Putting my money where my mouth is.

That old back to school feeling has also gt me thinking about my finances again.  For quite a while I have been operating under a more laid back, not stressing, waiting for the abundance sort of thing.  And while it has been somewhat ok, and we have had holidays and I have some new clothes and all.  I am re reading one of my finance books again that inspired me a lot about a year ago.   it's good as it is clear to me that I am definitely making strides forward in many areas.   But then it gets to the respecting and managing your money chapter, and I realise that I am definitely not really paying attention.  It's not just about being frugal, but being realistic, and honest, and generally having a plan.  Not just ignoring it all and hoping for the best.   I do see that there is some relevance in not penny pinching, as it's just a bad mindset really.  Like coming from a place of scarcity = not good.  But I think it could be time for a bit more eyes open awareness.  And there has been some debt, not in all areas, but nevertheless it is costing us money and debt payments really piss me off.  Money for nothing which could be better spent on something!!  So am going to go back to a bit of tracking our spending for a while.  And am aiming to get that debt paid of ASAP and manage within our current resources whilst looking to increase our income at the same time.

I guess I want to be frugal, but not so frugal that I get all pinching about it.  I wonder if there is a better word.  Mindful? Yes, I want to be mindful of my spending.  And this applies to what I spend my money on too.   I have. Been getting increasingly frustrated with supermarkets, for various reasons. And one of the main reasons is because of the more general momentum I have got going regarding aligning my living with my values.  And I value local and organic.  I value organic, not just because I don't want to eat the chemicals that are sprayed or injected into foods.  But because organic farming methods don't kill bees.  And if I buy a veg box I am supporting organic farmers.  It's not the most frugal way to eat.  But to me it seems like money well spent.  My money is not going towards supporting bad shareholder decisions that force farmers into debt.  It's my way of being political I guess.  Yes it costs more.  But at the same time, I find tht if I don't go into supermarkets, then I d ont buy loads of stuff I don't really need.  I am aiming to meal plan better.  We have an allotment share now, so will hopefully be saving some money by growing our own organic vegetables.  I
Find myself increasingly unable to eat cheap meat.  It just makes me feel a bit sick.  Knowing how it is produced and all.

I am finding the switching of bank accounts a little tricky due to the ample overdraft facility we both have at hideous Barclays sadly.  One very good reason to get into proper credit with back up.  It's tricky to negotiate self employment and varying income without the back up of overdrafts.  But that is my aim.  Just don't want to have my money tied up with bad ness any more.   SO. There's my statement of intention, folks.  Going to spend my money on organic produce, outside of supermarkets wherever possible.  We are now signed up to ecotricity and hence buying all green power.  My ISA and savings are with Triodos and Nationwide.  I am getting out of Tesco Bank and ultimately getting out of Barclays.  I even have some probably worthless shares in some banks which I got during the whole banks sell off thing.  Being frugal then meant cashing in on any deal that was going.  Regardless of what it was it seems.  I will be putting my money elsewhere.  And all the while working on my own personal ability to earn money.  Work with People Who Do looks good.  I will be starting my yoga classes and doing an art workshop, with the idea of doing more going forward. Am collaborating on a card deck with my writer friend Morgan and generally much more getting into the arena.   All is good.