The Cursing Machine is flipped back on now, but you better believe I’m gonna still try and tame it! ;) I realized a LOT of people curse a LOT of times ever since monitoring myself the last few weeks… it sticks out so clearly now! And actually sounds kinda abrasive now, which is weird. I guess I just got used to it over time…
But, as you all know, I gave it up for Lent, and now that Easter has come and gone, my swear jar is empty and I’ve donated a total of…. are you ready for this?…. $31.00! Which sounds like a lot at first (esp at $1.00 per infraction), but I reckon I had been cursing that much every single DAY in the past ;) Haha… oops. So 1 day out of 40 ain’t too shabby. And our churchy church got a little extra from me yesterday too, so win-win.
All this reminded me, though, that we are creatures of habit. We get used to one way of doing things, and we don’t even notice we’re totally sucked in… and this goes for both positive and negative stuff. So today I challenge you to BREAK one of the bad ones! Do you think you could go 1 entire week without doing whatever it is you hate? Monday to Monday? I think you can :) And if you’re looking for some ideas (not that I know you all too well, haha…) here are a few quick ones that come to mind:
- Stop buying lunch this week. (if it’s a problem for you)
- Don’t go shopping at ALL – only pay your bills
- Don’t say or text or tweet or facebook ANYTHING negative.
- Stop and REVIEW all bills that come in – even the annoying ones!
- And if you dare, try stopping SMOKING for an entire week! Haha… I hear packs cost upwards of $8 in some places, you’d save a ton in the process!
Personally, I’m gonna see if I can go an entire week without buying any candy. Which usually isn’t a problem for me at all, except when I’m out traveling for business/pleasure! And since I’m more than likely sitting on a plane right now as you’re reading this on my way to California (WOO!), what better way to start? :) I’ll only be gone for 5 days, but it’s enough to see how long I can hold out. Esp when it comes to airports – those are my weakness!!! I’ll have guest posts up in the meantime too btw, so all will be good in the blog house – you know I can’t pause this bad boy on ya ;) Gotta keep that financial goodness flowing!
Okay, so you down for the challenge? It’s just one week – you can totally do it!!! Let us know what you want to break below, and we’ll all hold each other accountable as a group. Kinda like a positive support system, if you will. Next week I’ll ping ya again and see how naughty or not you were ;) What do say? Ready to break those bad habits?!
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(Photo by erin MC hammer)
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I would totally do No 2 (it’s the only one that’s really relevant), but I need to buy a toothbrush! Can I start post-toothbrush purchase, or are you gonna be a stickler?
Yeah, I’ve got a big weakness for candy. There’s this table in our pantry at work with all kinds of candy bars for 50 cents. Just drop the change in a jar and pick one up. Well, I’ve been running up a tab lately so I’m with you on this one….one week without candy man!
Can I take the challenge some other week? Sorry man it’s my birthday week and I plan on being totally selfish.
I am going to NOT get a latte and protein plate at Starbucks for the rest of the week! It is my weakness…I am horrible in the morning and usually get out the door without eating breakfast. I’ll have to get some breakfasts staged in the fridge so I can grab & go! this will save me $9.86 every day.
I’m going to try #3 and not say or write anything negative all week. I’m positive I’ll be able to!!
I’m actually going to make good use of my gym membership this week and go every day (except I’ll take Sunday off for rest, gotta be reasonable!). I already went this morning so I’m off to a good start!
I’m doing the “Don’t say or text or tweet or facebook ANYTHING negative.” I think the Tweeting, texting, Facebooking will be easy. Not sure about saying, especially in the morning when I’m grumpy.
Would it be bad it I said spend any money at all? I know that is unrealistic, but 2 weeks ago we found out at some point (date unknown) before end of year he will be laid off! We need to save our dollars, so any excess groceries are not happening, no eating out (unless it is free!), no new clothes, no going anywhere extra (except for the already planned trips that are paid for). We are not prepared for a situation to be down 1 income. We haven’t been saving so we can pay off debt… which is slowly happening right now, BUT it IS happening! There are a lot of unknowns about this situation (not as extreme as yours…) but it scares me how unprepared we are.
