My New Normal

The last two weeks seem to be about settling in to this new routine. There have been some challenges for sure, especially last week when Mike & I were both sick. It was hard to pass by a restaurant and just pick up some food when we wanted because we didn't feel well enough to cook. It was also difficult to avoid the TV. We both wanted to lay around and vege out to some bad TV. We might have watched more than six hours but not by much. We did allow ourselves our one time eating out during that week so all in all we maintained.

This week I have been struck by how relatively easy these changes have been. Really, the greatest challenge is sticking to the food budget. Food is just crazy expensive. I actually enjoy looking around the house for things before I buy them. It is like my personal treasure hunt. It sounds weird but finding something and getting rid of it has feels rewarding! Maybe I have a secret fear of becoming a hoarder. All I know is clearing out things feels good. I have almost gone through all the tiny hotel soaps and lotions! Next is checking out what is in the medicine cabinet. Six years of various sundries. Who knows what's in there? I am hoping to find some Udder Butter, a cyclists intimate friend when riding a lot of miles. We are out of this vital product.

One of the best rewards so far? We have already paid off one credit card and we aren't even two months into this project. The goal of having no debt other than our house is in view. This time next year it will be a reality. So when we are being lazy, greedy or whiney about our experiment, I just remember the impetus for taking this on and the rewards keep surfacing.

Will work for food

A couple weeks ago I was having a rough time at work. We were really busy and as usual I had more projects going than I should have. Just when I thought I couldn't handle any more, one of my office staff mysteriously left me an email saying that they would not be able to work their shifts anymore. Considering that I am always a day or two or five behind on my emails this caused me a bit of stress. I couldn't find anyone to work the next Saturday and we had new clientele coming in for appointments.

As you may know Caron and I have put restrictions on how many times we can eat out. We allow ourselves one dinner out per month but we have a loophole. We can go out if we don't have to pay, so we allow ourselves to barter or use gift cards that we have laying around. I found a need to barter and use a gift card.

To sum things up I asked Caron to work the front office on that Saturday in return for lunch at the restaurant next door. I used a gift card that I had received from a student as a Christmas gift. Not only was I able to have some bad fast food with Caron I was able to hire the most cost effective employee I've ever had.

Mike Boren

The Guitar Lab
1010 S. Weinbach Ave.
Evansville In 47714
www.theguitarlab.com
Mike@theguitarlab.com