Frugality burn out

**lottaLove** · 06-18-2011, 08:58 AM

Do you ever get burnt out on trying to save and pay down debt? I used to make grocery lists, research inexpensive lunches and meals, go over my budget and account balances very frequently, cook from scratch, and get a thrill when I saw the balance of my debt go down. I don't know if it's burn out or not, but lately I can't seem to make myself look at the store flyers or make a list. I'd rather stop at the drive thru than cook a meal. For lunches I'm either not eating or buying convenience meals. I've been keeping track of my account balances, but haven't been very strict about my food/entertainment budget vs. debt paydown/savings.
What do you do to get out of a slum like this and back on track before it's too late?

**Dancing Lotus** · 06-18-2011, 09:18 AM

I don't know what happens to cause this burn out but when it does it's usually pretty hard to snap out of it. Took me nearly a year to get back on board with shopping sales. It's almost like you have to see something big to inspire you.

**LuvMyHubby** · 06-18-2011, 09:33 AM

I think it is easy to burn out if you don't allow yourself a small splurge every so often. Myself, I have no choice but to be frugal so I keep marching on. I don't have a credit card and have no desire to willingly eat ramen noodles for any extended period of time so my money will continue to be spent as wisely as possible.

**imagine** · 06-18-2011, 09:40 AM

short answer yes Hugs to you

I did a post about being weary with frugality and budgets a while back

here is the post I made about how I recharged frugally ( how I became not so weary)

my frugal batteries are recharging - I'm not as weary with frugal as I was

**nuisance26** · 06-18-2011, 10:05 AM

~I've been there plenty of times too. My slumps are never longer than a month because seeing the higher amount spent at the end of the month usually motivates me to get back in control.
I challenge myself to do something new. I had to do this over the last month with my $5 savings challenge.
It's depressing thinking about all the things you know you should do to be frugal so put those aside for a minute and think about something new to do or a particular area to focus on for a while.
Example: You decide to learn all you can about saving electric, watch your usage, make lists of ways to lower usage and carry out that plan for 14 days to a month. You keep track of your daily usage by learning to read your meter. At the end of the time allotment, you've saved 10%.
What's really interesting about focused challenges is that you unconsciously go back to most of your other frugal activities without even thinking about it because you're in the zone.
The biggest obstacle to frugality is usually in our minds and emotions. Redirecting from 'everything frugal' to 'focused frugal' really works for me.~

**OOwl** · 06-18-2011, 11:13 AM

Yes, I do it, too. It happens even when you get totally out of debt, too. You are just so relieved to have that big hill scaled that you start giving yourself little indulgences that you never would of on the old snowball program (I find myself stopping for McDonalds coffee on the way to work even though I get it for free at my office, stupid, right?). Right now, I have a new goal (the 6-8 months of savings and that is SO slow, especially with the ever-rising cost of groceries and gas, and because once you're debt free, many, many friends and relatives ask for help for emergencies). Everyone is different in what works for him or her, but I take a notepad and section it off in blocks of about two to three months' worth of weeks. In each block, I put my savings goal for that week. When I do it, I put a smiley sticker on that block. I know it sounds like something you'd do for your kid but it works on adults, too (at least to me, it does). I carry that "goal sheet" in my date book and when I'm feeling like I want to stray, I look back on the projections of weekly goals and it gives me a clear visual on how well I've done and how soon my goals will be realized. Anyway, kinda silly but it seems to be working for me. Good luck.

**krbshappy71** · 06-18-2011, 11:26 AM

When the slump leads to overspending I cut myself off cold-turkey from either the cash or the debit card that I'm using. Fast food isn't so convenient when you have to go home first to get the money because its in an envelope at home in a lock box.

**Buckeye5** · 06-18-2011, 01:04 PM

I am there now, I haven't been frugal, and I am paying for it. It is still pay to pay, I haven't bought stupid things like furniture etc. I just haven't been the boss of our $$. With the 3 kids in college, it has been a financial challenge, and with the rising costs of everything, sometimes, I would just throw up my hands, and so what is the point, bad idea, I am ready to get back on track, and, go at it. So you're not alone, but nowyou recognize it and recharged.

**Debbie-cat** · 06-18-2011, 02:28 PM

I hit a slump once in a while too. Some days it is emotionally and mentally exhausting always being frugal and having to worry about every single penny. That is when I pull out my Dave Ramsey books. I find when I re-read articles and sections, I get even more motivated to be frugal. Then I will browse the internet for ideas on how to cut back even more.

Hang in there. I am sure we all have had one of those days.

**shoiji** · 06-19-2011, 11:15 AM

I fell off the wagon for a couple of months. Most of it was from spending money on food. Have been able to reign in my spending. Also am on the look out for coupons to different restaurants which I have been able to use while staying in budget.

Yesterday I watched part of a show which depicted what factory life in China was like. Basically seemed like sweatshop conditions in US before unions changed all that. Really made me realize how much I do have and that taking the time to use coupons and spending wisely was nothing to what these workers were going through.

Also the fact that I am starting to purge my apartment again and realizing all the money I spent on the items I am purging is making me realize I really need to think more about it purchase I make.

**peanut** · 06-21-2011, 06:07 PM

When I hit a slump I have a little splurge (under $50), and then pull out the calculator and start calculating how much my frugal activities are saving me!

Usually when I am in a slump it's because I'm bored with frugality. I need some new idea or area to work in. A new frugal project. I'll go through websites and books looking for some new ideas to pass by DH and see what he says. I'll pick one or a few to work on for awhile...just change direction a bit.

**gmarie** · 06-21-2011, 07:11 PM

I was having a slump but now my budget obsession is back in full gear! Still hate shopping sales. I just declared the rest of June no spend weeks instead!

I'm trying to land a weekend job that should help with both boredom and the budget. I try do not leave my house after work and on Saturday's unless absolutely necessary and that has been getting old!

**wwe11** · 06-22-2011, 06:28 AM

I was in a slump. I had over spend on cc, but now I'm back determined to get rid of this debt once and for all, starting with the van which will be paid off in August.

**Jenibelle** · 06-22-2011, 07:07 AM

I too have been in this slump lately. I used to coupon regularly, pick up any and all Walgreens/CVS deals to add to my mini-stockpile & get that huge rush of finding free items. Lately it just hasn't been that way. I think it started when I got a higher paying job (ie: living on $9,000/yr vs. 29,000/yr). I started rationalizing things I wanted that weren't on sale because I "had the money"

Starting in August we will be going back to a stricter budget. I want to get our car paid off and start padding that savings account for a down payment on a new house. There are definitely things I could go without and not notice a difference.