Bike Commuting - Week 1 Adjustment

So, it's only my 2nd day without a car, but so far things are going really well.  I think I'm really going to like the new lifestyle, even if it's only through the end of the year.  Here's a quick snapshot of the week:

Tuesday we dropped off the VW at Car Max, and left $11k of debt there with it.  I have to admit I was pretty nervous when we left the dealership.  I was having some doubts...why hadn't I tried commuting for a week or so before just jumping right in?  I guess that's just how I roll.

Wednesday was my first day to commute to work.  That's not exactly true, I guess.  In the 3.5 years that I've lived a short 2 miles from the office, I've probably ridden here about 6 times.  So, I knew which route to take and how long it would take to get there...or so I thought.  I started off on my normal route that would take me on a trail under Barton Springs road, then through Zilker.  Under the bridge I ran into my first road block.  There was a huge tree branch that had fallen into the sidewalk, and because there were railings in this particular area, I couldn't go around...so I had to backtrack up a hill and reroute myself in the dark.  From there, it was smooth sailing, and my first day as a bike commuter was a success!  My bike rested happily in my office until it was time to pedal home.

Thursday brought about another interesting morning.  About 5 minutes into my morning ride, I rode through a huge swarm of gnats and got more than an eyeful, which led to a few seconds of blindness.  I think some clear riding glasses may be in order!  Shortly after, I came head on with a lady who was walking multiple dogs.  I ride on a sidewalk through the park for some of my route, and this lady was definitely irritated that she had to take 2 seconds to step her dogs off the sidewalk so I could pass.  I received an irritated eye-roll as I went by.  Oh well!  When I arrived to work, I realized that I forgot to pack my purse, so I didn't have the access key to get into the gym to shower and dress for work.  I stood in the hallway for about 10 minutes, waiting for a coworker to arrive so someone could let me in.  Then, the smell of bacon reminded me that there were a few employees who came in early to cook for our United Way benefit, so I was able to secure a badge from one of them!  Luckily, I have several lunches saved in the work fridge, so the fact that I don't have my wallet wasn't a big deal.  Thursday night we hit up TNSR for some social cycling.  We had a blast riding through the hills until a girl crashed her bike while going downhill over a speed bump.  We found out later that she suffered a broken jaw, concussion, cracked ribs, and major road rash.  Medics said that she would have probably died if it weren't for her helmet.  Luckily, she's on her way to recovery.  This gave everyone quite a scare...we'll be riding with helmets from now on.

Friday, I didn't have to go into work, so I skipped the morning commute.  I did have a 10:00 hair appointment about 5.5 miles away from home.  I debated riding my bike or taking a Car2Go, but in the end opted for the Car2Go adventure. My legs needed a break from the hilly ride the night before, and I was still a bit hung over from too many vodka and vitamin waters.  The Car2Go experience was super fun!  I had downloaded this new app that shows where the closest available car is located. I just clicked a couple buttons, and used the directions on my phone to walk a few short blocks to the closest car.  So easy! Plus, the car is just so cute:

Week 1 living the bike commuter lifestyle = success!

Car-Free

Well, I'm officially car-free!  We sold the VW to Carmax yesterday.  I'm a little excited and a little scared.  More to come soon...

Goodbye, old ride.

Half Full

I'm just going to come right out and say it...I FAILED the challenge.  Well, sort of.  I guess it depends on how you view success.  Did I make it the full 365 days without buying something new?  No. An unequivocal, resounding fucking NOOOOOOO!  Actually, a big fat failure of a NO.  But, I did make it 6 months.  Six months and 3 days to be exact.  I'm not sure what it was...I was on vacation spending time with my family for the 4th of July weekend.  And I just decided to buy something...a commemorative t-shirt and a pair of cheap flip-flops.  It wasn't really even anything super exciting or fantastic.  I didn't even go out with a bang.

