Dealing With Set-Backs

**autumnlynn** · 03-05-2007, 02:13 PM

How do you all deal with set-backs in your financial plans. I had all my plans set for this year to be debt-free except for the mortgage by sometime this summer. Now I've had three hospital admissions and the medical bills will set my plans back. I am very thankful for insurance and know things could be a lot worse. It's just that I feel discouraged, and I've been beating myself up over this. Trying to keep a positive attitude, but I just want these bills paid and to start saving for me and my family.

When your plans get side-tracked, how do you keep motivated and positive?

**Darlene** · 03-05-2007, 02:32 PM

Big hug Autumn. The swelling going down & pain lessening? I sure hope so. Most important thing is keeping you healthy, getting back on track $$ wise comes second or third or fourth...
I guess what helps me through the tough times is to remember where I've been and how even when things were really bad there was a light at the end of the tunnel & things would & did get better. They do, they always do.

**tigo** · 03-05-2007, 03:09 PM

I know what you mean about set-backs. I think the biggest thing that has helped me was sitting down and making a plan to deal with it and putting it on paper. The truth is you can change the plan but for me it feels like I have a small bit of control with an idea where I am headed. We are looking at several dental bills (including both kids getting wisdom teeth out) this month as I am trying to get everything done while they are still on soon-to-b-ex's insurance. I had planned to pay of debt with the income tax refund but as soon as the dentist pointed out what they needed done, that became a dental fund.

**autumnlynn** · 03-05-2007, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Darlene

Big hug Autumn. The swelling going down & pain lessening? I sure hope so.

Thanks for the hug. I sure can use a big hug!! No, unfortunately the swelling has not gone down. The pain is better since the doctor prescribed Vicodin, but it still wakes me up. I go back to the doctor tomorrow and have more blood work. I'll keep you posted.

If anyone notices swelling in one leg, be sure and see your doctor immediately. I didn't realize how much pain and swelling was involved in a DVT; especially one that is in the thigh. I still can't bend my ankle and knee very much. I don't mean to sound preachy, but if one person can be spared this pain, I will be happy.

**mom2three** · 03-05-2007, 03:52 PM

I just start again. With all the tips here, it doesn't take as long the second, third, or fourth time.

**kaykwilts** · 03-05-2007, 03:56 PM

You just keep on keeping on. Pick yourself up and start where you are. Don't get discouraged by things in the past you have no control over. This is why an emergency fund is so important.

**Marie78** · 03-05-2007, 05:16 PM

I hope you start to feel better soon Autumn. I can't imagine being in that kind of constant pain. Set backs in my financial plans are difficult. I try to keep going, I made a decision two years ago to get out of debt and I keep trying. The set backs get me down and then I have to do what I can to get myself into a positive frame of mind and try again at life and at tackling the debt.

I am realizing that even though I made a great plan to free myself financially, life likes to get in the way. I think it's one of the lessons I need to learn, I need to keep getting back up and trying. I am trying to go with the flow of life and do all I can on my end now. That's where frugal village comes in and lends a hand. I find such strength to continue eating meals at home, I feel empowered not to spend money just to spend it. I wait months or longer now to buy anything I "want." I have faith that things will get better, even on my worst days I try to hold onto hope and faith.

**claimsgirl66** · 03-05-2007, 05:56 PM

I agree putting a new plan in writing will make you feel better. Things may not be going as originally planned ( do they ever!),but putting in writing an amended budget or savings plan, at least you will feel better. Usually works for me. When I have had things go astray on me, I take a deep breath, write out a new budget, and realize OK, I have a plan, I can deal with this and 6 months from now ( or whatever time frame it works out to be) I will be back on track. It will make you feel a little more in control of things! Chin up and best wishes.

**Telephus44** · 03-05-2007, 07:55 PM

I realize that not everyone can do the same, but I always remind myself how young I am, and that I have the whole rest of my life to achieve my financial goals. I REALLY want a house, but we keep hitting up the "down payment on a house" fund for other things - like tax money we're going to owe. So it seems like we have to start over all the time. I just think to myself that while I may buy a house before I'm 30, I will definetly buy one before I die!!

**cara-lynne** · 03-05-2007, 09:56 PM

autumn, if I may ask, what happened to you? it sounds terrible. best of luck to you.

**Michelle68** · 03-05-2007, 10:57 PM

Big hugs to you, Autumnlynn

, and take care of yourself. Try not to worry, things WILL get better. As someone else advised, it always helps me ,even just a little, to make a plan. Then I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

--Michelle

**pammy** · 03-05-2007, 11:37 PM

Wow, big big ((((hugs)))). I didn't realize you are going through this and feel such sympathy. We've had some DVT's in our family, I know how debilitating they can be. Hang in there!!

Then only encouragement I can give you is that now you know this plan you're on works, it's worked for you already, so when this passes and you're healthy again just know that, yes, this was a setback, but you can get through it. Why? Cause you already have. You know how to overcome these things, you've done it already with what you've accomplished already.

My thoughts are with you while you get better, hopefully soon!!!

**autumnlynn** · 03-06-2007, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by cara-lynne

autumn, if I may ask, what happened to you? it sounds terrible. best of luck to you.

I was in the hospital in January two times with my asthma and pneumonia. I was released from the hospital and about a week later I woke up with swelling in my left leg. My doctor thought at first that it could be from the steroids I had taken and was still taking. It stayed the same for about three days and then on SuperBowl Sunday I woke up and my leg was terribly swollen. I had to go to the ER. I had a contrast CT to make sure there were no clots in my chest or lungs. Then I had a Doppler test and they found the clot in the thigh. My doctor said it could have been from all the inactivity because I was in the hospital 13 days and then 5, I think. He isn't sure what caused it. It has really been painful because of so much swelling and I am pretty small (115 pounds) and the doctor says this causes the pain to be worse because my leg is stretched so much. I didn't really think this could happen to a young person, but believe me, it can! I go to the doctor in the morning and I will post an update.

**miss_thrifty** · 03-06-2007, 10:55 AM

hhuuugggssss Autumn lynn!!!!!

**Edna_E** · 03-06-2007, 12:11 PM

Thank you for this post, and to those of you who responded. I have been in a similar situation, but had not quite waked up to it. This has spurred me to make a new plan, and quit mourning the old one. I started a new job, with a new home, and a new plan on April 17th. I was sent to the ER twice in my first month at work - once was a severe allergic reaction with anaphylactic shock, and the second was never identified but mid-conversation my BP dropped severely and I turned grey. They never figured out why, but I nearly died, and spent most of last summer being scared to do anything - scared to be alone, scared to drive anywhere, scared to exert myself at all, etc. I have recovered from the fear, but had not moved on from my dissapointment about my derailed plans. So, time to move on for me. Thanks for the motivation! I'll make a budget and plan a garden tonight after work! It's a start.