Confessions: My Frugal Challenges were too challenging!

**Daisygirl** · 01-17-2008, 05:49 AM

Okay, I admit it. I am a Frugal Challenge failure.

Halfway the month this is where I stand:

Grocery Challenge Goal $250
Spent $248
It is better than I thought. When I first entered my reciepts I forgot I had gotten a new phone card, so I thought I was already $20 over. But with $2 remaining for two weeks, I think it is safe to say I am NOT going to make it. I did purchase some amazing sales and my stockpile is better than ever, but I am really disappointed in myself for not budgeting better. The only upside of this is that I will not have to purchase juice boxes again this school year, nor will I need canned veggies or canned pasta - I got the canned goods at 49 cents so I got enough to last until fresh veggies are cheap. Here the canned vegetables are generally 99 cents a can, sometimes you can find a sale for 79 cents, so this was a great buy.

No Spend Days Goal 20
I've had 2
No explanation is needed for this fiasco

Eating Out Goal 4
I've eaten out 5 times
Yikes. I did not end up cancelling my lunch with the girls so I could take my kids out. Nope, I did both and there are plans to meet friends out this weekend. Now, twice a week is a vast improvement - I did manage to switch pizza night to homemade pizza, and on the weekends we have had no burger runs. However I am really disappointed in my lack of restraint.

Emergency Fund $500
Emergency Fund $500
This is the only goal I have achieved. I still have to go and set up a differnt account when I am off work on Friday, since this money is sparkling away at me in my checking account, lol.

Credit Card paid in full
Oh, I did this too, and am now completely free of credit card debt! Pretty proud of this one!

All in all, I have made improvements but I am not hitting my goals. As a perfectionist this bothers me immensely. The upside is that I have learned a few things about myself and my levels of restraint. Next month I am setting my goals very differently, an I am planning ahead more, which will help with the no-spend days.

Anyone else got any confessions to make?

**Jskell911** · 01-17-2008, 06:07 AM

Looks like you did great on two big ones! Challenges are pretty much just that, a challenge. I had to increase my grocery budget by $100 this moth myself. SOmetimes it is worth it to get the fantastic deals that don't always come up!

**emily_hope** · 01-17-2008, 07:05 AM

I am real close on my groceries, so I can pretty much say I am not going to come in under my grocery amount. But, my thing, too... there were some good sales and good coupons. Ingles had triple coupons this week. So even though I might not have met the challenge, these deals will help me out on future challenges. Sometimes you can't pass up on the bargains, you know.
I don't consider you to be a Frugal Challenge failure. Getting your EF and paying off the credit cards are very positive accomplishments. AND, you have cut down on what you were spending, so you are making improvements there, also. Don't beat yourself up. Every little bit helps.

**frugalfarmwife** · 01-17-2008, 07:24 AM

Well for goodness sakes woman! You set the bar so high I can't see over it, lol!! You overachiever/perfectionist you!

Seriously, you've done WONDERFULLY! And when you can stock the pantry of COURSE you do it! Look how much you'll have saved just on the juice boxes and veggies alone!

kj

**mommy4ever** · 01-17-2008, 10:49 AM

I heard something. I believe Dr. Oz said on Oprah when they were talking about a diet. A You Turn. In that situation, you're watching what you eat, right? Then you mess up and have a Big Mac. The fact is you messed up, and you realize it. Does it mean you are going to keep going on that path and just a huge junk food fest? No, you don't have to do so. Do a You Turn, and head back in the right direction.

The only area I see as a You Turn in all that you posted is maybe *maybe* the meals out. So you spent more on teh grocery budget than you'd hoped, but you won't need to spend on those things full price later. you did great! No spend? You did groceries, you paid bills, so you went out a couple times, did you buy Prada? Did you buy a Hummer? Did you rack up the CC? No. You spent within your means. So you strayed a little wee bit from your plan. Do a You Turn and keep on trucking! You are amazing!

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-17-2008, 10:54 AM

You've done fantastic with two of the goals! So, you won't meet your other goals...just make sure you don't go hog wild for the rest of the month. If I were you, I would just make some adjustments to the food budget and try to stay under that for the rest of the month. If you spent $250 for half the month...cut that in half for the second half of the month. Add another $125 to the grocery budget for the rest of the month. Granted, you won't stay under budget...but you will have cut your second months cost by half of what you spent on the first half of the month. Does that make sense???? It did in my head...just having trouble getting it in words!

Don't beat yourself up about it...you hit two major goals. All you can do is start over from here!

**Kitten20** · 01-17-2008, 11:31 AM

You're doing great imo! No one is perfect. You set some very high goals for yourself and managed to accomplish the two big ones -- awesome!

My challenge "failure" is eating out this month.

LOL. It's still better than we usually do, but not as well as I'd hoped... Ah well. There's always next month.

**HappyMama** · 01-17-2008, 11:36 AM

I know it is hard when we feel we messed up but I think you are doing a great job. Stocking up on the sales for your pantry will really help over the next few months budget. Great job on the EF and paying off the credit card.

**peanut** · 01-17-2008, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

Okay, I admit it. I am a Frugal Challenge failure.

