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Saving, Spending and Sabotage!
Copyright (c) 2006-2022 Darlene Arechederra
I confess - I should've seen it coming. But, I didn't.
Late evening last week, I was at the halfway mark of my three-mile walk. I paused just long enough to glance up at my home, as my pet-friendly blinds were moving slightly.
Yep. There it was. A long, chocolate snout - plastered against the window. Following my every move as I tried to squeeze in an evening walk. He knew exactly when I spotted him, because he shifted his face until all I could see were huge, brown puppy-dog eyes. He gave me the full fledged, "Please, mom! Take me with you!" Huh.
Well, I'm no match for those eyes. Two minutes later, we hit the road, my five-year-old Labrador Ben (retractable leash included) and I. The walk was on!
But, after stopping at the sixth tree, I realized this was not going to be a heart-healthy walk for me. This was a *stop-at-every-third-tree-and-shrub* kind of walk.
So, I decided to have a leisurely stroll instead (the old turn-lemons-into-lemonade theory.) A simple attitude adjustment was all I needed.
And, to be honest, all was well once I acknowledged this as a *Ben* walk. That is, until we rounded the corner into our back yard. That's when it happened...
Ben spotted Mr. Rabbit, fresh from the neighbor's garden - and headed across the street to yet another crispy green haven.
This was too much for a rabbit-loving Ben. He strained against the leash, pulling and yelping in his bid for freedom. And seconds later, I held nothing but a dangling leash in my hand. Ben had dashed across the street to run the rabbit.
After I *retrieved* my Labrador, I checked the leash that had failed me so miserably. The clasp was contorted, stretched beyond recognition. Ben had bent it in his quest for his furry little friend.
I placed Ben safely back inside, then reflected on the past hour. Whether I wanted to admit it (or not), I had been sabotaged.
By me.
My goal had been to walk three miles at a pace that exercised my heart and built up my stamina.
Did it happen?
No.
Why not?
Because...
I knew not to look up at the window, yet I did it anyway. (Perhaps I need to put some blinders on myself.)
I knew I couldn't walk at a brisk, heart-healthy pace with Ben along. (No, stopping at trees does not count as exercise for me.)
I wanted to be a good mom to Ben. But this wasn't the time, nor the place.
Can you relate? It's just so easy to sabotage ourselves - regardless of our goals.
For example, what are some of the ways we might sabotage ourselves with our money?
We have a weakness for shopping, but we might go to the mall weekly (or even twice-weekly) anyway.
Because we enjoy eating out, we may keep ourselves busy all evening - doing everything *except* packing tomorrow's lunch. So, the next day, we order lunch out (again).
We may budget $60 for groceries each week. At checkout, it comes to over $100. (Using a small calculator to track the items as we toss them in the cart would fix this problem. We'd more than make up for the cost of the calculator in savings during our next trip to the store.)
How about you? Has Sabotage left you empty handed lately?
Over the next few weeks, why not see if Sabotage has left a trail in any areas of your life. Once you become aware of what's setting you back, it'll be so much easier to get back on track with your goals!
Darlene Arechederra shares money-saving tips and articles with those who want to live a debt-free lifestyle. For free easy ideas on saving money, visit her site today at: http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com
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Top-Level Category: Self Improvement Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Darlene Arechederra
30 Seconds to Creating an Awesome Checkbook Balance
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2006-11-02 |
Word Count: 506 |
Page Views: 4726
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 2.20
Have you ever watched a squirrel balancing up on the highwires?
He actually makes the balancing act look easy, doesn't he? I
always wonder what will happen to the squirrel should he lose his
balance. You see, the highwires are not part of his natural
habitat. They are manmade, and he has no safety cushion built in
to protect him.
Can Faith and Patience Help You Save More Money?
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2006-09-14 |
Word Count: 787 |
Page Views: 3836
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 2.25
It's hard to be patient at times, isn't it? It's even more
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that perhaps we should do the very opposite instead? Should we
just sit tight?
Money Integrity: Teach Your Children Well
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2006-09-05 |
Word Count: 471 |
Page Views: 4163
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 0.67
We think of integrity as doing the right thing when no one is
looking. But, does this hold true for money, too? Share with your
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Are You Working Too Hard At Saving Money?
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2006-08-29 |
Word Count: 702 |
Page Views: 3858
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.79
You work hard for your money. And chances are, you work even
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That's exactly what happened to Heather. See if you can relate
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Bosses Day: 25 Wallet-Friendly Gift Ideas
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2006-08-23 |
Word Count: 799 |
Page Views: 9883
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 2.88
Bosses Day is right around the corner again -- but no need to
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10 Simple Ways to Create Your First Back-to-School Fund
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2006-07-26 |
Word Count: 589 |
Page Views: 4630
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 1.88
If you're looking for a *practical* reason to save, how about
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Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2004-11-18 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 1950
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
Okay. So money doesn't really grow on trees. Unless you
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Imagine that only a few moments ago you planted a young
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Meatballs: Friend, or Foe?
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2004-10-28 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 1714
| Votes: 3 |
Rating: 0.67
We all have those moments, don't we? We're right in the
middle of a project, and it's simply not going well.
Like me, you may find yourself becoming irritated, wishing
you could find an easier way to get the job done (or even
eliminate it completely.)
I'd settle for a tool that would make quick work of it. Life
is just too precious to spend time being irritated.
Unique Gifts: Ideas for All Seasons
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2004-10-20 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 1740
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
There's an alternative to buying gifts that sit on a shelf
waiting for the next garage sale. For something completely
unique, why not consider gifts that *keep on giving* for
your friends, co-workers or loved ones?
Bosses Day: 25 Gift Ideas for Your Wallet
Written by: Darlene Arechederra |
Distributed: 2004-10-12 |
Word Count: 0 |
Page Views: 2121
| Votes: 2 |
Rating: 0.50
Finding the perfect gift for your boss doesn't need to leave
your wallet empty. Read on for some low-cost gift ideas --
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