Sales, sales everywhere.....and not a dime to spend

[momxx5]

Tis the season......

A new Tanger outlet mall opened this weekend and had major sales, all the local dept stores have sales, even the grocery stores have excellent stock up sales.
Sadly I am not able to take advantage of any of this.

This is the first year that it is hitting really, really hard.

Some may know that DH lost his job 18months ago. Job elimination as they let go all the highest paying executives. Finally he had started a new career,with excellent health ins. however at an 75% pay CUT.

So, I guess I'm just venting that I am unable to take advantage of the sales. I would love to hit the grocerty store and stock up (saying a prayer that the food stamp appl will approve in the shortest time).

Anyone else, budgeting or otherwise, having a hard time while the sales are starting?

 

[pigletto]

I have in the past had times when money was tight or allocated to a specific line in the budget. I learned to avoid sale flyers like the plague. Even when saving for our last Disney trip it was easier to not even look at ads unless I really needed something. On the plus side, when you do have extra spending money again, you tend to think long and hard before buying anything because you've learned to question if it's really needed. Hugs to you. I know it feels like their are great deals everywhere but they'll be there when you have the money for them again.

 

[gator75]

I also have in the past when things where tight. I used to go out looking and see all the people spending , and think why can't i do that. Things are much better now and i really pour over the ads to make sure its something i need and i'm getting the best deal.

 

[PrincessParty]

Not that it helps, but take comfort that you are not alone. I have 2 dd (14 and 11) this year their "wish list" contains some pretty pricey items that sadly they will not receive. Not that they don't deserve them, but they just don't need them. We are all healthy and will be together this year (not the case for the past couple of years) so that in itself is our Christmas blessing. I am hoping to start some new traditions. Watching a Christmas movie together, making a big breakfast that we never seem to have time for anymore and enjoying spending family time together. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and don't stress too much about the $$$.
(It is really hard for me not to whip out the plastic, but am trying hard not to break down.)

 

[smkiya]

I also have in the past when things where tight. I used to go out looking and see all the people spending , and think why can't i do that. Things are much better now and i really pour over the ads to make sure its something i need and i'm getting the best deal.

Me too. Now I realize that many people aren't spending their money, but putting themselves further in debt... like I use too! No thanks! I now think twice before I purchase. Usually I'll pass now. What a difference a year makes...

Tight times can make for bright futures for those who can learn from difficult situations.

 

[Spacepest]

This kind of reminds me of the Great Depression stories my grandmother would tell me: "Bread was a nickel and a couple acres of land were a dollar, but no one had any nickels or dollars to spend." There were fantastic sales in retail stores and real estate to be had back then, if you had the money to spend it.

I totally understand that feeling of frustration of seeing something you want or need go on sale, and at the time not have any money to buy it.

 

[njmom47]

I also do not look at the fliers in the newspaper because I just don't want to be tempted to spend money that I really don't have. I will be done paying off my van (2 more payments) but there are other things that need to be paid down (that's where my money is going). Still not sure what I'm going to do about Christmas, although my kids have said they aren't expecting a lot (it does help when they are older and understand finances!).

 

[Jeninindy]

I feel your pain..........Dh has been out of work a year.

We have gotten through to this point due to OT from my job plus unemployment, but we have slowed down to where regular shifts are getting canceled so obviously no OT currently. Dh's unemployment just went into the next extension, so we have until January if they don't pass the next extension coming up in the lame duck session. Then there isn't enough holes on the belt to suck it in and the savings get hit next.

Holidays are greatly trimmed this year, but the kids don't need much anyway. Pantry doesn't get overstocked like it used to. Just because it's on sale, doesn't mean we have to buy it right now.......

 

[StephMK]

Yikes, that is a severe pay cut, I'm so sorry. Yes, this is the tightest holiday season we have experienced too. No job loss but some things came up & some plans fell through and while we are surviving, it's tighter than anticipated. It makes holiday shopping much more planned to the penny than in years past.

It's hard passing up some stock up & gift sales but like another poster said, it's forcing us to pay much closer attention to when we do choose to spend. I'm trying to remain positive but it's tough having to focus so closely on the budget. Plus we are getting inundated with donation requests from all 3 kids & church and trying to juggle all that type of spending too.

I read yesterday that they predict holiday spending to be up a little this year. We will definitely not be part of those higher than normal numbers.

 

[Virgderon]

Having my financial circumstances change has forever changed my relationship with money. After going through 2 job layoffs with DH in the last 8 years, we have had to change everything about the way we spend money.

Even tho things are better now, I can't seem to let myself go. I won't buy hardly anything for myself! I felt guilty when I bought 2 sweaters at the Old Navy outlet that were $10 each.

Dh and I took about a 30% pay cut, and I am happier now than I used to be. But now when I see people out spending large amounts of money, I'm actually alarmed! I wonder if they can afford it or if they are screwing themselves financially.

Don't worry- things can only get better. And when they do, you won't waste nearly as much money as you used to, and that is most surely a good thing.

 

[WheelCEO]

remember that most "sales" are off full retail prices so they aren't usually "that" great. I remember buying some work shirts from kohls for $20/each that were 50% off.. then the following week they were "75% off" but were $25

 

[Disneybuckeye]

With three kids in college we try and spend as little extra money as possible. I try not to even look at sales propaganda so I am not tempted. I figure if I don't know about it I won't miss it. Sometimes it is hard not to spend money when I am out and about, but I do feel better later when I really think about how I really did not need what I was eyeing. Now I will stock up on a couple of turkeys with the Thanksgiving sales as they are a great bargain when you can get them for about .48 a poind. I know it is tough and I have rebounded from being part of two downsizings. My prayers are with you that things get better quickly.

 

[eliza61]

Like Disneybuckeye, we are economizing also. we're very blessed to be both employeed but our savings took a hit from major house repairs and we have college tuiton.

One thing I do see as a silver lining, is that I don't just shop because it's a sale. We also have a Tangler outfit and for the first time in a long time I'm not hitting the stores simply because there is nothing we really need.

I think especially during the holidays we get so caught up in the phoney merchandising that we end up with stuff we don't really need and we forget the real meaning of the season.

 

[seashoreCM]

But do you really need and use the stuff you are tempted to buy?

Now yes, if you go through three cans of peas each and every week and they are on sale now, then you should do your darndest to buy a huge load of canned peas when they are on sale, as opposed to buy a few every week sometimes on sale, sometimes not.

As far as highly perishable items (fresh strawberries? bananas?) it is better to run out and do without until the next sale rather than stock up and have some go bad on you because you couldn't finish them off in time.

 

[kirstenb1]

OP, I'm so sorry...this could be any of us. A year ago, I finally kind of cut off most of my spending. All the talk about the economy, etc was making me nervous. Anyway, I'm sorry you've been forced into curtailing. I can well imagine what a 75 percent pay cut would leave us...nothing!!!