Someone said something awhile ago, and I didn't even really notice it until someone else pointed it out. I didn't "get" it at first, but with our new way of living, it's made a lot of sense to me, and it's helped me change my thinking and my emotional reaction.

"I choose not to spend my money on that."

Sounds so silly, but WOW does it work.  I've found that by using that mentality, not spending money on something makes me feel empowered rather than deprived.  We all have choices, and I could very easily take out a credit card and charge whatever I wanted at that moment.  However, by making the conscience decision to not hand over my plastic or cash, well, I'm in control.  Isn't that what we all want anyway, to be in control?  It's made things a lot nicer, if only in my own head

I'm trying hard to watch our money. No using credit cards AT ALL! If we don't have the cash, we don't get it. I have our bills set up on a monthly calendar, and I make sure to plan ahead if we go anywhere (i.e., we eat or bring snacks to the theme parks!). I also don't go the the store to "browse" anymore, and I'm much more careful with the amount of gas I use, especially since the price keeps climbing! I'm getting ideas for fun, at-home or nearby or free things to do this summer, and you know what? I don't mind it! It certainly cuts down on the guilt factor of should I/shouldn't I regarding purchases, and I find the stress isn't there as much. Except when I look into our bank account online. Which I don't try to do... much.

Hanging on my a thread here. I wonder what life would be like if I didn't have to worry about money. What would be different? What would I do? Where would I go? Even if I didn't have piles of money, I wonder what it would be like if I didn't have to stalk the bank and float checks... What would that feel like?

Once again I'm struggling with decisions. We got some news which did NOT make me happy, but at least it's spurring me to get moving on something (namely my writing!) that I've been dormant about. I've actually joined a writing group, so hopefully through that I'll get some ideas about what to do once I'm done. Motivation is not a factor right now because I'm terrified my world is going to come crashing down on me (financial-wise only, thank goodness), but I hate working without a guarantee of something happening once my part is finished.

This guest post from Edgardo Rosa

It has been a month since my husband told me we were moving to Texas for his job. I have to admit that I was really excited when he told me because I am originally from Texas, so I thought it would be great to be closer to my family and old friends. He as a manager for a medical supplies company that just started a new branch where we will be moving. Our real estate agent has been emailing us potential houses for us to live in, but I have not liked any of them so far. I did look into getting internet once we get there and found a good provider by searching “4G internet Burbank”. I want to support my husband in his career and this is a promotion that will be good for our family in the long run. I am trying to keep an open mind about the selection of houses. I just need to remember that the house that we choose now does not have to be permanent. We will probably end up moving within a year of when we move there.