Pretty upset with myself.

**AnW819** · 09-24-2010, 06:54 PM

I am failing miserably at a budget these past two weeks!!!

Wayne and I paid $400 on the car today, and gave dads some money we owed him, and I had $70 buddgeted for groceries (2 weeks) and I totally failed on the groceries. I was just throwing stuff in the cart. Razor for DH, conditioner for me, and guess how much the bill was...$140 bucks!!!

I let myself go $70 over budget. I think now I should of told her to stop ringing it up...

DH said he is upset about it to, but I go above and beyond about being upset about it...but I am totally bothered by it.

I just wish one week I really stink to my budget totally ya know?

I really need to get an EF for those things that keep coming up every week that we did not budget for that are 'emergencies'...like this week. DH needed dress shoes for work (they said yesterday his are not approved), and 2 pair of black dress pants for work (which IMO that is an emergency because he needs those things to start work tonight...we thought they provided wardrobe but nope...) That $60 was totally not budgeted for.

I just can't even save for my EF because I am trying to catch up on bills! But now that DH starts his job (tonight!) hopefully soon!!!

**krbshappy71** · 09-24-2010, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by AnW819

I am failing miserably at a budget these past two weeks!!!

Wayne and I paid $400 on the car today, and gave dads some money we owed him, and I had $70 buddgeted for groceries (2 weeks) and I totally failed on the groceries. I was just throwing stuff in the cart. Razor for DH, conditioner for me, and guess how much the bill was...$140 bucks!!!

I let myself go $70 over budget. I think now I should of told her to stop ringing it up...

DH said he is upset about it to, but I go above and beyond about being upset about it...but I am totally bothered by it.

I just wish one week I really stink to my budget totally ya know?

I really need to get an EF for those things that keep coming up every week that we did not budget for that are 'emergencies'...like this week. DH needed dress shoes for work (they said yesterday his are not approved), and 2 pair of black dress pants for work (which IMO that is an emergency because he needs those things to start work tonight...we thought they provided wardrobe but nope...) That $60 was totally not budgeted for.

I just can't even save for my EF because I am trying to catch up on bills! But now that DH starts his job (tonight!) hopefully soon!!!

Sounds like next time you should do cash in an envelope. There's no going over, its not there so items get put back. Because you know you would have to put things back it is easier not to grab them in the first place, you know there's no wiggle room. I'm guessing you used a debit card or credit card which allows you to just ring it up anyhow.

I would highly suggest you consider cash only for next time.

**Greebo** · 09-24-2010, 07:19 PM

Stop taking the card. Take only the cash allowed for the purpose intended.

**Michelle68** · 09-24-2010, 07:28 PM

Aww, Ashley. It's sometimes tough to stick to a budget, but it is doable. One thing that helps to keep me on budget while grocery shopping is to make a list and, more importantly, STICK to it. In fact, I have a standard list made out and check off or add any unneeded or new items. I also bring a calculator and add as I put things in the basket. I know, I know...I probably look like a total dork

, but it really does help to keep me from overspending. Don't beat yourself up about this past week, just learn from it, fix your mistakes and move forward.

**Mom2-3** · 09-24-2010, 07:38 PM

Cash and a calculator! Works every time

Just estimate a little high on the fruit/veggies that you weigh. You will get better over time. DH and I come within $1.00 now!

Oh, and leave some money out for the quick run for milk, bread, etc when supplies get low before payday.

You can do it!

**stinkbug** · 09-24-2010, 07:38 PM

You could also look for your dh's dress pants at the thrift stores...

**AnW819** · 09-24-2010, 07:46 PM

Thanks all...

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

Sounds like next time you should do cash in an envelope. There's no going over, its not there so items get put back. Because you know you would have to put things back it is easier not to grab them in the first place, you know there's no wiggle room. I'm guessing you used a debit card or credit card which allows you to just ring it up anyhow.

I would highly suggest you consider cash only for next time.

We did use cash. I was just coming home from work and we had an hour to cash my check and go grocery shopping before DH had to leave for work. We had to go tonight because we had nothing...I have not used my debit card in a while. We just did not have time to put it in the envie, and I was just not paying attention or caring to pay attention I guess...

