The strange truth about saving money

This month I decided it was time to be responsible. I’ll omit the backstory. And so I have been running my home and eating on a much tighter budget. And the craziest thing is that I actually seem to have more food that I can actually eat than when I was spending more money. There is so much to say here. For one. Every purchase I make is a conscious decision now. If I buy a vegetable it’s because I know it will go well with whatever carb (usually rice or quinoa, sometimes potato or gluten free noodles) I have and whatever protein (beans, tofu etc). I do no more just randomly shoving things in the basket I think I should buy. Everything is stuff I really want or need. I bought some frozen spinach.

It is crazy. I put it in aubergine curry. I put it in Dahl. I had it as a side to one of my mains. That stuff is like Mary’s Poppins’ bag. I eat and eat it and eat it and I still have so much spinach. And it was like one or two pounds. Stuff like this makes me appreciate the value of money. A pot noodle from itsu on offer can make a wonderful addition to my day by providing an essential and warming snack at a time of busyness. That oat milk and Greek yoghurt that goes in my breakfast porridge, I appreciate every penny of it because it makes a dish I don’t love quite exciting. Same with the frozen fruit - I couldn’t eat that dish without it

I bought a packet of portobello mushrooms and that was my main for two lunches (with quinoa, rice and veggies on the side). 1-2 pounds for two meal mains. I bought a hot chocolate tin and again I treasure every drop at home knowing that it is a treat and I appreciate it and I paid for  it. My mum once said life becomes more fun when you have to find ways to save money. She is wholly right. The thing that has really helped me this month is my upcoming goals

The trip with my BFF

The solo meditation retreat

The feeding your demons course online

The dance workshop in March

There was definitely one more cool thing I had in mind. Even just the afternoon dance workshop at the end of this month. 

And a monthly thing I am doing for my health. 

As well as my ridiculous dance schedule which will resume as soon as I am fully recovered. These exciting goals keep me on track

I did a few things way out of my budget last year and I had some fun but I didn’t even have that much of a good time. Better to do things in good faith and honesty when you really can afford them 

Better to be true to yourself and say no to what you cannot afford 

I turned down a dance workshop in July which was a dream but it was just so much more expensive than they normally are. It’s okay to say no to people sometimes. Your integrity is far more important

And so is your peace of mind 

Now as we move into next month there is some cool stuff I want to buy and I am going to have to make some responsible decisions. And bear in mind all the little things like trips to London etc. Food on those trips and so on