A few days later, and here I am...free of the challenge, I guess, because I already failed.  And yet...I did learn something.  I learned quite a few things about myself and about the motivating factors in my life.  I went shopping today.  I set off on my lunch break, the same as I had so many times before with money to burn.  I told myself it didn't matter...that this was my reward for making it through 6 months of deprivation.  (For a shopaholic like myself, yes, this has felt like deprivation at times.)  When I got there, though, my outlook had changed.  I found myself really analyzing each piece of clothing, trying to determine if it was really worth the money.  I told myself...if I don't absolutely LOVE this, I'm not getting it.  This mindset really worked, too.  I walked out of the store with 2 items, spending less than my budget and leaving several things behind that I would have liked to own. 

So now the question becomes, where do I go from here?  I'm not 100% sure, but I do know this...when I look back at the first 1/2 of this year, I'm going to view it as a success.  Sure, I didn't make it the whole way, but it wasn't for naught.  I learned so much...about self control...about intensity and focus...about loving what you have and more and more about myself each day.  To me, the glass is 1/2 full.

Obsession

I'm completely OBSESSED with the fishtail hem.  Seriously, if I'm not sporting one of these dresses during ACL festival this year, I will die.  Like, Rachel Zoe "die."  I feel like this is the hot new way to wear all those old 90s grunge dresses we had...just alter the hem, and, boom, they're sexy again.  I've been stalking Ebay to find one of these for a couple months now.  Hopefully, the trend will catch on, and I'll actually be able to afford one of these bad ass dresses (supply and demand baby).  Some of my favorite postings at the moment:

Check out Bustown Modern or Tin Roof Vintage or Vantage Point Vintage to bid.  But, if you outbid me, I'll beat you.  For real.  xoxo

Getting Your Money's Worth

I came across this article on The Simple Dollar today, and I really connected with it.  The idea is this: each time you spend money, you are allocating some of your hard earned money (and sacrificed time) to purchase that item.  Is it really worth your dollar?  If you make $20/hour, is the $80 dress really worth 1/2 a day of working?  Does it mean that much to you?  Did you receive fulfillment in proportion to the amount of life energy spent?  I found it fascinating to think about...how over time if you work for 40 years, that's approximately 100,000 working hours.  How much of your time could you get back if you cut out a few frivolous things here and there?  How much earlier could you retire?  These ideas really helped put some things in perspective for me...and helped fuel my motivation to keep up the challenge this year. 

I really enjoyed the article, and I'm currently on the waiting list at the library to read the book on which the review was written. 

4 Months

So, I've been working my way through the secondhand challenge, one day at a time, for approximately 129 days now (but who's counting).  To be honest, I don't really even think about the challenge every day.  Sure, there are times when I'm staring in my closet, trying to figure out what to wear (feeling like there's nothing that will do), when I have a strong urge to say f@#* the challenge and rush out to one of my favorite shops for a little retail therapy. 

Most of the time, though, it doesn't cross my mind.  Like yesterday, for example, when I was out on town lake, spending an hour kayaking with Marlen, my neighbor.  We spent an hour paddling across the water, enjoying the sun, good conversation, and exercise for a mere $12 each.  I had an "I love Austin" moment as we paddled back to the rental place, when we turned a corner and heard a beautiful melody played on one of the city's outdoor pianos that is set up on the trail overlooking the water, as part of the Play Me I'm Yours project.  It's times like those that I could care less about stuff.  I realize that none of it could bring me as much happiness as enjoying my time here.

(Photo via We Heart It website).

3 Months

It's taken me awhile to start this post...because, there hasn't been much to blog about.  I've stuck to the goal and haven't broken any of the rules for the secondhand challenge.  Time has gone by rather quickly....I've saved hundreds of dollars, simply because the impulse purchases I used to succumb to are off limits now.  In the meantime, the hubby and I have paid off several thousand dollars worth of debt...and we are in total gazelle mode.  Speaking of the hubby...he's getting a promotion soon that could lead to an increase in income that would put him above his masters-degree-holding wifey.  At this rate, we'll be paying off the mortgage before our future kids start grade school.  Cha-ching!

Any who...the second hand challenge continues to be a great test in patience and frugality...thrown in with a little adventure.  I'm over 25% of the way to reaching my year-long goal, and I've enjoyed every day of it!  It's taught me that it really doesn't cost much to lead a fulfilling life.  (The best things in life are free.)

xoxo