Tired of being poor!

**erinalexmom** · 11-27-2011, 02:11 PM

I am not a "money" kind of person normally. But I am having a hard time right now. I usually am very happy with what I have. and I am but I am so ready to have the $ to finish my Christmas shopping and to have my van and credit card paid off. Sometimes I just feel like I am living from Friday to Friday till I can get all this debt gone! Anyone else get antsy to just get some breathing room? How do you deal with that?

**Maine Girl** · 11-27-2011, 02:20 PM

I totally understand how you feel!!! There is going to be a day when you will have breathing room and you will be so proud of yourself. Every money step we are taking now is going to make us better people later. Also i budget in little rewards not any thing expensive it could be a $1 soda or chocolate bar or a book at goodwill.

**forHISglory** · 11-27-2011, 02:38 PM

Most of us on this forum either are or have been exactly where you are now. I'm probably quite a bit older than you, but I remember having the same thoughts when I was in your age bracket. It just seemed to take so long! Maine Girl gave you some excellent advice: work in little treats and rewards. It gave me the motivation to keep on going.

And I'll never forget the day that I realized that I could retire early because we had scrimped for so long. That was a huge reward, and I could look back over those years and smile. Hang in there! It will soooooooo be worth it!

**greekislandgirl** · 11-27-2011, 03:23 PM

I'm where you are. We are living paycheck to paycheck, and the paychecks are getting smaller. It's hard. I don't have any advice, but you're not alone. For some reason it seems like "being super careful with money" should equal "being financially comfortable" and yet it really doesn't. It just means sacrifice after sacrifice.

I have frugal fatigue regularly.

**shoiji** · 11-27-2011, 03:35 PM

It can get frustrating at times. All in all I realize that whatever circumstances I am in as long as I have a roof over my head and food on the table things could not be better. My living circumstances could be much different and I am very greatful for what I currently have.

Just keep plugging away. Before you know it what you want to accomplish will happen.

**oheoh's momma** · 11-27-2011, 04:35 PM

I am there right now we had our money budgeted to the last dime to get through the holidays our UK daughter needed some cash and could not say no she never asks for anything so we gave it and it put us in a bind.am not near done with my shopping.100 for my daughter, 80 for UK daughter, 50 for son, 200 for Hawaii to be mailed to him with a card and goodies on duty for holiday. a gift for 1 boy friend about 40. Grandma birthday and Christmas. the boss, my 2 besties, hubby and me. I am very worried about it. plus paper, cards, bows ect.
It will be ok. Funny thing if I had my way in July I would be ahead.

**Menifeemom** · 11-27-2011, 05:17 PM

I have been feeling the same way. I work so hard to be frugal in everything to save money to help us get ahead and everytime I see the money going into the bank something happens to use it all. This year it is all going to pay for the medical bills for the birth of our unexpected baby and now a van repair too. I spent $10.00 on each kid at the thrift shop for their presents and have been getting the free collage prints from Walgreens whenever they are offered to frame for the grandparents. That is all we can do this year. Maybe next year will be better.

**Buckeye5** · 11-27-2011, 05:21 PM

you are not alone, it just seems more financially intense this time of the year because of the holidays being more and more commercialized, and the cost of items are always increasing. Gift buying is pressured filled due to tv, the media, etc. Hang in there, do the best you can w/out financially strapping yourself, and don't feel guilty!!

**SewFrugal** · 11-27-2011, 06:09 PM

I can sympathize with how you feel. You'll get where you need to be. Just by the fact that you posted the question shows you are focused on getting out of debt. One thing I do to keep me motivated is look at my 'debt ball' an 'savings ball' and compare it from Jan 1st to Dec. 31st. If the debt went down and the savings went up I can pat myself on the back. If not, then I just re-focus for the upcoming year. Count your blessing!! Good luck, stay positive!!

