Help.......I fell off the frugal bandwagon

**SouthernJen** · 10-25-2002, 04:13 PM

Ladies, I hope you can help me!

I have fallen off of the bandwagon this past month.

It all started w/ the Hurricane (Lili) & prep for it followed by
having to restock the refrig after losing all of our cold items.

I had to work more this past month so that meant I was unable
to do the shopping (price watching etc). That meant I had to
send DH to the store at times & I prefer to do the shopping so
I can watch prices/sales more.

We have been doing the "cash" thing for about a year & it is
working great but this past month that went by the wayside
too.

I have not done my regular cooking like I like so that meant
no leftovers etc & a few pick up meals of fast food.

We've also had several gifts to buy & those items were bought
at the spur of the moment so I didn't shop around & get the
items at better prices.

After next week, things will slow down around here.

How do I get back into my routine that I have totally dropped for
1 month. Thanks for your help!

**homesteadmamma** · 10-25-2002, 04:59 PM

Awe we all fall off the bandwagon at times and all I can say is to pick ourselves up and start all over again. Start with something that you knew you could do well and begin there again.

If that was making meals from scratch, begin to do that again. Once you've got that down pat, then work at another area you feel you need too. Its all baby steps in my book and sometimes when we do so much, we begin to feel like were depriving ourselves and we tend to fall off the wagon.

The main thing is that you've realized you have and you want to get back to it. I know you can do it because you've said you've done it before. Keep coming back here for inspiration and encouragement. Remember, we've pretty much all been there and done that.

Good luck!!

**debbiepete** · 10-25-2002, 05:01 PM

Oh Jenn I know its been a rough month. Hope you can get back to normal real soon. So glad the storms didnt get us too bad!!!

**rhiana** · 10-25-2002, 05:11 PM

Don't worry about it. There are time periods that I feel like I slip off here and there on a daily basis. Just think of being frugal as you normal state and everything else was just a lapse into craziness for a moment. It's easier to go back to normal right? Just go back to what you remember, each day things will get better and better until you're back to your Frugal Happy Self.

Rhiana

**heaven** · 10-25-2002, 05:37 PM

you will fall back on. no problem. one month out of 12 isn't bad. you should feel good about all you do save

**captclearance** · 10-25-2002, 06:58 PM

Oh well.... Just keep trying.......

**Michelle** · 10-25-2002, 07:12 PM

I think this happens to everyone to a certain extent every now and again. Just pick yourself back up and get back on. No use in regretting anything--life is too short for regrets, and you can't change the past

**simplemom** · 10-25-2002, 07:19 PM

You'll be ok...Forgive yourself, forget the past and start in new.

**Patchworkgirl** · 10-25-2002, 07:31 PM

I agree with everyone- don't beat yourself up over it. I have done the same thing- many times. The important thing is that we pick ourselves up, and get back on the frugal bandwagon. Keep us posted in how it's going!

**Karla** · 10-25-2002, 11:13 PM

How true ladies, don't beat your self up about it, just start again, and you will be right back where you were in no time.

**MANDERS** · 10-30-2002, 12:21 AM

I can't even count how many times i've fallen off.But i just get right back on.You can do it.

**Nancy Nagel** · 11-13-2002, 09:44 AM

I am new here so please explain what the cash thing is.
Thank you Nancy

**SouthernJen** · 11-13-2002, 01:58 PM

Welcome Nancy,

What I mean by the "cash thing" is that each payday, I withdraw
cash from the bank for grocery & toiletry expenses (i.e. Walmart
items).

I keep the cash in an envelope & when the cash is gone, I can't
make any more purchases. I found before using cash, even
though I had a budget, I paid for groceries / toiletries etc w/ a
check or debit card & was not able to keep a close eye on the
purchases/expenditures.

Any cash that is left over at the end of the 2 weeks, goes in
a special vacation fund.

Welcome to USave & I hope this helps you.

Jen