Originally Posted by stinkbug

You could also look for your dh's dress pants at the thrift stores...

I did not even want to waste my time. For normal clothes I <3 thrift stores, but for where DH works (casino), they are SO strict on the clothes its ridicules. Its all about appearance. No stains, no fading, must be pressed and have the press line, just perfect condition dress pants. In fact, they have dry cleaning there that they will do for him because they are so strict (of course, its not free!). But they will send you home if you do not meet up to those expectations.

So in this case, the thift store (which suck around here anyway) was a no go.

**Lady_V** · 09-24-2010, 07:55 PM

I shop at BJ's once a month for the bulk things (hba, meats, etc) but do the weekly pick-ups at the grocery store. It would be SO easy to add things to the cart when all I really REALLY needed was milk.

What works for me is... going to the Dollar Tree before going grocery shopping. The 'oh, I need these' items are a lot cheaper there than at the grocery store. Once I hit the grocery aisles, I got the 'gotta get-its' out of my system and can stay on target.

If you don't think you can do a cash only... get a gift card.They are usually rechargeable and once the money is gone, thats it...end of shopping trip and you aren't as likely to impulse shop. Then next payday put the budgeted amount on the card. If you have money left over from the last time, great! You can work on stockpiling.

**AnW819** · 09-24-2010, 08:28 PM

Great idea with the dollar store, because some of those I need things, were a loofa for the shower, a scrubby for the toilet, lysol wipes...I could of gotten those things at the dollar store...

Thanks for the tip

**krbshappy71** · 09-24-2010, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by AnW819

Thanks all...

We did use cash. I was just coming home from work and we had an hour to cash my check and go grocery shopping before DH had to leave for work. We had to go tonight because we had nothing...I have not used my debit card in a while. We just did not have time to put it in the envie, and I was just not paying attention or caring to pay attention I guess...

Ah, sorry to jump to a conclusion, I just know that's what happened to me when I used my debit card compared to when I only take my cash envelope. Having extra cash on-hand it is easy not to care, to "just this once" want to throw in that extra something. It sucks, I know. Especially when the rest of the time you guys are trying so hard to stick to the new ways. Hang in there. I guess my only other suggestion then would be to have left the extra money hidden in the car (making it more of a hassle to go out and get more if you went over budget) or taken that extra trip home to divvy it all up and then go get groceries. In the end, when its all said and done, tricks can be gotten around and its just us having to say no to ourselves. Not Easy!! (see my signature, I'm in a debt boat myself)

**Momto5RN** · 09-24-2010, 08:54 PM

i agree with take a calculator - you can get a decent sized one at $ store- if you go over what you have decide what you need the least ad put it back until you are at the $ you can use.

**hmcart** · 09-24-2010, 09:07 PM

easy to do...my dh starts a new job on tuesday and we are not sure what his pay schedule will be yet. Until then we are trying not to spend any extra money just to make sure we dont get in a jam. Once we do get back into a routine pay schedule we will be taking cash only to the store and no more than needed!

**AnW819** · 09-24-2010, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Momto5RN

i agree with take a calculator - you can get a decent sized one at $ store- if you go over what you have decide what you need the least ad put it back until you are at the $ you can use.

Yeah I got to start bringing one because I always think it will be so much less than what is it

**jantana** · 09-24-2010, 10:28 PM

I try and try to use a calculator, but it never fails I hit a wrong button and screw up everything I just added. For me, pen and paper. I don't care what people think when they see me, at least I know how much my bill is going to be when I get to the check out. I usually add on the same sheet my grocery list is on.

Hang in there.

**AnW819** · 09-24-2010, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by jantana

I try and try to use a calculator, but it never fails I hit a wrong button and screw up everything I just added. For me, pen and paper. I don't care what people think when they see me, at least I know how much my bill is going to be when I get to the check out. I usually add on the same sheet my grocery list is on.

Hang in there.

Ya know, I think thats why I stopped using a calc in the first place, I kept messing it up! LOL!