Feeling a little depressed tough times......

[Brownsuga77]

ahead and I have nobody to blame but myself. All my over spending and careless ways have gotten me here. I get paid tomorrow and after all the bills are paid, I have $60.00 for the next two weeks. Mind you I need to get some groceries from that. I am not posting this for any sympathy but rather just words of encouragement or even examples of how sticking to the bugdet and sacrifice pay off. It just seems like such a long road ahead.

I know I have to change my thinking and my ways and stick to my budget. I have a compulsive personality, so I don't always make the best choices, but I am trying and I wanna learn how not to waste my hard earned money so easily as I have done. I am going to be 33 in August with no savings and a bunch of debt and I know I have to change that! I know only I can change that! Any advice or stories of hope would be appreciated! Thanks FV.

[nodmicks]

Howdy!!!!! first you can do it! I highly suggest you read the success form on this board. It is very motivational. Also a trip to the library for few money and frugal living books is a great start. Mary Hunt and Dave Ramsey have terrific financial plans.Dh and I combined bits and pieces of both to pay off lots of debt. There are tons of books on frugal living.

Come post often as it really helps to keep you motivated! Best of luck!

[Greebo]

You need to come up with a spending allocation plan. If most of your bills are due in the first half of the month, then in the 2nd half when you get paid, you NEED to set money aside for the beginning of the following month.

I strongly would suggest that you look into taking "Financial Peace University" - a 13 week long class that will teach you how to budget, manage debt, invest, and much more. It's personal finance 101 - and should have been required in HS but isn't.

If you want to share more info we can also help you organize your spending.

[Brownsuga77]

Thanks for the helpful response. It's the first of the month and the rent is due!....$1450.00 to be exact. I really wish I could save enough on the middle of the month pay day, so I can have a some extra money on the first, so paying rent won't hit me so hard. I just started working back at my night job, that should help out a bunch, but won't see that paycheck until the 15th. Where do I find the finanical peace univeristy course! I really really need it! Thanks

You need to come up with a spending allocation plan. If most of your bills are due in the first half of the month, then in the 2nd half when you get paid, you NEED to set money aside for the beginning of the following month.

I strongly would suggest that you look into taking "Financial Peace University" - a 13 week long class that will teach you how to budget, manage debt, invest, and much more. It's personal finance 101 - and should have been required in HS but isn't.

If you want to share more info we can also help you organize your spending.

[Greebo]

Thanks for the helpful response. It's the first of the month and the rent is due!....$1450.00 to be exact. I really wish I could save enough on the middle of the month pay day, so I can have a some extra money on the first, so paying rent won't hit me so hard.

What's stopping you?

I just started working back at my night job, that should help out a bunch, but won't see that paycheck until the 15th. Where do I find the finanical peace univeristy course! I really really need it! Thanks

Financial Peace University - daveramsey.com

[Josephhgoins]

I understand exactly what you are going through. I have a compulsive and addictive personality!

I have had to learn all sorts of tricks to keep myself out of trouble. Sometimes, I leave the house with my license and a $20 and nothing else. Then I can only spend $20 no matter what. Before I buy anything big I make myself wait 24 hours. You would be amazed at how many things you can get away without, by doing this.

BTW, if you need some cash quick, remember Pawn shops are easy ways to get quick money and get rid of some items you may not need. If Pawning won't work for you how about selling your Plasma. A friend of mine and I were having dinenr the other night and she was telling about the one she works at. The first time you go it takes a little longer, but they pay $40 for it and then $35 for every visit afterwords. Hers allowed you to give up to 3 times a week! I thought that was good money to sit there with a needle in your arm.

I always call the weeks that I have no money my lean weeks. I am amazed as to how ingenius I can be during those times. Some of my favorite recipes and activities have been invented during those times.

Good Luck!

[Brownsuga77]

I believe the $20 and license is the best way for me to go! I always tell myself "what if there is an emergency?"....and I take my debit card and by the time I get home, I've spent way over my budget. thanks for the kind words!

I understand exactly what you are going through. I have a compulsive and addictive personality!

I have had to learn all sorts of tricks to keep myself out of trouble. Sometimes, I leave the house with my license and a $20 and nothing else. Then I can only spend $20 no matter what. Before I buy anything big I make myself wait 24 hours. You would be amazed at how many things you can get away without, by doing this.

BTW, if you need some cash quick, remember Pawn shops are easy ways to get quick money and get rid of some items you may not need. If Pawning won't work for you how about selling your Plasma. A friend of mine and I were having dinenr the other night and she was telling about the one she works at. The first time you go it takes a little longer, but they pay $40 for it and then $35 for every visit afterwords. Hers allowed you to give up to 3 times a week! I thought that was good money to sit there with a needle in your arm.

I always call the weeks that I have no money my lean weeks. I am amazed as to how ingenius I can be during those times. Some of my favorite recipes and activities have been invented during those times.

Good Luck!

[pollypurebred39]

Here's a link of thing to do in your area. None of the listings have prices, you'll have to call to see what ones are free, but since they are historic sites I imagine at least a few are free, and surely hiking or walking propery grounds are free. Grab a friend , pack a picnic lunch and go to one of these places. It will give you something free to entertain yourself.

Children & Kids - Things To Do - Westchester, NY

Check and see if you have any $3 movie theaters in your area



If you feel the I've just got to spend money urge here's some ideas:

*take a friend and go to McDonalds. Get yourself an ice cream cone, a pie or cookies and settle in for a nice chat with your friend.

