We've been doing our premarital counseling with our pastor's wife (who is also a pastor) before the family moves to Romania (ROMANIA, those crazies). No big surprises- according to the matchy test, we're the greatest couple on the face of this earth, compatible in every way possible and we'll be married for 10 million years. We're still doing the exercises and talking through all the big issues- religion, children, money. Even Tiger Woods practices his swing now and again.

We did money last week- for one of the exercises, we each took a survey that helped us determine how we view money. There were 4 categories- money as status, security, enjoyment and control. Guess which one yours truly scored "very high" on? You guessed it- enjoyment. I think I've been thinking of money that way lately particularly because I have so little for pure enjoyment these days. I miss buying things. It scares me how much I miss buying things. I haven't had to cut back on any of my fixed expenses while unemployed because I keep my fixed expenses trimmed so tightly already. Why? So that after I save, I always have extra money for fun things. I don't have cable, I don't even own a TV (who needs to these days? Everyone I want to watch is online- holla, "16 and Pregnant"). I'd rather spend that money on new clothes or lip gloss or stuff for my wedding. And now I can't.

I think it's been good for me, actually- to have a break for being able to buy any little piece of crap that I want. A reminder that there is more to life than just buying things. Plus, it'll keep me from going crazy on wedding spending. I am going to stick to our budget if it KILLS ME. I don't even care if the wedding sucks- for some reason, I am thinking of the wedding the same way I think of New Year's Eve; the hoopla will probably be disappointing, but the important stuff will happen and that's all that matters. And then we honeymoon! I'm sticking to the wedding budget come hell or high water, but I'm hoping we'll have the funds to have a TOTALLY KICK BUTT honeymoon. Bora Bora, anyone?