My First Bump Shot

Alright, so there’s not really a baby bump yet…just my gut…but I need a before pic and this is it! I am so looking forward to actually looking pregnant. I can’t believe that in a few short weeks I’ll be able to feel the baby! Seeing the ultrasound and then hearing the heartbeat made this all feel so much more real, but that bump will really mean I’m pregnant. That might sound a bit dumb, but I guess seeing is believing? 

Now let’s hope my attempt a being trendy with oversized shirts pays off. I’m hoping to not have to buy too many maternity clothes. We’ll see how that works out! 

Free Summertime Fun

Outdoor concerts are the best…make them free and it’s the perfect night. I really want to make the most of this summer on a budget! Although I’ve failed to be frugal many times so far, in the area of concerts, we’ve done pretty well! 

The Three Rivers Arts Festival is held yearly at the beginning of June in Pittsburgh, celebrating artists, musicians and fried foods. While I did partake in a funnel cake and lemonade, that’s where my spending stopped. I traveled to Downtown Pittsburgh for a total of five nights for the 10-day long festival! The free concerts where amazing. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were the big draw as the opener, with thousands of people in the crowd, but it slowed down after that. The Ginger and I got to relax in our beach chairs in Point State Park and listen to Cello Fury, Lisa Hannigan, and our favorite, Glen Hansard! Glen Hansard, who we’ve paid to see twice in the past, played for over two hours! Not only did we have the best time out with friends, but we didn’t feel like we were missing out on anything by not spending money. 

#BabyColePGH

My beautiful baby at 10 weeks! I love the pointed toe! And in the second picture the nose is so perfect!

Yard Sales Rock!

Although I’ve been looking at new cribs online and so ready to just say, “let’s charge it!” I’ve been really good about waiting. And I’m so glad that I did. A thrifty friend of mine suggested that I hit the Highland Park yard sales because every year she always notices baby stuff for sale. She told me that it was a fantastic neighborhood yard sale, but that didn’t prepare me for the amazingness that it was!

The entire neighborhood really does get into it, with a map and description of what each house has for sale. My parents and I only hit about four or five streets before we had our cars filled and had to make a trip to my parent’s house for my dad to get his truck!  

I ended up spending less than $100 dollars and got the following: 

-Jenny Lind DaVinci Crib (similar) $20 plus the artwork

-ABC’s artwork for the nursery 

-Disney Bouncer (similar) $10

-Rock ‘n’ Play Sleeper (similar) $10

-Futon (for the new office/guest bedroom) $30

 I could not believe my luck! I had been really hoping to get a Jenny Lind crib, too! I got one for an amazing price, and all I have to do is re-paint it. It also came with a mattress, but I think we’ll replace that one with a new organic one (besides, what are registries for it not to get a few new things). At first I was a bit wary about purchasing such an important piece of furniture used, but this one was in such good shape and the mom selling it really put me at ease with her explanation of it. Plus, I had my parents with me and no matter how old I get I will always value their opinion on things like this (they approved).

The futon was another great buy! We are converting our spare bedroom into the new office, but since we have so many out-of-town friends we still want a place for them to sleep. The futon is in great condition and even matches the desk we already have! The bouncer and sleeper both looked brand new! I’m sure they will both get a lot of use!

I love that even on this spending freeze I still got to shop. I’m still going to have to buy things, but I did it in a much smarter way! I could have easily spent $500 on everything, but instead I spent only $70! 

Whomp, Whomp Failure

Well, the June totals are in. And it’s not good. I sort of stopped paying attention. I went to the Loft because I felt fat (it didn’t help and trying on clothes made it worse…didn’t stop me from spending money though). The Ginger and I went on a camping canoe trip with friends…and charged it. I didn’t feel like cooking and we ate out or ordered in more than once.

I feel like a failure. I shouldn’t be shocked, but I am. I have to be more focused and put more effort into this spend freeze. But I did anticipate that at some point I would mess up (just not after less than a month), so now I have to pick up where I left off and learn from my mistakes. I have so many bad habits to unlearn. It’s going to take a while but I just have to keep myself motivated. I don’t want to blame pregnancy, but I’m going to. I’ve been really tired and sick, resulting in less motivation to shop for food, cook, pack lunches,exercise,etc.

So it happened, and I’m moving on. The five year debt free plan can still work, but I have to be diligent. Here we go!