Lent 2012

Last year I attempted to take and post a picture everyday for Lent – I think I went 4 or 5 days and then it all kind of fell apart. (edit: I made it nine days, you can see all the pictures: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine)

As noted previously on this blog, I’m not always so great at following through with goals (see: 3 months no spending, 30 day yoga challenge, cleanse) and yet, here I am setting another goal.

The Cowboy and I are not Catholic and don’t usually give up something for Lent, but since I’ve committeed to spending less and saving more in 2012, I think it’s fitting to give up discretionary spending for Lent.

In 6 days I’ll be giving up morning coffees (unless made from home) afternoon teas (unless I bring my own tea bags) buying lunches, dinners, magazines, Friday morning breakfasts, makeup and the like. No shopping on HauteLook or ModCloth, no buying kitties and no late night candy runs to the store.

(Now, it is still my busy season, so there will be busy season dinners at least until the end of February, as these are expensible and I need to eat!)

I suck a discipline. No, really, I suck at it – and I really need to do something about it, so it will be this. Until Easter there will be no discretionary spending.

Now, the Cowboy and I are going on vacation on March 23 for 5 days, but out breakfast and dinners are included, so I imagine there won’t be a lot of need to purchase anything (aside from a book to read and a bottle of wine) while we’re away. I’ll evaluate these on a purchase by purchase basis, to determine if it’s a need (ie. I haz nothing to read) or a want (magazine – YAY!) and decide from there.

I’m not quite certain how I’m going to keep myself fully accountable yet – I’m not comfortable posting my banking details online but I’m sure I’ll find a way to let you know. Maybe I’ll photograph/tally up my purchases weekly, or every 10 days, and let you know. My goal is to save an additional $1,000 over the 40 days, so maybe I’ll just report where I’ve managed to save money instead. Still thinking on that.

Do you celebrate Lent?