I will not buy lunch or dinner this week. This is really going to make me carefully plan my meals and eat all of the food that is waisting away in my fridge, freezer and cabinets. I need to reduce the stockpile of the food that I have already purchased that is just waiting to be eaten! Thanks for the challenge J Money!
@ Investing Newbie: Stop by the dentist and ask for free one.
I’m going to stop biting my nails. I read somewhere that the habit of biting your nails makes you eat more. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m using it to motivate myself to stop. It’s hard, it’s a lifetime habit.
I would probably:
Stop skipping breakfast. It makes me cranky and slows down my metabolism.
Good goals! I’ve been doing two things: Pack my own lunch and drink more water. Two things have happened since I started: I’m richer and I’m healthier. Lovin’ it!
Yeah…I’ll do this another week. Saturday is my wedding, so no time for personal improvement!
Now that I’m home, I find myself snacking more throughout the day. Easter chocolate really doesn’t help at all either. I’m asking the Mrs. and her mom to stop buying/sending candy to us. I’m also not working out at all since I’ve been off. ugh.. Oh well, it’s only temporary.
I just want to say that I think it’s awesome to start a challenge for yourself at different times of the year. So often people will get hung up on an event (like New Years) and not think to try for their resolution later on. Stick with it, J Money!
Not even half-price Easter candy? That s–t’s effed up. Here’s my $2 — I just had to say it.
@Investing Newbie – haha… go for it, toothbrush girl :)
@Evan – I came SO CLOSE to eating m&ms today!!! Barely caught myself – whew… watch out, it’s not going to be easy! :)
@LB – Haha, sure. But only if you start next week then before you forget ;) And happy birthday!
@Diana – Wow that will be nice! I used to be hardcore about Starbucks too, but was actually okay with it since it was one of the few places I spent my money. Haven’t been in weeks, but only because of proximity issues (too far from me now).
@Molly – I LOVE IT!!! Even if you slip a few times, I think you’ll be good once you get going :) Puts you in a much better mood, as well as those around you.
@Jenna – Good! 1 down, 5 more to go!
@Jenna, Adaptu Community Manager – Haha… just keep your mouth shut then ;)
@Ally – You can do it!! It’s def. very scary indeed, but having any heads up at all is def. great for planning – even just a cple weeks. Start saving and make this week the perfect one to start NOT spending :) Maybe if you’re “on a mission” it’ll be easier for you? It usually is for me! We’re here for ya, friend!
@CrystalH – Awesome! Yes, and it’s only 1 week so you can treat yourself next Tuesday – hehe… thanks for participating :)
@Ashley @ Money Talks – Oh man, yeah I bet! Never heard of eating more part, but I think it’s a valiant project to take on :) I’ll be checking in soon to check on your status! (and good idea w/ free toothbrush @ dentist, haha…)
@Ginger – Eating breakfast makes you cranky? Or you’re saing if you STOP eating breakfast? either way, don’t be cranky :)
@Jon | Free Money Wisdom – Nice! I know a lot of people who swear by drinking lots of water… I try here and there, but the crazy amount of peeing always ends up holding me back. Just can’t take so many trips!
@Jennifer – HAH! Yes, you concentrate on your major life change there, haha… I can’t believe you’re reading blogs this week! You trying to distract yourself? ;) Big CONGRATS!!! Exciting!
@retirebyforty – You’re def. right on that — it’s temporary. Soon enough all will be back to normal and you’ll be a fit machine ;)
@Emily Sara – Hey, thanks! I like to do it at random times when I’m moved :) Helps alot having others working on stuff around me too!
@Donna Freedman – Haha… I’m caling it now — if I slip, it will DEF be because of Easter candy… but it will be by accident! I gotta make sure to tell Nate and his kids about my goal so they can stop me in time ;)
Just stopping by to see how much your swear jar accumulated – and so I’m late to the break a bad habit game, but I’ll think of something and do it next week. I should probably aim to count to ten before reacting – that seems to be my problem today! (Huh. I should probably start TODAY, then… I guess).
hahah yes, today’s the day my friend!!!