Phase 1

I've been contemplating a lot lately how I can be more responsible.  Not a more responsible parent (my kids can have powdered donuts for breakfast and go out in winter without a hat ~ gasp!!), but just a more responsible person in general.  I guess the first thing was taking on the responsibility of homeschooling my children.  I spent many years and dollars learning how to educate children to the best of my ability (which is always a work in progress) so I've decided to be the primary educator for M1 this year.  Now to continue phase 1 of my becoming a responsible human being is to be a more responsible consumer.  I've been looking a lot lately at how we as a society work too much, buy too much and throw away too much.  I want to be more aware of what I spend my money on (as I look around my house at all the "stuff") and really see the difference between needs and wants.  Needs vs. wants is actually a 2nd grade state standard so I'm learning right alongside M1 for this one!  The first (and hardest part) is getting over the mentality that I need to have all the stuff as those around me.  It's hard to get my mind around the fact that I don't have to be in style (like I ever have been), I don't have to have curtains on every window, pretty pillows on every couch, or a showplace of a house for my friends.  You know, my friends come over to see ME....not my house, anyway.  So, to continue with phase 1 I'm attemping to not buy anything outside of a NEED for 3 months.  I will buy groceries and toiletries, but hopefully, that's all.  No haircuts (I'll do them at home), school supplies, shoes, clothes or anything else that's a want.  We SHOULD have everything we need for school and we have a library card for curriculum that we might not have.  The hardest thing for me will be not buying Coke.  I'm sure I can pitch a fit and be horrible to live with be strong and responsible about not drinking Coke.  So, to continue phase 1 until mid-October....and if you see me out somewhere....will you buy me a Coke?