Do you rationalize falling off the frugality wagon?

[Momto2Boyz]

I'm just curious if anyone else does this and what kinds of excuses you tell yourself!

Every once in a while I (or I should say we, as in DH and I) will "fall off the wagon" and splurge on something in the spur of the moment, or eat out twice in one week (all things I tell myself I won't do), etc. When I look back, I always feel guilty about it...but I notice that at the time, I am always able to rationalize it (although, not very well). I always have an excuse, like I saved X-amount of dollars over here...so it won't hurt to spend it over here. Or, I've been cooking 3 meals a day for a week, I just need a night off so we'll go out, etc., etc! It doesn't happen too often... just once in a while!

I think I need to write down all my excuses on paper...then next time I feel the urge to spend impulsively, I'll check my list to see if my excuse is on there...and if it is, I won't let myself buy it!

Am I alone in this? Or is anyone else able to use false rationalization with themselves in the face of frugal weakness?

[McD]

An occassional splurge helps keep me on track to being frugal as much as I can. I just try and plan for those moments as best as I can! Don't beat yourself up over it!

[dcompton]

Sure! I "deserve" it, don't I? Or I really don't have time to cook, do I? Or I'm just way to tired to cook and my knees hurt too much to stand up in the kitchen, right? Or this thing will make x so much easier. Or I'll get x now and really won't get/do y next week (don't ask me later about next week) ...

I'm GREAT at rationalizations. If you need a few more to round out your list, I'm sure I can supply them!

[MirandaK]

Let me quote my favorite movie The Big Chill...

Sam: Why is it what you just said strikes me as a massive rationalization?
Michael: Don't knock rationalizations; they are more important than sex.
Sam: Oh c'mon! Nothing's more important than sex.
Michael: Oh yeah? Have you ever gone a week without a rationalization?



Professional rationalizer here!

[C@rol]

Sure have!
I have fallen of many times. I think the
most important thing is that you get
back on track.

You can't be to strick with yourself or you
will just give up on being frugal.

[AmyBoz]

Hmmm...rationalization...that sounds familiar...

"I don't feel well enough to cook something, despite the fact that my pantry and freezer are full...so, I'll order pizza AND have it delivered, even though I'll have to pay a delivery fee and a tip."

Yeah, used that last night.

But, when you say that when you say things like, "I spent here, but I saved here, so it balanced out" are false rationalizations, I disagree. They are real rationalizations, and the reason why many of us are frugal in the first place.

We sold a PDA on eBay for $55 this week. Ordering pizza last night wasn't gonna break the bank.

And tonight, I'll cook.

[peanut]

Yes. I sure do. My rationalizations are "I'm too tired." when there's food in the freezer I could thaw and reheat, if I knew it was there. Which I don't because I rationalize putting off doing basic household duties and chores too. I mean, they aren't much fun...or are they?

I realize a lot of my rationalizations come from false notions or myths I grew up with. In the 60s and 70s being a housewife and doing things to run the household just wasn't cool. I mean, even the Brady Bunch had a housekeeper! I constantly have to battle that sense of entitlement to an effortless life.

It helps if I set challenges, instead of goals or 'to do' lists. It helps if I can see the results of what I do on a weekly basis. And that's where the massive rationalization "I deserve that" comes in! I have to battle that in order to see those results.

One reason I like envelope budgeting and jars is because it's right there in front of you - if you've done a good job, there's money in that jar/envelope. If you haven't, there isn't! And sometimes, if there's a pile of money, yeah, DH and I go "reward" ourselves for doing a good job. LOL

Jean

[ladykemma2]

over the christmas holiday i stumbled upon a pair of "1/2 carat each" each diamond studs at a used jewelry shop that were magnificent and $400. That's right, 400 dollars. I snapped them up so fast, no regrets. VS2, color M. absolutely gorgeous and well cut. I have enjoyed them everyday since i bought them.

[frugalfarmwife]

over the christmas holiday i stumbled upon a pair of "1/2 carat each" each diamond studs at a used jewelry shop that were magnificent and $400. That's right, 400 dollars. I snapped them up so fast, no regrets. VS2, color M. absolutely gorgeous and well cut. I have enjoyed them everyday since i bought them.

Ohhh, sparklies, I LOVE sparklies And I bet you're MORE than worth it!!

We all deserve recognition for the good job we do, we ALL deserve a splurge now and then!!

