Falling off the wagon

[SeansMom]

Budget wagon, that is!

So what do you do when you find yourself doing something really silly and completely blowing your budget?

I haven't been buying extras, trying to pay off our minimal CC debt and eating more at home. Like everyone, the high cost of gas and groceries is a concern, but I was also just trying to be more aware.

Then, I went shopping. For shoes at Nordstroms (because I wear a W 5 and that size is non-existant at most other stores.) And I went a little crazy. Like about 6 or 7 pairs of shoes crazy. And then I went to Ross and bought shirts and a sundress. And then I went to Trader Joes and picked up, well, about $100.00 worth of mostly snacky kind of stuff and frozen goods. So today this is me .

Did I just SHOP BINGE?!? Has anybody else ever done this, and what do you do afterwards?

 

[kwhite1022]

make returns??

 

[8 Ears]

First of all congrats on your new clothes BUT what about maybe taking 1 pair back? I know how wonderful it feels with new clothes.

And yes, I have done it before. We were trying SO hard to pay off a CC ALL of $$ was going towards that. Then DH went shopping with me, bad, bad idea! He got a new pair of shoes and so did I but the were needed. We looked at it as though look how much we have not bought and the CC took another week to pay off.

Just hop back on the wagon. Like riding a bike, you fall off, hopefully lesson learned; climb back on and try again

It is not easy but we have all been there, good luck

 

[lmillercrew]

My sister has done that and ends up taking some stuff back. Don't take it all back, just a little, then you'll still get that retail therapy.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I would probably return most of the shoes, most of the clothes, and bring some of the empty packages back to TJ's and say I hated the products that were in them and can I get a refund (they have a satisfaction guarantee, so why not take advantage of it, right?)

 

[Sgt.Tibbs]

I did some binge shopping a few weeks ago, felt horrible afterwards and took back about 95% of what I bought. I only kept the things I really needed and were on my list. I felt better after that.
It happens!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I can't even justify how I would be able to do that. I know that I am not normal. I have clothes that are around 15 years old. Shoes are just that "shoes". One pair each color that's needed. I have never binge shopped... I would feel sooo guilty with knowing how much the money could be used for other things. Even extra $ towards the mortgage... Now if I was overly wealthy without cares in the world, this might be a different post... But that's never gonna happen, so I am staying on the budget wagon, no stops ahead...

OP whatever you decide to do, just remember it's okay. Your worth it. Everyone is. Its just a matter of personal choice. If you really do feel guilty take it back, if not, keep it... And enjoy!

 

[Disneychix]

This happens to me when I get bored. I either find "really great deals" online that I NEED (yeah right) or I go to Target or Walmart and buy stuff, tons of stuff. I sometimes bring stuff back or leave the tags on in hopes of bringing it back but usually I end up justifying it somehow.

If you need it then justify it, enjoy it and move forward.
If you don't take some back.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

You're not alone. Happens to me every once in a while too. For me it's more out of rebellion for my perceived depravity.

 

[SeansMom]

You're not alone. Happens to me every once in a while too. For me it's more out of rebellion for my perceived depravity.

Perceived depravity...I LOVE that phrase, Mickeyorbust! That would be it, I guess. The weirdest thing is that I really am not a shopper. I rarely go out just to shop, and when I do it's generally with the mindset that I need to get a new pair of jeans, or a swimsuit, or whatever, buy it, and then leave. This time it felt more like a kid that's been denied candy for a month and then let go in a candy store. I saw it. I wanted it. I bought it. So to everyone that suggested returns, that is exactly what I'll be doing. But not all of it, because a girl does have to have her shoes .

 

[DMickey28]

make returns??

That's what I do!!

Seriously, usually the worry and guilt that I have created by doing that are stronger than the pleasure of what I have bought. IF that is the case, I return. If I truly bought stuff that was needed then I just move on.

 

[luv2laugh]

Then, I went shopping. For shoes at Nordstroms (because I wear a W 5 and that size is non-existant at most other stores.) And I went a little crazy. Like about 6 or 7 pairs of shoes crazy. And then I went to Ross and bought shirts and a sundress. And then I went to Trader Joes and picked up, well, about $100.00 worth of mostly snacky kind of stuff and frozen goods. So today this is me .

I would probably return all but one or two pairs of shoes. And maybe a couple of the shirts (if you don't need them). Then, I'd take that money and put it towards either credit card debt or another big bill. However, I wouldn't count it as that month's payment. That way you're building yourself a little bit of a cushion, as well as lowering the amount of interest you could end up paying.

