Please forgive me for i have frugally sinned

**gentledenny** · 10-04-2007, 10:53 PM

Ok i broke out Septembers bank statement. Here is my laundry list. I spent either cash, or groceries 368.19 cents total. I spend 32.36 in gas. i ate out 3 times. 2 times i really had no choice. My grandsons birthday. I had to drive to columbus georgia to hollywood connections. a game, party room for kids. it is 2 hour drive there , 2 hour back , so i ate a cheeseburger and tea and it cost me 8.96 includeing tip. My son 's birthday once again drive to columbus ga buffalo hot wings. My son and his wife, my daughter and her husband and me. I picked up the tab 35.53, and then there was the one time. i could smell the chicken fried chicken calling me. I tried real hard but it wasnt in me. Mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. APPLEBYS Of course. i ate 3 times off this feast. once there and twice at home. although last time i added more mixed veggies. So
totals. eating out..... 60.17. hey but it was family
food and random spending 368.19
gas for car 32.36
gifts for son and grandson 60.00 I normally go every thursday to eat with my dad . and we eat at a little dive diner and it cost about 6 bucks. I buy this week, he buys next week. but this month i always had something to do and didnt do any lunches. the food and random spending means. If i bought shampoo, it was included. if i bought a book , included. a few medicines i have to buy at walmart normally about 30 bucks. one is a 3 dollar copay one is a 9 dollar copay and one is a 15 dollar and change copay. Some of the 368 dollars was cash at the register to go in my pocket. but beleive me. it aint in there now. it gone.

**PrairieRose** · 10-05-2007, 08:27 AM

Well Denny, I'm not sure any of us would consider what you did a 'frugal sin'. You're aware of where the money went, right? I think it's a sin to not be aware of where our money is going not that we spent it. For me, I'm frugal in some areas so I can spend on things like meals out for special occaissions (which sometimes include days that end in 'y' just because

). The point is just to be aware and cut out the leaks....not to be pinched until you're miserable. I do have to say that because of reckless spending I've been pinched till I'm miserable, before though. Anyway, it's what you do 80% of the time that matters.

**zenmama** · 10-05-2007, 08:35 AM

I agree and plus you spent time with the family. NO frugal sin there!!

**Darlene** · 10-05-2007, 08:46 AM

Sin? Did you at least have some fun?

If something bothers you about the spending make a change this month.

**McD** · 10-05-2007, 09:24 AM

I don't think you 'sinned' persae.

Something that has helped me from feeling so guilty about my spending (especially on eating out!) is that I set an amount that I will not go over for the month. For example, I try and limit myself to eating out once a week (usually for lunch) and for the month I only budget 75$. I very rarely spend that much, but knowing that I come in under my budgeted amount makes me happy!

I would just try and set an amount that is within your comfort level to try and spend less than on groceries, gas, eating out, etc. Cuts down on the guilt.

**guest002** · 10-05-2007, 09:29 AM

Your gas usage for this area is good IMO. Also, do you have a retire military ID card? If so see if you can get your prescriptions filled at the Maxwell AFB Pharmacy. Looks like you are paying Tricare co-pays. If they have your medicine in their formulary then they are free.

**gentledenny** · 10-05-2007, 05:34 PM

Yes i have a retired enlisted E-7/SFC (army rank)Airforce rank would be E-7 master sgt. military ID Card. I get my medicines at VA except the non forumlaed one. those are ones i buy at walmart with the tricare copays. I have also gave myself a 150 oct grocery challenge. I buy my gas when i go visit my dad in coosada. gas is always cheapest in wetumpka it seems. I just done the 3 month/3000 mile oil change on my car, i only had 2240 miles and it had 77 miles when i bought it and i bought it in altanta so had to drive it back home. Visiting my dad once a week and driving once a month to visit the kids is where all the mileage comes from mostly.

**druidessemily** · 10-05-2007, 05:38 PM

Hi Denny! New studies are showing that you don't *really* need to change your oil every 3 months/3K miles. If you only do oil changes when your vehicle needs it, rather than when commercial oil companies say you need it, you can save a ton of money! Also, do you do the oil change yourself?

**Missourimom** · 10-05-2007, 05:50 PM

Denny, I hope you're being careful with your salt intake when eating out at the restaurants.

**ilovechocolate** · 10-05-2007, 06:12 PM

If you feel bad about spending what you consider to be so much, then you might want to budget a certain amount each month for "fun" activities. You can adjust it up or down after a few months if you need to.

IMO, time and money spent on family is worth it.

**gentledenny** · 10-05-2007, 06:18 PM

I mainly worry about the salt at home. I pretend like I am superman when i eat out and try not to worry about it. I dont drink anything but tea or water when i am out or at home. I do leave the salt shaker alone. but i understand your concern. Lots of southern cooking will make me almost throw up since i have somewhat desalted my desire. I hardly ever eat out more than once a week, if that and only once last month did i eat out other than a childs or grandchilds birthday and i was almost 100 miles from home. Ok and thursday with dad and trackside restaurant.

**peanut** · 10-05-2007, 07:05 PM

One of the things I did that helped me with eating out was to go out for tea or coffee in the morning or afternoon, rather than the full meal deal. Or dessert in the evenings...but i can't do that anymore with my health issues. If you gotta eat out breakfast is cheaper than lunch and supper where we live, and lunch is cheaper than going out for supper.

Other options we've tried is to make meals ahead and put them in the freezer for later consumption. I often have a frozen bucket of hearty soup or lasagna in the freezer for company. Desserts too. I'd make cheesecakes (the real kind) and slice them, sticking a piece of wax paper between the slices, slip them in a plastic bag and freeze them. Then, if company came, I'd just slip out the required amount of slices to thaw while I made coffee or tea. A yummy, affordable snack!

I don't think you sinned either gentledenny. You're just starting out to begin with. Cut yourself some slack. "Rome wasn't built in a day". What you want to do is make permanent changes to lifestyle. Just work on one area and get that down pat, then pick another one. Don't take on too much and suffer frugal burnout. I think you did pretty good to start with.

Jean

**Opal** · 10-06-2007, 12:13 AM

I think the bigger sin would be to deny yourself the little pleasures in life, unneccesarily. If you can afford to do these things with your family, but don't because you are being held hostage by some sense that you don't deserve to spend money on yourself, that is a tragic state of mind. It is good to spend time with the family.

**gentledenny** · 10-06-2007, 06:35 PM

I agree with you that the 3 month was a oil company ideal. but i was set up to buy a 7 year 100000 mile warranty maintaince program which requires i either follow the 3000 or 5000 mile program. There were three recalls , so that was also the main reason i went and got them taken care of. I agree with OPAL. Sometimes you got to enjoy life, but being frugal gives some people that extra money to do that and some of us, probadly can afford to eat out everyday and pamper ourselves if we wanted. But yes. definitely need to enjoy and splurge from time to time.