Today I said the B word.

Budget.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not adverse to cursing, but this B word is the most ugly word in the dictionary. Well, behind moist, that is a gross word.

Today I succumbed to the reality that is home ownership at 24. No more cash. (Don't worry, Mom, it will work out). At this time last year I thought being on a budget meant only shopping once a month... and only having around 150$ to do so... OHO I was WRONG.

Confession: I haven't shopped in 6 months. The last thing I bought was an outfit for New Years Eve (and I still wear that $20 dress well!) and a pair of Jack Rogers *cue noise of the heavens*. But, even for the sandals I had won some cash at work that covered it.

Confession: This is killing me. I love shopping.

Fact: I can win this. The emails that I get from my favorite stores (Pottery Barn, J. Crew, Anthropologie etc.) make me think that I could splurge juuuust a little bit. So, I head to their websites and 'OOOH and AHHH' over the fabulous colors and imagining the textures. I add things to my online shopping cart and then I.... EXIT THE SITE. I know that in my mind I have splurged to allow myself to choose items I know "I can't live without" and then I leave. And guess what, I could not tell you 24 hours later what was in those carts. But alas, I have fed my shopping bug and then he flies home to his nest (out of my wallet!).

So onto my budget. I have declared, outloud so it's real, that my budget is... Groceries and Gas. That's it. Everything else isn't necessary. Well, we are out of toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner... so, I may already have to bend the rules a little. But a girl has got to shower!

I am so lucky to be 24, a homeowner and debt free. I have zero credit card debt. And it's because I am crazy about paying off my credit card each month. I will not let it carry a balance. I am so glad my parents taught me that valuable lesson when I was younger (and probably rolling my eyes).

Mom and Dad, Thank you for teaching me this lesson and telling me horror stories about how people didn't know they had to pay the balance ever. Thank you for doing this through the eye rolls, shoulder shrugs and text messages. I heard you. And, most importantly, I listened.

I am now on my GG budget (so it at least sounds cute) until further notice. Please don't ask me to have dinner with you... I will say yes and then cancel. (Same theory as the online shopping... at least I could say yes briefly)

Tonight from the grocerie: Flank steak stuffed with mozzarella cheese and cauliflower smash. Hey, if I'm going to be on the GG budget... I'm going to shop the Publix sales that I LIKE.

Toodles.