Checking In

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Checking In
7
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 4:03am
Morning everyone -

It's been awhile since I've checked in. I've been in major nesting mode -- cleaning my house from top to bottom and then having the family come and visit for the weekend. They're all gone now and my house is still clean - so I'm taking advantage of it by getting lots of rest & relaxation!

I'm frustrated today. Frustrated because I haven't been keeping very good track of my money these past few weeks. Frustrated because I had to transfer money from our emergency savings account to cover transactions I don't even remember. Frustrated because I only have a little over $400 between the two accounts that we use to last us to payday which is next week. I know I shouldn't complain - and that there are others out there who have to survive on less than what I have right now. It's frustrating because I know that I'm to blame -- I spent money that I didn't have.

I went to the mall last week. I had specific things that I was looking for - which I did get, but I did overindulge on things I didn't need like scented candles. Then I went back on Saturday with my mom and spent money again on CDs that I didn't need. I had one CD on my list to buy - and ended up coming home with 4.

I'm angry at myself for not having better control -- especially when I've been doing so well over the past few months. I'm tired of brushing myself off and starting all over again. I hate not having a nice cushion in our checking account like we did a few months ago. I hate living paycheck to paycheck -- but unfortunately, that's the decision that we've made right now since I'm pregnant.

But I do have a few things to be grateful for:

My rent is paid for the month

Our electric bill is paid in full

Our water bill is paid in full

I was still able to make my regular monthly payment towards paying off a bad debt

I have food in my home

I have a roof over my head

I know that I just have to try harder......especially with the holidays coming up.

Thanks for letting me vent!

~ Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
In reply to: booklover1212
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 6:43am
Don't beat yourself up, we all slip up once in awhile. Just remember this feeling so that next time you are about to overspend you can stop yourself. I also overspent yesterday... I went to the bookstore which is always a problem for me. I will not go in there again for a long time, because I know it's a weakness! Keep you chin up, enjoy what you bought and get your moneys worth out of it. Or better yet, return some things.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: booklover1212
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 8:20am
Thanks for your support.

It's a feeling I will definitely remember....because I don't like feeling this way!

I have a weakness for bookstores too. That's part of the reason why we're in debt. I was actually proud of myself twice last week. Once last Wednesday when I was at the mall, I went into the bookstore and only bought wrapping paper and a card - which was on my list. Then again on Saturday for walking into a bookstore - and then walking back out again with purchasing a single thing! It's been a long time since I've overspent in a bookstore!

Unfortunately, I've thought about taking some things back, but 1) what I bought was on sale and can't be returned, 2) I've used the candle, and 3) the CD store doesn't take returns - just store credit.

LESSON LEARNED - AGAIN!

~ Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
In reply to: booklover1212
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 1:48pm
Hi!

You're not alone. If you saw my post, I just bought new living room furniture and oh.... spent almost $300 at Old Navy for the 4 of us this weekend. I could've/should've saved that for Christmas... but we're all human and it's sooo hard not to buy things at our favorite stores. You have your bills paid, you didn't go overboard.

I believe Scented candles improve one's spirit and make us happy, so right there you saved money in the long run (from therapy!!) HA!!!

Don't stress- Enjoy your pregnancy. Go light a candle and play one of your CD's- hey at least your house is clean!!! ;)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2004
In reply to: booklover1212
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 2:00pm
Hugs Jennifer!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: booklover1212
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 9:15pm

Thanks for your message!

I do have to say, though, that the candle has lifted my spirits in more ways than one. It just smells so good and reminds me of the upcoming holidays. So - I guess in a sense it was a good purchase for the spirit! ;-)

~ Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: booklover1212
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 9:18pm

Congratulations on your pregnancy as well!

As of now, we don't intend for me to go back to work for awhile. We've gotten by so far with me not working - and that's been since May. So, we're going to try me staying home for awhile and see how it works.

When are you due?

~ Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2004
In reply to: booklover1212
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 10:13pm
I am due on or around May 9, 2005.