As for the food... I think it'll probably be put to good use. I love Trader Joe's! Plus, the frozen food you can have last a while. I actually buy a lot of frozen stuff at TJ's and find that I usually save money in the long run. I love their chicken dinners for two ($6.99 around here); they're the perfect size and there isn't any waste. I also LOVE their eggplant parmesan (not in the box - yuck!) and their frozen roasted vegetable enchiladas! And their cheeses, and whole wheat pizza dough, and whole wheat pita breads, and animal crackers...I should stop now!

 

[ArielsMommy]

I just did this a couple of weeks ago at the Macy's Friends and Family event right before Mother's Day. I went in to buy some new bras and they had them buy 2 get one free. When I was done at Macy's, I had spent $110 and left with 3 bras, 2 shirts for work and an evening gown for formal night on our cruise in Dec. Then, since I was already at the mall I thought I'd check out the Disney Store and left w/ 2 pairs of sunglasses for DD, a t-shirt for my nephew for his b-day and a shirt for me. After that, I was off to Walmart for groceries and found a bunch of kids clothes on clearance for $2.00 ea, so I stocked up for DD. I did not return a thing because it was all stuff I was going to buy anyway, but I did feel bad that I had spent so much $$$ in one weekend.

 

[jeankeri]

I have completely blown my budget. I am on new insurance and have to pay OOP for Rx until I meet the deductible. This has created my first CC balance in years, but because of it I am spending $ I shouldn't because I already have a balance.

 

[rebe1968]

I love to shop and I never feel quilty about it all my bill are always paid first..It's my money I spend it..I cant take my money with me when I die.

 

[MoniqueU]

I just bought 3 pairs of shorts that were on sale for my daughter at oldnavy.com. It came to 48 bucks and she needed them but I still feel guilty.
I am getting my carpets and tile cleaned after neglecting them for at least a year and a half and that cost quite a chunk of change. I am also having malibu lights installed in my front and backyard and my daughters room painted. Less for that then the carpet and tile cleaning but it all adds up and I am

I used to go to ross about 3 times a week and lord knows I have been into nordstorm, LTD2, hollister etc and bought WAY more then I should in the past. I am really trying very hard to get the best deals I can and spend less money but the house stuff I have put off for so long it needed to be done.

 

[AnninIowa]

I would probably return most of the shoes, most of the clothes, and bring some of the empty packages back to TJ's and say I hated the products that were in them and can I get a refund (they have a satisfaction guarantee, so why not take advantage of it, right?)

Are you kidding me?! Take empty packs back and say you hated the products to SCAM the store out of money?! THAT is the very thing that contributes to higher prices!! It's also called FRAUD!!!!

 

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

My family and I had been doing great since the beginning of the year....Watching our pennies, being frugal, saving as much as we could. My DH and I decided that as kind of a reward we would take our sons to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. We scheduled it exactly between their birthdays so we could count it as birthday outings for both, plus it was right after my DH's b'day, plus just days after our wedding anniversary and right before Mother's day, so we counted it toward a LOT of things..... And as an extra added bonus, our "stimulus" check came in the day before we went. Well, since we had to drive two hours to get there, we decided not to waste gas so we also stopped at Costco to buy a few "necessities" and Home Depot so my DH could stock up on briquettes for the summer (he is a BBQ fanatic).....And of course since we were out and about we HAD to stop and get lunch....
The next day was Mother's day. I had decided that since we had the extra $$ we had better head down the coast to Newport to hit Walmart and stock up on summer clothes and shoes for the kids (yes, I live almost 2hrs from the closest Walmart, I don't know how I survive...) Of course we also bought toiletries, etc. And a couple things that weren't on the list, but looked good. And we had lunch out again, this time with six of us...... Once we got home and tallied up our expenses we about died. At that time there was a chance that my DH's work might be going out on strike, and we wanted a good cushion in our savings in case he did. Luckily, there was no strike. We still have a good amount in savings for our two upcoming trips (my 20th HS reunion in North. Cali in August and DL in March) but I was kind of shocked how easy it was to spend like we had money to burn.....And I hope I don't get the itch to do so again UNTIL I am standing in front of the Emporium on Main Street!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I would probably return most of the shoes, most of the clothes, and bring some of the empty packages back to TJ's and say I hated the products that were in them and can I get a refund (they have a satisfaction guarantee, so why not take advantage of it, right?)

 

[HunnyPots]

Are you kidding me?! Take empty packs back and say you hated the products to SCAM the store out of money?! THAT is the very thing that contributes to higher prices!! It's also called FRAUD!!!!

Ummm... I think she was probably kidding.