I fell off the wagon....

**IntlMom** · 03-12-2007, 12:09 PM

I need to hit "restart"! Does this ever happen to anyone else? :

Well, things were going along just fine till Sat AM, dh wakes up and says "hey lets go to Des Moines". I didn;t really want to go - I knew we'd spend money at Costco that we didn;t really need to spend. Well, I was weak, I thought it sounded like fun - so off we went. It wasn't all bad, we have friends there that we stayed with Sat. nite, and they had bought pizza for supper....so it could have been worse. BUT, we spent 135.00 at Costco on stuff that we did not absolutely need. Now, if anyone knows Costco, 135.00 is not too bad, especially when you consider we bought peanut butter, cheese, ham, veggies, fruit snacks, TP, you get the picture, not frivoulus stuff, just the "basics". Still, it was 135.00!!!! there goes my 200.00 a month budget. Oh, of course I had to go get milk and water softener salt and other stuff when I got home to the tune of 30.00, so I haven't update my siggy line, but I am thinking we are up to 250.00 this month already!!! Ok, so it;s not all bad, I got 5 cases of free diapers at ToysRus for free w/gift cards.............can you all help get me "back on the wagon?!?"

**Darlene** · 03-12-2007, 12:22 PM

Sure, hop back on. Frugal train's leaving whenever you are ready. Toot toot, All Aboard! ::::chug chug::::

MC · 03-12-2007, 01:06 PM

First of all, don't be too hard on yourself--you didn't "waste" money, you just overspent a bit. You can probably adjust next month's budget to accomodate what you spent at Costco, and still be okay. I have the same problem when I go to Sam's Club and GFS! All those good deals leave me broke lol!

You can jump back on the frugal train anytime--and if you're running to catch up, we'll lend a hand and haul your butt back on!!

**autumnlynn** · 03-12-2007, 02:13 PM

I tend to do things like that impulsively, too. The only thing that works for me is to stay out of the stores. If I go, I know I'll spend when otherwise I wouldn't have to.

Just dust yourself off and get back on the frugal wagon. I'm saving a seat for you!!

**freyadog** · 03-12-2007, 02:15 PM

Just take a deep breath and count to ten. And then jump back on. don't beat yourself up. We all have days like that. However nothing I saw was over and above the call for duty. I over spent Sunday by 40.00 but I loaded up on Kroger lost leaders and no frills. So I do understand where you are coming from but hey you did good in my book.
Barbara

**mikandmari** · 03-12-2007, 03:10 PM

Oh boy, I know Costco!!

But for Costco, you did really well

.

I have trouble walking past the books!

Most things at Costco are a great value, top quality stuff at good bulk prices. One thing I've found that isn't such a bargain is the convenience foods that are already prepared... like the salads, chicken wings, etc. You pay for that convenience no matter what! Sometimes, though, I do buy the rotisserie chicken for $5.00.

**she who can not cook** · 03-12-2007, 03:15 PM

What i have had to do now is give my other half cash and a list and said "get them please " if we both go we will spend but you did well

**mom2three** · 03-12-2007, 07:26 PM

I fell off the wagon this month as well. Time to dust off and get back on 8-)!! It happens - we can do it!!

**suesue** · 03-12-2007, 08:37 PM

Me, too. I fell today. I went to the salvage store and spent quite a bit more than I intended. Hopefully I can be careful the rest of the month and come out on budget.

**Telephus44** · 03-12-2007, 09:37 PM

Yeah - I dropped $84 this month on groceries, and we spent $130 yesterday on shoes, and ate out the day before that... I know how falling off the wagon goes!

I just keep thinking of the Flylady tagline..

You are not behind! Just jump in where we are, ok? (or something like this, I didn't look it up, just did it from memory)

...and it helps me start over.

**Mom23boys** · 03-13-2007, 10:39 AM

Of course! I have slips too, but I always just hop back on. The train runs through regularly, so just hop on and start again!!

**BlackstoneMama** · 03-13-2007, 12:51 PM

Chin up, jump back on the frugal bandwagon.

I can relate to your Costco experience, it was Whole foods that slipped me up last month for $185 (mind you only 4 bags of groceries...it tasted great but it was definitely indulgence.)

That WF trip blew out my budget for the February grocery challenge. I'm starting new w/ March. Sounds like your in much better shape than I was!

**dcompton** · 03-13-2007, 01:41 PM

Unless this throws you into a really bad budget crunch I wouldn't worry about it. Think of it as stockpiling, which it is; it will give you more room in your budget in coming months when you don't have to buy TP, peanut butter, cheese, etc.

Would that my last binge had been for something so frugally innocent; I went to Joanns for one piece of fabric to back a quilt, and well, I'm not confessing what was in the bag when I got home! But the colors were SO splendid. I admit it -- I'm an unredeemed color junkie!

**Jill B.** · 03-13-2007, 08:05 PM

I think you did pretty well at Costco for a large family. You only got things you needed so it is a budget adjustment. I got sick last week and we ordered pizza, and I gave the kids money to get mall food when they went with friends so I didn't have to cook. Then I bought a pair of linen pants for work ($8) and some jeans for the kids ($30 over budget for clothes). So, hey, I think Costco for things you need, well, that is OK.

The rest of the month will be better for everyone that fell off the train/wagon.

**nwmissourigal** · 03-13-2007, 09:30 PM

We all fall off every now and then. But we are that frugal know when we do and correct it. Some people have never jumped on the bandwagon and are still living with enormous debt...Don't be hard on yourself..just hop on and keep going...Blessings..Kathy