Budget Living, Living Well

The little barren Christmas Tree farm is how we felt in Christmases past.

The Husband came home last night and announced we can not make any changes to our kitchen as planned because we will need all our money to pay off the damage he did Christmas shopping. This was an exaggeration of course, but we have had a bit of an indulgent season this year, as it is the first time in five years we have had anything substantial to spend on our kids, and the first time in over ten years where we could even imagine buying eachother more than under shirts and handkerchiefs.

So, we’ve been a little giddy with Santa Spending Power of late, and it’s all going to work out just fine. You know why? We planned it. It may feel, and look like we’re just going hog-wild with spending this season but in reality it is all very well thought out and based on a year long budget that made room for the freedom to give, give and give some more this year.

It won’t happen again, because if it did, we may never retire. But this one year, we are rewarding ourselves for five years of tight purse strings by giving anyone we want exactly what they want, and it is a glorious treat.

I can’t help but think though, if it weren’t for the bad times, this time wouldn’t feel quite as good. I do not want to live the way we had to in the past, but I do appreciate all we learned and how it forced us to change the core of who we are when it comes to money. It really was that; a total overhaul, a Reinvention if you will, of who we are and how we relate to money. It wasn’t easy and it sure wasn’t fast but it isn’t as scary or hard as you (and I) may have thought.

I’ve gotten some questions about how we did what we did recently. I’ve also gotten some requests to write about it more. I haven’t answered the questions or written about it all because I just had to take some time to breathe. The truth is, when you’re in the thick of it for as long as we were, you aren’t quite sure how to describe what you’re doing. Then, when  you’re out of the deep, you just need some time to take in the air above ground for a bit before you can formulate a summary of what happened down there.

But as the end of the year approaches and I start looking at what I want to do with this blog, as I’m apt to do when milestones pass, it occurs to me I just may be ready to answer questions and write about money.

I want to share what we did and how we did it. Because if I can help even one person avoid the traps, or even shine a light on those that may be at the bottom of the well like we were for so long, then all of our time spent down there won’t be in vain. Because, spending at Christmas feels good, but paying it forward feels better.

So, look out in the new year for more about living on a budget** and living well. I’ve learned it is possible to do both and feel good about each.

** If you have specific questions or just want to hear a word of hope, leave requests in the comments section. I have a lot to share but I would love to address concerns you have. All stories are different so mine might not be exactly yours but I’m happy to find answers you might need! Just ask.