Baby Room Fund
7. Limited Date night

So, for those of you who haven't heard, you may have picked up on #6.  Yes, we will be welcoming a new baby in April of next year.  That being said, I am on the lookout at garage sales and craigslist for items for the baby room.  So, if I come across a good deal this month, I don't want to miss out.  Also, my ever increasing belly is going to require some form of maternity clothes before too long.  I may have to start looking into that this month as well.  

As for the others on the list, let me explain.  First, I chose Walmart because they ad-match.  And since we are focusing on spending, I felt it frugal to get the best deal possible.  As for the Weekend with the Kids, our time with Madi & Abe is so precious.  I wanted Titus to be able to plan a fun experience with them when they are here.  We will still process through whatever we do to make it as economical and fit within these guidelines as we can.  Finally, I put a limited date night on there as well.  It is a rare occasion that Titus and I are able to share an evening out, and when we do, it is usually half-price appetizers at Applebees or the $1 theater.  I don't want to squelch my husbands spontaneous date nights when we do find the time to do something.  

So, with that said - here we go!  Starting Sunday, this will be our guideline for the next month.  

What I really crave this month...

In an effort to not turn legalistic during food month, I relaxed for our weekend getaway to Estes Park.  My hubby and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary surrounded by family and good friends.  The tradition of staying in the cabins at the YMCA of the Rockies started thirty-two years ago with my family.  We are always thrilled we can share this experience with Madi & Abe now.

And with any good tradition in my family, food is always involved.  We have certain foods we have to have and certain nights we have to eat them.  It is a refined process that took us many years to perfect.  And when you have found that perfect balance, you don't mess with it.

However, I was in the middle of our Food month with "7", and so it was a thought constant in my mind throughout the whole weekend.  We enjoyed lots of good foo.  We enjoyed lots of food not on the "7" list.  And I was o.k. with that.

But more than anything this month, I have been craving simplicity in my cooking.  Even more than I have already done.  I crave to simplify the ingredients we use.  I crave to simplify the amount we eat.  I crave to simplify how often we eat and why we eat.  I crave food for nourishment and not for entertainment.  And that was highlighted this weekend.  Often what we ate was for entertainment.  And afterward I felt sick.  I realize that my body really does respond to food and if I pay attention I can see how differently it responds when I feed it healthy versus when I feed it junk.

So, that is one thing I will continue to take with me.  I long to continue to have God shape my view of food to be healthy and for life sustaining enjoyment.  It makes a huge difference, there is no doubt.

Food Month starts Sunday

This morning I'm munching on Wheat Thins.  They are one of my weaknesses.  Another is Oreos.  And that's why I don't allow myself to purchase either.  But I went to Target hungry yesterday, and so today I eat Wheat Thins.  But the reality of what I'm about to enter for Food month is right before me.

Sitting on my desk is my list of the 7 foods I will avoid, and the 7 I will focus on eating.  Coming up with the list was not as difficult as I would have thought it would be.  Unlike the book, I am not picking solely 7 foods to eat all month.  Rather, I looked at where my food weaknesses were.

• And the truth is I am a lazy eater.  I eat fast food because I don't take time to pack a lunch. 
• I'm an emotional eater. I turn to snack food or my coveted Diet. Dr. Pepper to get me through a stressful day at work or a lonely night home alone.
• I don't practice what I've learned.  I know what I should be eating.  I know what I should be avoiding.  I know processed foods aren't good for me.  I know all these things, but that hasn't changed how I eat as much as I would like it to.

So this month I will focus on what I believe God is calling me to with food in my life.  To stop being lazy.  To stop being emotional.  And to put into practice the good things I've learned.  To turn to Him when I'm stressed or tired or emotional.  To find activities in my life to satisfy in ways that food cannot.  So, here are my parameters for the month.

Foods I will Avoid:

1. Refined Sugar
2. Fast Food 
3. Carbonated Beverages (good bye Sonic Happy Hour!)
4. Refined Grains (bye Wheat Thins)
5. Processed Foods
6. Fried Foods (no more potato chips)
7. Dairy

Focus On:

1. Whole Fruits
2. Whole Vegetables
3. Whole Grains
4. Good Fats & Oils
5. Water
6. Legumes & Nuts
7. Lean Meats

So there it is.  My food map for the next month.  I will say this.  We will be celebrating our anniversary in Estes Park during this month.  I have already decided that I will not miss some of the traditional meals, but rather enjoy and not be legalistic during that weekend.  However, I am planning food that I can enjoy to supplement those traditional meals so I don't veer so far off course and just ignore everything for the weekend.

I'm excited to start and look forward to leaning into the Lord more fully during this time.  A chance to cleanse my body, spirit and mind.

Waste Month: In the Home Stretch

As I look at my calendar, it is official: Waste month in some ways was a waste for me.  In total, I was home 11 of the 30 days for this month.  That makes it really difficult to follow any time of plan in any area of my life.  But recycling and shopping local are pretty much a bust when you are on the road for so many days.

But we are in the home stretch, the final week.  And here's how I'm going to finish strong:

1.) We are carpooling to work this week
2.) I am continuing to eat out of the freezer and pantry and keep grocery shopping to a minimum
3.) I will FINALLY be home on Wednesday & Saturday this week to hit the farmer's market
4.) Recycling, everything possible in our home
5.) kitchen waste taken out to the field

So, even though I haven't had the strongest month this month, this week will be great.  I can tell already.

Waste Not

We are half way through the Waste month of the "7" experience. This book has helped me to shift my thinking, if not alter my actions. This month has proven more difficult for me than I thought. I have a couple of guesses why:

1.) We only have a farmers market in town on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. Unfortunately, my family eats fresh foods all the other days of the week. 

2.) Since we started the Waste month my family has only been home 5 days. Five days in two and a half weeks. Recycling and shopping at farmers markets has proven difficult when you are on the road.



But, on the positive side we have looked at how we waste food and energy and this crazy month has been good in these ways:

1.) When needing a dress for a function this weekend, I looked in the back of my closet and found the perfect dress. No need to go purchase a new one.

2.) Traveling on the road for so many days has cut our electric bill way down since we haven't been home.

3.) Grocery shopping has been limited to only what we will consume in the next 48 hours. When we are home we are eating out of our freezer and pantry.

4.) EVERYTHING gets recycles when we are home. Just this morning I opened a new bar of soap for my husband. It was packaged in this cool paper wrapper. Rather than throw it in the trash, I walked it back to our paper/cardboard recycling bin. Little things like that are a victory for me. More and more of those add up to less and less trash.

So while not a stellar record for the month, it has been eye-opening for sure.