I had a huge personal realization a month ago that I really need to cut back on my spending. It only took me 35 years (ten of which have been spent working for Clark) to figure that out!
I find that once I get something I want (new clothes, a new piece of furniture, a vacation, etc), there is always another "want" waiting in the wings. In addition to weighing down my wallet, I feel that this has been preventing me from taking good car of the things I already have.
So for the last 30 days I have spent money only on the essentials - mortgage, car, food and utilities. We have eaten out once using money from some things I sold on craigslist. Whenever I want something, I think "what can I take better care of that I already have?"
The results - not only do I have more cash flow, I feel in control of my money rather than my money controlling me. My house is cleaner, my closet less cluttered. Quality time is spent in the kitchen and eating together rather than driving to restaurants, trying to chase down our 2-year-old as he bolts from our table. In short, I feel a lightness and happiness that I never would have guessed would come from NOT spending money. I always thought that acquiring things was a way to achieve happiness. Not so.
For those of you who have listened to the show for a long time, you might know that Clark often refers to me as "Imelda" because of my love for shoes. I have always loved buying shoes and had an appreciation for beautiful shoes. On my desk at work sits a calendar with a picture of a pair of shoes for each day. It was a gift from Clark. So I'm sure you will understand that when our puppy got into my closet and chewed up several of my favorite pairs of shoes, I was not happy.
With my ban on buying and acquiring, what could I do? I looked through my unchewed shoes, and found that most of them are open toed and for the summer months. Should I buy some inexpensive shoes at the mother ship (DSW - Designer Shoe Warehouse)? Should I wear summer shoes on a chilly day? 
I decided to "take better care of what I already have." I pulled out a pair of boots that have been a staple in my wardrobe for 3 years now. They were still in tact (many of the other shoes are not wearable at ALL). I put them on, and I'm wearing them today. If someone looks closely at my heels, they will see how torn up they are, and I will tell them the story. But the funny thing is that noone has commented on them yet, because most people just aren't looking that closely. I can walk just fine in these shoes and they work for me today. So my dog ate my shoes, and I'm wearing them anyway. It feels great.
