Keeping It Real and Getting Back Ontrack

I once again have fallen off not only the blogging bandwagon but also the frugal bandwagon and I need to get back on track. So here I ago!

I have been thinking I need to get back to blogging, not that it does much for anyone who reads it but it will help me keep myself accountable. I can hope too that maybe someone will read it that will find encouragement, tips or ideas that will help them as well.

A few months ago a friend of mine started a challenge on Facebook of "keeping it real" with our status updates and it was a big eye opener. I know I for one am guilty of posting status updates that show the best parts of our lives. Our big accomplishments, proud moments, achievements and such. However, we don't post about the parental failures, bad hair days or the nights that our kids eat ice cream for dinner because we don't have the energy to stop them. We see parents around us that seem to have it all together and are the perfect parents and wonder why we can't accomplish those same things. Over a few weeks time, the posts were a true reflection of who we all were as parents and it was AWESOME. We got to see that none of us are perfect, we all have our flaws and received validation that it is ok for the kids to eat ice cream for dinner once in a while, we have all been there done that.

One area though that people tend to NOT keep it real is in regards to finances. I too am guilty of this. It is so easy to agree to do things we cannot afford to do because we don't want to miss out. I have friends who live in all different financial situations. However, what happens is the "keeping up with the Joneses" scenario where people try to keep up and match someone else's lifestyle that they cannot afford. This is an easy trap to fall into and one we must avoid. I was talking with a friend the other day and mentioned that finances were tight and this was a month where there was going to be more month than money. She spoke about some of the financial troubles they have had as well. It really got me to thinking, why don't we keep it real when it comes to our finances? From telling others no to a night on the town we can't afford to telling ourselves no to the purchase we are thinking about making. Why is it so hard to be upfront and honest in this area of our lives not only with others but with ourselves?

I decided I need to take a very serious look at my finances and some of my decision making. Maybe posting here will help someone else do the same and "keep it real" in their own lives. A friend posted the link to a great article a few days ago Asking "Does this purchase support my long term goals?" Here is an article that discusses just this : ARTICLE LINK

Do you keep it real when it comes to your finances? Are you as frugal as you should be? Are there areas where you want to cut back but are not sure how? Maybe its time to check that out and find a way. Maybe its time we all start "keeping it real".