My Weakness. . .How I plan to eliminate it. . .maybe!

So when it comes to whatever lifestyle we choose to live, we inevitably have our down falls, pitfalls,  or weaknesses. For those wanting to eat healthy they might have that certain food that they fail to resist. Those wanting to live a life of positive thoughts seem to have the one vice that brings them down to negative thoughts. For those who wish to not judge others, might have that one person they struggle with.

I wish to live a life of simplicity, minimalism, and to consume as little as possible. I can pass garage sales w/out thought, go into a Salvation Army and walk out with only items of great need, go into a Wal-Mart and only buy necessities like food and TP. I am no longer tempted by ebay, Amazon, or other online shopping. Commercials no longer entice me. I have no sentimental attachments to "things", and have NO problem discarding unwanted and unneeded items. It brings me great joy and peace to see empty spaces. Yep, I've come a long way. . .


So, what is my weakness?. . .HALLOWEEN!!!

I love EVERYTHING Halloween!!! I love the cute as well as the scary, decorations and costumes, animated specials and horror movies, carmel apples and candy corn, grave yards and haunted houses, spider webs and witches, dry ice and fog machines, passing out candy and dressing up the kids, parties and carving pumpkins, telling scary stories and BOO-ing the neighbors, trunker treating and trick or treating!  I love it all! It is one of the reason Fall is my favorite season. When I drive by the Halloween City stores or see Halloween decorations in the store a sense of joy permeates through me. Emotions and feelings take over my common sense. I want to buy it all, make it, all, and decorate every square foot! A begin making a list of the the 31 things I want to do with the family to do a 31 day countdown to Halloween. I begin to plan costumes and decorations before October even comes. Our Halloween budget was once bigger then our Christmas budget!

How do you downsize such a passion when trying to live a frugal minimalist lifestyle? I don't completely. I have downsized a lot of my budget, keep decorations to use next year (I used to do a different theme each year), and don't decorate inside anymore unless it's a craft the kids make (that I throw out each year).

I don't downsize the type of candy I buy for trick or treaters, I haven't eliminated my outside decorations, and have not stopped having the party we throw each year. Some things I will just have to keep the same. How do I justify this? Because we ARE the Adams Family! Seriously, this is what our family loves. We love this holiday and to change it too much would take away a very fun family tradition.

I am not saying that if you have an expensive family tradition that you should stick with it at all cost. Sit down as a family and discuss your expectations. Be open and honest with your kids on what the budget is. We still have deep rooted Halloween traditions, without a lot of cost. We shop used stores and come up with very creative costumes. We also do a lot of our shopping after Halloween for the next year (not for candy). We save a LOT doing it that way. We don't feel like shaving our budget has cut down on our traditions in any way! In fact, it has put a fun twist on it as we play on pinterest to find fun ways to make up our own decorations. Click here to see my Halloween board on Pinterest.

Traditions are a VERY important part of creating strong family bonds. However, traditions can still be accomplished on a budget, without over consuming, and while maintaining a simple life.

HaPpY HalLoWeEn!