Do you get mad at yourself for spending money?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
United States
February 20, 2011 9:08pm CST
We spent a whole lot of money today. I'm not really mad about most of it. We bought a family membership to the zoo, that was about $70, but now we can go to the zoo from now until this time next year as much as we want for free.. and with my 5 kids it won't take too many visits until we've gotten our money's worth out of the membership. We also spent some money at the zoo gift shop and bought each kid a little toy.. thankfully we get a 10% discount on any gift shop purchase with our membership.
Then we went out to eat.. this is the part I'm mad about. We went to Olive Garden, and spent almost $100.. not difficult with 5 kids to feed. I'm mad because we should have just eaten at home instead of spending this money.. especially since my teeth started hurting just before dinner so I could barely eat anyway.
Then we came home and did some online shopping. We bought a cat tree/condo for our kittens (about $100). I think this is a good investment.. because hopefully the cats will use the scratching post on the tree instead of our furniture.. so that sometime down the line we can get new furniture and not have it scratched up like our current furniture is.
Then while my hubby was browsing around e-bay he found a DS Lite auction about to end, and it was still under $50. I ended up bidding and winning, and with shipping paid just around $60 for a DS Lite. Each of my twins have the original DS, and I've been wanting to get my 4 year old one as well (his V-Smile broke and he loves playing with the DS). So we'll give the DS Lite to one of the twins and give their old DS to the 4 year old. Eventually we'll get another one so the 3 year old can have a DS as well.
I'm not mad about spending money on the DS either, that was a great deal and it keeps my kids quiet and behaved when it's necessary (like when grandpa is watching them while I'm at work.
Mostly I'm just mad that our money is almost gone.. even though we did a lot of good things with it! We still have to get hubby's car inspected though.
Do you get mad at yourself for spending money? Does it depend on what you bought, or are you just mad anytime you spend money?
10 people like this
31 responses
@magtibaygom (4858)
• Philippines
21 Feb 11
Slightly, but not at all. Because most of the spending, I thought them carefully before shelling out cash. I see to it that the things that I buy are value for my money, and as much as possible, they will generate more money for me. Just like what the experts say, "Make your money work for you."
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I think those of us that are not flush, when we get a little cash, we think of everything that we are deprived of through the year. Yes they are material things as I know I have a roof over my head and food in my belly. But when I do get some cash, I spend it, then feel badly because I should have saved it.
I just spent $30 on a shoulder bag. Generally I would never spend over 10. I also just bought myself a cute robot flash drive. I needed one. But I could have gotten a plain one for $5 but instead I spent $20. Generally through the year I am very frugal. But sometimes, I have to just go for it. By the way, I think your zoo pass will pay for itself in no time and entertainment for a family your size, that was a steal! 
and so much more enriching for the kids than video games!
and so much more enriching for the kids than video games!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Even when I have a lot of spending money, I still can't justify spending too much on certain things. I always look for cheapest options, or clearance sales etc. Hubby of course is not that way. He wants top of the line everything! I'm rubbing off on him a little bit and he's now looking more for middle of the line stuff, and he's shopping around to get the best price on that middle of the line stuff.. so that's not too bad!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85541)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Yes. I don't make any big purchases, I don't have kids or anything. But when I go to say McDonalds, and get something that isn't off the dollar menu, I end up berating myself at the end of the day. I think, so what if you didn't have anything at home. Would it have killed you to go to the store yesterday? I try to keep that in mind the next time I'm out of food.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Treating yourself to McDonald's now and then isn't terrible.. but of course if you're on a really tight budget and end up running out of food before the month is gone, I can see why you get mad at yourself.
My mother is like that. She gets SSI and PA, and as soon as her money comes in she orders fast food instead of going to the store.. then she runs out of food mid-month and wonders why she can't make ends meet.
