I seem to go through major ups and downs when it comes to debt reduction. This is a particularly bad month. I am looking at one full month, possibly more, of paying very little down on debt. Christmas and other things are throwing a real wrench in my plan.
I need to do some no-spend days to get me back into the swing of things. I need to get DH on board with this too.
I don't know what is so different about summer vs. school year. But it seems the kids are always bringing home something I need to buy! And they're making it hard to say "no"! (The school, I mean.) For instance, I have every book I have ever owned plus the many we have purchased for our kids. We have a massive collection of children's books, so many that even though we read very nearly every night, we still have not read every book we own. The kids are always finding new ones. So I chose NOT to buy any books at the bookfair. Well, the teachers take the kids to the bookfair as a class and pair them up with older children. They write out a wish list, take it home, and then go a second time to purchase books with the older child! How do you say "no" to that?! I told my son it was fine if he wanted to purchase a book, but he'd have to use his own money. He did. He got two books for $15.00. What a rip off.
If it's not books it's t-shirts or Market Day food or some other fund raiser. A few days ago it was pictures. And now, not only do they hit you up for $50 in the Fall, they come back for more in the Spring!! I'm sorry, but I don't care to spend money on pictures TWICE per year! Once per year is enough!
I fall prey to keeping up appearances. I don't want people to know how much we are struggleing. Now, I'm not going to go buy a hot-tub because the "Joneses" have one, but I do buy just about everything at the school. I haven't participated in Market Day yet this year, but everything else is hard to say "no" to.
Not doing as well
October 10th, 2006 at 04:42 pm
October 10th, 2006 at 06:14 pm 1160504053
October 10th, 2006 at 06:19 pm 1160504362
Using the fundraiser for gifts is a great idea!
October 10th, 2006 at 09:30 pm 1160515808
Good luck with it!
October 10th, 2006 at 09:56 pm 1160517362
October 11th, 2006 at 12:02 am 1160524925
We all go through the ups and downs you're describing. You chug along making great progress, and then spending happens.
If it's not the kids, it's the water heater, or the car, or whatever. Doesn't mean you aren't doing as well, only that other priorities get in the way. I'll bet not a lot of people save much or pay down debt during the holiday season. Be flexible and you'll get back on track.
This is the voice of experience.
October 11th, 2006 at 01:16 am 1160529404
October 12th, 2006 at 12:36 pm 1160656610