Budgeting

Let's be completely honest here, I hate budgeting. I hate thinking about money, or lack thereof. I love to shop. I love to look at pretty things. I like to buy stuff for people I love, for my kids, for me. I love a good sale. I have a serious Starbucks addiction, and although I try to bring my lunch to work I have a tendency to buy lunch fairly often.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think I'm worse (or better) than a lot of people I know. It's just that recently I've been looking at how much money I'm spending on stuff, and how that's limiting what I really want.
For instance, I was considering joining a local gym - an expense we don't need - and even though it was affordable I couldn't figure out where the money would come from until I realized that maybe I could skip my acrylic nails. Ya know?
So ...
I'm putting myself on a budget.
Part of this budget is because we're planning a trip to Disney in February.  So we definitely need to save for that. But that's only part of it. I'm also just really tired of worrying about money - for dumb reasons.
Since it's August 1st (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BECKY!) My official budgeting starts today, even though I've been working away at this for about a week now.
And, as my friend said, I'm not looking at this depriving myself. It's a bit like a year ago when I decided I wanted to lose weight and be healthy. I gave up a lot of stuff (chips/chocolate/sleeping in) but you know ... kind of working for me :)
So, here's the plan.
1) Stop buying stuff I don't need - that includes magazines, fast food, more clothes, shoes. Also, no more lunches out, food court meals, etc
2) Keep track of everything I spend. I plan to keep all receipts (when I get them) and write everything down. I hate doing this. My friend sent me a really helpful spreadsheet that is easy to fill out. I'm going to actually do that.
3) Keep track of what I'm saving. That's just to feel a bit better about myself! I love a pat on the back :)
4) Be realistic. I love Starbucks, and I'm proud of my gold card status. However, shouldn't give me permission to spend a fortune there. So, I'm filling my card once per week - for $20. When it's out it's out. I'm going to spend a bit more on groceries so that I actually enjoy the lunches I bring to work.

August budget here I come!

Run Princess Run

A few years ago, when I was training for my first 5k, a friend of mine sent me a picture of a running skirt. It was pink with a crown on it, and it was to advertise the Disney Princess Half Marathon. 

One Day.

I tossed the idea around numerous times. The thought of running 21km sounded incredible and also insane. Especially after I ran my first 5k and about 1km in thought I may die. Nice thought. Not happening.

Life went on, and every so often I’d debate signing up for a running clinic. And I never did. I put in my runs, and work to run a 5k, wish I could run further and then content myself with the fact that some people aren’t runners. I’m one of those people. My marathon is the 5k.

This year that changed. I don’t know why. I ran past that mental block. I just kept going. I started to change my mind set. And just keep going.

I kept going to a 10 k.

And when I ran over that finish line I knew exactly what was next. The Disney Princess Half Marathon.

Crazy? Maybe a little. When you look at training plans and think about all of the training that you need to put in to get there, I think crazy is a pretty fair assessment. But, crazy in a good way. I love Disney. And I love challenges. And nothing makes me happier than facing something head on.

So I signed up for this race. It’s in Disney World in February. My whole family is going. Mike and the kids will cheer me on while I run 21 km (or 13.1 miles which sounds infinitely better) through Disney World and Epcot. Dressed as a princess.

And then we will have ourselves a Disney vacation. Bonus for my family? I will already have run through Disney, so I may not be quite as anxious to make them run around the parks every day. (why yes, I have run for fastpasses!) In fact, there may be one or two mornings when I sleep past 6 am and don’t wake everyone up when I’m on my second cup of coffee with “who’s ready for a magical day?!”  And if all it takes is 6 months of training and a grueling race to let my family sleep in. I’ll do it!

Truthfully, I’m frightened by this. It’s huge for me, and it’s a lot of running. But, I’m also really excited and pretty sure that I will be ready when the time comes.

Run run run!