**frugal.lass** · 11-27-2011, 07:44 PM

I agree with SewFrugal's idea. I know when I was paying down my credit card debt, I would get discouraged because the amount didn't always make big drops but if I compared my situation to how things had been when I first started paying down my debt, it was encouraging to see how far I had come. I definitely went through cycles of that feeling so don't think you're alone in this. Try to focus on all you DO have and how far you've come!

**Debbie-cat** · 11-27-2011, 10:01 PM

This time of the year is difficult. Stay focussed on your goals and you will get there and you'll appreciate everything alot more.

**indigo53** · 11-28-2011, 09:11 AM

Are you doing some online earnings? My online activities like Bing, Superpoints, Swagbucks, Mypoints etc takes care of at least 1/3 of my Christmas costs. I use a site called Frugality is Free and you will find a listing of the reputable sites. Start now for Christmas 2012. I am on a ton of sites. :-)

**peanut** · 11-28-2011, 09:39 AM

My DD keeps a chart/graph of her debt going down on her bedroom wall. It encourages her to see it drop.

I find I need to give myself a frugal treat every now and then. I made a list of free things I could do to nurture myself, and I pick one to do when I start feeling like you. I can always go for a walk by the creek with my camera/journal/sketchbook. I can usually afford a once a month trip to a cafe for a drink of herbal tea. I can give myself a home spa day. I can go to on a self-determined Art Walk through the city checking out the commercial art galleries and the local free provincial art gallery. It doesn't cost to look!

I can curl up in my favourite quilt with my favourite book and a favourite drink...that sort of thing.

Being frugal can sometimes be hard work, and require dedicated focus. But sometimes I think we lose sight of the big picture. We focus so much on not spending money or paying off debt, that we fail to look at what we could do around us for free to improve our standard of living.

Hang in there!

**Incognito** · 11-28-2011, 09:41 AM

There's a lot of great advice on this thread already, but I'll just say that though it seems tough at times, just think where I'd be if I wasn't frugal, and that itself gives me a lift.

As for Christmas expenses, I decided early this Christmas that I could not afford to send money-gifts, informed people of that, and am working away on some hand-crafts for them, things they can actually use. I don't want to spend any money, except for postage costs.

Mostly, I don't mind being 'poor', because I don't consider myself poor, though others would. I find enjoyment in using my skills to do things independently and resourcefully. I find satisfaction in sitting down to a meal of homemade soup, bread and dessert. I enjoy looking around my home and seeing all of the things I've made to make it comfortable and pleasant. I look outdoors, and still realize that the best things in life are free. All of these bills and money-related issues will always be part of life in this world, but I try to cultivate peace in my inner being, and that makes all the difference in dealing with the pressures.

**Beejay** · 11-28-2011, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Incognito

There's a lot of great advice on this thread already, but I'll just say that though it seems tough at times, just think where I'd be if I wasn't frugal, and that itself gives me a lift.

As for Christmas expenses, I decided early this Christmas that I could not afford to send money-gifts, informed people of that, and am working away on some hand-crafts for them, things they can actually use. I don't want to spend any money, except for postage costs.

Mostly, I don't mind being 'poor', because I don't consider myself poor, though others would. I find enjoyment in using my skills to do things independently and resourcefully. I find satisfaction in sitting down to a meal of homemade soup, bread and dessert. I enjoy looking around my home and seeing all of the things I've made to make it comfortable and pleasant. I look outdoors, and still realize that the best things in life are free. All of these bills and money-related issues will always be part of life in this world, but I try to cultivate peace in my inner being, and that makes all the difference in dealing with the pressures.

THANK YOU, INCOGNITO !

Earlier today, I made out my budget for next month, and as usual it is very tight. So, I have been feeling slightly down, and weepy because of the upcoming holidays. But I realized that even though my budget is tight, and I still have a long way to go before getting out of serious credit card debt, that my essential needs are being met and my bills are getting paid. Also, since adopting a more frugal lifestyle, I actually have a few dollars left at the end of each month. My health is fairly good and all of my loved ones are well. I will remember to be grateful for small blessings !!