Spending too much

[judy]

I have to cut back on my spending. For the past 3 months, I have spent too much money. Even though it was Christmas, and I am buying things for the house, I still feel that I am overspending.

I will go online and look for things I need, find the best price and buy them. I also love sending presents to my grandchildren. I can still shop and all, but I like to have more savings than I have now. I am always worried that my car will break down, so I need enough for another (used) car, plus I don't want that to wipe me out. I also need to know that I have a reserve in case anything in the house needs fixing. I also just want to know that I have some money to fall back on, just in case of anything.

Wish me luck! I do love to shop!

[paula1961]

Good luck Judy. I know the feeling about the spending too much. I have been doing the same thing. Is it because it's cold and we're bored? I don't know. But I do know that I am going to have to stop it. I love to shop too, but like you said Christmas is over! I also love buying the grandkids things.........now it is time for the birthdays to start rolling around and I have a new grandson due March 27. Lordy....I don't think we have a chance lol. But seriously I do like to have something put back for emergencies and such so I am trying to do better.

[judy]

A new Baby!!! Congratulations! This is so exciting. I would be on eBay all day looking for little shoes and shirts and caps.....

Keep us posted on the new little boy!

[gja1000]

I ALWAYS feel like (and I AM) spending too much at this time of year. We have birthdays in Sept/Oct/Nov and then Christmas in Dec. Our car insurance is due in Jan and then birthdays in Feb and March! WHEW!

I gotta quit!

[paula1961]

Originally Posted by judy

A new Baby!!! Congratulations! This is so exciting. I would be on eBay all day looking for little shoes and shirts and caps.....

Keep us posted on the new little boy!

Thanks Judy. I have been buying a few things for him. He even got Christmas presents. I got him toys to hang from the car seat, a bib that says I love Daddy, a stuffed giraffe, a stroller and a safari picture to hang above his crib. This will be my middle son's first child. He was thrilled when they found out the baby was a boy. This baby will be sooooo spoiled! They are going to name him Ryan.

[DianaB]

I've got to slow down my spending too before my husband says something. I didn't get anything for Christmas from him so I've been getting myself a few things....not anything expensive but it's all adding up!! He'll complain when the packages start coming in!!! LOL

Paula, we're expecting a baby boy in early March!! I know how you feel!! I bought Christmas presents for him too!!! And I'm having a hard time staying away from the sales!!!! I'm buying his baby bed so I really don't have to get much else, but it's soooo hard!!!! We haven't had a baby for awhile and I'm excited about him!!!

When I shop I shop for EVERYONE....if I find a good buy I'll try to think of someone who can use it!!! Usually it's at garage sales but not always!!! It's a good thing that I don't actually get out a lot and shop....it's mostly on-line!!

[DIANE W]

Judy

I know the feeling about spending too much, i feel exactly the same, i have given myself a good talking too and once we come back form our holiday next week, that is it, it will be save save save. - well thats the plan anyway.....

To be honest though sometimes i think, enjoy yourself today, as tomorrow may never happen.... Oh dear i am sounding maudling again, but do think like that sometimes, i think it stems from losing my mum 9 years ago, she was only 58, and was fit, and healthy, or so we though, within 6 weeks we had lost her to a brain tumor.
So now i tend not to worry about the little things, and believe in the saying - Dont worry about things you cant change -

PHEW where did all that come from

[Janet]

I don't have to quit spending....don't have anything to spend...LOLOL. I just wish we had a bid put back but we don't...so if anything major comes up...we're going to be hurting. Good luck everyone with your finances!!

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by DIANE W

Judy

I know the feeling about spending too much, i feel exactly the same, i have given myself a good talking too and once we come back form our holiday next week, that is it, it will be save save save. - well thats the plan anyway.....

To be honest though sometimes i think, enjoy yourself today, as tomorrow may never happen.... Oh dear i am sounding maudling again, but do think like that sometimes, i think it stems from losing my mum 9 years ago, she was only 58, and was fit, and healthy, or so we though, within 6 weeks we had lost her to a brain tumor.
So now i tend not to worry about the little things, and believe in the saying - Dont worry about things you cant change -

PHEW where did all that come from

It's through these little bits of info that we get to know each other and become such good friends. Don't be afraid to post them.

I think your wisdom to enjoy today is very important. I'm so sorry that you had to learn that from losing your precious Mother. How sad.

[Blueyes]

Originally Posted by DianaB

It's through these little bits of info that we get to know each other and become such good friends. Don't be afraid to post them.

I think your wisdom to enjoy today is very important. I'm so sorry that you had to learn that from losing your precious Mother. How sad.

