Off the frugal path! Yep, me. I have been really unfrugal these past couple of weeks! I was telling Lyn (who doesn't have blog) that I haven't been writing about my frugal doings because I haven't really been living it! I told Gabrielle Home...be inspired that I too had "lost my way" and that one of the things I need to stop doing is wondering around Target! Last week I went in and had 4 things on my list and what do I come out with.......
A Shabby Chic comforter set for my guestbedroom for $34.98 (originally $69.99) that I didn't plan on buying and don't really need. Now I don't really like the comforter that's there (my husband insisted on "helping" me pick it out) but it's not hideous. Just not what I would have chosen if I was doing the picking on my own. We only got it last year so it's not even old!
Can I afford it? I suppose so. It's not like I don't have money to buy groceries or pay the mortgage. But what bothered me so much is the lack of thought behind this purchase. I just saw that it was 50% off and thought "get it"! I've been doing that a lot lately. I don't even like pink all that much! So I got it home and said to myself well if you don't like it on the bed you'll just take it back. You have no idea how much I tried to convince myself that I liked that comforter! It's a great price, it's not really all that pink there's some blue, I can bring in my plates that have roses on them, I can paint all the furniture white, etc. Next thing I know I'm totally re-doing that room all because of a comforter! I had that comforter on that bed for two days when I finally realized that this was just a ridiculous waste of money. Even if it was a good price! If I have to try talking myself into it that hard - it's not really what I'd like anyway! So that was an eye opener. Why am I buying things I don't really want or need?
True Confession. Also I have not been clipping my coupons. I haven't even looked at my coupon organizer. I had about 3-4 weeks worth of coupons to clip! I haven't been planing our menus. I bought a book on impulse that was way more than I'd ever spend on a book and I can't even return it and I regret buying it now. It was a total impulse purchase. Oh I could go on.
But my point is, if this has/is happening to you....tomorrow is a new day. Nobody's perfect! Recognize where you are and start over again. It's like falling off your diet. Forgive yourself and start fresh the next day. So that's what I'm doing.
So I sat down this morning and tackled the tedious job of clipping weeks worth of coupons while watching "Good Neighbors". One of my favorite old BBC shows. Now I just have to file them.
My menu plan dinners for Sunday thru Friday:
- Sunday - Ham Steaks glazed with apricot jam. Roasted Cauliflower and fresh green beans.
- Monday - Chicken Enchiladas using already cooked chicken in the freezer, spanish rice and canned corn
- Tuesday - Chicken Parmigiana, whole wheat spaghetti, broccoli
- Wednesday - meatloaf, mashed potatoes, frozen veggies
- Thursday - leftover meatloaf cubed with spaghetti sauce over ziti, fresh zucchini roasted
- Friday - Family Movie Night - we eat while watching a movie - homemade hamburgers with lots of fixins and fries
I cleaned off the top of my desk yesterday and wrote the due date on bills. I never did a budget for February!! I'll sit down and see where we are today. I'm hoping it won't be too unpleasant. I need to order my daughter's birthday presents from Amazon today(she'll be 17 on the 24th!!) I'll spend most of the day working on the garage - yep still trying to organize that monster!
I feel better. I feel like I'm gaining back some control. I'll keep you all posted!
Need some inspiring stories to get you back on track? Check these out:
The Happy Rock-How we paid off $70,000 in four years!
Miserly Moms One Income Living Success Stories
Dollar Stretcher - How We Got Out of Debt
Counting the Cost Frugal Success Stories
Mommysavers Debt Elimination Success Stories
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48 comments:
This was such an encouragement to me. My husband and I have both returned to college and barely have two pennies to rub together and yet we have beeen pretending as if it were not so. The elephant in the room so to speak. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
It is good to hear someone admit to their failings and then realize that you can turn your life around. I am so proud of you for getting back on track!
It is nice to know that everyone - even the most frugal people can impulse buy now and then. Thank you for sharing that Manuela!
Hugs,
Penny
I really am glad I visited you today! There are several things that are upsetting me--one, at the TOP of my list--is not being financially organized. It is so reassuring to hear someone like you admit to having fallen off the wagon. It does give me hope that I will "snap out of it" and get back on track!
I hope you had a great Valentine's Day! Dana
Thanks for the great links, too.
I didnt make my budget for Feb either and it is still something that needs to be done today! You are back on track, sometimes we all do it. Have a great week.
Lorri
Manuela, I've been thinking about greed lately and how easily I fall into the trap of wanting what I see. I haven't been guilty of wandering around Target ~ I've been wandering around YOUR BLOG, reading the archives! That alone made me want to spend. I have to confess I even went to the thrift stores this week looking for bargain transferware! Anyway, the point is, we all fall into those temptations. I fixed my discontent by rearranging my furniture and doing the clean/fluff process you outlined. I really helped! Thanks for inspiring me to continue to be frugal AND honest. ((smiles))
I usually do pretty good. More often than not, if it is an impulse buy, it is something small that I really did not need and wished I had not bought later. I messed up last week. Bought 2 trellis at Tues. AM and now not that thrilled with them. Tags are off and already in the ground , so guess I will swallow that one - money wise not that bad. I think most everyone has had some of those "wished I had not bought that" experiences. Comfort set in my guestroom is another one. :-)
Have a great day.
