@Creditaddict wrote:"splurging on a pet related expense" As long as we are talking outside of the $2600 Doggie ER bill yes probably true. I actually had a friend post on FaceBook about how Mia (my dog) is to sassy to go on a budget and I responded she can be as sassy as she wants until I take the last Swarofski Crystal out of her necklace! It's funny and not at the same time I know.... she does not go to "Spa" as I call it nearly as much as before, now just nails and deshed (i do baths at home now) and she doesn't get treats when I leave, she gets them when she is good and doesn't bark... Might sound crazy but I probably will never have an actual child and she is that for me and my mom calls her grandbaby all the time too!
"it really seems more like a spending issue than the debt itself"No doubt a spending issue... Food, Wine, Bars are my fav now that I gave up my shoes and clothes! It's taken time to convert my thoughts of which happy hour or reataurant I want to go to tonight and pulling up open table for a quick reservation. $100-$200 a night was just epected in the passed for eating out."It took a lot of growing up for me to understand having available credit doesn't make things affordable"This was the quote of the day on FaceBook, I had a lot of "likes" I love it!and special thanks to lilmirth, it does read better and actually make me feel a bit better to look at the list broken down the way you did it... Thank you!
I was leaving the house and responded hurriedly. No offense was intended.
I realize some use animals as substitute children but spending like that (with so much debt) is a reckless way to deal with feelings. There was a time when I tried giving each of mine to gypsies and would have given you a great deal, LOL! I'm going to keep them but would gladly loan out one for spoiling... err I meant special occasions. 
I love food and wine but there are other ways to splurge. I'm the typical thoughtless guy but you'd be surprised how much my girlfriend appreciates a warm towel (fresh from the dryer) when coming out of the shower.
You can also get into cooking! One thing that really improved my meals was only buying whatever fruits/vegetables actually in season and keeping things simple. Also, my greatest secret is not rushing through the prep time. I put on my favorite blues album "Howlin' Wolf, Live and cookin' at Alice's" to help the mojo get in that food and make sure prep time never gets rushed. Trust and believe this: when people in the house hear that album playing, they know something good is happening in the kitchen.
I guess what I'm saying is there are better ways to deal with feelings than a continuously distracting ourselves with shiny new things. You'll go broke and still have all the feelings to deal with. * Excess spending didn't get under control until after getting in touch with (and admitting) what I was really trying to buy.
*Voice of experience, LOL!
Starting Score: 675
@drkaje wrote:
@Creditaddict wrote:"splurging on a pet related expense" As long as we are talking outside of the $2600 Doggie ER bill yes probably true. I actually had a friend post on FaceBook about how Mia (my dog) is to sassy to go on a budget and I responded she can be as sassy as she wants until I take the last Swarofski Crystal out of her necklace! It's funny and not at the same time I know.... she does not go to "Spa" as I call it nearly as much as before, now just nails and deshed (i do baths at home now) and she doesn't get treats when I leave, she gets them when she is good and doesn't bark... Might sound crazy but I probably will never have an actual child and she is that for me and my mom calls her grandbaby all the time too!
"it really seems more like a spending issue than the debt itself"No doubt a spending issue... Food, Wine, Bars are my fav now that I gave up my shoes and clothes! It's taken time to convert my thoughts of which happy hour or reataurant I want to go to tonight and pulling up open table for a quick reservation. $100-$200 a night was just epected in the passed for eating out."It took a lot of growing up for me to understand having available credit doesn't make things affordable"This was the quote of the day on FaceBook, I had a lot of "likes" I love it!and special thanks to lilmirth, it does read better and actually make me feel a bit better to look at the list broken down the way you did it... Thank you!I was leaving the house and responded hurriedly. No offense was intended.
I realize some use animals as substitute children but spending like that (with so much debt) is a reckless way to deal with feelings. There was a time when I tried giving each of mine to gypsies and would have given you a great deal, LOL! I'm going to keep them but would gladly loan out one for spoiling... err I meant special occasions.
I love food and wine but there are other ways to splurge. I'm the typical thoughtless guy but you'd be surprised how much my girlfriend appreciates a warm towel (fresh from the dryer) when coming out of the shower.
You can also get into cooking! One thing that really improved my meals was only buying whatever fruits/vegetables actually in season and keeping things simple. Also, my greatest secret is not rushing through the prep time. I put on my favorite blues album "Howlin' Wolf, Live and cookin' at Alice's" to help the mojo get in that food and make sure prep time never gets rushed. Trust and believe this: when people in the house hear that album playing, they know something good is happening in the kitchen.
I guess what I'm saying is there are better ways to deal with feelings than a continuously distracting ourselves with shiny new things. You'll go broke and still have all the feelings to deal with. * Excess spending didn't get under control until after getting in touch with (and admitting) what I was really trying to buy.
*Voice of experience, LOL!
Thnk You that was a really great post... I like to add a little humor to my life even in some of the worst circumstances... Luckily I have a partner that really loves to cook so transitioning from dining out to dining in wasn't that difficult, now if we just master the art of grocery shopping for like $50 a week! Doing the list thing and sticking to it was first challenge and I think that is about 90% good now (I did have to throw in a box of Chocolates yesterday at Costco that were not on the list but they were $11 for 33 Chocolates, something I like to eat 1 late at night when I grave something sweet.)
So besides lists and planning out the meal, what's the next best way to cut it way back?
