We made it.
Many boxes, bruises, trips to and fro later and we are snuggled into our new apartment.
And I was right -- for as much as we sold, trashed, and gave away, in the end we still had a ridiculous mountain of garbage that I refused to bring along with us. It's embarrassing really, when I think about the families that barely have enough food and water to survive, that we have so much excess.
But perhaps this is the beginning of the end of our Americanized style of buying.
The apartment is cozy. Although Uno still prefers to hole away in his own space (the mark of a true teenager, I guess), I can see him in his room from the couch in the living room. When he closes his door, I can still hear him nearby. Our living space is a combination living room, dining corner, and kitchen, so everything is close at hand. Coming from a home that was so big we had rooms I never even went in (again, embarrassing), I am surprised I don't feel cramped.
Instead, I feel happy. Hopeful about the future, released from the financial and emotional strain of our ginormo-home, content with the present. It's a good place to be.
The new place does come with a surprise, however.
The desire to decorate is thick and ever-present. I wasn't expecting this. Mr. Shoes and I have been excellent about our budget for the past month. Unless I'm having a high-stress day, spending money on frivolous things isn't something I spend much time thinking about. I've enjoyed my freedom from the debit card that used to weigh so heavily in my wallet.
But now, with all the fresh excitement of a new place, with the giddiness of having made my $1000 savings goal for the month of April, with all that "I just sold almost everything I own!" cash in my pocket, and with these blank walls and windows just begging for color...
Whew. A brand new challenge has reared its ugly head.
I splurged on a few items with the extra non-budget money we had (woohoo! spending that doesn't cause a ripple in the time-budget continuum!) and realized yet another truth about my spending habits.
Spending a little makes me want to spend a lot.
So while it's nice to have the new shower curtain and the wall art above the bed, it just makes me want new shams and a floor mat for the kitchen and perhaps a lamp in that little space by the couch...
It's unnerving -- how quickly I can turn from save-aholic to shopaholic.
Time to put the lid back on the penny jar.
This girl refuses to let go of the progress we've made so far.