Glenda
Maybe you didn't fall off the frugal path, maybe you just took a little vacation from it ! ;)
Manuela,
I just have to say that I adore SC and probably wouldn't be able to pass up that 50% off comforter either, LOL!
Your header is beautiful...I'm toile-addicted. :o)
Have a lovely weekend!
Oh, but it is so lovely! 50% off, if your quilt gets too bad, I love to have it! lol Hubby said he not letting me out of the house again, well that was when I went and bought all the peppermint collection. We went to buy grocerys, pantry empty!!! Spent 180.00 and have maybe three meals! I told him we got to plant more food, this is horrible, I need to stop and see just how much each item cost now. Big fallen off track, was I went to Dollar tree, looking for 2 things, they did not have. I spent $58.00, but came home with 80 things! I got a lot for four for a dollar! Now I have to hold off on the set of dishes, what I really want to buy!
Manuela, I am just the same way...and it used to be okay, but now with the economy/layoffs/pay freezes, I must do better! You're right...I shouldn't beat myself up, but should just start from this day forward. Thanks!
Such a great post! It is so easy to see a sale sign and think buy it! I just bought a coupon organizer two days ago at Michaels in the dollar bin so I can start using coupons. My sister in law once brought up the point that even if something only cost a dollar, it's not worth it if you're never going to use it. I try to remember that when shopping. Thanks for the great inspiration!
Do you mind if I put a link to your post in my blog?
I appreciate your honesty. It's amazing how fast I can get off track so I totally understand where your coming from. Thanks for sharing.
We can't be perfect all the time.
Love your pretty pink transferware.
I love that bedspread!!!
Have you ever read about the red paper clip trade up?
http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/
It's so easy to fall off the wagon...don't be too hard on yourself. Fact is, I use shopping as therapy and perhaps it is cheaper in the end if I think of it that way. I try to stay out of all stores, but one must go there eventually.
Manuela:
I must follow suit, I admire your ability to recognize your faults and in such a public way. I also have MUCH to do. I am a thrift impulse buyer. Every cute thing I see I want to buy and I know I can do something cute with it but the problem is that it doesn't jive with my decor. I am cleaning out my crazy closets & garage so I can get rid of extra stuff that I haven't even thought of in a year. I have a HUGE box of cross stitching kits. I can only remember like 2 kits that I have in there. The rest I can live without. Oh well.
BTW, do you just clip coupons from the sunday paper or where else do you get your coupons?
p.s. love your blog
I think we all fall off the wagon once in awhile. Even thrifting can add up to an aweful lot of money on things we don't really need! The good thing is that you recognized it and are amking an effort to turn around. Thanks for sharing, we probably all need the reminder to be more aware of what we are doing!
Hey Manuela! I give you a lot of credit for jumping back onto the bandwagon. We all have those times. I have bought things and returned them too once I came to my senses and figured out I didn't need or really want the item.
My biggest problem too is going into stores. Even if I have a list my eyes wander. I did this yesterday at Trader Joes and Wal-Mart. It wasn't a lot of money, but still more than I wanted/needed to spend. I just need to stay away, or better yet, send dh to get some items for me (he doesn't like to shop so he's in and out!) :)
Your sharing encourages me, so thank you.
You are doing a great job admitting you lost control and like you said this post will go a long way to getting back on top of things.
The best part is that next time you probably won't fall off the wagon as long.
This is a journey and as long as you keep learning and growing you are on the right path.
Thanks for the link too.
I have done the same exact things, like the toile couch I bought then sold. I have also gone to the store loaded some things in the cart then put them all back. It is a struggle but am trying . mishelle
Manuela, there is nothing wrong with what you are doing. Once in a while is okay and this is the first I have heard you talk of not being frugal. It's just a little off the track and tomorrow you'll be back on track because that's you. I send you best wishes and take a tea time for yourself. You'll feel better.
This was so funny , because I have done the same thing too!! LOL
I so enjoyed visiting with you tonight.
Blessings,
Sue
I'm glad I'm not alone and I am super frugal, but there are those times when I make impulse buys. Isn't it funny how we'll buy thing we don't need just because they are on sell? I have done this so many times. Glad you can admit it and help the rest of us.
Hi Manuela --
What a great post. I try to live frugally, but sometimes I am mesmerized by a really good deal. I really need to make a menu list and not buy groceries impulsively. Your menu for this week sounds scrumptious!
Jen
Great post! ThanX for the gentle nudge. I can think of a few key areas where I ought to do likewise (get back on track)...
Manuela,
You're such an encouragement to me. I've fallen off too. I am glad you're being honest. Hey we're supposed to be encouraging each other! I like your comforter, but it's more my style of decorating than what I would have thought for you. You're right, if we take the time to really think about why we are making that purchase then impulse buying hopefully recedes. We'll just have to pick ourselves up and get back on the wagon. Good luck Manuela.
