More than just symantecs

So it is Day 1 of the No-Spend Challenge and I just got back from the grocery store. What a minefield that was!

I went with my list in hand, as I do every week, and stuck to my list. But as I was getting things, such as cereal and snacks for lunches, I realized that I am not totally sure what constitutes a "need". Yes, we need food to eat for breakfast but are strawberry flavored hay-bales really a "need"? Or is it quantity. Yogurt was on sale so I got 3 tubs - that was definitely more than we need...

I realized that this has the potential to drive me crazy and send me into my over-analytical self. I have decided not to let it. Here is what I am going to try to accomplish through this challenge:

*Sticking to my grocery list - if it's not on the list, I don't need it this week.
*Instead of meeting a friend at Starbucks, have them over for a latte instead (guess I'll finally have to learn to use our Barista).
*Making pizza from scratch instead of ordering in.
*Picking a movie off the shelf instead of going to the movie store to rent another one.
*No matter how cute those summer sandals are, it is still March in Alberta and I won't be wearing them anytime soon. They can wait.

I am sure this will be a learning experience (already has been!). Feel free to weigh in on the cereal debate and any other thoughts you might have.
I'll keep you posted as the journey progresses.

Twitterpated

I find the most ironic thing about this video is that I got the link from a tweet from Anthony Robbins...
I love twitter but I also love the underlying message of this - we too often replace "actual" contact with people for virtual contact. I see this happening in our children more and more - they can't wait to get home from school (where they have actually been with their friends) to chat with them online....What happened to meeting in the playground or the soccer field?

As parents it is our responsibility to make sure our kids are getting the social interactions they need. That might mean joining a playgroup or a swim class when they are young, sports classes or music lessons as they get older - just something so that they are having the opportunity to hang out face-to-face with other kids. This also gives us as parents the same opportunity. We too need "live" social interactions to balance our online communities. I think the idea of social media is a wonderful tool and am thrilled to be a part of it - as long as it doesn't replace me picking up the phone and calling my best friend to meet at Starbucks and go for a walk.

Enjoy the video!