I feel like giving up and joining the rest of the world again

Broken_hearted

I've budgeted up to end of June and to stay on target seems so hard. We have next to no spare money left and all the money we have saved will go on an offer for full and final settlement to Moorcroft (which knowing our luck they will reject). I just feel like taking the money and blowing it on a weekend away or some new clothes and daytrips for the kids. I'm sick of making meals from scratch and would kill for a pizza or some chocolate buisuits. Don't get me wrong we are healthier without junk food and I enjoy cooking but every once in a while I miss it.

It doesn't help that I've been over my sisters today and she spends money like water or that she's off to Forida in 4 weeks time while it will take us over 2 years to save up to go. She has credit and store cards coming out of her ears and spends most of her free time shopping.

My debt free date is May 2008, but I feel like I should push it back to 2010 and just blow some money on carp. I wouldn't be using credit cards or taking on any more debt, just living a less stressful life. I'm on target with my payments for my debt free date so far but would need to chip another £3,981 off by the end of the year. Thats 1/3 of our income for the rest of the year which is possible but hard and they stick christmas at the end of the year just to add extra pressure to spend.

sorry to ramble just feeling sorry for myself.

tomstickland

You're doing really well, so don't blow money on any "crap". Maybe look to see if you can build in some treats to your plan, but each one has to be carefully planned and executed.

tesuhoha

If youre feeling like that why dont you treat yourself to a box of chocolates, a bottle of wine and a pizza. If you do blow that money, you might enjoy it at the time but afterwards, you will be very very sorry and you will care about your debtfree date being pushed back. You are doing so well, it doesnt harm to treat yourself once in a while but if you spend that money, your life won't improve long term, you will just be prolonging the time when you cant spend without feeling guilty and unhappy. So big hug from me, try to resist the temptation or if you cant, have a little splurge rather than a big one.

Dr.Lou

Wow! yes you are doing fantastically well by looking at your figs!

I'd also include some cheapy treats into your budget too!

MinnieSpender

You've just hit a wall, Broken hearted. Being with your sis can't have helped, but do you really want to be in her shoes? Remember the tortoise and the hare.

Take tesuhoha's suggestion - nothing wrong with the odd treat. Being nice to yourself makes it easier. It doesn't have to be grand or expensive to be good.

roversbabe

I've found that if I blow money, I feel better for approx 20 minutes then feel worse afterwards - One packet of choccy biccies or bottle of wine should be OK. Like Tesuhoha says, have a little splurge and I agree with Tom too about having treats built into your budget.

Its a bit like dieting, one small treat won't blow it, but a big splurge will.

Good luck

snoozer

Broken hearted,

You are one of the people whose threads I always look forward to reading. That's because they are so inspirational. I don't blame you at all for feeling like you do at the moment, I know that not all your problems are caused by debt and so it must seem that life would be easier without constantly struggling along.

Don't beat yourself up for feeling this way and if you decide you want pizza one night instead of cooking, do it. It doesn't mean that you will have blown your budget to pieces. However, I would weigh things up very carefully before you decide to spend more money. Is it really going to make you feel as happy as the thought of not being in debt.

Don't let what your sister is doing cloud your judgement, she might come to regret her spending in the future, by which time you may well be the one able to go on nice holidays etc.

lynzpower

Hi BH

FOr a start, dont you dare go back to the real world!! I for one will miss you if you are not here

Second of all, why not say do pigsback clicks for treats for yourself ( leaning to save just gave me this idea ) they have waitrose & john lewis vouchers?

Do check out the shop but dont drop, the free movies, glossy mags, free haircuts etc, will keep you in the real world & things wont seem such a sacrifice.

Making food from scratch, yes can get tiresome, but I look at my OHs face when I make a meal from sratch, we are both satified & happy with the food we are eating, and I would not get the same satisfaction from a waitrose pie no matter how much it cost.

Could you look at a fun local evening course to do to take your mind off it for an evenig a week. My local council is doing carribean cooking for 10 weeks fro 17 quid, which Im consiering, as fun, away from the grind and MSE all at the same time

Chin Up
Lynz xxx

Ali-OK

There's nothing wrong with having a pizza IMO!

Usually found on BOGOF (got 2 large frozen for £1.09 this week) and even did the traditional morning after the night before. 2 slices cold for breakfast!! :rotfl:

There's a balance to be found BH - do what works for you. I could cut more off my food spend, my bit of saving, etc, but I still want some treats at the end of the day to reward me for when I consider I'm doing well. (£1 for daffs was pretty exciting to me!)

Could you feel smug in the knowledge that your sister hasn't had her lightbulb moment and when she does, you'll be nearer your DFD and she'll have only just started?

Chin up - tomorrow's a new day.

tesuhoha

Yes there is no doubt your sister will need your advice one day and you'll be able to tell her how you paid off all your debt.Sorry if I sound patronising,its just my way.

nearlyrich

It's like roversbabe says, being on a diet, you can have a treat but if you go mad you won't weigh less and then you want to kick yourself. I know where you are coming from BH because I have a few lbs to lose and some weeeks are really hard. and getting on the scales knowing I have had more treats then I should have is not a good feeling.

Think of all the bad things about being in debt, the stress, the letters etc and then think how good you will feel when it's all paid off and every penny is yours to decide what to do with.

You are doing so well, feeding your children healthy food, and keeping to our budget.....