A creature of habit...

Routine and habits - those ways that one is accustomed to - seem to have a lot to do with spending patterns, I think.  My posts have slowed down in the last couple of weeks.  This is not because I have lost interest in the project or feel less passionate about writing about it; instead I think I have simply got used to spending less.  I go to the shops less, I have a constant mantra in my head when I do go shopping:  "do I really need it?" and when I shop on-line I search for the best deal often instead of buying now I just 'save my basket,' to give me time to decide whether what I am buying is really essential.

So I seem to have adjusted, and although there are still plenty of topics to write about and areas to improve in terms of making savings, it seems as though acquiring things has lost its appeal to me!  I will continue with my weekly thoughts, but I think the focus in the next few weeks with be clearing, fixing and mending.  I have been spending the last few weeks methodically clearing through each room in the house.  At the end of each tidying session, I am left with the satisfying sight of less clutter on the surfaces and full bin bags separated into rubbish, recycling and charity shop piles.  I am nearing the end of my mammoth clear-out and I still feel I could have been more ruthless, but it is a good start.  My next job is to tackle the dining room chair cushions and the ever increasing pile of darning... all creative jobs which I look forward to embarking on; probably a year ago I would have thrown away those things and bought new ones.  Much more satisfying to fix what I have and appreciate those lovely things for a little longer!