Hello world! Get ready to freeze.

So it begins. Nice to meet you.

I have to warn you that almost one month ago, I got married, went on a dream-like vacation to Antigua and then flew back to my new apartment alongside my new husband and carrying a great excitement towards a new career path. Things accomplished so far? We have a fabulous bedding set, a PS3 via which we conquered Season 7 of Entourage in two nights, hot new kitchen accessories and an upside down kitchen table waiting to be refurbished. To sum it up, we’re a train wreck with rich passengers. Lots to sift through, but no general solution.

It makes you wonder what the best way to start a new married life is… Should you have a plan and begin executing immediately? Should you bask in the unwrapping of wedding presents, indulge in all of your new romance and just let things fall into place naturally? I’m somewhere in the middle of the two, my mentality fully in one and my spirit dedicated to the other.

So, we’re starting with a goal. I am officially on a spending freeze. YES MOM, it’s for real. Okay, I admit it wasn’t for real at first, simply a phrase I said to myself and others in hopes I would spend less and save more. It worked for the most part (gift cards are a blessing), but there’s still a hiccup in the fact that I have made five trips to Old Navy since we got home from the honeymoon trying to return a stash of unnecessary purchases, only to unload and reload every time. Finally, I made Mike (that’s the hubby) return the goods so I wouldn’t be tempted to analyze any updated inventory. I also have a new-found obsession with pajamas. This one is a little bit justified (don’t roll your eyes, Ann-Marie) in the fact that I had an overwhelming lingerie shower right before the wedding. And one thing you should know about me is that I LOVE lingerie. And clearly not just the sexy, sultry stuff. I love matching pajama sets, cute mini boxers, lacy cotton nighties and cover-your-tush nightshirts. Okay, this is about to be too much information, so back to the point… I can’t stop buying them with the excuse that I am “updating my pajama drawer now that I’m a married woman.” Those five trips to ON were matched by (probably more) trips to Victoria’s Secret where I cleaned out the clearance racks patting myself on the back for finding cheap Vicky brand comfies that would no doubt please my Mister.

It’s out of control. OUT OF CONTROL. I don’t even know where it comes from, but I can tell you that the following things make me feel like shopping: boredom, free time, stress, tiredness, good moods, bad moods, hunger, the need to walk, errands, meetings near shopping centers, special occasions, trips and the mornings where I feel like I have nothing to wear.

So, back to the idea of a spending freeze. Mike has no problem saying no to drinks, dinner and gonna-cost-you fellowship. So there, I have his support. My mother is quick to give me the (as only a maternal figure can do), “eh eh eh…” or the “jennnn, you can’t do that,” so I know I have her voice in the back of my head on my side. And, there’s always the case of my bank account. Inevitably, there comes a point where I actually cannot do any more shopping because there isn’t anything to buy it with.

Ok, so parameters. I’ve been telling people this during my fake spending freeze, so I might as well bloggingly tie myself to it–I have to pay off my debt before the freeze gets lifted.

Things that fall into the cheating category? Clothes that are worn in the daytime or nighttime. Swimsuits. Beach Accessories. (can you tell what I am feeling guilty about?) New Books. New kitchen gadgets. Make-up. Concerts (except 311 because we’ve already agreed to that one). Race registrations (I have til July to pay for Miami). Furniture or any other home decor.

I also reserve the right to add to this list.

Exceptions? Gift cards and if someone else buys it for me. Birthdays. Rare opportunities that you should take advantage of despite any crazy life projects you’ve set for yourself.

Okay! It starts now. Stay tuned.