Growing Up?

I've been meticulously budgeting every last cent to my name since April of this year. I'm not quite sure when it started but somewhere along the end of March, it clicked. I can't be reckless or frivolous with my hard-earned money anymore. No more, "Oh, it's okay to put it on the credit card. I'll take care of it next month." Yeah... I'm still working on that 'next month' part from a good 6 years ago.

It's called, "living within your means." I randomly stumbled upon one of Dave Ramsey's books in March (the initial cause for said 'clicking' aforementioned). Next thing you know, I've b-school nerded out with spreadsheets out the wazoo, envelopes with a fixed amount of cash for pretty much all purchases, and after the mandatory trial and error period, I have to say... I am so proud of myself.

I've already paid for Brett's wedding band in full. I've cut my credit card bill in HALF (that is no small feat, I assure you). I've gotten our joint debt plan rolling now and I feel really confident that we're going to knock the crap out of it and be debt free MUCH sooner than most young couples our age. Yup... pretty proud of us, I'm not going to lie.

All that said, I've been saving for wedding odds and ends along the way and tonight, I made a purchase. I bought the garter set. Okay, I'll admit... I had no intention of buying a garter at all, let alone a set. (I mean, seriously... I don't do lace. I don't do gaudy lace. And I certainly don't do dingy gaudy lace). But... after spending way too much time on Etsy.com today, I came across a very TCU-esque set that I eventually talked myself into buying (after having checked the budget... three times). Alas, I give you the garter set:

Picture courtesy of PetereneDesign.Etsy.com

So... what do you think? Not bad, right? It's sans lace, which is always a plus in my book. No crazy feathers or polka dots or ribbons randomly strewn about. Simple, TCU-ish and within my budget. I win.