If it makes you feel any better I could tell you how much I spent when I was over your side of the ocean...
I'm putting my credit card in the freezer once I'm done unpacking, which I think is a trick I learned from The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic. I don't want to cut it up in case we do need it for an emergency, but if it's trapped in ice I will at least have at least a day to figure out if the purchase really is one!
mattstratton
· 3 months ago
The "freezing the CC in ice" trick used to work for me, except for that one time I got into a total panic and realized that buy running hot water over the ice block, I could melt it in about five minutes.
But in principle...it works :)
curiousillusion
· 3 months ago
Hee hee, I've read those books. I would try that trick but I have quite a few cards... and then I'd have to explain to my parents...
Shop Girl*
· 3 months ago
Ahh we all get ourselves into situations we don't mean to get in from time to time. The important thing is that you're taking steps to fix it, and I know you can! :)
Classroom Confessions
· 3 months ago
I've been there girl! Hang in there and I think it is a great idea to leave the cards at home so you are not tempted. A few months ago I got rid of all my credit card debt and now I am carrying a rather large amount again. It stinks, but it happens sometimes.
Lissa Arsenault
· 3 months ago
I know what you are talking about. You CAN do it! I am doing it now too. Leave your cards at home. If you can, try using a set amount of cash per week (like the TV Debt show lady says) for spending. I switched from buying what I wished to only buying what I needed, and eat out less too. Made a big difference for me. (Risachan)
TotallyHeather
· 3 months ago
I'm in the same boat...
JPP
· 3 months ago
I completely understand dropping way more money than anticipated on the dang childrens for the classroom. Get back on the budget girl. You can get back on track.
I never understood why grade school teachers had to buy their own supplies for the classrooms. That's beyond me. I worked at a daycare and any time I needed supplies I would tell the director and she'd order my supplies. Maybe its an American school thing?
But its a good thing that you realize that your finanical situation is a mess. Too many people have problems with money and choose to ignore the situation completely. I'm sure that you get everything in order shortly.
Meg
· 2 months ago
Hi there! I know we're strangers but I saw your post and just had to offer some encouragement!
I totally understand where you're coming from in this post. I was unemployed for over three months after graduating from college, and my husband and I were forced to use credit cards to pay a lot of bills and other expenses during that time. I am a saver big time, so to go through money that I had saved or to put a lot on credit, it made me (and still makes me) feel guilty. I've worked now for about two months, and we've begun to recover, but the road to paying down some of those cards is a long one.
I wish you the best of luck! It sounds like you are on the right path to getting everything straightened out. Don't be down, I know it's hard, but you're making really good decisions and you will get through this!
All Comments
I'm putting my credit card in the freezer once I'm done unpacking, which I think is a trick I learned from The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic. I don't want to cut it up in case we do need it for an emergency, but if it's trapped in ice I will at least have at least a day to figure out if the purchase really is one!
But in principle...it works :)
http://www.amazon.de/How-Simplify-Your-Life-Pra...
How to Simplify Your Life
this book could help you to manage your finances
But its a good thing that you realize that your finanical situation is a mess. Too many people have problems with money and choose to ignore the situation completely. I'm sure that you get everything in order shortly.
I totally understand where you're coming from in this post. I was unemployed for over three months after graduating from college, and my husband and I were forced to use credit cards to pay a lot of bills and other expenses during that time. I am a saver big time, so to go through money that I had saved or to put a lot on credit, it made me (and still makes me) feel guilty. I've worked now for about two months, and we've begun to recover, but the road to paying down some of those cards is a long one.
I wish you the best of luck! It sounds like you are on the right path to getting everything straightened out. Don't be down, I know it's hard, but you're making really good decisions and you will get through this!