Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Budgets, Books and the Library.

We are on a budget right now...a very strict budget.  This involves accounting for every penny we spend and makes my life a bit frazzeld.  I have always had money to spend and never really had to worry too much about buying a book or a coffee or a new pair of shoes.  Now, things are different.  I'm not working out of the home so I can raise Evie myself.  With this comes sacrifices involving changes in the way I've lived my life.  

No more shopping!  No more books!  No more coffee made by those nice baristas who put pretty little leaves and hearts in my foamy soy goodness.  

It also means I have had to get creative.  I shop consignment sales 4 times a year or so for Evalyn.  She has plenty of clothes and shoes and toys and books.  I buy special items during the weekly grocery shopping trip to have our "dinner out" nights -in.  Something new and fun that feels like a treat. I try to re-purpose everything I can or trade with friends when we need something new.  "closet swap" has become a favorite between a friend and I.  It's fun to go "shopping" in her closet and let her do the same in mine.  But of all the things we have cut back on going to the book store has been one of the hardest.  

When Ron and I first got married I spent about $50 a month on books.  I love them.  I had hundreds and hundreds.  At first I just took some of the older ones that I didn't plan on rereading to the used book store to exchange.  This worked for a long time.  I had plenty to exchange.  Now though...I'm down to the ones I can't seem to part with.  So today Ev and I ventured to the library.  

We got a library card and started looking around.  She loved the little couches and all the shelves at her own level...I loved coming home and putting holds on all the books I had on my Amazon wish list.  

They should be here in a week or so and I will be in Book lover heaven!   

So...for now another solution found for a budget crunched girl!


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