[gja1000]

Diane, I think we all can learn from your post - we dont' know what tomorrow brings, so a bit of "live now" is good to remember. I think we are all wise enough to know that we might live to be 120 so a little restraint is good, yet, we must enjoy today or live for today because, as you say, tomorrow may never come.

This was really brought home to me when my husband's best friend died. Many of you know this, but my husband has several MAJOR chronic illnesses and he has lived for 6 years with them. Someone with his illnesses has an average life span of 5 years - from diagnosis to death - so he has already outlived the averages. But he has a friend who was a bit older than him, who had ZERO chronic illnesses - was healthy as a horse - and died within a week of MRSA. Very devastating. Now, my husband's uncle, who is also very healthy and only a few years older than my husband, has spots on his spine, liver and kidney per MRI. We wouldn't be too concerned except that he had a malignant melanoma (skin cancer) removed 3 years ago and another 3 months ago. The spots could be metatasis (spreading) of the cancer - we will know next week. If he does indeed have cancer that has spread - it will again, be one of those head-shakers for my husband who is so ill but has outlived the odds as compared to his friend who did not even make the odds and possibly his uncle too.

So, when you talk about "live for today" "enjoy yourself" it really rings true to me.

[Lindsey]

Gayle, your post made me think of my uncle and godfather... about 20 years ago he was diagnosed with MS and given 3 years to live. He has definitely gone downhill... from just being shaky, to using a walker, to now not being able to walk at all... just uses walls to push himself along the floor between the kitchen and living room at my grandma's house where he lives. But he's still in good spirits and ready to laugh and tell jokes all the time. He may be in bad shape, but he's alive! I have lost so many family members so quickly and for him to have beaten the odds for this long is amazing. There's always hope!

And back to the spending topic, I am starting to spoil myself a little since I haven't bought anything for myself since before I bought my condo! Scott is quite strict with money, to the point of being pretty stingy. He makes me feel guilty about a lot of spending. We'll be out shopping and I'm thirsty, but if I want to buy something to drink he says "You can drink something for free at home"... but usually I just go ahead and buy it anyway! A few dollars isn't going to take a meal off the table Anyways, I recently discovered Overstock.com so I'm going to buy a new professional flat iron for my hair (a guy in a kiosk in the mall tried to sell me one before Christmas, he did my whole head and it looked amazing ) and some cheap bikinis for Mexico I am so excited at just the thought of buying myself stuff again lol!

[paula1961]

Originally Posted by DianaB

I've got to slow down my spending too before my husband says something. I didn't get anything for Christmas from him so I've been getting myself a few things....not anything expensive but it's all adding up!! He'll complain when the packages start coming in!!! LOL

Paula, we're expecting a baby boy in early March!! I know how you feel!! I bought Christmas presents for him too!!! And I'm having a hard time staying away from the sales!!!! I'm buying his baby bed so I really don't have to get much else, but it's soooo hard!!!! We haven't had a baby for awhile and I'm excited about him!!!

When I shop I shop for EVERYONE....if I find a good buy I'll try to think of someone who can use it!!! Usually it's at garage sales but not always!!! It's a good thing that I don't actually get out a lot and shop....it's mostly on-line!!

Congratulations Diana. I had read your post when you announced that the baby is a boy. Have they chosen a name yet? I am so excited about our new baby boy! My son is sooo proud! When is your daughters due date? Ours is March 27

[judy]

Diane,

I also know what you mean. My mother died at the age of 56, and my daughter has MS. She is doing great, and like your uncle Linds, she enjoys her life and doesn't focus on the MS. She was unable to move, then she got a bit better, but couldn't walk, had horrible pain all of the time, and so on, for about 3 years. She found a pain management doctor who did her research on MS pain management, got her meds in order, went into therapy, and now runs around with lots more energy than most people. She does too much, and allows more stress into her life than MS allows. I never say a word because she has chosen to live her life to the fullest, for her children and for herself. I really admire her more than I could say for her attitude. I think that is the best way to live.

My mother did the same thing, although she smoked, and eventually died of emphysema. I think that was foolish.

Sometimes, when I am just relaxing and laying around, I feel that I should force myself to get up and get out, and live my life to the fullest!

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by paula1961

Congratulations Diana. I had read your post when you announced that the baby is a boy. Have they chosen a name yet? I am so excited about our new baby boy! My son is sooo proud! When is your daughters due date? Ours is March 27

Dae Lynn's due on March 4th and, no, they don't have a name picked out. I keep asking but so far they haven't chosen anything. We're getting excited!!!

I also have a best friend's daughter that married into our family (she's married to my nephew) who is due the same time as Dae Lynn but she's having twins, a boy and a girl!!!!! The doctor's going to take her twins on Feb. 23 so we're also excited about her babies!!!