I beg to differ. If this is even a fraction better than last month, then you are a 'work-in-progress' and moving forward.

Halfway the month this is where I stand:

Grocery Challenge Goal $250
Spent $248
It is better than I thought. When I first entered my reciepts I forgot I had gotten a new phone card, so I thought I was already $20 over. But with $2 remaining for two weeks, I think it is safe to say I am NOT going to make it. I did purchase some amazing sales and my stockpile is better than ever, but I am really disappointed in myself for not budgeting better.

Can you eat mostly out of your stockpile? Don't worry about going over in groceries too much to start. It takes awhile to implement all the strategies some of we others use on this board. Pick one or two and just work on making those a habit. Then pick up a few others. It's so easy to overwhelm yourself and go down sinking once you hit the grocery store.

No Spend Days Goal 20
I've had 2
No explanation is needed for this fiasco

In case you hadn't noticed, I don't take part in this challenge. Why? I need the exercise and walking to do errands every day gives me a good reason to do it. I'd rather go out every day of the week on foot, than just shop once or twice a month.

Eating Out Goal 4
I've eaten out 5 times

This will get better as you think of alternative ways to entertain and be with friends and family. Maybe do up a 'things to do for free' list, and create a list of reasons why you go out to eat. Then brainstorm ways you can meet those reasons in your own home. For example, if you go out because you're too tired to cook or don't have time to cook, maybe you need to do some mega-cooking so you have meals in the freezer.

Emergency Fund $500
Emergency Fund $500

So you did achieve something! Yay you! Way to go!

Credit Card paid in full

Now that is a big accomplishment! I don't think you were a failure at all this month! I think you may have bit off more than you could chew at the moment. You've got a couple of biggies under control.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you used the word "perfectionist". I'm one of those too. It's so easy to set unrealistically high goals, and then get depressed when you don't make them. I figure if I do one frugal thing a day, I'm doing well. I often do more than that, but it's an 'as I go' kind of goal setting. I find I get more done that way. If I have a long list of goals, it just haunts me all week.

I also find discussing things with DH gives me a good dose of reality. A once a week meeting, or some quiet time on a walk, is just what we need for deciding what is really important, or brainstorming alternative ways to reach the same objective.

Jean

**sdrjeolsen** · 01-17-2008, 01:26 PM

DaisyGirl, I think you are doing a great job. Better to shoot for the stars and fall short than to aim for nothing and reach it. You set some amazingly high goals and you got some accompllished and you got part way there on some others. Plus you increased your stockpile, WTG!! Give yourself a pat on the back and remember to look at what you have achieved.

**Royal** · 01-17-2008, 01:38 PM

I think you did great!!

**lukesmama** · 01-17-2008, 03:11 PM

I think you did great, too. You made some huge steps forward! Good for you!

I can relate to the grocery challenge issue, though. My goal was $500 for a family of 4 (I do have a very picky carnivorous husband, though, and this amount includes all HBA and diapers for my two boys). Anyway, you can look below and see where I stand, with two weeks left in the month. I am going to try soooo hard to make it, but not holding my breath. Sigh...

**shoiji** · 01-17-2008, 04:05 PM

Ok so things happen. Ease up on yourself. I am still trying to figure out a balance with the couponing and stocking up. I get all excited and forget that no, I don't need that.

So you went out a couple of times. From what I have read in your posts you have been having a pretty difficult time. Nothing wrong in being good to yourself. For the rest of the month you can say you won't go out anymore.

**Libby** · 01-17-2008, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

Okay, I admit it. I am a Frugal Challenge failure.

You are not a failure, you're just over ambitious but its the ambitious that go and get their stuff done. You achieved 2 of your goals...thats WONDERFUL! Remember, goals are guidlines to help you achieve your deadline

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

Halfway the month this is where I stand:

Grocery Challenge Goal $250
Spent $248
It is better than I thought. When I first entered my reciepts I forgot I had gotten a new phone card, so I thought I was already $20 over. But with $2 remaining for two weeks, I think it is safe to say I am NOT going to make it. I did purchase some amazing sales and my stockpile is better than ever, but I am really disappointed in myself for not budgeting better. The only upside of this is that I will not have to purchase juice boxes again this school year, nor will I need canned veggies or canned pasta - I got the canned goods at 49 cents so I got enough to last until fresh veggies are cheap. Here the canned vegetables are generally 99 cents a can, sometimes you can find a sale for 79 cents, so this was a great buy.

Now...I must know, where did you get the deal on the veggies and are they store brand or brand name?

Karen - keep up the GREAT work!!!

**Daisygirl** · 01-18-2008, 05:56 AM

You guys always make me feel better. Thanks.

Shorty, the veggies are Del Monte and they are on sale a No Frills and Zehrs. I got them last weekend, so you might be able to still get them today - I think the sales change on Saturday.

I like the idea about adding just a little to my budget and keeping it under that. I will add $100 for the rest of the month. I think I can keep it under that. Part of the major reason I am disappointed is that I have been spending $300 a month and decided it was time to cut that. Anyhow, you are right, the deals I got will help immensely in the future and I told the girls we are not grocery shopping this week, we are eatig from the pantry. I said,if we run out of something, be creative!