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Since the middle of January dh and I have been very good about our expenses. We've really watched, scrimped, not outright denied ourselves and I had felt so good about it!
But now I'm losing my resolve. We're trying to pay of our equity line (17K) and for all the scrimping we've been doing it is just so long to wait to actually see results.
I'll admit it, I miss the impulse shopping!! I miss going to Target and just browsing the clearance aisle and getting good deals. However, since I am definitely an 'all or nothing' type person, if I start doing this again a little bit (which I've started to ) It just seems to balloon.
I believe at the beginning of next month I'm hoping to put 2K on the line, and my goal is to put 1500K on the line every month this year, and with dh's bonus we'll be at zero.
Sorry to ramble on like this. January was really easy, we just stayed home and didn't shop or go out to eat much. February, I seemed to go out and run around with returns and got a bunch of credits. Now it's almost March, the credits are almost used up. However, I don't want to go back to the way it was.
It's horrible that I used shopping for 'entertainment' but darn it all, with this horrible winter weather, (and I'm someone that Needs to get out at least once a day) What else is there to do while out? I can't wait until spring, at least we can go outside and go to non-money activities. Sorry to whine, it just s*cks.
Answer:
I'm with you. I simply cannot go window shopping. There are tons of good deals out there and truth be told, it's fun finding them. I've been trying really hard to change my mind set. I've been decluttering around here and am trying not to replace all the clutter. I have also been telling myself that there will always be sales, so I don't have to go nuts and stock up every time I see one. I can't even look at the sales that are posted on this site and have stopped having things sent to my email. It's all just too tempting. My hardest place is the grocery store. I love grocery shopping. I study food labels and nutrition all the time. I've been making a very strict list and sticking to it and it's working! This month I have saved about $300 so far. So, I'm making this my new challenge.
Maybe you could budget in a certain amount of fun money for you. That way at the end of the month you could take it and get some of those goodies.
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Hang in there Stormy and DON'T GIVE UP! I know it's hard......darn hard but you started down this road for a reason. Your goal of paying off your equity line is such an important one and the same goal that I have right now, although mine is even higher.
Maybe sit back and take a look at what is going on in your life now. Are you wanting to shop because you are bored (sounds like it maybe), are you trying to fill another void that isn't being met? Are the purchases going to really solve the issues?
After you've done this, try to think how you will feel if your don't pay off your bills, and potentially watch them rise. Will you feel like you failed? Will you feel like there is no hope?
Here's another suggestion. Why don't you pick a major purchase, or goal (like a trip or new furniture) that you would like to do next year. Set aside a certain amount of money each month. If you can swing it, make this amount equal to the interest you are being charged on your credit line (or even 1/2 of the current charge).
With that money, you can either save it towards your big prize, or spend it at Target. I bet you'll find yourself saving instead of buying a bunch of piddly things that will end up either in the garbage, a yard sale or donation bin! It would also be a good example of the amount of money you are throwing away paying interest charges to a financial institution!
Good luck! You can do it!
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I am right there with you! I am feeling very housebound right now, and with all the snow I have the need just to get out and do something!. This time of year it is hard for me to stay out of the malls just for something to "do"! I am really looking forward to spring when me and the kids can go to the pool and the park and just get some fresh air. I have been organizing alot and getting things ready for our spring garage sale and I swear seeing all the great "bargains" I got, now in a pile to be sold is the only thing keeping me out of the stores!
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If you're a visual person, give yourself reassurance of how you're working towards your goals. Make yourself a chart to track how you're doing. The attachment wouldn't work, so here goes nothing.
|$500|$500| (17k)
|$500|$500| (16k)
|$500|$500| (15k)
|$500|$500| (14k)
|$500|$500| (13k)
|$500|$500| (12k)
(down to 1k)
[the "|$500|" are boxes]
Shade in the boxes that correspond with your payments. You can either start at 17k and work down (how much you have left), or start at 1k and work up (how much you've paid) - it's your choice. Whatever helps keep you motivated. Also, keep track of your payment schedule and mark it off on this sheet too. Post it in numerous places if you must -- use it to help you attain your goal! Good luck!
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hang in there. .. you're doing great. ..
I was going to suggest some kind of visual reminder of how much debt you've paid already and how much you have to go.
I understand the need to get out and go anywhere, and stores and malls are great destinations to beat the blahs. Maybe you could budget yourself a small amount and take only that with you -- in cash.
We have one or two malls nearby that, honestly, I don't know how they stay in business. It seems more people go there to walk than to do any shopping. If you have anywhere like that, it's hard to spend money when there's nothing to buy.
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I realize I'm probably just weird..........but something I do when in this situation is plan a little party albeit with friends or family.I pick a date at least a week or two away and enjoy the fun of planning it...browse for new recipes....challenge yourself to look for coupons or deals as you gather ingredients...even make and send invitations if it's family and you know they have nothing going on on Sunday afternoons.Preoccupies you for a week or two with the challenge of throwing a fun time and nothing makes you feel better than watching a group of people enjoy themselves based on a moment you created.
It's win win girl.
Then you can come back here for "pats on the back" all around for what a good time you had and brag about how cheap you did it!!!Hey,we can all help giving you ideas...
just an idea!
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Sounds to me like you need a new challenge.
The first challenge was to stop shopping for entertainment. Now you're wondering, "What else is there?"
Your challenge for the rest of February is to find what else there is to do without shopping for entertainment. When you find the answer, life WILL become so much more interesting.
Go to the library.
Read a book.
Work on a craft.
Increase your cooking repetoire.
Slow down life a bit - give yourself more time to do simple things like eating a meal. Many of us shop for entertainment because we're bored. Instead of filling up our time with shopping, spend time concentrating on what matters in life - the very basics of how we spend our day - eating, sleeping, caring for ourselves and our loved ones.
Meditate.
Most people say they don't exercise because they don't have the time. Well, the time we spend walking around the mall (or WalMart) is now given back to us.
Work further on your finances. Once the home equity line is paid off, what will you do with that $1500 to $2000 you're putting toward it? Do research on investments you may want to try.
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Saving money is somewhat like dieting. If you can't have chocolate, what do you crave? If you can't do shopping, what do you want to do? Try to alter your mindset. Instead of focusing on what you can't do, think about what you CAN be doing with your time. Any hobbies you'd like to get back into? Cooking, reading, photography, sports, etc.???
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January was much the same for us. Then this month we recieved our tax return and another $800 that my DH's sister owed us, so we paid off bills, and HAVE NOT been careful at all.... And I have loved it...
But I think in March it is back to saving for us, as much fun as that ISN'T