How do you keep "Murphy" from ruining your attitude?

**imagine** · 10-29-2010, 02:28 PM

Life happens, Murphy visits, how do you keep it from making you feel stalled on your debt reduction/ budget keeping attitude?

Debt reduction was off to a great start. Feeling like it was something that could be accomplished.

Today I received a small paycheck from a job I did a two month back.

Had great plans for it. Most likely, it was going to be extra on debt which was making me super happy or it was going to get a need (if the clearance sale and right item can me along at the same item).
Then I headed down stairs and find that the sewer backed up.

So...

I'm waiting on the plumber and the cost involved with that.

Trying hard to remember that it is great that I received the job paycheck today and that it will be easier to pay the plumber cash.

But how do you keep from feeling like Murphy is out to thrall you in your debt? How do you pick yourself up, dust your self off, and start back on the debt reduction plan after Murphy visits/ after life happens.

**CrazyCat** · 10-29-2010, 02:32 PM

Life happens....or I should say..."Murphy happens".

Dust yourself off..and start over and be thankful that you DO have the cash to pay the plumber.

It's a big joke at our house...we just start getting ahead...and the dryer dies....or the water softener dies...or the washer takes a dump.~it all has happened to us within the last 2 years.
so..we start over..and we're thankful that we COULD buy the new dryer and pay cash.

We just DO it. I mean..what's the alternative?? Quit?? I don't think so.

**LuLuBleen** · 10-29-2010, 03:03 PM

How do you pick yourself up, dust your self off, and start back on the debt reduction plan after Murphy visits/ after life happens.

I'd love to tell you that I just let Murphy's antics roll off me like water off a duck's back. But I'd be totally lying.

My first reaction to a financial setback is quick anger. I get over it pretty quickly, though, because I'm getting too old to get too upset over things I can't control.

After my tantrum, which I always pitch,

then I look at things with a calmer attitude and determine what I have to do.

It also helps that I'm a complete pessimist.

**frugalwarrior2** · 10-29-2010, 03:14 PM

We always joke about it. Like if we get a big check we say shhh don't talk about it in front of the car.

Mostly flip your perspective. Your lucky enough to have stuff to break. Thank goodness you had the check to cover it. If it's realllly pelting down i pray.

**Vanilla** · 10-29-2010, 03:24 PM

I feel your pain. Sorry about that.
Murphy always 'knows' who has a tiny bit extra funds, then he goes there.
Sometimes it is discouraging, but I just deal with his vists & work harder on the 'sinking' funds.

**Syn D** · 10-29-2010, 03:28 PM

Murphys been kicking our butt a lot lately, but I don't stop trying...

We've had some blows lately that are really hurting us, but we'll take care of them and move on.. I might fret for a few hours, maybe the day, but then I let it go..

We have an unexpected $78 coming out of hubbys check a month for the next 5 months of 6 months.. I was VERY

in the beginning, cos' it wasn't our fault and if the person that caused it was in front of me it wouldn't of went well, but can't do anything about it, so just move'n on..

**imagine** · 10-29-2010, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I feel your pain. Sorry about that.
Murphy always 'knows' who has a tiny bit extra funds, then he goes there.
Sometimes it is discouraging, but I just deal with his visits & work harder on the 'sinking' funds.

I'm still confused on what a "sinking fund" is?

**Momto5RN** · 10-29-2010, 03:32 PM

i go into my room alone -,maybe scream into my pillow-maybe hit my pillow and sometimes have a good cry in the shower - its amizng how a good 10 minute private pity party can renew you and get it all out of your system so you can get back on a positive thought track again .

**imagine** · 10-29-2010, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

We always joke about it. Like if we get a big check we say shhh don't talk about it in front of the car.

Mostly flip your perspective. Your lucky enough to have stuff to break. Thank goodness you had the check to cover it. If it's realllly pelting down i pray.

Love the joke idea and the pray when it pours.

We joke about that and warranties expiring. We still having told our truck now 10 years old that it's factory warranty is over. LOL

Although our tv knew and it was nice enough to break a few weeks before it's warranty was over so it became as good as new right after it expired. Good tv Good job!

**imagine** · 10-29-2010, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Momto5RN

i go into my room alone -,maybe scream into my pillow-maybe hit my pillow and sometimes have a good cry in the shower - its amizng how a good 10 minute private pity party can renew you and get it all out of your system so you can get back on a positive thought track again .

Our shower broke too a few days ago. LOL

It does a high pinched whistle that makes anyone want out fast and fixing it didn't fix it either it just started whistling a different tune. The children have asked it if it takes requests. LOL

**frugal is fun** · 10-29-2010, 03:36 PM

like others have said, be thankful that you do have the cash to pay the plumber and just keep on keeping on.

good luck, you can do it!

**imagine** · 10-29-2010, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by LuLuBleen

I'd love to tell you that I just let Murphy's antics roll off me like water off a duck's back. But I'd be totally lying.

My first reaction to a financial setback is quick anger. I get over it pretty quickly, though, because I'm getting too old to get too upset over things I can't control.

After my tantrum, which I always pitch,

then I look at things with a calmer attitude and determine what I have to do.

It also helps that I'm a complete pessimist.

I've decided that I will allow myself a poopy attitude/mood as long as my basement smells poopy.

Thanks for letting me know that Murphy doesn't roll off everyone's back like a duck's back.

**napswithkats** · 10-29-2010, 04:00 PM

Used to get angry and or cry when Murphy came to visit. Now we try to focus on "how can we fix this WITHOUT using the credit card?" lol

Never ever talk about "extra" money in front of your appliances! They can hear you! Right now my garage door opener and the 12 year old frig are fighting over who gets to break next! lol

**Vanilla** · 10-29-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

I'm still confused on what a "sinking fund" is?

My understanding of 'sinking fund' - monies for unexpected/unpredictable expenses, (usually is for repairs), those could 'sink' the 'budget ship'.

For instance, in the last 2 months, both of our cars has problems, one needed 4 new tires, then the other car has engine problem, costs more than we thought, we had to pull funds from another account to get them fixed. I was so mad, after a while, I said to myself: at least we paid cash (sinking fund) for those 2 incidents (we used to use credit cards to pay these types of bills).

I could be wrong in explaning 'sinking funds', somebody please correct me if I am wrong, appreciate it very much.

**imagine** · 10-29-2010, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Vanilla

My understanding of 'sinking fund' - monies for unexpected/unpredictable expenses, (usually is for repairs), those could 'sink' the 'budget ship'.

For instance, in the last 2 months, both of our cars has problems, one needed 4 new tires, then the other car has engine problem, costs more than we thought, we had to pull funds from another account to get them fixed. I was so mad, after a while, I said to myself: at least we paid cash (sinking fund) for those 2 incidents (we used to use credit cards to pay these types of bills).

I could be wrong in explaning 'sinking funds', somebody please correct me if I am wrong, appreciate it very much.

Is there a difference between sinking fund and emergency fund?