Hubby and I splurged BIG TIME last Nov 2nd on our anniversary, 2nd row Mellencamp tickets and had the TIME OF OUR LIVES. Honestly? After YEARS of being buckled down that was the BEST THING WE HAVE DONE! It brought back the fun young memories, reawakened our love of music, got us interested in the music culture again, urged us into the purchase of a stereo for Christmas, some new CD's that really lighten our moods and make us feel younger

BTW, my house is even almost clean now, that stereo sitting there makes me pop in a good CD and boogie while I clean, dust, do the dishes. (Ok, my dancing is probably NOT a pretty sight, and my singing leaves a LOT to be desired, but it's FUN!)

Yep, the occasional splurge, big or small is NEEDED! You only live once!

kj

[ladykemma2]

Ohhh, sparklies, I LOVE sparklies And I bet you're MORE than worth it!!

We all deserve recognition for the good job we do, we ALL deserve a splurge now and then!!

Hubby and I splurged BIG TIME last Nov 2nd on our anniversary, 2nd row Mellencamp tickets and had the TIME OF OUR LIVES. Honestly? After YEARS of being buckled down that was the BEST THING WE HAVE DONE! It brought back the fun young memories, reawakened our love of music, got us interested in the music culture again, urged us into the purchase of a stereo for Christmas, some new CD's that really lighten our moods and make us feel younger

BTW, my house is even almost clean now, that stereo sitting there makes me pop in a good CD and boogie while I clean, dust, do the dishes. (Ok, my dancing is probably NOT a pretty sight, and my singing leaves a LOT to be desired, but it's FUN!)

Yep, the occasional splurge, big or small is NEEDED! You only live once!

kj

That's right! a splurge, if i can afford it. the diamonds are definitely cape colored, but i like cape colored diamonds, so it's ok. I don't know if you know, but 1/2 carat each diamond studs start at 3K in the stores. i love used jools!

I also need a stereo, lost the boom box in the divorce...
i am glad you had a good time at the concert!

[Daisygirl]

Hmmm... do any of these sound familiar?

"If I don't go through drive through on the way home we won't eat until 7:00 and Rachel goes to bed at 7:30"
"I worked extra this week. I DESERVE a new sweater"
"That's not in style any more and I have to look PROFESSIONAL at work"
"She made an "A" on her test, she deserves a treat, anyone up for McDonalds?"

[frugalfarmwife]

I had to wean myself from the jewelry stores years ago I have a nice wedding set (put away) my grandmothers engagement ring (put away) and a simple anniversary band that I wear daily. My lifestyle is just to hard on fine jewelry, I've already broken one engagement ring, snapped the setting right off. I do have several amythest, garnet and peridot pieces, most in silver, I like unique one of a kind pieces and the unusual colored stones.

But ohh, you should see what a friend got for Christmas, WOW, a 3 karat, yes 3, black diamond solitare. Dang, the woman needs a sling to keep her arm up now! But it's what she wanted, it's her engagement ring.

kj

[krbshappy71]

I'm falling off the frugal wagon as we speak. Help, I need some rationalizers as I'm all out!

purchased just in the past week:
6 month pass to the gym "I need to do something for me!"
A few groceries for the sick boyfriend even though he offered the cash for me to buy them "If it was me that was sick he wouldn't take MY money to buy ME 7-up, he'd just buy it!" (well duh, he has more $ than me)
A coffee on Friday after I have sworn off coffee for weeks "I just need a little pick me up, man I didn't sleep good....it's just one. Just one! It's Friday!"
A soda at work "I just need a pick-me-up, it's cheaper than a coffee shop coffee" (by the way, two wrongs don't make it right but I use that one a lot)

I did talk myself out of purchasing dinner or lunches all week but I was THIS close to doing so every single day and night this week. Sheesh is it a funky moon-cycle or what?

So yah, great thread topic as it is so easy to do, rationalizing!

[watchingpennies]

Like some of you I too need to fall off the wagon to realize why I am on it. My oldest dd was at a sleepover last night, and my youngest dd won an award at school which included a coupon for a free kids meal at a restaurant in town. DH and I decided to head out. We got the bill and nearly croaked.....he said "geez you could have made the whole thing for $5". So....not only did it remind me why I don't eat out very often, it also made me realize that ever so slowly, dh is coming over to the "FRUGAL SIDE"!!!

[paintedsky]

I've gotten a bit better at controlling my rationalizations. Before it was oh I deserve it. Now I'm slowly trying to keep impulses under wraps and go through the actual process of thinking before buying a splurge. So hard sometimes though!