As an overly busy working mom, I find that this AWM spends a lot of money on "things" to keep the train on the tracks. A LOT of money. If this sucky economy has taught this AWM anything, it's this: A) I used to be pretty darn comfortable and I took it for granted, and B) I can live like a refugee if necessary.
I know that some of you are the same way. Just because we are working extra hard in this economy to stay afloat, just because we already have zero time to spare, just because we are running around our often 20 hour days like a complete psychopath, that's just one obstacle away from going off the range. We still want to give our children the best of both worlds. I often kill myself doing this. I want the well- balanced home cooked meals, I want the story time, I want the gymnastics and soccer time with my girls, I want to participate in the school fair and show up to the third baton performance this week.
Well, something has to give. Often, this is where I spend money on things that make this craziness work. You know the coffee, oh dear lord the coffee, the casserole at the "pre-made ready to be picked up" place, the cookies from the bakery for the bake sale, you get the picture.
So, here goes the radical experiment: Does it matter, is it that much money, what works and what can we live without (without living like a refugee)?
I am going to try and cut everything, everywhere for a week and see where it leaves me. I'll multiply that out over the year and share with you so that you can (without the pain) see what cuts, if any, make sense.
Full Disclosure: The coffee stays, it's not going anywhere . . . I'd rather live like a refugee than have to give up my coffee!
Comments