Monday, December 31, 2007

You see, George? You really had a wonderful life.

I was all set to tell you today that I have learned nothing this year. I tried to not spend extraneously, and now it's done and that's that. I was going to say that as I predicted most people were really supportive, I wasn't perfect at it but I lasted all year and we saved some money. The end.

But a funny thing happened on my way to this blog. Yesterday, I went up to the attic, where Marvin Gardens can be found -- not because he is a bat, but because his recording and musical equipment is up there, so where else would he be? -- and I asked him, "What are we gonna do with the money we saved?"

All year we have asked ourselves that. For a while we thought we'd take a trip to Italy. Then we moved 3,000 miles and ate into a lot of our savings, so Italy was kind of out.

Then we talked about splitting it and each buying a bunch of stuff, which would probably mean grooming items for me and music things for Marvin.

Anyway, for the 47th time this year, I asked Marvin that question and together we came up with the same answer: how about nothing?

How about we keep our savings as savings? We don't touch it, and we keep saving?

Now there's a thought.

So when the new year comes and we can go out there and shop, Marvin is going to get a new pair of tennis shoes and I might get another pair of sweatpants. Maybe. I have decided to use up the makeup I have, I already fixed my hair, I got some new clothes for Christmas, so you know what? I'm good.

I cannot tell you what a profound change this is for me, and for SpendyPants Marvin.

So I guess we did learn something. We learned to live with less.

I learned that there are many occasions when a phone call -- and actually LISTENING to the person you call -- is nicer than sending flowers. I learned that oftentimes, food made at home actually tastes better. I learned quiche is really easy to make.

I learned that if you are going to make Christmas gifts, give yourself many, many months, not two, or you will break out in a hideous rash, which is decidedly not Christmasy. Well, it's red...

My favorite part of this year, far and away, has been this blog. Yesterday I asked people to make comments if they haven't done so yet and as of right now, I have more than 70 comments! And please, if you haven't commented yet, do so! It was so rewarding to hear from all of you.

As they say in It's a Wonderful Life, no man is a failure who has friends, so I guess I am not a failure. I am also not a man, but whatever.

So thank you all for reading this, for commenting, for sending me gift certificates and cooking utensils and recipes and Teen Beat magazines and for trying to buy less, too. You made my year so much more fun.

Now, won't you join Marvin Gardensalad and me, June GonnaEatThat, over at Bye Bye, Pie for a year of good eating and supposed exercise?

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great title for your new blog!! Again, thanks for a fun year - I am looking forward to a new year of posts for you. Are you still June at the new blog?

Evanston delurker

June Cutoff Cash said...

Yes, anon, hence that I said "join me, June GonnaEatThat..."

I changed my last name. I got married. Married to health.

Anonymous said...

Love your new site! Thanks for inspiring us all, even those of us who live in cheeseland. I'm taking 10 teenagers sledding this afternoon- does that count as exercise?

Melissa

Anonymous said...

Reading your blog and following your story has been a real joy.

Jenny's Vegcafe said...

I'm sorry to see your blog come to an end. I found you a little over a month ago and I've really enjoyed your blog. Ah well. Looking forward to the healthy living blog.

Anonymous said...

I was alerted to your blog in October, and since then I've gone back to read your whole year of progress. I'm planning on going on a 3-month spending freeze thanks in part to your success.

Anonymous said...

YOU SEE JUNE, IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL LIFE. THINGS ARE NICE BUT REALLY LIVING, ENJOYING LIFE AND THOSE AROUND IS ALL THAT'S IMPORTANT. TAKING THAT WALK TO SEE YOUR FRIEND IN THE NURSING HOME, HELPING OUT A NEEDY FAMILY AND JUST HAVING DINNER WITH MARVIN CAN BE A DELIGHT. OK--THE HAIR DYE IS REALLY A BIG DEAL BUT EVERYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO WITHOUT. PEOPLE LOVE YOU FOR YOU NOT YOUR PRESENTS. HAPPY NEW YEAR-NEW YOU

Anonymous said...

I tuned in around Thanksgiving and have read your blog through and through. And I've quoted you to my coworkers. And my husband.

I'll be lurking next year too.

Thanks for all the laughs and the trips down memory lane.

Cincinnati

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your reflections on this past year. It was good to read how the way you look at things/experiences has altered. Who woulda thunk it?

Good going, June and Marvin!

Sid Leavitt said...

Bye Bye Pie, huh? Much better than what I was going to suggest -- Hello Jello.

So now what happens to all the Canadian currency shown on your nameplate that you never explained?

Anyway, thanks for a year of great reading, and best wishes for a healthy 2008.

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to hear that this year of "living with less" has grown on you. I've been working on that myself this year.

I'm trying to live healthier this year as well. You can be sure that this Vegas gal will be checking in regularly!

Denise in Fabulous (but cold tonight) Las Vegas

Anonymous said...

Delurking in Boise, Idaho...it's freezing tonight but I'm cuddled up to our wood stove and enjoying your blog once again...I visit almost daily and feel like I know you. You crack me up, bring me to tears, you feel like an old friend. I am so jealous that you and MG were able to go a whole year with (almost) no spending. I want to be like you! And now I am pissed that you are going to do the 'healthy' thing... because I need to do that so badly and you are my role model! So now I HAVE to get healthy, too. Ugh!! I hate you!! Just kidding. Best wishes for a happy healthy 2008 and I will for sure be reading Bye Bye Pie!

Amanda in Boise

Anonymous said...

June... thanks for the infotainment this year. I didn't think you and Marvin would make it a whole year of not spending, but I was way off. You guys did great. And I honestly looked forward to each blog entry like it was a new Seinfeld episode. And thanks for inspiring me to start a blog too. You're the best!

Anonymous said...

