A confession of sorts ...

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-21-2008, 04:31 PM

You are all so wonderful and I feel tons better now and ready to get going again.

I did do a frugal thing today ... I went to Walmart this afternoon [yep - I blew my "No spend challenge" for the day.

]

But ... I first checked the price of my syrup and instead of the 24 oz. bottle at Quality which was up to $4.29, at Walmart it was still $1.98 so I bought 6 bottles of it.

Since I live alone and eating the same things over 'n over doesn't bother me as long as it's something I do like.

And ... since I am a sweets person [have to have 'em!

]

Well, if it get the urge to go 'n buy something sweet - now I have no excuse 'cuz I'll have pancakes and syrup which is sweet and is fine with me.

Also while there, I bought bags of beans [nearly every kind of beans they had with the exception of black beans and there is no way I could force myself to eat those. *lol*]

Also bought a box of rice and it looks like the price was up some from a month ago.

I don't or never have eaten rice a whole lot but I figure I could always put some in a pot of soup to help stretch it and also could do the spanish rice thing [minus the meat.]

All in all, I feel much better now.

As for tracking spending - I did do that for 2 months faithfully but never did go back and check it over at the end of those months.

Then in June I didn't bother to track everything - gonna get back to that starting July 1st and then actually look at the results at the end of the month.

Love,

Jen

**lukesmama** · 06-21-2008, 04:40 PM

I fell off big time, too. I think the reason is that, although I've always been frugal by nature, my DH and I got to the point where we felt like we were comfortable, saving *a little bit* each month, some months more or less, and we just felt like we were earning enough to where we didn't have to watch the pennies.

We have both been bitten by the frugal bug lately, though, and are trying to be better stewards of all we've been blessed with. We're recommitting to giving and saving first, and then discretionary spending will come after all that is taken care of. Sort of a "pay yourself first" approach.

We are just starting this, but we're really having fun thinking of new ways to save money! I finally have my DH on board with cutting back things like our grocery bill (always an issue for me).

Reading sites like this one and a couple good finance blogs are really helping me to stay in the frugal mindset.

I say, forgive yourself, dust yourself off, and start making goals.

**Mom23boys** · 06-21-2008, 06:43 PM

We all fall off that frugal bandwagon from time to time. There are days when I just want to go on a shopping spree. Reality of being presented with more debt usually sits in before I go overboard. So, believe me, you are not alone. Just jump back on the bandwagon and start over.

**peanut** · 06-21-2008, 07:30 PM

I make of list of things I want to do, and then get back on the frugal bandwagon to save for those! I think everyone has fallen off the frugal bandwagon at one point or another.

Jean

**Michelle** · 06-21-2008, 07:34 PM

I think just about everyone falls off the wagon to some degree at some point.

I get back on track by doing something small (eg stopping eating out if I've gotten in that habit or hanging all my laundry if I've been using the dryer). Then once I've re-established that routine, I move onto another small frugal task.

HTH

**Natalie** · 06-21-2008, 07:35 PM

I've stuck a sticky note (or 2) on the inside side of my bedroom door, 1 for each of the things/reasons I'm saving my money.

It helps!

**ironmaiden** · 06-21-2008, 08:01 PM

And eventually you'll recognize what triggers your spending. And you'll learn to stop yourself quicker. And you can learn new habits - replace shopping, what the heck strategy of dealing with stress with another type of destressing activity.

**DonnainME** · 06-21-2008, 08:01 PM

We all fall off the wagon.

I'm trying to stay on right now. I can't afford to fall off.

**pip** · 06-21-2008, 08:10 PM

I'm struggling with that myself right now. I notice it happening when we are struggling with an extra stressful situation in the home. What's important is that you are taking notice of what you are doing! Next step is to do something about it.....

**eyrehead** · 06-21-2008, 09:38 PM

I thanked you for posting this, simply because I've been feeling the exact same way for months now!! I know what I need and what I should do, but sometimes it's just soooooo flippin' hard! Every so often, Brian and I get into a huge fight about money (like we did last night) and how I spend it when I shouldn't. Don't get me wrong, all of our bills are paid, etc. but if there's anything left, most of the time I feel like I have to go spend it. And it seems like the times when I'm most stressed or feeling down is when I spend money frivolously.

Anyway, thanks for posting this, and please know you're not alone. (((HUGS)))

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-21-2008, 10:34 PM

You guys [gals] are so great ... I feel much better now!

Love,

Jen

**pecunierrant** · 06-22-2008, 09:00 PM

Yes, I've been the same way and regret it later. I've been doing so well for the last few months with the budgeting and tracking every penny but kinda went off kilter and overspent a bit.

Just have to shake it off and get back to tracking every penny and my usual budgeting routine.

Gets to be like riding a bike, the less you fall off the less scrapes and scratches you end up having LOL

**missmanny** · 06-23-2008, 12:10 AM

It's so easy to be frugal when you don't have any choice but to be frugal.

Once you start to see head way and the wolves aren't at your door any more and you have been so dedicated and not bought yourself anything special in months it is very easy to relax and go back to your old ways.

Take a deep breath, you fell off the wagon but at least you have had a bit of a splurge and don't feel so deprived and hopefully that will keep you going for a little bit longer.

The hardest thing for me was to get into the mindset that this isn't a financial diet, it is a financial lifestyle.

You've done it before and you can do it again. Maybe like another poster already suggestied the motivation that you need is some sort of goal or dream, maybe a nice holiday to save for, or a new car you want will get you back on the wagon and never looking back?

**Clutterbug Jen** · 06-24-2008, 12:52 AM

Ya know, I think you've hit the nail on the head ... I honestly don't have a goal to save for.

I'd love to take a vacation [to the ocean] but I'd have to rent a car and ya can't do that nowdays without a credit card which I don't have anymore.

Well, some places may do it - I don't know but the only one close to where I live, requires a credit card. Ugh!

Guess I'll have to decide what I do want to save for and maybe that'll give me motivation. Good idea!

Love,

Jen