Terrible two weeks spending - I'm such an idiot

Miffi_2

I have no one else to blame except for myself I know, but I've had a shocking start to the month. For some reason over the last two weeks I've totally forgotten all I've learnt on here and just splurged.

In other peoples standards (non money savers though) it isn't very much, but for somebody who is trying to turn over a new leaf and be sensible, its shocking!!

I've been buying the odd sandwhich/filled jacket potatoe for my lunch, gone out for coffee a few times and just been crap! Stuff includes a new belt, handbag and two tops from Tesco, which is my only saving grace, at least they weren't designer and outragously expensive!! Oh yeah, not mentioned yet that I spend £25 on a cut and blow dry.

I'm about to go on my online bank account and no doubt it will be an awful sight. The only thing I bought which I can justify (in a way) is a pair of jeans (which fit me perfectly) and a jacket from ebay and used the money sitting in my paypal account, so at least I've not had to dip into my own pocket.

I probably should list the things I bought in the last two weeks and exactly what I've paid out for to really shame myself, but I can't bring myself too.

I've also been avoidiing the 'what have you spent today' threads as I can't bring myself to actually type it out. It was going so good.

I suppose I will have to knuckle down and start again tomorrow - how many times can one person turn over a new leaf.

Anyone got a rocket they can put up my backside!

Broken_hearted

It's not too bad, think of it as a learning curve. We all slip up, we wouldn't be in debt if we hadn't. Just pick yourself up and start again.
On the positive side now you know spending money doesn't make you happy so you are less likely to do it again.


As for the rocket I'll give it a miss you don't want a burnt bum :rotfl:

LookingAhead

But at least you have registered the fact that you are spending...you could have just said:

"No that's it...I'm rubbish..I'm never going to look at the MSE website again...I'm a hopeless case aren't I...somebody pass me my credit cards...in for a penny in for a pound woohooo watch out shoping centre here I come!!"

Which frankly I have done many a time (minus the MSE website thing as I only discovered it recently).

Who's going to become an expert over night? Who will never stray from the path a few times in their journey to debt freedom?

And recognise this as well...you are going for less expensive goods these days...would the "old you" have said "I want it no matter what cost!!" ?

Come on now...I can totally empathise with you feeling disappointed with yourself and I am glad you have acknowledged it...but don't beat yourself up so much. Log on to the bank account and if it *is* a mess...just let it be the 'rocket' you need to pull your (new!) belt in over the next coming month.

We all have to spend some money most days...we're just learning the more sensible choices and learning to ask ourselves questions...some have more iron resolve than others.

You *will* get there.

Hugs & good luck!

amosworks

No rocket, but lots of hugs and support at being honest and open about your shopping sins :-S I think you should list the things you wish you hadn't of done, not so anybody can have a go at you or call you stupid or anything, and not even so you can beat yourself up about it, but just so that you get back in to the swing of being honest and open to yourself about your finances. ((Hugs again))

homersimpson_3

don't beat yourself up over it- sometimes things in your life mean you so concerned with other things moneysaving goes out of the window. just start afresh.

judyjay

If you feel reallybad about the things you bought & now wish you hadn't, maybe you could return them & get your money back. That might make you feel a bit less guilty. It's a bit like being on a diet isn't it? You know you shouldn't have that chocolate (new pair jeans) but you eat it (buy them), it feels good at the time then the guilt sets in!

Time to re evaluate your aims. Good luck & don't beat yourself up about it, just start again tommorrow.

x

nabowla

Any ideas why you slipped off the wagon? Bad news, stress at work, row with your partner? If you can identify the trigger you'll be half way to not doing it again - what you need to do is to come up with a couple of strategies to avoid spending money when you're tired/stressed/whatever.

Another idea is to list everything you bought and the time of day that you bought it. Then, think about why you thought you needed to buy something at that time. E.g if most of the money went on food at lunchtimes, it might be because you're bored or because you didn't have time to organise a packed lunch. If the worst spending was after work, was it because you thought you deserved a treat after a long day? Once you know your danger spots you can start to think about reorganising your daily/weekly schedule to allow time to make packed lunches or to find time for a soak in the bath as a treat after work.

Hope this helps. Am expecting to see you back on the 'What Have You Spent Today' thread tomorrow!!!

Miffi_2

Thanks everyone for your support. I think part of it (this is going to sound really daft) was I suddenly thought that I looked really scruffy and dowdy and felt that I needed some new things.

I am a cheery, bubbly, chatty type person (not exactly shy) but I always think I look scruffy and don't like the way I look. But I'm going to deal with this (in a non spending way) to get myself back on track confidence wise.

We are due to do our weekly shop tomorrow/saturday, so I am going to make sure I have tasty and interesting sandwhich fillers in and make sure I give myself that five mins in the morning to make them. Afterall it doesn't take long to make a sarnie and I can pack my fruit and crisps the night before.

I'm going to do this....thanks all.

Mx
PS just put three things on ebay, so that makes me feel better!

tesuhoha

Everyone has to have a treat now and then. Maybe you should allott yourself a controlled retail therapy spend now and then that you dont feel guilty about and make it part of your plan so that you will not want to give up as life is not totally depressing and penny-pinching.

scottishspendaholic

Miffi wrote:

(this is going to sound really daft) was I suddenly thought that I looked really scruffy and dowdy and felt that I needed some new things.

I am a cheery, bubbly, chatty type person (not exactly shy) but I always think I look scruffy and don't like the way I look.

Hi Miffi

I don't think you're daft - I couldn't agree more with the above statement - this is EXACTLY how I feel every day - I am really happy and cheerful (my nickname is Smiley!) but feel so dowdy and scruffy too.

I'm trying to get round this feeling by coming up with creative ways round the problem - putting on make-up in the morning or digging things out of the back of the wardrobe that I haven't seen in years. I may have old clothes - but I stick on a pair of earrings or wear a funky handbag (that I already have!) and I don't feel quite so bad.

Or could you allow a small amount (£15-£30 a month?) for a couple of tops or just 'you' money that you can look forward to spending.

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

scottishspendaholic x

nabowla

Know exactly what you mean about feeling scruffy/dowdy - I go through exactly the same thing from time to time.

Why don't you join the £2 club and save up some money for beauty treats? You could either spend it on some brand-name make up (making sure that it's one of the days when you get a free half-hour makeover and a goodie bag of freebies) or on a beauty treatments from your local student beauty salon (much cheaper than 'proper' salons).