Let me start this by saying that both Dave and I are lucky to still have our jobs. We've both faced salary cuts, but we're still employed. So just like a lot of other people we have less money to cover the same old bills (and by old, I mean I'm still paying VISA for take-out and pedicures from college - circa 2002). Mathematically, it just doesn't work out.
And just like a lot of other people, we agreed to cut out the fun extras and try to pay-off some debt (you're welcome, VISA). This is something that my lower-middle class upbringing has trained me for. But it means saying 'no' to things, which I've never been very good at doing. (To note, there are lots of other things to include on the not-very-good-at list: exercise, cooking, babysitting, waiting - for anything, masking facial expressions and not using four-letter words at completely inappropriate times, to name a few).
And I thought if I put it in writing that maayyybbeee I would work harder to try to not return to my old credit cards ways. I may also be able keep some of the things I love, like chewies for Macy and trips to Chipotle. So here are a few things on my list:
No regular mani-pedis (miss you OPI Oh... to be 25 again).
No weekend trips to the coast for fifty cent oysters and dollar drafts
No going out to lunch at work
No clicking on emails from the evil marketing people at Victoria's Secret/Ann Taylor/Crate & Barrel/Macy's/Target
No ordering wine by the bottle
No trips to the dermatologist for the 'extras' that aren't covered by insurance
There are a few more, but I'm thinking I need to start small. If this works, I'll update with new commitments.
