Picking up where I left off

**mikandmari** · 06-03-2007, 04:25 PM

I had posted a little while back that as soon as springtime came my budget just fell apart. Landscaping my yard is mostly to blame. Also, after working all day in the hot yard, who wants to cook?

I saw myself slipping back into "mainstream America", and I decided that as of June 1, the party would be over!

So here I am, ready to get serious again. I sat down with the checkbook, the damage wasn't so bad (see -- I have learned a thing or two

). Now it's time to do an inventory in the kitchen, to see what we'll be eating for the next 4 weeks...

Thanks everyone for helping me to learn all these good habits!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 06-03-2007, 07:34 PM

It's easy to slip into the "regular American" lifestyle... My Dh and did in the month of May, too. We're back on track, as well!

I just feel so blessed to have this bunch of "frugal family"...as I call the frugal village folks.

Glad you're back to the land of frugal.

**Jill B.** · 06-03-2007, 09:27 PM

That is the nice thing about sliding off the wagon, we can get on again. We know how and we do. I went off the wagon myself since our move in late April. We are back on the wagon now though!

**bumplett** · 06-03-2007, 09:43 PM

I'm so glad to hear that I wasn't the only one that fell off that wagon in May!

dang bumpy road was to blame!

I think I just needed new wheels on my wagon, I should be good to go now

**i.m.cheap** · 06-04-2007, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by mikandmari

I had posted a little while back that as soon as springtime came my budget just fell apart. Landscaping my yard is mostly to blame. Also, after working all day in the hot yard, who wants to cook?

One thing that really helps me in the warmer months is to keep bowls of salads, and fresh cut fruit in the fridge. Then you can just quickly saute or grill some fish fillets, or chicken breast, and set out bowls of fruit salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, cottage cheese, etc. Not much cooking involved! Even baked beans are good cold. You can even dine on paper plates, and not have dishes to wash!

**Backtoreality** · 06-04-2007, 10:25 AM

What is it about the month of May? I know where we blew it - moving the kids! But just like i.m. June 1st started and we are back on the wagon. With so much fun going on this summer -(mostly free!!!!) DH and I are looking forward to saving!!

**Mom23boys** · 06-04-2007, 10:34 AM

I think we all fall off the frugal wagon from time to time. The good thing about it is that we can jump back on anytime! Welcome back!

**geckoace** · 06-04-2007, 11:51 AM

we feel off alittle during my sisters prewedding time. But let me just say falling off once your on the frugal village wagon probably to someone else wouldnt look like splurging at all. so it probably wasnt as bad as it would have been pre-village.
I know now when i think i go crazy its like i bought DS 2 things he didnt need from the dollar store! OMG 2 whole dollars! LMAO

**claimsgirl66** · 06-04-2007, 09:33 PM

I hear ya....gotta get back on the horse. I got a little lazy last week as well.

I used the dryer last week to do

as we had a weeks worth of rain and it was not drying on the rack, and I felt rather guilty.

Then after a particularly grueling work week, I ordered a

Friday night. It did make me feel better and I used cash from my stash, but I felt guilty parting with $10 for a pizza when I was just too darn lazy to make my own dinner!

Don't beat yourself up too badly, we are all in this together!

**ironmaiden** · 06-05-2007, 11:01 AM

One of the best things about watching your money most of the time is that when you do fall off the wagon, you realize that your fall was less severe than it would have been before your found the frugal way. Instead of blowing money at the super expensive restaurants 5 times a week, your falls are at cheaper restaurants or take-out and not constantly. And that due to your normal frugal lifestyle that there is money in the bank to cover the minor lapses. And the longer you do this lifestyle, the shorter your lapses are.

And you realize that it wont be the last time you fall off the wagon, the point is that you get back on and don't beat yourself up over it as that accomplishes nothing.

**geckoace** · 06-05-2007, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by ironmaiden

And you realize that it wont be the last time you fall off the wagon, the point is that you get back on and don't beat yourself up over it as that accomplishes nothing.

i 100% agree with that