Last post I mentioned in my observations that if there had been any wiggle room in our no eating out rule we would have been doomed.  There is, in fact, a loophole stating that  if friends invite us out we can go.  Socializing with friends is important to us and we don’t actually get to that often.  We’re married with no kids and one tiny dog so we have lots of free time.  Most of our friends have kids or have difficult work schedules so it can be months between seeing someone.

That said, last week I got a group text from a friend that I did want to see, but she included someone I didn’t which made it very easy to decline.  I got an individual text from that same friend a few days later suggesting a get together this Friday.  I was anxious because I’m on a roll with not going out and I don’t want to spend money on something I’m not looking forward to.  This prompted me to be politely honest and say that I preferred not to spend time with that person because they make me feel bad.   My friend was so amazing about it!  I ended up being so glad I said something, and now I’m looking forward to seeing her and a few other people I haven’t seen in a while.  Valuing the times I do go out so much more now led me to be more honest with a friend in order to see them more is such an unexpected bonus.

I definitely prefer advanced notice.  Last week the invitation came the day before and I didn’t feel obligated to make it work last-minute, plus I didn’t want to go.  This week I get to look forward to it and, here’s the newness, plan ahead for it financially.  I’m looking for ways to cut costs this week and next week to round out the additional spending.  This is a completely new concept for me and it’s kind of exciting.  Everything is like an organizational puzzle that I am totally capable of solving if I put my effort in.

Do your thrifty best!

Lisa