Sunday, July 10, 2011

Phase One- DONE

I've decided that a year is just too long. Two comments from my last blog before I move on.
Please listen to me. I did this for thirty years, and it is always 6 months that the monster appears. Just get back on the wagon. It is okay.
-From Out My Window
You nailed that one on the head Out My Window. It was a rather large combination of factors that triggered the monster's appearance but a monster it most certainly was which made it's way onto the scene these past few weeks. I really felt overcome and helpless.
We moved last weekend and things got chaotic, add the super warm weather (I'm in Montreal, Canada) and I completely stopped keeping track of my expenses. But I realized right away that I was back to my previous unhealthy spending habits - where I buy without any thought process. All this to say that I can hear myself in many of the things you said today.
-From Andy
The lack of "thought process" was exactly how I strayed. I mean every time I bought something I thought to myself this isn't in the budget but I didn't really think about where the money would come from or how much it actually cost or how fast each purchase I just let float around out there in the atmosphere would REALLY add up and be REAL money spent. The more I spent the more I just felt awful and helpless and trapped in the old horrible foolish ways. You know even if I can't stick to my budget (and I'm going to try) I can at least be responsible.

Ok, I started out saying that a year is just TOO long. It is. It's starting to wear on me. Purely for mental reasons I'm starting over fresh with the latter six months of this year. Phase one is done! Phase two begins yesterday. During phase one I got rid of 4 credit cards and paid off $2217.16 in cc debt. I have $10 in savings and I tried my absolute hardest to stick to the $12 a day budget. I actually ended up spending an average of $13.90 a day.

During phase two I'd like to pay more than $2217.16 in cc debt. I'd like to actually build up a little savings ($10 really is a joke) and I'd like to spend less than $13.90 a day.

Here goes.

8 comments:

  1. Fall seven times, stand up eight.  ~Japanese Proverb

    You CAN do this!! :)

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  2. Just keep the end goal in mind. No shame in falling off the horse... as long as you get back on.

    Instead of saying you have $12 to SPEND today, why not say, I have $12 to SAVE today? Because by the end of the week, if you've done that every day, you'll have $84 saved!!

    If you see yourself wanting to make an unnecessry purchase, I strongly advise you to talk down the monster. CONSCIOUSLY ask yourself, "Will this purchase I'm making make me happier than my end goal of being debt free? Chances are, the answer is no. And you'll feel SO GOOD walking out of there and keeping your wallet shut.

    If "being debt-free" seems too far off, set smaller goals. "I want to save $80 this week, instead of spending my $12 per day." When you go to buy a cup of coffee, say, "Will this cup of coffee, no matter how inexpensive it is make me feel better than seeing those extra $80 in my account at the end of the week?"

    I don't mean to sound preachy, but I'm just sharing what's worked for me. I TRULY believe that the only way to make this work is to change the way you think about money/spending completely. Like, you must do a 180. I realized that the reasons I was buying myself things were far deeper than just for the sake of spending money. I wanted to feel good. Now, I've changed the definition of what actually makes me feel good!

    You can do it!! And Phase 1 is something you should be really proud of! :)

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  3. I think beating a shopping addiction (or spending addiction) can be one of the hardest because in our world we need to buy things to survive, be it food, or pay a utility bill. I find your posting to be motivating, and due to eating out of the fridge a lot last week, I only spent $48.56. Keep inspiring!

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  4. $2217.16 is a substantial amount, way to go! I hope during this second phase your hubby really gets on board, that should help too I think. When I was carelessly spending these past two weeks, I felt both amazing and terrible. It's crazy how fast I can forget that my debt is actually money that I borrowed and have yet to pay back and that paying it back needs to be a top priority for me. Since I grew up living very comfortably and watching my parents spend (money that they actually had), I still feel entitled to that lifestyle at times. But you know what, when I do shop for things that I don't really need or think too much about "stuff" that I could be buying if I had more money, I don't really feel good about myself...Just freeing yourself from the (heavily misguided) desire to consume is a major accomplishment. Ok, that's enough for now!

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  5. YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITVYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT

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  6. I think trying to stick to such a tight budget might really be hard. Maybe a reward system. If I stick to $12.00 a day for a month, I get $50.00 to spend where I want. New pair of shoes, new pants, dinner out, movie, popcorn, fast food. I really admire how you have been able to do this. I know that I could not. But we all get out our own way. Keep it up!

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  7. You did a fantastic job and you should be proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished in a short period of time. I honestly admire everything that you have done so far. The thing is paying off debt is important but you also can't completely deprive yourself either. We only get one chance-one life. Be budget conscious but not to the point that you feel absolutely miserable. Maybe incorporate one cheat day every month? It would be something to look forward to and it can go towards a hobby or a treat for yourself. Life is too short to miss out on opportunities. I'm not talking about going on vacation or a shopping spree. Sometimes it is the simplest things in life that can make us happy. If you want a decadent dessert in a restaurant for fun one day a month-do it! Please don't think that I am trying to discourage you. I love your 12 dollar a day mentality. It is so encouraging and interesting. I just think that little rewards will help make it easier on you. Don't give up. You are doing a fantastic job!

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  8. Not everyone can do what you just did – have the guts to admit their weakness. I believe the main reason for owing that big of an amount on your credit card is that you did not keep track of your expenses. Owning one credit card is already hard to control and keep track of, what more owning four credit cards?

    Cinthia Mull

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