I'm finally going to enter my first art show in two weeks with the hopes of winning first prize, which is $1,000 or $500. I can't remember and I don't have the entry form in front of me.

Sadly, one of the reasons I'm entering the show is because it's free. Am I that cheap that I have never entered a show because of an entry fee? That's kind of sad.

Anyhoo, in addition to entering the show, artists can also sell their prints. I have my square card reader ready to take accept credit card payment.

Tomorrow I'll go to Jerry's Art and buy some frames, a few mats and plastic archival sleeves.

This expense wasn't in the budget, so I'm not saving too much with this paycheck. Hopefully I will win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place and sell a few prints.

Should be interesting and fun!

photo credit: iamarunner

I decided to give the "no spending money" idea a try and guess what, I'm lovin' it!

I purposely left my cash and debit card at home so I wouldn't be tempted to spend. Fortunately I work 15 minutes away from home.

What were the benefits for me?

1. It has taken away the desire to unnecessarily spend money.

2. I'm forced to eat breakfast at home and bring my lunch to work.

3. I'm saving money.

4. Relieves peer pressure from coworkers to go out for drinks or lunch. They know I'm not spending money.

I don't normally spend a lot of money during the week, but $2.00 for breakfast, snacks from the vending machine and 2-3 dollars a day for lunch adds up.

Sometimes knowing I have money burns a hole in my pocket. I now feel like I can carry it and not give in to wanting something just because I have the money to pay for it. Do I really need it. With a little planning, the chances are no.

I need to spend money tomorrow and Saturday, but come Sunday I'm going to start up again and see how long I can go before I need to spend money.

photo credit: iamarunner

Good question. Why are we buying things we can't afford in search of happiness we can't buy?

Yesterday I had an itchy finger to buy camera equipment that I really don't need, but wanted because the features are better than my current cameras.

I have three cameras (just sold two) I rotate based on what I'm photographing, so I can get by even if neither of them have the two features on one camera that I want and will need.

Eventually I talked myself out of it saying what I have is good enough.

I'm not sure if I'm trying to buy happiness this time, I would pay cash for it, but I don't need it.

I do have a weakness for camera gear, it's called GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), and this is an area I must learn to control better. With everything else, I can be really cheap, but not when it comes to my equipment.

I no longer do weddings or portraits, but I was thinking about getting back into the portrait work to earn extra money on the side.

I suppose when that gets off the ground, then I will update my equipment. Until then I will have to sit on my hands, use what I have and stop looking at temptation.

I plan to read the above book while I'm on vacation next month. Maybe it will help calm me down a bit and stay focused.

What I have is good enough for now. Repeat.

photo credit: iamarunner