I have decided to embark on a six month serious crack down on my spending, health and general life.
Five years ago tomorrow my emotional parental journey became the hard road, and was incredibly challenging in a way most parents don't experience and would not wish for, so when it came to the physical everyday regular stuff I had to take the easy road to be able to make it through.  But to me this has led me to a way of living I am not overly happy with, don't get me wrong, i am in a great place in my life now, I am peace with how our life ended up, but when it comes to our consumerism and general day to day tasks i know that we can do better.

And what better chance to make this happen, to get the ball rolling, than while Cj is safe and happy with my mum and I have time to refocus and get back into good habits again.

SOooo my goal is that in doing this hardcore for six months I will learn a better way to live.  And at the end of it all I will continue to make better choices, healthier choices for my family and I.  And when I have Cameron(and hopefully eventually another baby) I will in general be back in-control of those choices.

The rules

Spendings:
NO BUYING NEW THINGS. this includes things like: clothes, dvd's, itunes songs/apps etc(unless free), toys, and books(which i can buy 2nd hand, borrow from the library etc).
With the following exceptions - food. consumables eg. Loo paper, essential bathroom products(moisturiser, soap).
Anything that to buy 2nd hand or borrow would be a health risk.
Charitable items, items for sale to support charities, this can include a limited amount of spending on charitable auctions, where the item is a gift for another or an essential item.
Craft shop, I am allowing myself to purchase from the local craft/fabric shop in order to buy materials for making items that maybe gifts or essential items for us(and a girls gotta have some fun, and this is my number one hobby!).
Items that related to health and safety needs can be bought new where other options are not available.

I decided that I also need rules for 2nd hand items too.  As i do believe it could still be easy to purchase things that way, that are not necessary, seen as you can buy just about anything on ebay/trademe.com these days!!.
The following things are NOT a good reason to buy something:
"Limited addition"
"Last one"
"Its cute/funky cool/nice/beautiful!"
"it will look good......."
ALL items purchased 2nd hand must have a good reason, allowable items include; essential clothing, kitchen utensils and other household needs, and books.

Food and Eating:
NO MORE JUNKFOOD!
Friday night fish and chips is the 1st exception, and only from our local shop which uses free range products and deep fries in healthy oils.  The second exception is on our upcoming NZ holiday in situations where other options might not be available...however in this situation, i must still choose the healthiest option on the menu.
Buy local products as preference, and make more things from scratch, reduce the amount of pre-made and packaged items.
Eat breakfast.
Eat healthy snacks.  A list of which I have made up and stuck to the fridge.
Sweets can be consumed when it has been made with love :) by myself and Button. Or offered when visiting others.
Shop and buy food wisely and less wastefully.  I already do this to some extent but i often end up with a pantry full of things i never use, so now i am basing my meal planning first on things we already have in the pantry.  Also making more effort to use things i buy in a week eg. if i need celery in one dish, then use the rest of the celery in another dish, or chopped up in sticks for snacks.


Daily routine and health:
Follow new routine as on fridge! :)
This includes early to rise, to see Scott off to work with a healthy packed lunch.
Time management of housework, time with button, time with friends and leisure, and computer time.
Computer time, is to be limited to when Button is asleep, and occasionally as needed during his afternoon quite and tv time.
Don't take the easy way!  Stop using the dryer all the time.  walk. ride my bike(this could be an issue with all this dang rain, but we will do our best.  take the stairs, not the lift(not that this is an issue in Westport) etc.

I would like to note a few other things:
This is not about relying on others for things, although some borrowing from friends may be involved.  I still need to be self reliant, and find ways to get around not having something we need. or getting it by other means than it being new, 2nd hand, garage sales etc.
This is about me learning to have self control over my spending and needs, re-learning about what is wasteful unnecessary consumerism, and what is essential, and making it habit to think about those choices.
Its about being the person whom i always thought i would be, trying harder to be that person.  Being more concious of my choices.

I know that things went very much down hill when CJ was born and(with reason) I became too busy with a new life of disabilities that i let all my other goals go to the wayside.  I became consumer driven because it was easier, i stopped looking after myself because my son became of greater need of me and my time.  With my depression i dropped the ball on being aware how my choices affect my health and my family and the greater world around me.

But now its time to make a change!