I'm delurking and am so glad to hear that you have conquered the desire to spend money just because you have it ... good for you!!

I will be following you at your new blog. I will turn 40 in Jan '09 and so I am on a mission to be "fit by 40" ... so this is the year that I, too, will be turning to a healthy lifestyle to try and achieve that goal. It's not going to be just about the # on the scale, but an overall feeling of health. I wish you well on your journey and can't wait to read more of your fun posts!

Kris

The Nester said...

Yippie! Here I go, see you there!

Musings of a Housewife said...

LOL! LOL! I love this post. You crack me up. As always. Could I please have a dime for every time I've said that over this last year? ;-)

Going to hook your new blog up with my Bloglines and put it on my blogroll. Happy 2008 my dear bloggy friend! :-)

Krista said...

Love the title for the new blog!

I am so proud of you! (How is that for a corny thing to say??) Seriously, though. I am doing "the compact" again this year, and think it is great that the idea grew on you. Keep up the great work!

Heading over to Bye Bye, Pie now...

Krista - still freezing her arse off in Mid-Micgigan

Lara said...

I'm SO happy to see a pic of Marvin Gardens! I will be following to Bye Bye Pie!!! Can't wait!

Anonymous said...

Love your blog. Definitely will read your new one. You are a very entertaining writer! All the best to you in 2008.

Anonymous said...

Hey, June/Karen
I've gotten a big kick out of reading your blog this year. I know how hard it is to be a conscious spender. My hubby and I raised 4 kids on one teacher's pay. So I applaud you!! Also, a belated blessing to you for your efforts to make a Christmas for your adopted family. May your 2008 be happy, healthy and rich in all the ways that count.
From your mom's friend, Gigi
p.s. I keep telling Pam how much you "sound" like her, but she doesn't buy it. Also, I'll definitely look to you for tips on being healthy in '08

Christie said...

You got it, sister. See you on the thinner side of '08!

Ms.RipeMango said...

Awwwwwww goodbye June-cut-off cash! I haven't been to the new blog but I wonder if you have a new name?

June-cut-off-Pie, meh, not nearly as catchy, I guess I'll go find out.

Anonymous said...

Okay, okay...I've been reading your website this past year and I guess I'll come out of the closet. Never commented before but always found your blog hilarious. I will be reading your next blog as well and I'm sure enjoying every minute of it. Thank you for sharing.

San Antonio Stalker

Unknown said...

Congratulations on a great year and a great blog! Good luck next year!

HoodMama said...

I've loved your blog! Can't wait for the next one!

Becky said...

I didn't comment on the last post (still catching up) but I'll comment on this one.

I've really enjoyed your blog!!! Especially this wrap up post. It's GREAT! You're hilarious, plus very transparent. Both good things.

I'm definitely gonna be a regular on the new one.

Happy New Year!

valerielee said...

I am one of others who probably have never commented on your site, but have been faithfully reading your blog. I happened to find you through "brilliant and neat" now "Amelia the Yankee"....and loved, absolutely have loved your writing. I can't wait to adjust to the other one! Thanks so much for sharing. :)
valerielee (southern to the core)

Anonymous said...

Love the new title, June!

Can't wait to hear about your healthful 2008.

And, when do we get to learn your stats from the Doc's office? Are you going to tell us your weight? Your cholesterol level? Your LDL vs. HDL??

These and other burning questions rattle around this vacant brain of mine!!

Love you, June!

Your Pal from MA

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on making it the whole year!
I can't wait to check out the new blog.
Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Dear June, thank you for a great blog. Congrats on all the comments. It must feel great to realize how many people you entertained in 2007. We wish you and Marvin and the (other) four-legged creatures in your house an amazing 2008. We can't wait to read about your new endeavaors. Prost Neujahr!

heidi @ ggip said...

This is my first time at your site. I came here from Musings of a Housewife.

I just posted yesterday on brainstorming ideas (very informal) on how to curtail clutter before it starts and I never thought of this approach even though I have definitely heard of families doing this.

Great job and I agree about just keeping savings as savings. We need to build up our emergency fund for sure.

Jennifer @ Diving In said...

Just found your blog today. And it's over! It really hit me though, what a challenge this would be. Hmmmmm. Food for thought! Or maybe that is the wrong phrase considering your blog for 2008!!

Misc Amy said...

I have been wretched at missing you in an appropriate manner. I thought I had a list of 30 things to accomplish in 2008. I realize that I need to add a 31st: Keep up with the Junes!
Amy

P.L. Frederick said...

Just discovered this blog from Sid Leavitt over at readersandwritersblog. I likes yer writing. Now I see you've got a new blog so I'll tramp myself over. See you soon!

P.L. Frederick (SMALL & big)

Anonymous said...

What a great idea for both of your blogs. You have something most others don't. Way to go!

CharlieM said...

Right after I get fired for reading this blog in, oh, TWO days!! I can leave longer comments about how much I adored it. In the meantime, I actually have to go and proofread something.... I'm not even kidding.

Susan said...

I found your blog less than a week ago and I've read the whole thing. I read a lot of blogs and I can honestly say that this is one of the ones I've enjoyed most. I'm going to head over to your new blog now and get caught up there.

Another freelancing editor

Katharyn said...

It only took me a month to read through last year's blog, but I'm glad I did it. You are and outstanding person with a wonderful husband. Who knew that someone I only know through a blog could become a role modle? Not in that you gave up spending money for a year, but the way in which you think about life. Looking forward to catching up with your new blog.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for a wonderful blog! I found it through The Nester's blog last week and read the entire year from beginning to end. OH did I love it! You have such a fun personality. Thanks again for being an inspiration!

Laura said...

Thanks for the entertainment this week. I have appreciated hearing about your experiences.