THIRD WEEK- things are getting easier 

Seems like adapting to not being 'credit card swipe happy' is going well, my brain muscles are adjusting to this new reality. It usually is said that it takes 3 weeks to form a habit, I have not yet formed the habits to spend wisely but they have adapted to 'spending cautiously'

I actually feel a lot calmer!
Sometimes you see kids that are totally out of control settle down when there is an authority figure that they respect are introduced into the picture. Guess my brain was the kid who was out of control - I am suspecting the reptile brain - overriding my prefrontal cortex or maybe bribing it with the promise of immediate 'feel good' hormones was taking over for its insatiable immediate gratification needs, leaving the responsible part to deal with the aftermath and suffer.
Knowing that I should not be buying everything that I 'think I should need'- being fed by the community and ads -   put a barrier between me and the multibillion dollar consumer economy.

Highlight of my week: A close friend of my father had an Acura about 15 years ago and my father was always picking on her saying that she should sell the car before it caused problems and she kept on saying that until it costs 300$/month to fix she will keep it. My father passed away 9 years ago but apparently the car was still rocking it as I saw her Facebook post on saying goodbye to it at 350k miles. She is my inspiration and I trust my wonderful Rav4 will perform that way, we are at 140k now! 

 Buying a new car sounds lovely the toxic wonderful new car smell, the ohh and ahhh's of friends and neighbors in the first month is dizzyingly satisfying but after that first month what you have left with are the monthly payments for years! No thank you I would rather pay that amount to other things that I truly enjoy as long as the car is in good shape and is safe.

Lowpoint of my week: Due to a series of unfortunate coincidences - leaving the car key on top of the car, my husband moving the car using the spare key and me then not realizing that it was the spare key driving away probably hurling the key that was on top of the car somewhere. I heard it is very expensive to get spare car key. Now I have to decide whether I should get one of not. On one hand if I lose, misplace  or lock the only key I have inside the car (this has happened) will be stuck somewhere which will cost me more in the end.

Next week I will take car to service and ask about replacing the duplicate key. Crossing fingers that it will be just a regular service and not something where the Service Advisor will need to sit down with a pitying face in front of me  carrying a bunch of papers.