The Finer Things in Life

“Really, Crystal?” 

That’s what I wanted to think when starting chapter 2 of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget.  But I knew better, because I know how my own clutter gets the best of me.  (Missing paychecks, anyone?!) 

Ok, fine.  I’ll bite.  If your days are filled with running here and there to various commitments, digging up last-minute bills that were due 5 minutes ago, and grabbing takeout (again!) because everyone’s starving and your full-of-bargains freezer and pantry won’t make meals on their own… well, there’s very little time or energy left to dedicate to serious debt reduction.  (Not to mention the money lost with running around, late fees, and takeout.)

I’m trying hard this month to embrace the idea that once I have my home and my days in order, I can focus more time and energy on our financial goals.  Lucky for me, one of our goals includes selling some clutter and using that money toward a family vacation.  That should motivate, right?

Uh-huh.  Getting my brain wrapped around and idea and actually executing with consistency is two completely different tasks.  Case in point?  It’s now mid-February and I’ve only managed to rid our home of this.

Four boxes isn’t bad for a couple hours work, but in order to make any headway at all, I need more than a couple hours… or days.

Crystal goes through her house top to bottom, every closet, shelf, drawer, and cupboard, every six months.  Hmmm… we’ve lived in our home for 5½ years now, and there are drawers and moving boxes (just a few, but seriously?! 5½ years, friends!) that we’ve never cleaned out.  Not even once.  That is why her suggestion of taking a full day to go through the whole house seems impossible to me.  “One entire day…”  Uh, one entire week would be more like it, and I don’t know anyone willing to take the kids for that long. 

I’m going to fudge a bit and do what works for me in this situation, while still striving for the same clutter-free goal.  I’m giving myself until July 1 to get through the entire house.  I know, I know… that’s a long time, but daily life must continue around here.  The key for me will be to set up and stick to my Time Budget.  One hour.  If I can dedicate one hour each weekday, 5 hours a week, to eliminating clutter, I think (hope!) I’ll get it done.  How amazing would that be?!