New Year, Modified Goals

I've never been a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions. The few times I have made them they’ve royally backfired. Anytime I’ve tried something similar again, I’ve made it more general. As opposed to ‘lose 10 pounds,’ I’ve switched it to ‘eat better and exercise more.’ So my goals for 2015 are as follows:

-Pay off my credit card

-Regularly cook from healthy recipes

-Continue to make progress at the gym

-Earn back some of the savings I lost during my unemployment

-Get my retirement plan in better order

-Enact a shopping freeze

One of the first pieces of advice on almost all the minimalist websites and essays I’ve found is a shopping freeze. I'm far too impulsive on buying things I don't need and I need to get better about it.

Fundamental Rules

-If I enter a store, I must have a reason. The thing in the window is pretty is not a reason.

-I will only stay in the sections of the store where I need to be. No wandering to browse.

-Before buying something not on my list, I must ask myself “What do I need?”

-No browsing stores or websites for something to do. There are better things to do like chores I’ve been putting off or books I’m not reading.

-All items I run out of can be replaced. If I run out of mascara or fancy face wash, I can replace it. I can't, however, buy the replacement other friends.

-I must report all nonessential or replacement purchases here.

Addendums

-I know my music habit won’t go quietly since several bands I love will be dropping new music next year. Ergo, I can only download 1 album OR 10 individual songs in any given month. Any album I download must have been on my wish list for a minimum of two months or pre-ordered.

-I have a couple of conventions coming up next year. I have notoriously poor impulse control at these. To encourage better habits I need to be able to get it autographed and you’ll hear about it. I have a Zatana and Black Canary team up in hardback that the artist drew Zatana for me. Bill Willingham made a funny reference about my lack of subtlety while signing one of my comics. These are worth bending a couple of rules.

I’ve figured I’ll have to make a couple of other allowances since there are items I’m waiting to purchase.

-One or two pairs of mid-calf leggings from Torrid. They’re practical and perfect for summer.

-A couple of books that won’t be released until May and I’ve been waiting for.

-Something I’ve had my eye on to get free shipping whilst ordering The Boy’s Valentine’s Day gift.

-Any pair of rain boots I’m happy with. If I miraculously find a pair that fit, my credit card is coming out.

To help keep myself honest, I’m going to install a website blocker on my computer. Any time I try to access a website like Amazon, ThinkGeek, HerUniverse, or other retailers, it will stop or redirect me. I should be able to take it down in order to shop for other people but any time I remove a block, I must put $5 from checking into savings.

I’ve read some of what people have done and found that it gets easier the longer you do it. Rather than say this is an indefinite lifestyle change, I will be doing this until September 1st. I plan on moving toward the end of the summer so there will be inevitable expenses and necessary purchases. I'll report back about the freeze and see if I learned anything.

Music: Do You Hear What I Hear by Idina Menzel