I didn't want to write a post about saving today. I didn't want to do anything about Febu-Save today. Or yesterday for that matter. I probably won't tomorrow either.
It's not like I'm getting paid to do it or there is any real incentive to stick with the programme.
In addition my husband flew away (again) for work and really all I want to do to cheer myself up is go shopping. I want to get some nice things together and start making up the goody bags for my son's birthday in a few weeks.
But that's the thing isn't it?
For many of us we begin saving programmes with the best of intentions. We will stick to the budget; we will give up takeaway coffee; we will phone around and get quotes for cheaper insurance; we won't go to the shops, instead we will buy things online to avoid added temptation; we will hold off on lay-buying that absolutely gorgeous MIMCO handbag we've fallen madly in love with. No, wait, that last part is just me.
I think this is where it starts to get hard. We've made a commitment to save money. The first couple of weeks have gone well. I'm starting to see a difference. There is a bit of extra money in the account.
So where's the harm?
Why don't I spend it. After all, I saved it?
That's where I have to remind myself why I started saving in the first place.
For me, it's about the much anticipated family holiday later this year.
And like so many things in life, like exercise, eating right, looking after myself, no one is paying me to do those things either. I should be grown up enough to choose to do that myself.
We all have off days.
We all have days like the ones I am having at the moment.
But I'm sticking with the plan
Febu-Save.

My husband had hysterics when I told him about my most recent voluntary and unpaid endeavour. When he finished laughing, he sputtered: "You? Writing about ways to save? For a bank?" and then he started laughing again.
Lest you judge my husband, firstly, I already do and second of all it would be disingenuous of me to be upset at his reaction.
You see,
I refer to my husband affectionately as "my boat person."
He came as a child to Australia with his parents, as political refugees from Poland.
They had $200 and 2 suitcases between them. His parents, both highly qualified individuals couldn't work as engineers (the profession both were qualified in ) and he didn't speak a word of English.
Today, his parents having worked every minute since they got here, sometimes at up to four jobs at a time, are financially secure. But my husband is not. Well, he doesn't feel he is. And I get that.
Outwardly, with a degree, an excellent job and a home (heavily mortgaged mind you) he should feel comfortable, but he doesn't. My family often get frustrated at what appears to be a pedantic nature in relation to money. My family will lend money to each other and write if off to "being family." He doesn't.
He is passionate about being debt free and ensuring our children are secure when they grow up. He also wants to instill a savings ethic into them to make them appreciate how lucky they are.
My husband is incredibly generous with his time and will spend hours helping others with building things, installing things, making things. But he's careful about his possessions and careful about money. If I had been forced to leave all of my things as a child, and then live in absolute and utter poverty in a foreign country I'm pretty sure I'd be exactly the same.
As you can imagine though, over the years our biggest fights have usually been about money.
Specifically, his desire to save it, and my desire to spend it.
We already have a little system in place that tracks our spending. It's a little gizmo called iCompta.
But this month I want to try and save money. As much as possible. So I'm putting myself in your hands. I would love for you to tell me your tips for saving and if they are applicable to my little clan I'm going to try them out.
In return I'll randomly pick two winners to recieve these delightful gifts.
They are, ahem, un-given Christmas gifts,
because remember
I'm trying to save money.