Gardening addiction killed my budget

[mikandmari]

May is shot. I did so well since the beginning of the year, living so frugally & paying off debt. I learned that it really doesn't take much money to get by when you plan.

Then springtime happened. And the local garden centers opened up.

Last year, we did major renovations to our small, modest home, an old art & crafts house with a small yard near the city. (This is much of my debt that I'm trying to payoff.) Our fix-up included a new paver patio and several trees. The only thing left to finish this 'private backyard oasis' is some shrubs, vines, and flowers. I'm only buying perennial flowers that return every year, they are a better value in the long run, but cost more now!

The good news is I'm no longer using credit cards. The bad news is that the 'extra' money I was sending for credit card payments came to a halt this month.

Has anyone else taken a month or two off from being 'tightwad frugal'? I hope to jump back on the wagon by July 1.

Any other gardening addicts? I'm going to post photos next week, I'll be on vacation from work!

[Neeley]

About three weeks ago my mom and I went shopping for flowers to plant in our yards, her treat. We ended up spending $200 and still need to go back and get some more for my yard. The place we get our flowers from is called Southern Homes and Gardens and I could easily spend a small fortune in there - and enjoy every minute of it. I hate to actually plant the flowers, my DD does that once I show her where they go. I love the end result though. Being able to drive up my driveway and see all of the pretty colors makes me smile.

I am not a real frugal person to begin with, but yes there are times I spend more than normal. That is when DH has to reel me back in and take my debit card away for a while.

[DixieJ]

Oh my, I know exacly what you mean!! I can turn down clothes, perfume, household stuff, anything but plants!! It's like an addiction for me!! I probably haven't spent as much this year as I usally do as I did manage to bring some of my plants in and overwinter them. My back bedroom was full of hibiscus, mandevilla, palms and other tropicals that overwintered so I wouldn't have to buy new each year like I used to do. I am starting to grow more things that come back each year. I still have to have some annuals though, I don't think I could get by without having as least some petunias, as I love their colors and fragrance.

Dixie Jean

[Libby]

Yes, I had done so well and kept on track until May

$200 -I paid for gardening supplies, tools and plants for my dad and I (cant wait to see all the veggies!)
$350 - But then I also spent money on an online course (textbooks too) to try to better myself and get a paper to show that I have a 'formal' education.
$375 - Then I had to pay to get my trucks brakes machined down and a few other things
$50 - two birthday presents that I cant really skimp on though they both will be small gifts (best friend and sister, literally their birthdays are 4 days apart )
$100 - Trip to Buffalo to shop with my sister, I paid for my shopping, gas and lunch, she paid for her many items and a nice big dinner
$100 - to be spent later for my best friends birthday 'festivities' - Im already making it more frugal then what we're doing...but also Im the one providing the picnic lunch vs all 4 of us eating out for both lunch and dinner on that day

So far that total is $1175 and the month is not over and this is our holiday long weekend!! I guess my frugal skills helped get me to this point and will help get me out of it next month! And I havent factored in groceries and my other regular bills.

So mikandmari, I can so relate to you - budget is blown I even tried to make May and June low key no events months b/c of the preplanned ones. *hugs* to yas b/c it can only get better from here right?

[cebsme]

Well if it makes you feel better i spent are you ready for it $836.00 dollars at home depot yesterday.

We are starting the remodel on our new house, so a lot of that was stuff that will be for more than one room (ie... ladder, tools for drywall repair,lots and lots of paint). we also bought new flooring, new mouldings and baseboards, and a new track light system $100 dollars in itself. thats for just one of the rooms though. It would have been a lot more but i used my 10% move in coupon from the post office, and it worked on everything so that was nice. Plus i had scrimped and saved up the cash for it.

Has far as the gardening goes, all ive spent money on so far is landscaping about $150 that was a couple weeks ago. But hold on to that because im about to in a week or two go buy some new cacti and succulents.

[Katybird]

I can totally relate to that. It does not take long to rack up a tidy little sum at the garden center. We go to a local nursery that specializes in plants and flowers that are native to this area and are aclimated to live in our crazy weather here. Their prices are a bit higher than other nurseries but their plants thrive in this area.

[justpeachy92]

I love the garden center too. I started my flower beds last weekend, I spent most of my money on rose bushes and mulch, I got annuals to fill in around. I will buy perrenials in August when they put them on clearance

[Marie78]

Thankfully I don't have a house yet, or I would have spent a lot of money too! Last year I spent nearly $40 buying a hanging basket and flowers for the containers on my balcony. This year I didn't have the money, so I bought 10 seed packets for $1 at the $1 Store. I hope I have some pretty flowers by July, I planted the seeds in early May, they have started to grow, but haven't flowered yet. I think it might take over a month to see any results. I love to garden though, and I know how expensive it can be...my Mom spends 100's each year on gardening supplies and plants for her house.

[dcompton]

Well, I don't garden, but I spent a bundle on fabric at the end of April and the beginning of May -- some of that had flowers. Quilt gardening. Does that count?