Are you ever jealous?.........

**WV_mom_of2** · 09-03-2008, 02:47 PM

Times are tough and the grocery prices just keep going up and up! Today I bought a 5lb bag of Walmart brand flour that I paid .78 for last year. Today I paid 2.00! OMG! I know it's affecting everyone and we are all trying to make cuts and keep food on the table. But do you ever watch other people at the grocery store and feel a little jealous? Today dh and I went to my mom's to pick up an antique dish cupboard that she was giving me. Since we had to go through the big town to get to her house, I ran my errands and hit the big stores there for a few things I needed this week. Between 4 stores I ended up spending 99.84 and got NOTHING! By the time I bought dog food(our dog will only eat one brand), dishwasher tabs, toilet paper, etc. it just seemed like I had nothing.

In Walmart I was watching this woman in the checkout line beside me. She has her buggy HEAPED with stuff. She had the big bags of little individual bags of chips, sodas, french fries, lots of fresh produce, name brand cleaning products and hba, etc. I bet her total was 300.00 at least. And as stupid as it is........I was jealous that she could just go in there and buy whatever the heck she wanted while I was doing without things I really wanted this week. Now don't get me wrong, I don't buy name brand cleaners, etc. anyway and we aren't doing without. We have more than enough food and other things. But money is tight and each week I have to weigh the wants against the needs and make do. I'm putting every extra dime towards debt so I know I'm doing the right thing but I would love just one week to go in and buy what I want!

**beks37** · 09-03-2008, 02:54 PM

I bet she put those groceries on her credit card!

Sometimes I too envy some people's ability to just buy whatever, but now how are they paying for it?

**JanieD** · 09-03-2008, 03:13 PM

I really understand what you're saying! Everything has gone up & we are cutting where we can. I keep trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong as I try to stay within the budget. Honestly, I don't want to spend $500 a month on groceries & stuff. Sure, I'd love to fill up my grocery cart & not care how much I'm spending, but that's just not me. Plus, think of all the money I just wasted cause I didn't bother getting the best deals!

**redhead68** · 09-03-2008, 03:22 PM

At one time, I probably would have thought the same way, but my attitude has changed. Today, I walked to the grocery store to buy some eggs, and I was so grateful to be healthy and able to experience nature that I hardly noticed what people were putting in their carts around me. I did, however, notice that the woman in front of me looked harried, so I smiled at her and wished her a good day.

Perhaps age has tempered my tendency toward envy? Maybe. Regardless, I feel much more at peace with myself and my life than ever before, and I wish the same peace and contentment for you.

Enjoy your new dish cupboard. You are blessed to have such a generous mom!

**IntlMom** · 09-03-2008, 03:33 PM

I actually find myself feeling almost sorry for the person that has a cart like hers. She is being so wasteful......I feel bad for ppl like that.

**frugalbabe** · 09-03-2008, 03:50 PM

You're human! Just last year that other lady would have been me and I can tell you that while we had the funds to spend like that without credit I was left at the end of each month with my head barely above the water. I don't get jealous of what others buy at stores but I do have a hard time with the homes other people buy. We live in a 1977 ranch home very comfortable, well under our price range but I think it's kinda ugly! I want the vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, brand new cabinets etc... so many of my friends live in beautiful brand new homes but they are completely house poor and literally one check away from foreclosure -- I DON'T want that but ~sigh~ sometimes want the brand new fancy shmancy!!!

**redhead68** · 09-03-2008, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by frugalbabe

You're human! Just last year that other lady would have been me and I can tell you that while we had the funds to spend like that without credit I was left at the end of each month with my head barely above the water. I don't get jealous of what others buy at stores but I do have a hard time with the homes other people buy. We live in a 1977 ranch home very comfortable, well under our price range but I think it's kinda ugly! I want the vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, brand new cabinets etc... so many of my friends live in beautiful brand new homes but they are completely house poor and literally one check away from foreclosure -- I DON'T want that but ~sigh~ sometimes want the brand new fancy shmancy!!!

