Not proud... we did great on the no-spend weekend and then today had to succumb to buying a puppy.
Thats probably where I feel like crap... love the puppy... but I probably could have been smarter. We paid cash with the TDY money DH got for his South Carolina trip, but because I felt guilty about the purchase I took the remaining $210.58 and paid down the credit card. So out of guilt, I have put an additional $605 towards paying down the CC.
I'm not really sure if this is a good strategy... guilt = debt being paid off sooner. But to feel guilty means I would have spent money senselessly and therefore empty my savings account to somehow rationalize the situation and make myself at least feel a little better about it.
I don't think I did real well for the month of May.
No spend weekend - accomplished BUT
May 27th, 2008 at 01:33 am
May 27th, 2008 at 09:53 am 1211882026
$605 more towards CC debt - way to go !!
As regards the puppy, I don't see this like frivolous spending.... it's not like you spent the day in a casino... he/she will become a valuable member of your family (I have 2 dogs)... your kids will have many "free" hours of playing with him/walking him ( get them away from TV).... also your kids will learn responsibility through looking after another being..... all positives as far as I can see...
Don't buy the top-range dog food....the cheapest stuff is normally fine and just as good... The only thing you should look out for when feeding a puppy is to choose food with a high protein content until he is about 5/6 months... one big long growth spurt :-)
I understand what you mean about guilt.... I do have the same thought processes as you sometimes... while I don't like feeling guilty.... it is a very effective tool in reducing debt... just use it constructively instead of rebelling and saying f*** it and going mad on the spending.
May 27th, 2008 at 01:51 pm 1211896291