I'm Not Sure What's Gotten Into Me Lately?

[brenda67]

For the past 2 weeks I could care less about how much money I have been spending...I haven't been this way in ages..I think maybe it's been so so longggg since I have spent money on things I really need or want for our home that it's gotten the best of me..I have been so tight with money for the past couple of years now that it's time for a Big Spending frenzy...I have been depriving myself for years and years and now I just want what I want for once..We (as me and dh)don't do what other people do by giving each other a set amount of entertainment money or any of that...I'm very strick with how much money dh gets...he's could go through a $100.00 a week if I let him and have nothing to show for it...so he gets basically just enough for gas..I make his lunch so he doesn't anymore money than that.I bring my lunch too...so I only need money for gas.We always discuss a big ticket item before we decide wether it's a want or need..most of the time we never get that big ticket item..Heck I get upset if anybody wants takeout food or go out to eat...cause I know we have plenty of food and costs alot less...Is it just me??? or is it being to frugal breakdown?I know I'm going in circles with this post...but what bothers me the most is the fact it's not bothering me to spend money...thats the weird part and scary part to me...I always think we should save every dime we have and forget about the wants...I hope the itch ends soon...I have bought everthing I have been wanting except a sofa sleeper and I'm gonna buy it soon..maybe that will be the end to it..cause I bought everything else that I wanted..Oh by the way everything I bought was paid for in cash..I guess thats a good thing at least...So whats your input on this subject?

[Lmullin]

I can totally relate to your situation. I'm really anal about keeping the house clean, so when I get into a mood where the house gets a bit messy and I don't care, that's sort of scary for me because I feel like I'll "lose control."
However, I think that everything in moderation is good advice and if you are truly a frugal person, this is just a time when you are blowing off a little steam. I spent a few hundred bucks today, but it was all stuff I needed (well, I don't really need anything except food, water, shelter) so I didn't feel that bad about it. Amy Dacyzn always says that being frugal should not be about drudgery and deprivation. If right now, at this time you want to spend a bit, you've earned it because you've made decisions in the past that have enabled you to have some cash. Afterall, cash is worthless, it's just a representation of security. Does this make sense?

[canadian gardener]

You paid cash, not on the cards right? So you don't have to sweat about it.

Often when we go thru a tight patch we really clamp down on spending, which is right and good.

But some things get deferred into the future (when we have some extra we need to replace the roof shingles or buy some newer clothes) that sort of thing.

It's spending that is really not absolutely necessary, but it fits into the category of we will need to buy this someday in the near to far future.

If you paid cash, and you did, you don't need to worry. Just keep a list handy so you can see what you spent recently and on what to keep it from becoming a frenzy.

I find keeping a list of upcoming expenses (roof repair kind of things, or a new blouse) keeps me on track when I get some extra money and can take care of some of these deferred expenses. Without going on a scary spree.

[summer breeze]

Like on a diet if you want something eat that and the craving goes away.

so if you want to splurge go ahead but like CG keep a list of what you spend.


Just my 2 cents worth

[nodmicks]

You know Brenda the last month has kind of been that way for us. We are in the middle of painting and Dh installing much needed new flooring after tons of leveling , trim etc. I have been very limited as far as what I can do due to my degenerating disk flaring up big time.
We have eatten out more in the last month than in the last 8 months I think!!!!!!
When I have been forced to shop I am so uncomfortable I don't care whats in the cart I just want out of the store!
I told Dh we need to get a grip on it!!!!! I forced myself to cook tonights dinner and tomorrows tonight. So I can't be into much discomfort to cook after working for a few hrs.. Dh is pooped after 14 hrs and doesn't want to cook so no excuses now I cooked it!!!
I agree with Margery on its great it was all cash!!!!

[staceyy]

Past experience has taught me that in my case, I need to pepper small luxuries into my budget on an ongoing basis. Lest all my hard earned savings get spent all in one large spree. Its the feast or famine syndrome.