Help! I have fallen off the wagon AGAIN

**HappyMomof3** · 08-17-2009, 03:27 PM

I am completely to blame but I have fallen off the frugal wagon again. I just paid off most of our debt about 6 months ago and now my credit cards all have balances that I can't pay off and they keep creeping higher. I have property taxes to pay in a few weeks and I am not sure where all of that is coming from and my kids are going back to school next week. We have most of their supplies, so that's not too big of an issue.
I can't believe I let this happen again and this time, I am not sure if we are in a position to pay it off as quickly as last time.
Time to get back on the wagon. One of our biggest expenses has been entertainment and eating out through the summer. That absolutely has to stop. Oh well, thanks for letting me vent.
I hope everyone is doing much better than I am with their frugality.

**Cricketlegs** · 08-17-2009, 03:48 PM

All you can do is tighten thr belt and start over. Lessons are learned 9 times out of 10 by the HARD WAY.

Welcome!

**Maine Girl** · 08-17-2009, 03:54 PM

It happens and i truly believe it is easier to get back on the wagon in the fall and winter.

**baxjul** · 08-17-2009, 04:01 PM

Hugs, and I was in the same boat once before. Just keep trying to cut back!

**Greebo** · 08-17-2009, 04:33 PM

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.

So - here's what you do...

Step 1: CUT UP THE CARDS

Step 2: Repeat previous process, knowing that this time you can't recreate the mess.

Hang in there!

**Nana2two** · 08-17-2009, 06:28 PM

I agree with GREEBO. We have cut all of the cards up. We have a debit card only. No more credit cards for us. So tempting to use them, by saying oh darn i don't have enough cash on me so i will charge it and pay it off when i get the bill. Been there done that. No credit card debt here, never will be.
Jump on the wagon again.

**fixer** · 08-17-2009, 06:52 PM

You can overspend with credit cards or without. The key is deciding how do you what to feel. Would you rather eat out or worry about paying the property taxes?

**Greebo** · 08-17-2009, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by fixer

You can overspend with credit cards or without.

Yes but if you over spend with credit cards, you can be broke AND in debt, as opposed to just broke.

**Grainlady** · 08-17-2009, 08:50 PM

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Sorry to hear you have to learn the hard lesson all over again, but hopefully it will be for the last time. So I guess it's down to selling stuff and/or the dreaded extra job.....

If you have a good stockpile of food in the house, perhaps you can reduce your grocery spending and use from your stockpile and apply that money towards debt.

Hope everything gets squared away.

**fixer** · 08-17-2009, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Yes but if you over spend with credit cards, you can be broke AND in debt, as opposed to just broke.

It is so simple to just say cut up the credit cards. People blame credit cards as a way of obfuscating responsibility. You need to understand the root cause of the problem. Spending too much money is the problem. The method by which you spend it is irrelevant.

**Palooka** · 08-18-2009, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Yes but if you over spend with credit cards, you can be broke AND in debt, as opposed to just broke.

Originally Posted by fixer

It is so simple to just say cut up the credit cards. People blame credit cards as a way of obfuscating responsibility. You need to understand the root cause of the problem. Spending too much money is the problem. The method by which you spend it is irrelevant.

Hmmm, I agree with both of these post.

**Greebo** · 08-18-2009, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by fixer

It is so simple to just say cut up the credit cards. People blame credit cards as a way of obfuscating responsibility. You need to understand the root cause of the problem. Spending too much money is the problem. The method by which you spend it is irrelevant.

I'm not sure where you think I'm disagreeing with you...

**HappyMomof3** · 08-18-2009, 08:58 AM

Thanks to everyone for their advice. In my case, I apparently need to cut up my credit cards until I learn not to spend money that I don't have with them. You guys here at the village are always so inspiring so I also need to spend more time in the forums like I did when I paid down my debt last time. I spent last night with a cookbook to get re-inspired to cook more meals at home. It's a start.

**Brighid** · 08-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Good for you, Megan. I find that when I get inspired to be more frugal, I actually end up having a lot more fun than I thought I would have. Being more creative in how I spend, provide meals and entertainment for my family can become a game -- a challenge. And God knows it's not often I can resist a challenge!

**frugalfranny** · 08-18-2009, 07:29 PM

Time to cut up the cards.......and get back on the merry go round.

The only thing you can do is start again.......but if the cards are still around this could happen again.

Good luck........better luck next time!!