I hate myself sometimes!!

[savininfl]

I realize when I drift from frugal village I drift from my frugal ways and I HATE IT! I know I'm doing it when I'm doing it but I love to shop I'm not out there buying gucci and prada for me, I buy all the sales x5 and think "it's a great price might was well stock up on it and I'll replace the food budget money" or going to target and actually stopping for a $5 frappucino! Now I have ran up my credit card to $1500 and it's paid in full this month but I was seriously contimplating (sp?) buying a $189 dress for my 3 yr old, that's when I knew I had lost my mind!!!!! LOL (I could have gotten 20% off with a coupon if that helps) I texted my BEST FRIEND to see what she thought and her reply was "you have gone over the deep end!" LOL That's when I knew I had to come back I need to come back down to earth and start penny pinching but I have to make the best of it. I still need a dress for my daughter in less than 4 weeks for a out of town wedding and haven't found anything I like Oh well, off to look some more

[mamamia]

PHEW! That was a close call! Glad you had the sense to get in touch with your friend! And double glad she had the sense to get you back down to earth!

Are you near the Sanford mall? If it's still there, they had a children's formal wear store, and not only were the little girl's dresses beautiful, they averaged around $50.At the time, I needed a Jr's Bridesmaid gown for my then 10 YO, and I got one for exactly that price! But look around, you'll definetely find something, and for MUCH less too!

Theresa

[Thevail]

Also try children's consignment stores. Most dresses like that get worn exactly once.

[Nada.Leona]

$189 for a dress?! For a 3 year old?! I didn't even spend that much on my wedding gown!!! Wow!!! Kids clothes are a lot more expensive than I thought.

I would start hitting second hand stores and consignment shops. You're sure to find something gorgeous for a fraction of the price. Good luck and have fun.

FYI: There are lots of ways to silence your shopping bug without going overboard.

[cab54]

Don't hate yourself, deary. Hate (if you must) the society and it's advertising and it's mindset, that make us think having pricey 'stuff' makes us better people.

I've been where you are. A lot of us have. We buy into 'the dream'. Don't beat yourself up. Start over where you are. Hugs.

[JanieD]

Welcome back to the Village, Savininfl. Hope you'll stop by often instead of drifting (aka shopping). I do understand the joys of shopping & how important it is NOT to get catch up in the moment. Glad you called your friend. I'm sure you will find a beautiful dress for way less than $189.

[shoiji]

I have a closet full of cloths thanks to the thrift store and clearance sales. So one day I am standing there in front of a really full closet saying I don't have anything to wear. Then I had to tell myself "You have a closet full of clothes. PICK SOMETHING!" Wow, all of a sudden I could pick out an outfit.

I find myself sometimes too ready to go out and shop, especially when I can get it for cheap at the thrift store. Welcome back. How about trying to just give yourself x amount in "mad" money each week for shopping. Maybe that will help without feeling deprived.

[Luckybustert]

20% on a $189 dress still puts it at $151 and that's a ridiculous amount to spend on a dress for a 3 year old. How much use would a 3 year old get before growing out of it? Dresses like that are for MOM's benefit, not the child's.

[savininfl]

Of course it's my benefit, it's adorable!!! Thanks for all the advice that I already knew but it helps to reiterate. I'm over the dress (thank God) I just have to be on the hunt for another one for much cheaper. I may go to the mall tomorrow and ONLY look for the dress. I did go to the 3 consignments in my city and haven't found anything there either Oh well, I do have 4 more weeks so I'm not gonna panic yet. Off to catch up......

[Debbie-cat]

Welcome back! Don't worry, you will find a beautiful one for a great price, you still have alot of time.

[mek42]

Can you look back and figure out how / when / why you start returning to spending habits you'd rather not engage in? Maybe you could figure out some things to be more mindful of to help you fend off spending sprees in the future.

Glad to see you back at any rate. I'm pretty sure we'll all be happy to welcome you back any number of times, so please don't ever feel like you've gone astray once too often to return and get back on the proverbial horse.

[Jerseygirl]

As a fellow shopper (yes there is Gucci, Chanel etc. in my closet, at 90% off) I would never spend that on my 3 year old, in fact, I don't spend that in a season on her clothes and she is a Ralph Lauren fiend (mommy, where is the pony?)
Try TJ Maxx, Marshalls and even some bridal shops for flower girl dresses that have been marked down, put the word out to friends with kids that you are looking, bet someone has one you can borrow!

[Nana2two]

Have you tried ebay?I got my daughter then 8 a flower girls dress for under$ 20 bucks. Spending over $50 bucks for a dress is more of the look at my child isn't she cute and pretty in this outfit. I know I was once there. Learned that oh how pretty was gone within a few hours.Good luck, keep looking, you will find the one you want and more within your budget.

[ms.mel.who]

I know the feeling. I will be so frugal and green, and really get into it. Then somethng will snap, and I cannot wash the peanut butter out of the jar, and throw it away! Gasp!!

or I need something for the house like batteries, and go spend 60 -200 bucks at Target. And then I get so mad at myself.

Well, time to brush off, get up, and move on. I forgive myself right away, use the "mad at myself" part to remotivate, and jump right back in.