Sunday/Not-a-Cent-in-Lent Update
navy tee (JCrew) - navy cardigan - black skirt (express, thrifted) - black boots - vintage necklace
Menu:
Breakfast: dish whole milk plain yogurt with homemade granola; cafe au lait
Lunch: My usual snacky lunch at MIL house after mass. Today I had tortilla chips with cucumber dip; salami slices with wheat thins; Cheez itz (or however you spell them!)
Dinner: pasta with red sauce; roasted asparagus; green salad; fresh bread with butter; wine
NOT A CENT IN LENT UPDATE
I have done well so far, but there were two items that I still question whether I broke my own rules.
The first is when I bought some art supplies: I bought new spray paint and glue sticks, spending less than $5. I have sold every one of my small art pieces on line and need to put some more out there, so I’m not sure if this counts as a necessity or not. To me, it was an investment and a way to make more money because they are selling like hotcakes, but maybe I’m just justifying it.
Then this weekend I took my two children to McDonalds. I didn’t eat anything because of my not a cent in lent, (and because I think it is crap food) but didn’t realize that even taking them to eat out would be breaking my own rules.
My children had done really great in school last week in a number of areas, so this was a treat for them. They have had McDonald’s no more than 6 times in their lives. I hate it, but I also don’t want them to freak out when they are older and want to eat there all the time because they were never exposed to it.
The good news (?) is that it gave my older child a stomach and I think we may never be tempted to go back. She said she only wanted the happy meal toy anyway, so I said next time we’ll just go to Target and she can pick out a toy and skip the food.
I love this not a cent in lent idea… although I do not think I would be able to do it! Today I only spent $30 and that was a start for me!
Hi, Kristi! Can you remind me where to find your artwork? Don’t you have an Etsy site? Thx!
Ellen,
I do. I will be updating it hopefully by next week with my new pieces …
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mammaitaliana23
I was selling most of them on ebay. The smaller virgin mary piece is sold so I need to take that off etsy, as well.
I ordered a craft book on manuscript revision, but I consider it a work expense.
Love this outfit. It is a nice silhouette. Does the cardigan have a pattern on it? Cucumber dip sounds yummy! DK if you were wanting an opinion, but I don’t think you broke the rules. When I read Stephanie’s blog on this topic, she mentioned basically not purchasing things in excess (like a new body wash if you already have 10) or “just because”. I think the aim is to eliminate frivolous purchases and begin to be more prudent with spending choices during this time (sticking with needs vs wants). If you bought the gluesticks just because you like buying gluesticks (and already owned more than you could possibly use)-I would think differently. As for your kids, I also think that the “not a cent…” applies to you (and you mentioned, you didn’t eat Mcdonald’s). Again, I think this is a “heart matter” and the aim is sacrifice not deprivation.
Absolutely.
Kristi, the same situation came up in my house. I’ve been overloaded and distracted at work and my husband has been feeling a little neglected, I think. On Friday night he wanted to go to the neighborhood pub for a burger and beer, just a chance for the two of us to get out. I immediately decided that his need to reconnect superceded “not a cent” and we had a nice evening out. Although it wasn’t frivolous, it didn’t exactly follow the spirit of what I’d intended for Lent. But I really like the “heart matter” comment above, and that’s what I was feeling.
works for me ; )
Kristi – I don’t think you violated your Lent sacrifice by purchasing supplies for your source of income. Also, as aaonce said, your vow doesn’t apply to your children. I have a blogger friend who wanted to make sure whatever she decided to do didn’t deprive her husband as it was not he who decided to make a sacrifice. I’ve done pretty well on Not a Cent for Lent, although I was in the grocery store, browsing through a magazine, saw an article that interested me and I almost dropped it in my basket. Then I remembered.