Realization

November 14th, 2008 at 03:56 pm

Just by having kept up with my spending for the last couple of days, I can see where I need to make adjustments. Instead of stopping each day at the coffee shop for a bagel, I could purchase a bag of them and keep them at work(just have to sacrifice the asiago cheese flavor). this is going to be hard for me to do. But I am going to try my best.

I have spent $95.18 since Tuesday morning, and only $40 of that was for gas. The remaining $55.18 was all for eating out! In 3 1/2 days! That is nuts! I can't believe that! This is the slap in the face that I needed to realize that I spend too much money eating out. I had no idea...when I spend a little hear and a little there, I didn't realize how much I spent! No wonder I don't have the money to go to the grocery store! I spent it a little at a time each week! And rationalized it to myself!

this is the first time that I have been compeletly honest about my spending. I am so glad that I found this site!

Posted in Daily Spending | 10 Comments »

10 Responses to “Realization”

Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 04:13 pm 1226679210
1226679210

Wow, what an eye opener! If you can cut down on that spending substantially, you are going to knock down that debt fast! Oh, hey, the bakeries in our grocery stores have asiago bagels. Don't look for them in the pre-packaged bags, but in the self-serve area or in the glass display cases where you have to ask for them.
creditcardfree Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 04:20 pm 1226679641
1226679641

Oh how exciting for you to have this break thru! Keep tracking your spending...you might find some more leaks.
Koppur Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 04:42 pm 1226680958
1226680958

Congrats on your realization!! I completely relate...most of my extra spending is on eating out as well. You might want to check out stop and shop or shaws...ours have all good kinds of bagels (like asiago cheese) and are usually about 50 cents each. You can stock up for $3. Good luck!!
Ms. Pearl Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 04:49 pm 1226681369
1226681369

Thank goodness you had this "break through." It's crazy isn't it, to think we waste so much money on eating out. When I did it it was for convenience. I haven't been out for awhile now but the temptation is still there!
North Georgia Gal Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 04:51 pm 1226681500
1226681500

Thanks for the support! This is not easy for me...but something needs to be done. I will check in the deli section for the bagels. maybe they can get them if they don't have them already.

When I called my best friend to tell her, she and I came up with a plan to sit down once a week and plan out meals and then go to the grocery store together. She isn't working right now, so she is going to scout the sales papers and cut coupons. As she isn't working, she is also on a tight budget, so this will help both of us.
cptacek Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 06:04 pm 1226685884
1226685884

yeah! Good job! Sometimes, even though you know it in your head, you have to be hit emotionally before it really sinks in.
mom-sense Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 09:28 pm 1226698090
1226698090

Good for you to come to this realization!

For me, it was realizing how much I spent on stuff at Michael's and Hobby Lobby "just because" I had a 40% off coupon. That is fine if I need to buy a gift for a kid's birthday party, but "just because" was really because I wanted to get out of the house.

I have saved SO much money overall, it isn't funny! You will see how much it adds up!
Blue Eyes Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 11:55 pm 1226706936
1226706936

I am a single parent also with 2 children close in age to yours. I have found also that I have spent a lot of money eating out. For the last 4-5 months, I have been keeping track to the penny of my income and expenses. I keep an index card in my purse, one for each week of the month, and track the date & every time I buy something whether it be cash or credit/debit card. At the end of the month, I separate all the expenses into categories (medical, groceries, dining out, etc.) It has really been an eye-opener for me, as I have never done this before. I use Quicken online that also tracks expenses when you use a credit or debit card, for example, as a back-up resource. I hope this helps! Smile.
scfr Says:
November 15th, 2008 at 02:07 am 1226714876
1226714876

That's a HUGE insight! In the future, when you are counting your piles of money and you looking back, you may think "that is where it all began ... with those bagels."
Is there a way you could replicate the flavor you like with a bag of store bought bagels? Make some asiago cheese spread to put on them, for example?

Keep up the great work!
Lady T Says:
November 15th, 2008 at 02:09 am 1226714997
1226714997

Yay, I'm glad you had this realization! It is amazing how fast small amounts add up, isn't it? I am also a divorced (twice) mother of two, and I know how hard things are on you right now. I joined this site almost a year ago, and I've paid off 13% of my credit card debt in the past 10 months. (The key for me was to stop using the cards ... imagine!) Fast food used to be a problem for us also, so I developed a Nazi-like attitude where that was concerned. It does take some advance planning to feed the kids without getting fast food several nights a week, especially when you are so busy, but you can do it!! If you are keeping the power on by the skin of your teeth, as you say, think of how much easier it will be to pay that electric bill when you aren't spending all that money on eating out! Keep up the good work, and welcome!!

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North Georgia Gal's Financial Awakening

Trying to Make Smarter Decisions Day by Day

Realization

10 Responses to “Realization”

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