Why do I still feel bad when I budget?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Why do I still feel bad when I budget?
4
Sat, 11-26-2005 - 4:52pm

I'm a very frugal person. All of my entertainment needs come from either the library (books, CD's, DVD's) or occasionally I'll go to the dollar movie theater if I want to get out of the house. If I shop for clothes, which is rarely, it's always at the thrift store (I refuse to pay more than $10 for anything!). I don't have newspaper or magazine subscriptions, and don't stop by Starbucks in the mornings, and I only buy the .89 shampoo. I wear so many layers and blankets to keep my heating bills down that I feel like the Michelin man waddling around! In all, I think I'm a great budgeter.

So why do I still feel bad when I do something extra for myself? I went Christmas shopping today, and spent about $100 for the 5 main members of my family, and decided on the way home that I was really craving a turkey sub from Arby's, so even though I had just gone to the grocery store last week, I went ahead and pulled through the drive-thru. But now I feel guilty!

I think it's just because I know that I have so many big expenditures coming up, that I'm paralyzed with fear. I owe my doctor $150, my divorce lawyer $400, and the leasing office of my new apartment $725 by March. And I need new tires for my car desperately. I just want to pay off the big things right away, so I don't have them hanging over my head, but I shouldn't feel guilty for treating myself occasionally!

So what do I do to stop this?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sat, 11-26-2005 - 5:06pm
Have you always felt guilty for buying a turkey sub or is this a recent thing?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sat, 11-26-2005 - 5:13pm
If you never treat yourself to anything, you'll end up blowing your budget when you are having a bad day and then spend way more than you should. I try to treat myself to small things, like good shampoo and conditioner or my favorite cheesesticks from a local restaurant once in a while to keep myself happy, but also still keep my checkbook happy. I call the amount I spend on things like this my "sanity money". It's not in my budget, but I don't care because you can't deprive yourself all the time. As long as you're paying your bills and keeping a roof over your head and are able to eat, then why feel bad about it? Life is short and no matter how much we want to, we can't take our paycheck with us when we go. I try to put things into perspective this way. I chip away at my debt, I try to do as best as I possibly can with my budget, but if there is something I really want and it's reasonable for me to buy it...I do and then I smile. :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Sat, 11-26-2005 - 5:39pm

I like the term "sanity money."

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Sun, 11-27-2005 - 10:11am
To be able to not feel guilty, you need to re-work the budget and include a weekly allowance of blow money for you. IT can be $3-$5 a week if thats what you can afford. BUt the point is that you can use that money for anything your hearts desires and you do not need to feel guilty. Because you have already budgeted that money for blowing on whatever.

Shannon


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