What is the Spoiled American Project?

I was sitting around one day, upset that I live paycheck to paycheck. There's really no reason for me to do this. I have enough money each month to live comfortably, but I got used to buying whatever I wanted. Of course, that was before divorce and the recession.

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The problem is, I keep spending as if I have the same amount of disposable income. Some months are fine. Some months, I use my credit card. Right now, I have around $1900 on my credit card. I also owe around $9000 on my car. But I'm sick of debt. I'm sick of spending money mindlessly. I'm sick of equating happiness with things.





So this is my project:

• All money from my primary source of income (VA disability and the post-911 GI bill) will only be used for essentials.
• If I want anything else, I must pay for it out of some sort of secondary income, i.e. a part time job, freelance writing, Swagbucks, uPromise, etc.

This is how I define essentials. I know it's going to seem extravagant, but I'm a spoiled American. I consider certain things necessary that really aren't required for my life to continue:

• Rent
• Anything associated with maintaining my automobile: I live in Arkansas and there is no way possible I can use the public transportation system here. It's not feasible at all. If I were in Seattle, D.C., or New York, I would use public transportation.
• Anything required for my education
• Any healthcare expenses
• Food: this is limited to food I can buy at the grocery store, excluding luxury items like gourmet cheeses, meat over $3/pound, single-serving packages, TV dinners and the like, and ready-to-eat foods.
• Household cleaning supplies that I actually use (and I know the ones I do use)
• Health and beauty items that I actually use. I don't wear perfume or cosmetics, and I don't dye my hair, so I don't count these at all.
• Clothing - but only IF I need to replace something I already have that is not fit to wear.

YOU can help me by cheering me up, giving me feedback, or using any of my referral links to make purchases or earn money yourself. If you want to join me, feel free. You can make changes as you deem necessary. I don't copyright ideas.