SAFELY enjoying the great Outdoors

Hi Everyone,

I am normally outdoors exercising (weather permitting) and it occurred to me the other day while trail running alone....and no one was on the trail, which is quite odd as it is usually frequented. I realized that there are some extra safety items that I need to get since I'm going out alone:

1. Whistle - in case I don't have the strength to yell or need to call attention to myself
• I really liked this one from Coghlan's
2. Mini first aid kit
• I carry band-aids, antiseptic ointment, blister cream and Tylenol
3. Water 
4. Gel or Energy Bar in case I go longer than anticipated 
5. Medical ID card or bracelet
• Free Emergency Medical ID Wallet Card Here

Some items that I am thinking about getting however not really sure....

1. Swiss Army Pocket Knife?? 
• Maybe come in handy. I've also heard that someone protected himself against a mountain lion attack with his pocket knife, yet going up against a mountain lion with a tiny knife is a feat in itself...
2. Pepper spray or some other sort of protection
• Honestly, I'm not a big fan of this and think I would carry this if I was more of an urban runner

Any other suggestions? Or is this overkill?

Spending Fast...and Now that I'm Spending AGAIN

Since my Spending Fast, I've had some expenses for school that I have needed to take care of (i.e. immunizations, shoes and upgrading my software on my personal computer); nevertheless, I have been exercising more and enjoying the great weather outside. I couldn't help but wander through REI and look at all the cool, efficient gadgets that are lighter, better, faster than what I have from my Wally world (Wal-mart) equipment. My head was spinning with excitement and the desire for wanting to upgrade.

Unfortunately, here's what I realized with "allowing" myself to spend again:

I feel like I don't have enough...

while on my Fast, I felt like I had everything that which I needed, I just needed to get creative and maybe re-purpose something.

You would think that I would have the opposite feeling of, "I have money and I can provide for myself." So why would I feel the lack? The act of having to go out and get something screamed to me that "I don't have it" and I'm missing it. Instead of, "You already have it. Get creative and make it work."

The only thing that I have felt a little guilty on, which thankful for my mother she changed my perspective, has been buying new trailing running shoes and a hydration pack (both bought on clearance). I tried to make my husband's hydration pack work for me; however, it only held a bladder, leaving me with no where to put house my keys, phone, and maybe an energy bar. And my hiking shoes are heavy while my running shoes.....well, you can see the white inner sole showing through the black outer sole that hits the pavement. I told my mother about this and her response to me was, "Valerie, it's your health and wrecking your knees is not worth it to save some cash." Well said!!!

As for the hydration pack, I did look on Craigslist (I would have changed the bladder/mouthpiece, etc.) but the piece was almost the same. I also spoke with my husband last night who has ran many marathons and leads PT (physical training) for his crew and told him about how I got light headed, vertigo and run was pounding while running yesterday. I never crave sports drinks and this time I did. He confirmed that I was dehydrated so the pack was a good thing to get. I HATE carrying junk while running and having the weight bounce against my back or hips. This is my first time using a pack so I will post a review on the Nathan HPL #020 (I got mine at REI for their 2012 close-out deal = over 25% less than Amazon.com). I've tried running with water bottles, and not to say that it can be done; however, running for 1-2 hours or hiking 2+hrs......it's nice to have something more comfortable. I also like the idea of having my hands free in case I slip and need to catch myself.

Conclusion:

1. "Needing" to go buy less gives you the sensation and satisfaction that you have everything that you need.
2. And your health is worth it! Don't sacrifice treating your body like a temple. This physical body is what moves your through this world.

P.S. I just watched a lecture by Scott Jurek (ultramarathon runner and fruitarian) on his tips for saving money on gear:

• Buy on sale and stock up
• If you are a women's 8 (shoe size) then you are a men's 6 --- see if the men's version works for you. Because the shoe size is so much smaller than what normal men go for, there may be a chance that there is overstock = save money
• Use what works for you - if you are not racing, throw on a t-shirt and shorts and get out there.

Creamy Pesto Zucchini Pasta

In trying something new as I was starving when got home from school, I grabbed my Raw Food Made Easy for  1 or 2 People cookbook and started searching for a recipe I could make with the ingredients I had.

I tailored the recipe as I don't have a vegetable slicer nor fresh basil leaves for I just used the following:
- zucchini
- potatoes peeler
- an avocado
- pesto (already made in a jar)

In one bowl, since I don't want to dirty up more bowls than I have to, I mashed up the entire avocado and dropped in a spoonful of pesto. Stirred it all up and then started peeling my zucchini to make the ribbons of "linguine." I did this start into the bowl as well. Lastly, I stirred up the whole bowl missing the avocado sauce to cover my linguine and voilà!! Finished and I can eat right away.