*Grab a book and hit McDonalds for 69 cent coffee with free refills. Find a quiet corner and settle in for a nice afternoon.

*Take $5 and hit your local dollar store and buy whatever you want, guilt free.

*Hit Dennys for their $2 eggs and sausage gravy biscuits meal



How to reduce those impulse food buys:

*Bake yourself some muffins, cookies, cupcakes to take with you in the car/bus/train to snack on.

*Make up your own egg mcmuffins, waffles, pancakes, etc. to keep in the freezer for a quick grab and go/eat quick breakfast.

*take along a thermos of coffee, or iced tea with you to work, or wherever you go.

*Make up little snack bags of pretzels, popcorn, etc.

Pack a tote with these things and you always have something to munch on and have no excuse to stop and grab some wallet draining foods outside the home.


And Most Of All:

Frugality takes practice, don't beat yourself up for bumps in the road.

[Russ]

You can do this. Stay focused for the next month and check in every day so we can help and encourage you. That is what Frugal Village is all about.

Now mind you, this will take some work and you'll have to make hard choices, but once you get started it will become addicting. You'll soon be bragging how much you've saved, how much debt you have reduced and how much better you feel about it.

We believe you can do it!

[Brownsuga77]

thank you for the info!

Here's a link of thing to do in your area. None of the listings have prices, you'll have to call to see what ones are free, but since they are historic sites I imagine at least a few are free, and surely hiking or walking propery grounds are free. Grab a friend , pack a picnic lunch and go to one of these places. It will give you something free to entertain yourself.
Thanks for the link
Children & Kids - Things To Do - Westchester, NY[/url]

Check and see if you have any $3 movie theaters in your area



If you feel the I've just got to spend money urge here's some ideas:

*take a friend and go to McDonalds. Get yourself an ice cream cone, a pie or cookies and settle in for a nice chat with your friend.

*Grab a book and hit McDonalds for 69 cent coffee with free refills. Find a quiet corner and settle in for a nice afternoon.

*Take $5 and hit your local dollar store and buy whatever you want, guilt free.

*Hit Dennys for their $2 eggs and sausage gravy biscuits meal



How to reduce those impulse food buys:

*Bake yourself some muffins, cookies, cupcakes to take with you in the car/bus/train to snack on.

*Make up your own egg mcmuffins, waffles, pancakes, etc. to keep in the freezer for a quick grab and go/eat quick breakfast.

*take along a thermos of coffee, or iced tea with you to work, or wherever you go.

*Make up little snack bags of pretzels, popcorn, etc.

Pack a tote with these things and you always have something to munch on and have no excuse to stop and grab some wallet draining foods outside the home.


And Most Of All:

Frugality takes practice, don't beat yourself up for bumps in the road.

[Brownsuga77]

thank you soooo much, I will start checking in everyday. I really want to change my habits and begin living a healthier finanical life

You can do this. Stay focused for the next month and check in every day so we can help and encourage you. That is what Frugal Village is all about.

Now mind you, this will take some work and you'll have to make hard choices, but once you get started it will become addicting. You'll soon be bragging how much you've saved, how much debt you have reduced and how much better you feel about it.

We believe you can do it!

[Brownsuga77]

I've also am dealing with a lot of emotions........divorce pending, new (stressful) job, school and work, raising a 17 yr olds, so my way of escaping and feeling good is shopping. I need to learn delayed gratification.

[Imarachne]

This is the place to learn lots of tricks to save money and get your money straight. I am trying to do the same--so here's to us !!

[daughter of pearl]

Aw, hon, you are soooo in the right place!

Some tricks I use:

I use my bank card on payday to withdraw my budgetted cash. Then it goes in a drawer until the next payday. I usually carry between 10-20 dollars.

I try to split my food budget into groceries (buy now, eat now) and stockpile (buy now, probably eat in the next three - six months). This allows me to build wealth into the future, because I can count on a lower gtovery budget if I am relying on my stockpile. All stockpile items are bought on sale, with coupons, etc.

I carry food with me ALL THE TIME. One of the biggest impulse triggers for me is hunger, so I carry fruit or cheese cubes so that I don't get all "low blood sugar-ish" and wind up buying something out of poor judgement.

YOU CAN DO THIS...AND YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

[krbshappy71]

YOU CAN DO THIS!! You really can, and yes the road feels so long and far ahead so try to stay in the moment as much as you can. Don't think about how long it will take you to accomplish it, think about right now, this moment, what you can do.

STAY BUSY. Idle time is my worst enemy. I get restless and bored so I want my friends and dining again. But I wasn't truly happy when the bill arrived at the end of the night, you know? Try to stay busy as much as you can in the early times, so it can become more natural later not to spend as entertainment.

PLAN AHEAD. Figure out where your weaknesses are. Mine is eating out so I had to make sure that I didn't have excuses to eat out. (I'm great at excuses!) Mine is also pets, I'm not allowing myself to buy anything for my pets and not allowed to get a new pet for five years. (I'm on a five year plan to get out of my financial mess) Food, Vet, Love, that's it. That's all they get. They have enough toys, they have enough collars, leashes, and all the other things we want to give them. They don't need it, we give it 'cause we want to feel good giving it. They just want Food, Vet, Love.

You really can do this, welcome!