Polos, Jagr and Starbucks

I haven't really posted too much on financial stuff this month. I had the blog on coffee spending, which was eye opening, and then there was the blog of freezing the credit cards, which had a drastic effect on my credit card account. Over the past 5 or 6 months I was carrying around a $500-$600 balance, with the December balance reaching a height of around $900 (hence the wake-up call) and so far this month it is a whopping $67.18 and has about $75.00 worth of credit being added back on....

In regards to coffee, I was cut out all spending on coffee...and actually have received more coffee than I normally do. It was kind of amazing actually. Since I decided not to spend any money on coffee four really awesome things happened (well five, but that will come later). First, I walked into work the next day and saw that someone had K-cups sitting out for use of anyone. They were there a few days so I got 3 days of free coffee!!!! Next, a friend at work asked if I would want to do a Dunkin' run. I thought, "Sure, why not? Just get out of the building." I checked in to Dunkin' on Four Square (a social media app on my iPhone) and got a free iced coffee!!! Then, this passed Friday I did a Starbucks run with some of my co-workers and my friend was kind enough to treat me to a latte compliments of her gift card. The fourth thing happened when I walked in to my bosses office and made a comment about him making coffee in his office, and asked if there was any left for me....so he tosses me a 1lb bag of coffee grounds and says, "Here ya go!" Those have been such blessings throughout this month.

So, for this past weekend. We received some snow...and so we took Saturday to stay in and hang out, and we only went out to run a couple of errands. For my birthday I was given some Polo's that were one size too small and in colors that I already had. I just had not had time to go to Old Navy to return them. Renae and I decided that this slow day would be the perfect day. Also, I had gotten a Flyers t-shirt that was a size too small and so I wanted to exchange that while I was out as well. Here is kind what happened, I was actually kinda shocked...

Here is the deal. Renae didn't think they would make an exchange because I did not have the gift receipt and she thought maybe they would be out of style because I waited too long to return them. WRONG (not to say that I was right, because I was surprised). The allowed me to switch them out, and I was able to get these to striped Polo's for an even exchange!

Then while Renae was finding awesome deals herself (jeans that were on clearance for $9.00, then an additional 50% off bringing the total to $4.50) I mosied on down to Modell's to exchange my t-shirt. The original shirt was a Winter Classic edition t-shirt, and they only had those shirts in XXL any more.  I had two options, make an even exchange for the XXL Winter Classic t-shirt or get a regular Flyers shirt. I chose the second option.

Well, it turns out that the other shirt was worth more so when they did the exchange there was a $5.00 credit remaining. I explained that any other time I would probably buy something else, but I was trying not to spend money. He was lazy and didn't want to ring up a $5.00 gift card...so, I walked away with $5.00 cash in hand. 

Finally, on Sunday night we were hanging out with some friends of ours and I was mentioned how I wasn't really spending money this month and especially on coffee. As I was talking, one of my friends got up and left the table, then she returned later with a Starbucks gift card that she wanted to give to me (this is the #5). I was taken aback by this gesture. I could not have been more grateful for this gift and didn't really know how to say thank you. It hit me even more when I got home and checked the balance to realize that there is an available $25.00 on the card. THANK YOU SUSAN!!!!

What I have been learning is that it is not as big of a deal as I thought it would be to be open about not spending money. The truth is, that other people listen and sometimes even feel the same way. The other thing I noticed is that if you keep your focus and priorities than sometimes doors open and blessings come forth. I am thankful to God for providing and thankful for friends who allow God to use them to bless us.

This is only January...so I am excited for what the rest of the future holds!