Ugh...we did it again!!

[rachelMcK]

So we blew it again. This always happens. I had $460 saved for rent when we got paid and now there is only $263 left. I also had $330 saved for winter tires and car repairs...now we only have $58 left and none of it was spent on the car. I just have no idea how to make this work. When we get paid, I'm commited to changing our ways and then by the end of 2 weeks, we don't have any money left because we've blown it on ridiculous useless stuff. I don't know how to change. I'm ready to give up.

[lwlynch]

Don't give up, it isn't something that just happens over night. One of the things that helped me in the beginning was to put it where it was more difficult to access. Like a savings account across town, with no debit card. Just an idea. Maybe start writing down a budget. I use the money program that came with my computer and it is really handy with predictions and budgeting.
hang in there !!!!

[mommy4ever]

Giving up won't help. It'll just be worse. At least now you're aware of what is going on.

You're not alone in this. Lots of us struggle with not spending. It's a challenge, and one we need to be aware of.

Awareness is a HUGE step. Don't give up! Keep moving forward.

[Missy]

rachel, don't give up. It WILL only make it worse, i never looked at it like that, but she's right. just keep plugging away. slow and steady wins the race and all that.

[geckoace]

Don't give up, it gets better every month!!
I use an ING account to hold things i wont need for weeks because it takes a few days to get your money it gives me time to think.
Maybe instead of pulling 330 out of one check you could set up an automatic withdrawl of a small amount weekly that goes where you can't easily get to it. i used to have just $5 come out every wednesday i didn't miss it so i didn't touch it and in the end i could pay for a big item.

[Kitten20]

I have been there many times! Don't give up. As long as you are aware and are working on it, even if you slip up, you are still better off than if you just gave up completely. Mistakes happen! Don't beat yourself up over it. For things like the rent, would it be possible to pay in advance so that you don't have the money sitting around? If I have money tucked away that is meant for an upcoming bill, I just mentally subtract that amount from my head and *poof* as far as I am concerned, the money is gone. I know it is easier said than done and that method may not work for everybody, but you will find something that works for you.

[pammy]

Don't give up!!!

Getting it to work perfectly right away doesn't work, it takes time to work out the kinks. Hang in there!

I liked what a pp said, set up with ING to autowithdraw every payday for things like rent. Then a week before rent is due move it over to your checking (it takes a few days to get it moved, so give yourself plenty of time so you aren't late with rent) and then you'll have all of it. The beauty of it is it leaves your account every payday, you don't have a chance to spend it. I do this for many different things (repairs and maintenance, dd's tuition, savings for other things), it works very well. It's an idea, so if something else don't work you might try this. Or that. Don't give up!!!

[sdrjeolsen]

Don't give up, keep trying. What about paying your rent/bills as soon as you get paid. No sense in keepig the money around if you will just spend it. Get it to the right place asap if you need to for now. Over time you will be able to make it work, it takes practice and doing it again and again to get into the habit of realizing that you just can't spend the money if you want to be able to pay your bills. giving up wont help the situation at all....unless you give up the habit of spending it on other stuff. Hang in there we all do stuff at times that we shake our heads at and wonder what was I thinking, its very normal. It is good that you see your spending pattern, that puts you in a good spot.

[Dancing Lotus]

Been there done that. Still have relaps's. Hand in there and keep trying one day it will be easy.

[bumplett]

So we blew it again. This always happens. I had $460 saved for rent when we got paid and now there is only $263 left. I also had $330 saved for winter tires and car repairs...now we only have $58 left and none of it was spent on the car. I just have no idea how to make this work. When we get paid, I'm commited to changing our ways and then by the end of 2 weeks, we don't have any money left because we've blown it on ridiculous useless stuff. I don't know how to change. I'm ready to give up.

I'm curious - have you tried keeping track of what you are spending $$ on?

Write it down - then you can SEE where it's going - it may help you stop and think before you spend it.

It's ALL a matter of self control. You can DO it!!

[shoiji]

Don't give up! One thing that always helps me is to keep track of everything I am spending money on in a monthly spreadsheet. This makes me more aware of how much I am spending and where it is going. It might take a while to get used to but it is eye-opening. Just think of it as a game.

[nodmicks]

I agree with the ING suggestion. That really helps us alot! Don't give up!

[kittykatstrong]

I find it helps me to have no spend days. Days were I spend no money at all. Not bills, shopping, the muffin I just have to have. Nothing.

Katy

[Squirt]

Is this cash that you have, or is it in an account? I'm wondering how all of a sudden you realize that there is only so much left of each amount you saved.

Surely someone is consciously taking money from the money you've saved. Who is it? If this money is in cash, hide it from them. If it's in an account, at the very least watch your account online every day or two and pay attention to where your money is going. After you are sufficiently horrified, it's time to make a plan or a budget.

[starsapphire]

Don't beat yourself up, just vow to do better from now on. Lots of good ideas here, try them out and see what works best for you. I found out that if I have cash on me, I fritter it away with not much to show for it, and if I use plastic, I tend to spend more. So my money stays in the bank until I have specific purchases I need to make then I go to the ATM and get cash only in the amount I need for my purchases and go run my errands right away. Otherwise the money gets spent if it sits around in my wallet then I have to get more cash to buy what I really need and blow my budget.

What form of payment do you use when making purchases? If you're using plastic you might try leaving the plastic at home and go cash only. When something isn't working, you've got to try something different until you find something that works for you. Good luck, we've all been there