Spooky Season is almost here! The weather almost feels like fall, even here in the swamp. Bring on the autumn! I’m ready.

Money

I bought a lot of stuff in September, though nothing outside my current low-buy rules.

I only spent $6.00 on my regular sewing subscription and nothing on clothing. But I bought a collectible ouija board (LOL), some notebooks, some random supplies, a 2026 planner, a bookmark, and some make-up and hair gel. I also bought several secondhand DVDs, an MP3 album, and an online course. Nothing super expensive! Just more random stuff than I usually buy.

I spent $102.97 on books and audiobooks, which isn’t terrible for me.

I spent way less on groceries than I often do, so that probably means next month’s spending will be much closer to (or possibly over) our budget. I do tend to stock up the pantry and freezer, work through the stored food, then start the cycle again. I guess I’m more aware of it now that I’m paying closer attention. (I did waste less food in September, though if I want to improve further, I’ll probably need to devise a system to track it.)

Writing

I wrote my monthly short story, sent a series of newsletters for Secondhand September, and finished most of my Spooky Season drafts. I’m ready for my annual October extraveganza!

Goals

I listed six goals for September. (Some of my 2025 goals will change from month to month, and some will remain the same.)

Writing
+ Write short story
+ Send newsletter at least twice

Yes to both! I sent the newsletter three times, in fact.

Household
+ Replace bathroom faucet
+ Try one new recipe

I didn’t manage either of these. Maybe next month.

Money
+ Complete entire first section of certification training

I did it! I took a couple of days off work and just ploughed through the remaining material in the first section. There’s good news and bad news here. The good news is that I’m over halfway finished with the online training. The bad news is that I will probably never really work in this field. I plan to complete the certification, but I’ve realized that I’m just not going to be comfortable doing this work. I don’t regret the training. These skills are useful, and it’s possible I will be able to use them in some capacity — just not as a full-time career. It’s better to know that now — and way better than paying for a 4-year degree before having the same realization.

Personal
+ Sew one garment

I thought I had done this, then I realized I hadn’t. Whoops.

Goals for October

Writing
+ Write short story
+ Spooky Season newsletters

Household
+ Replace bathroom faucet
+ Try one new recipe

Money
+ Complete YTD work for an occasional client’s two businesses

Personal
+ Finish holiday gift list, so I know what to shop for in November

Everything Else

• I felt pretty busy this month, but to be honest, it was fairly boring. Boring is better than crisis mode, though.
• I read (or listened to) 12 books in September. I wrote more than usual, and my writing time had to come from somewhere, and it seems like reading time took the hit.
• What did I even watch this month? The only thing I remember is that I re-watched “The Lost Boys” just to look at the clothes. Oh! And I’m still on my PBS kick. I watched all the episodes of “Nova” from the last season that interested me.

And that was September.