Your package is ready to mail, but hubby deleted the address again. Maybe I need to get my own account?
Hugs, Amanda
Maybe you can keep the bed cover till the next birthday/anniversary/Christmas and you'll have a gift ready to be delivered! Maybe this would make feel you better.
It's happens. You should join menu plan Monday, it will keep you on track for sure. check it out. i do it every monday. They are having a give away this Monday.
http://orgjunkie.com/2009/02/menu-plan-monday-feb-16th-giveaway.html
Great post, Manuela!
I've made a couple of trips to Target for the after Christmas sales, this year. But I try to stay away from there when I don't "need" anything. It's a great place for "impulsive" buying. I do have the gkids birthday gifts taken care of for this year..so that's a good thing. I'm famous for putting something in the cart,walking around the store for a cooling off period, then I go put it back on the shelf more often than not....It really helps me, living a pretty long drive away, too.;-)
It's nice to know that I'm not alone in my frugal failings. :) It's great that you recognize it and can bounce back from it! There are times that I just can't control the impulse buy and then I spend days agonozing over it. There have been several times I have just gone and returned an item, just so I will quit feeling guilty. The biggest problem we face is the kids constantly asking for money for school and sports....class parties, pictures, club dues, lunches, and the constant need for school supplies......the list just keeps going. The thing is these are mostly necessary expenses. Sports are not, but its the one "normal" thing I can give my kids during this crunch.
Thanks for sharing!
Jen
Manuela thank you for the inspiration! I'm off to read the stories in your links. BTW I also have that Shabby Chic comforter but I got it at a garage sale. It is very soft and we really like it!Have a great Monday!
Great post....thought provoking!!
I love the Good Neighbors show. I have the DVD's and never tire of them. Fab!!
I love Good Neighbors! Unfortunately my husband and I are more like Jerry and Margo! ;D
Falling off the frugal wagon happens to the best of us, but sounds like you are back on track.
I was just thinking today and last week... if I'd only stay out of the stores, I wouldn't spend any money. Every time I go in I come out with 3 or 4 things I just saw along the way. Did that today at lunch, btw!
The comforter is very pretty!
Get back up on that horse and ride!! Soon, you will even forget that you fell off. Happy to see your menu for the week - I need simple, cheap ideas. Thanks for the inspiration. Sally
Good for you, you've inspired me to climb back on that thrifty wagon myself. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one spending more than I NEED to lately.
It's just been little slips and now you are going right back on the good path of frugalness :-) No One can be perfect all the time and remember you give us little people that want to be like Manuela hope that we will succeed when our idol slips from time to time as well :-)
funny timing on this post...this was the first week in years that I went food shopping and had no coupons to use...I felt horrible. How could I do such a thing...not save 50 cents or $1. on those 2 boxes of dog biscuits I bought...I didn't make a good grocery list...I have to do better next week....and the crap I bought at Old Time Pottery today..half is going back!! Thanks for keeping me inline....
You and I have been in the same shopping funk:-) I too ahve returned bedding whcih was purchased because of the great sales...without really thinking. My coupons are sitting in a pile. I was inspired by your post and loved your menu!
I also tagged you today if you want to particpate.
Enjoy your evening!
♥♥♥
I have fallen off the wagon from time to time. DH and I are both thrifty by nature. And consequently, we are debt free. Have always been. We are teaching are daughter to live the same way. Getting her to understand that we do not have to keep up with the Jones is the hardest part. But she is also coming to an understanding about it. (do you know any 10 yos with a cell phone? She insists that her school friends have them and she is the only one....)
I will occasionally will make 'unplanned splurges' aannnnddd I will quite often will take them back. LOL!
This is such an encouraging reminder that we don't have to stay on the same path we have gotten ourselves on. Sometimes, I feel that I've gone too far down the wrong path and can't turn around. Thank you for this reminder that I can turn around. laurie
Great Post Manuela, We all fall off the Wagon in differn't ways at differn't times. We are human and Impulse shopping happens to all of us..Im sure you will return to your more frugal ways.Thanks for being so Honest too.. Jamie
You are amazing. I think we all fall away from frugality from time to time (human nature being what it is). You are so wise in that you forgive yourself and re-set your habits back to frugal mode! The ability to resist throwing-in the towel after a misstep is the secret to success in any endeavor (in my humble opinion). Thank you so much Manuela, for pointing this out.
Love,
Traceyxox
I read this post and OMG it sounded like me. DH and I spent way too much money this week on a new dining set BUT we paid cash and I actually went to town today and didn't spend anything, nothing, nada! I got money back....on a return of course....lol. But good thing is I came home with the cash and no sacks.
You're very inspiring and I love to see what you come up with next.
Marilyn in NM
This was encouraging . we all have impulses and fall occasionally. But we all learn from our mistakes. love the readings and your page. Hugs and God bless
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