When I heard the news that Sunset Magazine is back on the news stand, I headed straight to Amazon and almost clicked purchase. After all, a year-long subscription is only $16.00. But then my Jiminy Cricket voice kicked in. It reminded me that we're trying to save money for my 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave in February.
That's the thing with trying to stick to a budget. It's hard. Whether it's a wedding budget or a baby budget or a general life budget, it can be so tempting to spend money on anything that catches your eye. The subscription is only $16! Big deal, right? But then there's the fabric I want to buy and the calendar I've been yearning for....the list goes on and on, and it adds up quickly.
When I'm trying to stick to a budget, I make myself consider each purchase very, very carefully. As far as the magazine goes, I decided to add it to my Christmas list. My family always wants to know what to get me for Christmas, and I'm often at a loss for ideas. This way, I save money and have something to tell them!
That's the thing with trying to stick to a budget. It's hard. Whether it's a wedding budget or a baby budget or a general life budget, it can be so tempting to spend money on anything that catches your eye. The subscription is only $16! Big deal, right? But then there's the fabric I want to buy and the calendar I've been yearning for....the list goes on and on, and it adds up quickly.
When I'm trying to stick to a budget, I make myself consider each purchase very, very carefully. As far as the magazine goes, I decided to add it to my Christmas list. My family always wants to know what to get me for Christmas, and I'm often at a loss for ideas. This way, I save money and have something to tell them!
9 comments:
In addition to saving up money- could you try to increase your income in a way that doesn't stress you?
Like selling your crafts on the internet, selling eggs to neighbours (I'm no expert on that one), teaching more online courses, selling things at a yard sale, starting up some sort of business that doesn't interfere too much with staying at home and caring for your child? Even small sums add up in the end...
I don't have a clue how the system is in the USA but in Norway (where people have almost a year of maternity/paternity leave on full wage) one can start up "family kindergartens" at home, that get funded by the local city councils. I haven't really looked into that yet, but I know a colleague of mine did that, because she didn't want to send her child off to childcare when it was only one year old. That way she could stay at home for a few more years and the child had some peers to play with.
There are going to be times when the baby is born that you are STUCK in a chair feeding it for what will feel like DAYS. A subscription to a couple of magazines that you would read and reread will save your sanity.
Just an fyi we buy eggs from a family that feeds their chickens only organic feed...and we gladly pay $5.00 a dozen. Egg money adds up quick!
OK... so I don't think you have to even pay $16...I get mine for $10. Sunset is phenomenal. I am not sure what they did with this mag...but I LOVE it. And I think its worth the $10/year.
I know what you mean about stopping yourself from even small purchases. And you're smart to write down ideas NOW for birthday and holiday gift lists. I never remember the things I'd pined for over the last year when people ask what to get me, so I've started a list on my desktop.
I can't imagine that you're a Coke drinker, but I use Coke points to get all my magazines. You might even be able to set up a little jar at your school (by a vending machine?) or ask other people for their points. I totally take the lids out of garbage cans when I see them. And then I wash my hands. But free magazines!
Sticking to a budget is hard. I think adding it to a Christmas wish list is a great idea. I also think selling crafts and some of the other above ideas are excellent as well.
I am in love with Sunset as well, but I just spend hours on their website,they feature all the cover stories on line and I save some cash as well as a few trees.
I'm a teacher too. I'm surprised that you don't have maternity leave. Isn't that fairly standard?
Oh I know what you mean. You think it's just a measly X dollars, but suddenly if you've made too many of those purchases, your bank account is looking suddenly meager. The big picture budget is frustrating and tiring to be always thinking about.
But lucky for you, Amazon allows you to create a Wish List. You can make one for Christmas and put your desired magazine on it!
I love magazines and blogging so when I see a blog giveaway for a magazine, that I like, I enter.
So far I've won 1 year subscriptions to 3 magazines!
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