I have several horse categories: Board/Lessons, Horse Shows, Farrier, and Horse Supplies. Horse Supplies is a pretty broad category into which I throw anything that could be purchased at a tack store, so it contains everything from fly spray to breeches to tack to horse cookies.
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| Unrelated: Connor's Aunt Mary wearing something other than barn clothes last weekend, gasp! |
So that end of year review? In 2017, "horse supplies" was a massive number. Embarrassing, really. Four times what I spent on shows - and I did a lot of rated shows this year.
Now, I did buy a saddle this year, and the new trailer is included in Horse Supplies too. (One thing that is not included - the Equisense and BoT stuff I just bought, because they never hit Mint, being spiffs). But I still spent a ton of money, mostly one $50 SmartPak transaction at a time, on...stuff. And I hate stuff! I'm a ruthless declutterer.
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| A good purchase |
So all that said, I'd like to challenge myself to lower that "Horse Supplies" spending category in 2018. Specifically, I want to ask myself "Will we die without this?", or, more accurately, "Is this a medical/safety/horse health necessity?"
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| Another no-regrets 2017 purchase <3 |
I can't say "Horse Supplies" will be $0 this time next year because that's not how horses work, but I hope it's a fraction of what it was in 2017. Call it a one year detox.
Here's to looking in my tack room, my closet and my grooming bag and thinking "This is enough, and I'm happy."
This is a really great way of thinking and something I'll be adopting in 2018. 2017 involved a lot of purchasing of things I didn't or no longer owned, horse-wise, due to years off and change in discipline. That being said, I have everything I need to stay warm, cool and safe at this point. I have a saddle that fits the horse and me. My horse budget is going to be tight in 2018, so making sure I prioritize experiences and learning (ie. lessons) over things (ie. another pair of breeches) is going to be a big goal for me.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Yeah, the lessons vs. stuff thing gets super polarizing and that's not what I'm commenting on at all. I just personally feel like I was just throwing money around without thinking about it this year, on things like shirts and saddle pads and stuff I never cared about before, and I want to be more mindful about my purchases in 2018.
DeleteWell said...I'm on the same boat. I don't need more "stuff."
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough battle. I'll keep you accountable if you keep me accountable!
DeleteIt's hard to know when it's enough. :) I wish you luck.
ReplyDeleteAimee is going to tell me it's never enough, lol. I'm ready!
DeleteI love this. I'm more or less constantly on this bandwagon but really need to buckle down in 2018. I look forward to following your quest!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'd make some kind of blog hop out of it but I don't even know what that would look like. Hopefully we can all keep each other on track!
DeleteTo each their own. :-) I respect and admire this sentiment.
ReplyDeleteWe all have our own paths to follow! Lol.
DeleteI'm doing the same this year. I spent too much over the last couple of months. The ponies have everything they need. I don't need to buy anything else! I'm also going to try really hard to track my expenses this year so that I can be horrified every time I look at it to keep me on track.
ReplyDeleteMint really does make tracking it easy, give it a try if you haven't already. It links to your bank accounts so it pulls everything in automatically, then it auto-categorizes as well. I created "Horse Supplies" as a category, set RW and Smartpak as "Horse Supplies" and it auto-categorizes them from there on.
DeleteGreat attitude! I myself need to find ways to trim some of the fat created by extra income. I'm here rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely it! Lifestyle creep is real.
DeleteI'm a pretty big declutterer as well! I'm pretty good about not buying too much extra horse stuff I don't actually need (my schooling breeches, shoes, and gloves will go until they have holes in them before I get a new pair). I need to do better on the eating out category though, especially drinks add up at certain places!
ReplyDeleteOh man, same here. We live walking distance from every good restaurant in town, it's hard.
DeleteLike SB, I admire the sentiment and could use some of that in my life. I like stuff a lot, though, so it's kind of a problem.
ReplyDeleteYeah, definitely gotta balance those two out.
DeleteI really admire this. And I really should try to do the same. But I just really like stuff, especially pretty stuff. And Smartpak gets me every time...
ReplyDeleteSame. I think the first step is realizing that, so you're halfway there!
DeleteI am so on board with with this!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard but worth it!
DeleteSuch a great idea! I've been decluttering now, and it feels awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt really does!
Deleteugh i dont even track what I spend on Horse Supplies (LOL I bought a new saddle (or new to me) But i bet i spent more on horse supplies than that saddle) HA. I will be over here with my head in the sand, thanks!! Good luck! (I Need to declutter too (1 extra saddle, an extra bridle, boots and coats oh my) but have I posted them? NOPE. I think i might have a procrastination problem too :) I look forward to seeing how you do! :)
ReplyDeleteLol! That Used Horse Stuff site will send you a bag and list your stuff for you. Maybe try that? I'm going to do that too.
DeleteI know both sides of this so well! I try really hard not to buy anything I don't need, but sometimes "will make a really measurable improvement in my life" wins over "don't need"...
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a distinction I make too. I think that's the biggest difference between "need" when Nick was unemployed and "need" now. I will spend money on things that will really make a difference or things that will make the things I already own last longer, like preventative maintenance and covers and such.
DeleteI need to do this too -- it's so easy with a new horse to buy ALL THE THINGS. But the truth is, I have what I need.
ReplyDelete