Daily Goal - working on spending

 One of the things that I need to work on if not daily, at least every few days, is keeping track of my spending.  As an adult, I have always had spending issues and that is definitely something that could use improvement. Growing up, I certainly did not get everything I wanted and asked for, but I did not go without.  There was always some kind of compromise.  I need to carry that train of thought with me into adulthood.  

As a young adult, I had a credit card with my Mom.  Looking back on it, that was a big mistake and gave me some very unhealthy spending habits.  I would use the card and Mom paid the bill.  It was quite a shock years later when I really had to start paying the bills myself.  Unfortunately at that time, the way I spent money did not change.  And there are many reasons for that which will be saved for another time.

I think, though, that if I start really paying attention and keeping track of the money that is going out I might be more inclined to spend less and save more.  I always do better in general if things are written down and I can look at it.  If I try to do it in my head, it will work for a few days and then fall by the wayside.  I know myself well enough to know the truth of that.

So, my goal this week is do improve my spending habits.  Things like sticking to my grocery list will help.  And asking myself if I really need something.  Note that I said need and not want.  I tend to want a lot of things and I know I either don't need them or can't afford them.  And that made me think of our family friend Janet.  She always said that if you don't have the cash, you don't need it. I should have started paying heed to that a lot earlier.  While she did have good credit, she paid for almost everything with cash including her car and her house.  That's a goal for me to be able to do that one day.  Or at least to have that option.

Living paycheck to paycheck is hard.  Not being careful about how I spend my money makes it more difficult.  I don't exactly enjoy being poor, but I know that if I can focus on my active spending, I may be able to enjoy more things.  Who knows, I might be able to save up to buy something that I just want and don't need at all. We shall see!

That is all.