The fancy schmancy is over-rated. I rented a big, brand-new house for two years in the Colorado exurbs, but when it came to buy, I fell in love with a 1978 suburban tract house. The mature trees more than made up for the low ceilings and old cabinets.

**khaski** · 09-03-2008, 04:11 PM

Ye,s until I realize this is exactly the type of person probably drowning in cc debt, late on payments, who doesn't have 2 nickles to rub together...BECAUSE her spending is so out of control. True, some can afford it, but don't forget- many of those folks you are 'jealous' of are putting up a false front, and are DYING financially behind closed doors.

**MoonMommy** · 09-03-2008, 04:19 PM

I don't get jealous. Sometimes I get down on myself for having lived beyond our means when we were in college. However, overall, I see that my life is good. We can pretty much afford all that we need and most of the time anything that we really want. I wish we had more money in savings but I try to remind myself often that life is pretty good.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 09-03-2008, 04:36 PM

I get really jealous of my SIL and my MIL because they buy stuff and I don't know how, but they can really get the best deals. They also have the money to spend because a) SIL has no kids, but just got married and has two dogs and b) MIL and FIL are in "retirement" but were making enough to put into savings for them to take trips to places like Hawaii, Mexico, etc.

Oh, and I also get jealous of the ladies with the huge stockpiles that I can't seem to get close to!

**frugalbabe** · 09-03-2008, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by redhead68

I fell in love with a 1978 suburban tract house. The mature trees more than made up for the low ceilings and old cabinets.

That is true we have two huge, gorgeous trees that my kids spend hours and hours climbing and our neighborhood is truly pretty with all of our established yards -- thanks for reminding me that there is always lots to be grateful for.

**LexTysMommy** · 09-03-2008, 05:18 PM

I used to get jealous until I got debt free ( except house ) and now know that MOST people have some sort of debt and that type of shopping is normal for them, and they are probably not digging their way out but digging a much bigger hole.

HOWEVER one weekend I did not have kids, and i was sick of not buying me whatever i wanted. i took my empty credit card ( smallest limit $1000), and TRIED to go shopping. I ended up spending $25 on birthday cards, giftwrap, and 3 new pairs of panties for me. I just couldnt do it!

**MoonMommy** · 09-03-2008, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by LexTysMommy

HOWEVER one weekend I did not have kids, and i was sick of not buying me whatever i wanted. i took my empty credit card ( smallest limit $1000), and TRIED to go shopping. I ended up spending $25 on birthday cards, giftwrap, and 3 new pairs of panties for me. I just couldnt do it!

LOL That sounds like me. I hate shopping. When I actually shop for myself it is worse than pulling teeth. I end up not buying much (unless I go to a book store...then watch out.)

**MommyBliss** · 09-03-2008, 05:55 PM

No, I'm not jealous, because honestly it's none of my business. Maybe they have the money and maybe they don't. I'm more geared to what me and mine are up to.

**stinkbug** · 09-03-2008, 06:03 PM

Well, perhaps it was like this:

I spent 150.00 at Costco today. Cash. I bought two large bags of coffee beans, because they had the Sumatra that they haven't had for almost a year. It's about 3.00 lb. and we don't go to the coffee shops, so it's *our* coffee habit. (total 25.00) I bought ribs (33.00)for dh to BBQ because we're having 4 guests for a little over a week...extra food so we won't eat out and have plenty for every one. Extra veggies and fresh fruit (two fresh pineapples, grapes, peaches, frozen fruit for smoothies, etc (about 40.00) Feta cheese for home made pizzas on the grill, and stuff for specail desserts I don't usually make (it's just dh and me) So yeah...people can freak out all they want about the *junk* I bought, but it beats eating out with 4 extra adults, and it's our pleasure to host our friends. Why is everyone so uptight about how others spend their money??? Why would you assume they *put it on their credit card* or are *drowning in debt*???
I don't usually shop that way, but why should I feel bad because I bought extra/special groceries??