Now that I've obtained a bigger basket, let's talk about about sacrifice.  Over forty dollars a week is now going into this work, and I'm definitely feeling the pinch.  I've got to think twice about choosing a slice of pizza over preparing a sandwich at home.   Not only isn't there as much money for little treats like that, I can't make shopping decisions on the fly like I did a few months ago.  If I need kitty litter, I can't just grab a bag when I'm in the neighborhood, because it costs as much as my weekly savings nut (I get the wheat-based litter, because trust me, clay may be cheap but it's far more costly to us all).  Instead, I must plan ahead, budget for cat litter, and watch for sales.

This is the toughest part of intentional spending for me -- planning ahead.  Letting go of the impulse, rather than acting upon it.  Looking to the future, instead of living in the moment.

Pagans are likely to think of sacrifice in terms of offerings.  In this case, the offering results in sacrifice, rather than the sacrifice being the offering.  If it doesn't hurt, you're not saving enough.

Any questions?

My week forty-one savings: $861, 4.8% ($41) of which I added today.