  

 

Spending Fast FINISHED: Conclusions and Lessons Learned

So in retrospect of my Spending Fast, here are some conclusions that I have come to

Wants:	Reality:
Eating out/happy hours 1x/week - more of bummer as I was pretty frugal when I did go out = normally spending $10	Hard - I make this sound like I'm a socialite but I'm not. As long as I keep my "mad money" to $10/week (not per event)…..for any and all Happy Hours, lunches, coffee, etc. I think I'm good. This was also harder to plan for if I didn't pack enough lunch or I was running errands and they took longer than anticipated.
Gifts - will be recycling, re-gifting or making all gifts	Medium to Hard - This one wasn't so bad as I have a lot of crafts and got creative however….don't give junk to people. If the person can't really use it, a $10 gift card along with a nice card is much better. I say something is better than nothing, even it's offering to wash and detail someone's car. I hate washing my car so I would love this one.
Haircuts	Easy - besides my bangs which I've been watching YouTube videos on how to do this myself in the future, my hair is long enough to put up or down. I have also been looking at Pinterest for more updo's so when I am do for cut, I can hide it.
Clothes	Medium - I actually found myself purging clothes than wanting more during this Fast. It made me take a look at what I have, what I actually wear and what I have worn in a LONG time. See post for revamping wardrobe and getting creative
New hobbies or crafts	HARD - this was hard for as me I constantly get coupons for Michaels and Jo-Anns however I have so much in boxes already…..I have to contain myself and see what can I repurpose.
Groupons or Living Social Deals	Easy - delete the app and just remind yourself of the goal
Specialty Coffees at Coffee Shops	Easy - I got treated to coffees by nice friends however I won't abuse this and honestly will return the favor, with coffee in the future. I like good coffee yet having a to go cup from home is fine with me.
Contact Lenses	Easy - this was the easiest as I like my glasses = which is KEY!!!

Lessons:

1. Put your needs before others, if you really want to achieve your goal.
• This is a hard one for me; however, if you put other people first, then you always put second or last. And what does say about the value you put on your time, energy, money, etc.? It is of value also. And if something is of importance to you, share this with your loved ones so if you miss out of something, they know that you are working towards your goal and when you can, you will be there.
2. This Spending Fast is NOT about "just getting by in life."
• Don't be so cheap or frugal to the point that you feel like you are existing to achieve your goals.  Here are some suggestions to still have fun:
• Organize a picnic in the park
• Scout out new restaurants that may have a cheap happy hour
• Offer to clean the yoga studio in return for taking a free class
• Go for walk with someone instead of eating/drinking
• Do a hobby or craft with a friend

I'll write a whole page on this later as I came up with a lot of small things to do.

3. When there is something that really want or need and a possibility of it running out, BUY IT and YOU CAN ALWAYS RETURN IT LATER!!
• I waited on purchasing material for a quilt for a baby shower as I'm doing this Spending Fast; however, the fabric is now discontinued and I can't find anywhere, not even online. So lesson is: If there is something that heart is really set on and you know it's perfect for what you want or want to achieve (in this case, I KNEW my friend would have loved it for her lil one) = Go For It!! Get rid of the guilt of spending and take advantage of the opportunity.
• I once had a girlfriend tell me, "If it's exactly what you want, then it's worth it." So far, I have not felt guilty purchasing something more costly when it was EXACTLY what I was searching for. (OK, in the beginning I did; however, I got over it and learned to enjoy my decision as some things are worth it.)
4. Take advantage of coupons, reward points, timing, and COMBINING them together!!
• For instance, I had an ULTA reward point that I had to use before the end of the month. I know that I was on my Spending Fast however missing out on the fabric, I was not going to make the same mistake twice. Also, my friend gave me a $5 off coupon and my mascara was on sale for "buy 1 get one 50% off" along with getting a cosmetic bag. When I got to the register, not only did I get my hair accessory (as I only had Category 1 of reward ULTA points) = got for $2 after using the reward points; got 2 of my mascaras and then used  the $5 off coupon; still received the cosmetic bag, yet I also received a free Moroccan Oil bottle for being a loyal customer for coming in the week since it was Memorial Weekend. All in all, I spent $12 when I should have spent more than $25.
5. If you are going to buy something, be smart and get some cashback $$ for it if you don't have reward points and timing is not of the essence.
• I signed up for ebates.com where they pay you for shopping online at 1,600+ websites. First, you log onto the site, then find the online store that you want to shop at, a tracking code is issued to you for that shopping experience and when you check out, you get a certain percentage of cashback reward dollars. Also the site tell you which promotions and coupon codes are going on at the store prior to finishing your purchase.

I got 3% cashback at Burt's Bees = $0.91 along with a $10 Wal-Mart gift card for making my first $25 purchase within the first 90 days of signing up. And on top of this this, I used my Discover card which I get cashback dollars with them as well just for using my credit card to purchase the items.
So I get cashback on the front and back ends of the purchase.

• By the way, make sure that your address is filled out in your account information in order for Ebates.com to send you a check. A check is not sent until you have $5 accumulated in cashback dollars.
• You can also have your Paypal account credited or donate to a charity, if that works better for you. 
• And for the gift card, you can also choose between Targets, Wal-Mart and a couple of other major department stores. I just choose Wal-Mart as I can buy food and it's in my local area.
• NOTE: Discover card has their own shop online version however they don't have as many vendors as ebates. Any cashback dollars I get from Discover, I use on Amazon as you don't have to have a certain dollars to hit prior to being able to use it. It could be $0.01 and you can use it. Also search on Bing and receive points towards an Amazon gift card, too.