Need Encouragement to Stay on the Frugal Wagon

**daughter of pearl** · 04-01-2010, 07:59 PM

I am in such a precarious place right now! In the past three months, I have paid my debt down by $3K. That is huge, but I still have a long way to go.

I know that it has been possible to accomplish this because I have been really vigilant about my spending, and used my creativity. Right now, I am feeling more reckless and I am worried that I will go and wreck everything I have accomplished.

What do folks out there do when you feel like you might back track? How do you prevent it?

**JerryG** · 04-01-2010, 08:04 PM

That is indeed a difficult situation. It is much easier to get what you want when you want it and EVERYTHING looks and sounds like a wonderful deal!

You walk outside, take a deep breath, appreciate where you live, come back inside and yell at the top of your lungs that yes indeed I CAN DO THIS!!

You're on the right track - you're in the groove, it's working, you can do this!

Walk back outside, repeat.

I understand. I've been living in absolute poverty and now I have $$ coming in and I can feel the purse strings calling . . but . . .but . . It's a wonderful thing and you deserve it!

**mauimagic** · 04-01-2010, 08:11 PM

JerryG - mahalo for the good advice!! This is a reality check that we all need to face at least one time or another!!

**daughter of pearl** · 04-01-2010, 08:23 PM

Jerry, thanks so much...I need the constant reminder of what the end result will feel like!!

It`s a long way off, but it will be sooooo worth it!!

**krbshappy71** · 04-02-2010, 09:14 AM

I thought my past accomplishments of being debt free would help me during these "reckless" feeling times. It doesn't. I just have to go find something to do immediately to get past the urge. IMMEDIATELY. Lately its been push-ups. It gets that blood-pumping feeling then the tired feeling and when I'm tired the urge to go somewhere subsides. Crunches help too but for some reason I prefer the pushups, as many and as fast as I can.

Being in the car is the worst for me. All the shops and food places whizzing by. I just tell myself, sometimes aloud, "go home go home go home" the whole way home. Sometimes I'll sing it, "going home, home on the range....." no joke. I will do anything it takes to reach my goal and if that means singing to distract myself then I'll sing.

HANG IN THERE!!!!!

**frugalfoster** · 04-02-2010, 10:07 AM

When things get ...hmmm...boring or challenging I try and change things up a bit. Maybe I'll make a dinner that I haven't made before or maybe I'll go to redbox and rent a movie..maybe I'll find a new walking path just to get out and smell the "roses". During this time of paying off debt you will be as happy as you want to be.... it's much like a diet...when you fall off it may feel good at the time but the remorse is not worth it!!!!

**ladykemma2** · 04-02-2010, 10:33 AM

i say to myself "I'm just not going to debt today." "between now and bedtime I'm not going to spend money I do not have."

this usually stops the weird thought process. I am a recovering alcoholic and apply AA principles to the issue. I also noticed there was an every friday "urge to go out of control" to my spending and an every six months "urge to go out of control" pattern to my spending.

i do work in rewards to avoid burnout.

**daughter of pearl** · 04-02-2010, 11:53 AM

Y'all are the greatest, most supportive people ever...THANKS!

One thing that I think has been contributing to my difficulty is managing my petty cahs from work. Because there have been occasions when I have needed to temporarily supplement the petty cash with personal money, I felt like I had to cary by debit card (which I don't do as part of my commitment to debt reduction)...I think I am going to stop doing that and just carry my whole petty cash float in an envelope and when it's empty, it's empty, and it's my boss' problem. Carrying that card is too tempting!

I'm familiar with the 12 step plan myself, and it soooo applies to debt reduction.

Thanks again, everyone!!

**Greebo** · 04-02-2010, 12:35 PM

One thing you can do, if you haven't already, is cut yourself off to all forms of credit. Completely cut yourself off.

Then the WORST you can do is spend all your money you have NOW on something stupid. That's far FAR better than spending all the money you have in the FUTURE on something stupid.

**Greebo** · 04-02-2010, 12:35 PM

Also, I love Toronto - so if you'll put us up for the night, I'll come to Toronto and smack you upside the head, if you need it.

**mauimagic** · 04-02-2010, 04:34 PM

I'd love to visit Toronto some day if youwant some extra support!!

What a great idea to notice spending trends - think I'll look for trends too - mahalo!!

**daughter of pearl** · 04-02-2010, 05:12 PM

Greebo, Maui, y'all are more than welcome to come visit me, and I am so glad people like Toronto, cos' it's my home town!

I don't use credit at all anymore, because that is how I wound up in this mess to begin with!

**mauimagic** · 04-02-2010, 05:16 PM

Mahalo - shall put a trip to Toronto in my travelling plans!!

Using credit cards was definitely our downfall also. Am making progress, but we certainly don't have it all conqueired yet - still part of the process!!

**frugalfoster** · 04-02-2010, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

One thing you can do, if you haven't already, is cut yourself off to all forms of credit. Completely cut yourself off.

Then the WORST you can do is spend all your money you have NOW on something stupid. That's far FAR better than spending all the money you have in the FUTURE on something stupid.

Doesn't get much clearer than this.....

**savininfl** · 04-02-2010, 11:29 PM

I log onto my credit card acct and see how much I put on it and how far it came down and that kept me on track. I also sit down and did my budget again and again. I know this sounds redundant but it helps to "see" all the money and where you "want" it to go. Good Luck and go splurge on a bubble bath!