spending fast

We aren't the first people to do this. In fact, let's be honest. We is really just me. Matt doesn't walk into the thrift store just because he hasn't been there yet this week. Matt doesn't think about blowing half of his paycheck on storage containers from Target.

Until I graduate from college (May 6th, I think) , we are on a spending fast. This fast involves only buying things that we need. I use the word "need" as an American term. :) We are incredibly blessed.

Needs (things we can spend money on)

• Rent
• Utilities (but the heat is off, even though there's snow on the ground outside)
• Food (stick to the basics)
• Phones (really basic phones that can call and text)
• Car expenses (insurance, gas, oil changes)
• School supplies (I'm student teaching/graduating this semester and I am sure there will be things to purchase)
• Other needs that pop up (doctor visits, the ticket that came in the mail the other day, etc.)

Wants

• Those storage containers from Target
• A t.v. (not that I want one, but I'm just saying that they aren't a need)
• Movies that aren't from the library
• Everything second hand
• A hot drink that isn't already in our pantry
• Eating out (exception: gift cards)
• Fresh flowers
• Etc.

As a reward for successfully completing this fast (which would be an AMAZING accomplishment) we are going out to sushi (favorite) and being super excited about how much money we will save by not spending a couple dollars a week on second-hand treasures etc.. This fast isn't going to last my whole life. This fast isn't going to last this whole year. This fast is only for four months, but I'm seriously going to try. Hopefully this will bring more joy to board games, picnics, bakings, and writing lesson plans. Here's hoping this fast will do this little family some good :) p.s. We're already over a 1/3 to our down payment goal! It's working. 

emerald green

Recently, I read that emerald green is the color of the year. This is super convenient since the paint swatch I picked up in December to liven up our already green {but not so exciting} bookshelf was my idea of emerald. I looked through the blog for an old picture of the shelf, but apparently I didn't like it very much since it only ever showed up from a distance. Regardless, now it gets its closeup. I love how bright and happy it is against that white wall. Yay for doing something bold and loving it! 

In other happy news, I paid off my last semester of college. You know what that means? The on-going joy of no debt AND more money every week into savings for our house! I might have literally shrieked with joy when I left my college building. It feels so nice to have that goal accomplished! I'm so thankful that the Lord gave me the job He did, and that Matt and I can focus our money towards more exciting goals. :)

In kinda sad news, our kitty cat is sick. He's been throwing up {but still has an appetite}, and I hate to see him lethargic and nauseous. As silly as it may seem, pray he gets better soon!

on the mend

Happy New Year! The days since Christmas have been full of undecorating, listening to records, catching up on sleep, and playing with our new toys. We have already found three specials occasions to use my new polaroid camera, and I am still playing with adding my handwriting to pictures. When the year turns I always start dreaming big dreams and re-naming our children, but we're praying about the Lord's timing in everything. Recently our landlord slipped a little bug in our ear that we're looking into. It would involve more time in Powell, but the situation might be what's best for us. It's all kind of exciting, the unknown. No matter where the Lord has us go/stay, I'm glad that Matt and I get to be on the journey together. Dinner date later. Gotta go get prettied up!