Can somebody just shoot me?

Avatar for mquin73
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Can somebody just shoot me?
9
Fri, 01-28-2005 - 10:05pm

I am so embarrased to even admit this, but even though dh and I are in debt up to our ears we went and charged a new TV.


signature 2008

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Sat, 01-29-2005 - 10:18am

Don't beat yourself up over it. I bet everyone here has charged something they "know better than to buy." For me it was the surround sound home theater system I charged over a year ago. But, give me a break. It did have a 5 disc DVD/CD player with it. The DVD player is now under a chair in my office because my kids broke it. It is out of warranty and DH doesn't see any need to fix it because the "kids will just break it again" and we don't see any need to buy another one because we rarely used that one. So, you see we all have those impuluse purchases we may regret later, but I say enjoy the new TV and learn from what you feel purchasing this one.

Kellie

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-25-2004
Sat, 01-29-2005 - 10:18am

Don't call yourself stupid. We all make mistakes, that's why we're here. On that note, if you really think you ARE having a problem with compulsive spending, maybe also checking out that board wouldn't hurt. Also - have you guys ever tried either cutting up your cards or "freezing" them, and only taking cash out for the week's necessities? I know it sounds like a dumb thing but - when times have gotten really bad I HAVE used the envelope system and frozen the cards. So that when the cash was gone for whatever envelope expense, than it was just gone. No card to back me up.

And, in regards to the tv...do you have anything YOU could sell, maybe as a way to recoup some of the $ you've spent on the tv? Then you could take that cash and put it specifically towards the tv debt?

Anyway, lighten up on yourself a little, and pump yourself up to do better on this so you can resolve to make a committment and take steps that won't help you fail (i.e. cards in your wallets :) I've found when I'M down on myself like that it's even harder to get out of it and pych myself up to do good.

Good luck
:)

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 01-29-2005 - 10:38am

I'm sorry to hear that the spare TV went out on you.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Sat, 01-29-2005 - 4:13pm

Nope-wasn't me who lost the coat, but I totally second the DSG Fire Drill about the Lottery!!!

Seriously, back on topic now...

We all slip and fall every so often. I know I certainly do! (That would be the reason I haven't paid off all the flipping credit cards yet, for the 2nd time...lol)

Do you have a 'blow' category in your budget? Or a clothes category? Even if it's only a couple of bucks a paycheck, it will go a long way towards keeping you from feeling bad when you do buy needed things.

I think you got a deal on the TV, but it sounds like you are feeling 'buyer's remorse'. Will this be the only working TV in the house then? Another thing to keep in mind is that this getting out of debt thing isn't about total deprivation-it takes a special kind of mentality to do it that way, and most of us don't have it. If you are beating yourself up about it, look at other options-like, going without TV for awhile (that would lead to outright chaos in our house, LOL), borrowing one from someone else; going to the Salvation Army/Goodwill/Pawn Shop to see if there are others for a better price...there are always other options, but sometimes we have to shift our thinking a bit.

It's all good-and for today, you are OK-
Lisa

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 01-29-2005 - 4:54pm

Yes and shortly after she posted about the water heater one - ours broke!!!


Hmm....maybe we should all pay *really* close attention when Littlesbigs does a DSG Fire Drill.


Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 01-29-2005 - 4:57pm

I was just going to come post a confession of mine too - sort of - or "man that willpower and seeing good deals is overwhelming at times!"


It's hard!!!!


Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 01-29-2005 - 5:46pm

I wanted to add that the Compulsive Spenders is a folder on this board now!

Avatar for mquin73
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 01-30-2005 - 12:28am

Thanks ladies for your responses.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sun, 01-30-2005 - 2:25am
I just wanted to add that being in control of your budget (vs. it controlling you) and making wise spending decisions is not something that happens overnight. First you spend like crazy with no regard for how it will be paid, then you realize the debt is dragging you down but you don't change your spending, then you realize you need to fix it but for a while you just 'wonder' how that might happen, then you start to get serious, then you make some mistakes and sometimes slide backward, then you get it under control. It was probably 3 years ago that I started to work on an actual plan to stop overspending and pay down debt. It was just 6 months ago I stoped overspending, and I'm just now to the point where I feel when I do charge something it was the *right* financial decision (which means it was a smart purchase, I have a plan to pay it off and I got the best possible interest rate).

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