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Home > The wagon: I fell off

The wagon: I fell off

July 14th, 2010 at 08:55 pm

Recent events: namely, hubby giving away 5k, and the surprise when I have opened our last two credit card bills have shown me that I have officially fallen off the wagon.

When I joined this community and started a blog, I was on target. I was saving money, making more with the $20 challenge, being more creative using savings and discounts. It was great, financially speaking. And it was fun, like a new game.

Boy, have I gotten sloppy. I'm almost ashamed to admit it. I haven't been paying as close of attention to our spending as I should be. I haven't been socking away as much in the savings account as I could be. I have not been shopping around.

What happened?

Well, I got sloppy, for one.
2: I had a second kid and sleep became no.1 priority, not spending extra time managing the finances.
No.3 I started wanting to fix up the house in ways that we could see and enjoy. (Paid cash, but still)
No. 4 I started writing a weekly column for the metro newspaper that took up 3 nights a week-- so there was even less time and energy to spend on money.
No. 5 Because we are so tired and stressed, we spent more eating out and such.

That said. It's time to get back on the wagon. I read an article online today about all the folks suffering because of the recession, many without any more places to turn for help. It made it very clear to me that the well-being of my family is paramount, and the family has entrusted me with the job of managing the accounts to make sure this happens. This is a sacred trust.

We need to have more respect for the money we are earning. And start over again on our budget. Pay the savings account first, then live off of what's left. We used to do it that way, but lost our way these past 6 months.

It's clearer to me now that we are squandering our opportunity. We, like many, could be laid off any minute. Would I look back and be happy about the money we've wasted? No. So it's time to change. Seriously.

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

8 Responses to “The wagon: I fell off”

  1. NJDebbie Says:
    1279138424

    I read stories about people losing everything they have and it makes me very sad but at the same time it encourages me to continue putting money away "just in case".

  2. My English Castle Says:
    1279139714

    It's so true, and so easy to falter. Please don't ask about my recent MC bill. Or my office full of stuff that needs to be listed on ebay.
    Good luck climbing back on that wagon.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1279150976

    Admission is the first step. You have done great in the past, so here's to the future!

  4. ThriftoRama Says:
    1279157390

    I'm really feeling deep down that I need to make a change. No half way this time!

  5. whitestripe Says:
    1279192506

    I have slackened too. I've been buying more takeaway coffees and getting lazy recording our daily expenditure. I even forgot to pay a credit card on the due date last week (it only has one direct debit that we use it for, which is why i forgot) and got charged $9. Frown I have decided it's officially halfway through the year, so time for a renewed effort as well.

  6. rob62521 Says:
    1279201651

    You can do it...you just took a "break" and now are geared up to go back to saving.

  7. Broken Arrow Says:
    1279206848

    Oh yeah, I remember you talking about the $5k gift. Sorry to hear that, but you know, you have your head on your shoulders, and you've got your focus even though you've got things going on with your life, which I can't is an entirely bad thing (such as the kids and working for the paper). So, hang in there. We're cheering for you. Smile

  8. Jerry Says:
    1279910214

    We just had a second baby, ourselves, and I can vouch for the fact that it leads to a LOT more work (and sleep deficits). Getting re-focused is great, because it leads to some insurance that you know the difference between both ways of living, and you are making a conscious choice to do it right! Go get 'em! =)
    Jerry

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