I’ve prepared my heart, gotten a lot of extra spending out of the way, and now it’s time to get serious. I’ll be honest with you, this is totally scaring me. I am what Dave Ramsey calls a ‘free spirit’, which pretty much means budgets + I, we try to be friends, but a lot of the times it just doesn’t happen. So I’m gathering some accountability partners, and setting off on this 3 month journey which will hopefully transcend into the rest of my life. There is so much I want to accomplish in my life, and I cannot do it unless I am disciplined about money.

If you are just tuning in, and have no idea what I am talking about then start here. In the last blog post I introduce you to the idea of this Contentment Challenge, and the guidelines (not rules!) that go along with it. Once you’ve read that, then hop back over here, and I’ll show you how I’m going to tackle the spending over the course of the next 3 months.

So, the first guideline was take 5-10 days,and really prepare your heart for what’s about to happen. This past Sunday afternoon, I got my pen, and paper, and started making my plan. I split my plan into 3 different categories.

This photo is the prettier version of the first plan (the other one looks like a chicken wrote it). You will notice that I did put clothing back on the list for fall/winter. I wanted to do a complete fasting from buying any clothes at all, but as I started looking at them I will need a few more sweaters for winter, and possibly cami’s (since I wear one under my t-shirts all day, everyday. They will get worn out the fastest). The goal is to control what I buy,and plan for what I need. Not just what I want all the time.

The controlled spending part is on a few items I’ve had my eye on for a while, and mostly they are all books, and 1 DVD. The catch is, I actually have to save for these items, and plan them out carefully. It may sound silly to do that with books, and a DVD, but if you’re not careful it can add up fairly quickly, and you’ll be out of money before you know it.

As for gifts, I have several birthdays coming up that I need to buy gifts for, and start gathering ideas for Christmas. For some people it’s silly to start thinking of buying Christmas presents now, but for me it gives me peace of mind. While everyone is out hustling, and elbowing each other to find the best deal before it’s gone on Black Friday, and running around until Dec. 25th buying presents; I will be snuggled up warm, and toasty with complete peace that I already bought all my gifts. Sound silly now? I didn’t think so.

For now this is all I have planned out. There will be more days and weeks of planning, and curbing that appetite to spend on, “stuff”. I will do my best, and give you a month to month update on the blog. If you would like more frequent updates please follow me on Instagram.

If you would like to join me in this challenge, simply use the hashtag on Instagram: #contentmentchallenge or leave a comment Let’s encourage each other on this journey!

Love,