This morning I went to Target. I had to get Tide, Cheerios, and a new mop. While I'm there I saw a cute pair of shoes and they were on sale and then I also picked up 2 CD's that I've wanted. Well on the way up to checkout I had to do a reality check and admit that we cannot afford the shoes and CD's right now. I put them back. I'm so frustrated. I hate not being able to afford things. DH and I have some credit card debt we are paying off and our DS's 5th birthday is coming up soon so we need to save for that. Does anyone else get frustrated? It seems like everyone around me just spends money on whatever they want. What am I doing wrong?

I'm with you - I always wonder how "so & so" gets by with being able to purchase the new things (something small or what). But we never know the true picture - maybe they are wondering that about us.
Keep your head up!!!

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Check out my weight loss journey ~ sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=MAMAOF3KIDDIES

A lot of other people are in debt (not all!!).

I have the same issues as you. I finally let myself buy a new pair of running shoes and an ipod shuffle. I usually never buy anything for myself when I go shopping.

Sometimes it does seem that everyone around me is spending money on whatever they want. And sometimes I look longingly at something in a store or catalog. And then I allow myself 60 seconds to feel sorry for myself. If it's a particularly bad day, I promise myself I can have another feel-sorry-for-myself session in a few hours. Usually I don't need that one.
I try to focus on the fact that I have everything I need and I have wealth that can't be measured with dollars.

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~Jeweled

yes, i do feel this way often, but then I have to remember what goals I'm working toward & that usually curbs my impulse to spend. I totally understand. Hang in there. We're in this together!

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Heather

I'm right there with you and yesterday, did some "therapy" shopping. I've been extremely good about not spending money, especially on myself. But, for the past 5 weeks, I've been dealing with a 2 year old with an ear infection, who can't see the ENT for another whole week. I'm tired, frustrated, and just had a "screw it" attitude yesterday.

Went to Lowe's to get a few little things I needed and wound up buying my husband a $200 leaf blower for an early bd present. He's put it off for 3 years now trying to be good, but I didn't wanna see him go thru a whole year again. We live next to a busy highway and are responsible for the curb line. With all the crap people feel free to just throw out their windows (people can be so incredibly piggish), it's all the more garbage he has to pick up.

So, yes, I completely understand how you feel. I don't regret buying this for my husband, but Honestly, I don't think I would have gotten this if we weren't getting that tax rebate. (Afterwards, I took the kids to Friendlys!) Like I said, I had a really bad attitude yesterday!

You know, we're not robots, something you can program and will always do that one thing. Of course you'll have days where you spend more or want more, that's normal...don't beat yourself up about it. The whole point is to live within your means, and for the most part, you probably are. The fact that you're even thinking about it later shows you are conscientiously trying, so don't feel so bad.

i used to feel this way now i plan ahead i save up for 20 bucks every couple months to get that clearance shirt or cd and it really helps keep me on the path to paying off the debt and not falling off the wagon.. more times than not i spend it on my kids but i enjoy that.

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Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

I feel like this too. I am so tired of counting pennies, deciding between this or that, saying NO to certain foods because they are not in the budget. While I get the goal part - it's actually quite mentally draining IMO. This last time at the grocery store I did splurge on some stuff that we haven't had in a long time (not TONS, but a bit) .

I look at it this way...even on a diet it's ok to allow yourself a treat now and then. My budget is the same way. Just make it a "smart choice treat"

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