Whiskey or Yarn

That is the question. In reality I must have both.

While rarely posting, I am still sorting my ideas around frugal living and having it all. All to me is good drink, plenty of yarn, and the time to relax and enjoy both. Thankfully, I have taken a job where I get paid while allowing enough free time to crochet. I have reasoned out that I can easily get three hours daily to work on my projects. Usually, I can have a complete hour at a time.

The issue, hence the title, is whether or not I can reasonably afford to have both good whiskey (or liqueur) and as much yarn as I need. I have quite a collection of yarn. It is just not enough for a large project and often I make one item then frog it (rip it rip it - apart) to make another. It's making the decision to buy all 20 plus skeins at once to make the scarf, dress, blanket, that boggles me. The error of waiting means ending up with mixed lots (and varying colors or textures).

I'm not waiting on the whiskey. Not! I will trade down a few dollars and for the month of January I drank the really good stuff - Elijah Craig, Makers Mark, Bulleit - instead of Ezra Brooks (at half the price). I have been gifted six bottles of the good stuff. This is it, until my birthday and the holidays. I have been frugal enough to make it last years. Or two, at least.

Back to the choice. It's not really an issue of finances, as much as deserving. Do I deserve to have as much yarn as I desire? Am I willing to pay to have what I deserve? How long will I put off getting what I believe I deserve? Where and how do I need to shift?

I am still working on those questions. Until then, here is how I made the decision:

I buy yarn regularly. I generally wait for a sale, but still have been unwilling to purchase as much as I want or need due to the above. Today I found a good deal. I can justify each item financially (as a great deal). I can justify the purchase by paying half with money earned and saved for stuff I want. The other half will be absorbed in my contentment and commitment to delay any further yarn purchases until March 2015. (This might be a useful Lent focus. I just started to panic.)

Oh happy day! Here's what I love:

Women's Peaked Hat - January challenge The Crochet Crowd

Gift for my son

Another peaked hat

Peaked hat

Slouchy hat

Peaked hat, some more. This became a favorite this month - January 2015

Squishy scarf - for my Z!

Living the Life You Dream

This is a photo of me from years ago. September 2011. I was vacationing in Arizona on one of the hottest days of that year. The mercury hit 113° in the shade. This was the second vacation that year. The first in North Carolina - sweet and mild.

My friend drove to a monastery/retreat center and we explored the grounds and buildings. It was both fun and educational. More than that, I loved sharing time with my friend.

Even as I type this post, I can't believe it has been that long. We haven't spoken since, but that is outside the point of this post. Just two months after this vacation, I quit my job. November 11, 2011. This month is the fourth anniversary of that decision. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

Before I left my full time job, I researched people who had decided to leave the idea of working full-time and living clearer, closer, and within their dreams. I read plenty of clogs about young people making similar choices, but wanted to connect with those nearer 50 years old, with children, families and mortgages.

There are a plethora of blogs and sites dedicated to living well with less, saving and managing money, alternative earning opportunities. Still, I didn't find what really met my needs, so I started writing, counting down the days, and designing a plan to make my move.

I am leaving on vacation in three days. I have been home from my last job since August 1, 2014. Before I travel, here is a recap of how I managed to live the life of my dreams.

I do go back to work. When I work, I maintain my budget to live well below my means. I believe to have more, we must give more. I live by the principle - give first, save next, spend last. I work and therefore deserve to have pleasure from the effort I expend. I budget for my luxuries as well as my needs.

This year, I am excited to sort living on a budget while in San Francisco. At home, I get by with $25/week for groceries and have no need for transportation beyond driving my car two or three days a week. I will be there two weeks. During that time I will travel to East Bay a few times to visit friends and to Northern California for my birthday. While away, I will post on both my adventure and how the budgeting goes.

You can live the life of your dreams, whatever that looks like. If you ask, I will believe with you.

Travel safely.