ACK!! Why can't we do this????

[rachelMcK]

So DH and I have been doing so well lately, we've paid off $1500 on a loan and our credit cards are (were) gone! But as soon as we figure we're making any progress, we allow our selves some indulgences and BAM, we go overboard. This time our indulgences added up to $400 and now we can't afford the usual groceries for the next two weeks. I can do what I can with the pantry and freezer but ERG, why do we do this? Its not as if we need anymore stuff. I complain as is that we have too much! I had to put my textbooks on my cc last week cause we just didn't have any money left over for them.

Please, is there some secret to avoiding this? We try so hard, do so well, then slide back again. Its driving me crazy!!!

THanks!

[smk0817]

Don't feel bad about letting yourselves enjoy some indulgences but the keyword is SOME. I was once the same way. I finally got tired of feeling how you're feeling right now and decided the "high" of buying something I wanted didn't last as long as the "high" of paying off my debts. Does this make sense? Hang in there!

Stephanie

[FrugalMomof3]

I would just have to say that dont feel bad about indulging but I would also have to say that a budget might be in order, that way you can see what's left over before indulging.

Glad to hear though that you paid off some of your loan and your Cc's, your making such great progress, dont let this one thing get you down. I am sure you can scrape up something from the cupboards to eat, you will be just fine, I have been where you are and we made it by finding food in the pantry/cupboard and we survived.

[3-boys-4-me]

I agree with what the other ladies have said. Just learn from this and move on. Don't beat yourself up over it.
Also, I am unsure of what you purchased, but is there anything you can return? If so, that would give you some money for groceries. Just a thought.

[AheeK]

I agree with the others. What's done is done...the difference is whether you can learn from your mistakes or if you'll just keep doing the same things over and over. A budget is a great idea. You can put your "extra" money into cash...then when it's spent, it's spent and that's all. Hang in there!! It's a long, slow process to change your habits.

[MOMMYDEAREST]

don't beat yourself up for it, just make up a budget & follow it. be proud of yourself for paying off some bills......thats awesome!!! sounds luke you need some frugal dinner ideas. if you do a search, there are tons of frugal dinners listed, good luck!!!

[sondance]

This is exactly what I used to do. But once I read Dave Ramsey's books and realized I need to have $$ that I could spend on anything, it helped. Dave calls them "blow $$". That way you have a set amount built into your budget and you stick with that amount. It has really helped me not to feel deprived.

Patty


PS. Lisa, is that your son in your avatar? He is just SO cute.

[my4littlebuffaloes]

Why don't you plan out your indulgences? Plan for a dinner out when you get the cc paid off? don't just go randomly shopping to celebrate, plan something that is a treat, but yet in the budget! If you were paying $100 a month towards debt and then the debt is gone, THE NEXT MONTH when you have that $100 you can take it and celebrate. That could help prevent you from going overboard.

i think that this is a struggle for alot of people. I do so much better financially when I know things are really tight. When I know we have extra it is so hard to still watch how I spend. good luck!

Jennifer

[autumnlynn]

What has helped me the most (except staying out of stores!), is making a budget for each month and tracking my spending. When I write it down, it helps me stay within my budget. You and DH each should have blow money and stick within that amount each month.

[Nada.Leona]

Stay away from shopping areas and internet malls!!! The temptation is not there when you stay away from it all! If you want to diet, why buy cookies and ice cream? If you want to smoke, why buy extra cartons of cigarettes? If you want to quit drinking, why are you stopping at the liquor store? Think of your spending as a bad habit and take the necessary steps toward (or rather, away from) any form of temptation. If either of you says, "We've been doing really great. Let's go out to lunch", one of you has to say, "No, let me cook you something, dear!" If one of you says, "We've been doing really good, let's go buy a new DVD", one of you has to say, "No, let's rent it instead!" If one of you says, "We've been doing really good, let's go on a little vacation this week", one of you has to say, "No, let's stay home and I'll (fill in whatever you and your spouse enjoy )".

There is no secret to it. Just stay away. Come up with excuses. If you wouldn't eat the cookies so you can loose weight, if you wouldn't smoke the cigarettes so you can get your lungs healthier, if you wouldn't touch the bottle so you could feel proud at your AA meetings, then you can't spend the money so you cna put it into savings!

[FrugalWitch]

The biggest help would be to get rid of the credit cards altogether. Pay them off, cut them up. You don't need them. If you bought anything you can return, return it to get your groceries.

[littlemotherhaywood]

(((((HUGS))))) I know what you mean. It still happens to us from time to time, but we're working on it really hard. I've returned stuff in the past. A spur of the moment purchase that I later regret. There are so many mistakes we can all learn from. I think everyone here has offered great advice.

[3-boys-4-me]

PS. Lisa, is that your son in your avatar? He is just SO cute.

Oh, thanks so very much. Yes, that's our yongest son. We figured we would keep him, we agree he's kinda cute. Again, thanks!

[McD]

Don't feel bad. We are in the same boat this month. I had to take out 500$ from savings to pay elec, cell, and 1 week daycare. We have never had this problem before, but this month I didn't receive my g.i. bill or tuition reimbursemt. Hubby and I are going to see a financial planner. It's free for us from military onesource.

[rachelMcK]

Thanks for all your advice everyone!

Well, we're normally on a budget, a really good one that has worked for almost a year. I think we both got exhausted with asking each other if it was ok to buy this, or hearing, well, why can't I. Its so frustrating!

The credit cards, well, I want to keep them. I had to put my books on them. No other choice. Tis the life of a student I guess. Once school is finished (3 months!!!) they will be gone but i'm glad I have them for a back up at this point!