1 person likes this
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
22 Feb 11
Sometimes I do but, then I also think we have to have a life and be able to enjoy things sometimes as otherwise what is the point! Even though I am still trying to clear debts I think it is nice to have a blow out now and again as long as all the bills are paid! Don't feel too hard on yourself! x
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Feb 11
You're right.. but I still can't help feeling guilty about it.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Sometimes an impulsive gift ends up being an overboard purchase. I have learned a bit to muddle through the impulses and only buy what is necessary.
I see your expenses and I feel that, as you they were well spent. Maybe you could have saved by eating at home but the happy little faces on the kids was perhaps so worth it.
Sometimes after working so hard impulsive is a reward. Enjoy the purchases friend.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Eating out is my only regret, as it wasn't even a very enjoyable experience.
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I would say that I get mad when we keep spending money on cars and I do not feel that we necessarily take care of some other things. The other thing is the eating out. With a large family it does often get horribly expensive to eat out, and that needs to be held out for special occasions. Ever since I have known Bob, and been married to him, we have eaten out way too much and I love eating out and it makes me gain weight and we spend so much money and it makes me mad while I still enjoy doing it. I am craving Chinese buffet right this very moment. That is dumb. Bob made us huge steaks and we ate them. I have had a snack as well. You have to do lots of planning to get things for your kids to have and enjoy.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Eating out has always been a problem for us. When we spend a day out of the house the last thing we want to do is come home and cook. Everyone has days when they just don't feel like cooking. We've been pretty good for the past couple weeks.. at least we didn't eat out as much this year with our tax money as we did last year. I can still say most of our money went to really good things.. so I guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself.
1 person likes this
@anaknitatay (1335)
• Philippines
22 Feb 11
it looks like you had a serious case of buyer's anxiety! I usually have that after purchasing some items especially if they are luxury items. Though, looking at your spendings it looks like you have a lot of reasons to be anxious!
As long as you enjoy what you spend and as long as you are able to spend for it I guess that's okay.
Like my Grandfather always said, doesn't matter if he spends as long as what he is earning can catch up with it.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Yes I do get mad at myself for spending money. In my family growing up my Daddy could spend his entire paycheck on junk before he even got home from work with it. My Mama on the other hand had a strict budget and stuck to it. There were many times that we would have lost everything we had if it had not been for my Mama. She would save money and put it away for a rainy day. Over the years if my Daddy would have listened to my Mama and saved his money the way she had it budgeted they would be millionaires right now. I am afraid that I am a mixture of them. I know I need to save money and I do it but alot of times I waste it on things that I don't need. One bad habit I have is eating out. I love to eat out. We "waste" money on eating out frequently. I know I should not do this and that the money we spend eating out would go alot further in the grocery store. It is one of the bad habits that I need to break! I think your zoo deal was a great deal! The DS Lite was a good deal as well.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I think I used to be like this more often because I spent more money on things that is not necessary. But these days, I am making a habit that not to spend so much on like clothes, shoes and stuff. Well, I do spend money on buying clothes and stuff but I would go for the cleanrances and on sale, I would actually feel 'Yay, I found a good deal and get a pair of nice shoes!
'.
Besides, I would think twice before I buy anything now. I would consider few things before I purchase: 1)Do I really need it?? 2)Will I regret? 3)Will I use it more than once or twice?? things like that.
Let's say if I have 100 bucks per week to spend, if I have 20 - 40 dollars to be tucked away, I call it good week even though I spend some money on unnecessities. 
'.
Besides, I would think twice before I buy anything now. I would consider few things before I purchase: 1)Do I really need it?? 2)Will I regret? 3)Will I use it more than once or twice?? things like that.
Let's say if I have 100 bucks per week to spend, if I have 20 - 40 dollars to be tucked away, I call it good week even though I spend some money on unnecessities. 1 person likes this
@TJenkins602 (142)
• United States
22 Feb 11
Sometimes I get mad when I spend money. A lot of times it is when I spend above what I planned to spend. A lot of it is due to my lack of discipline in handling money. I especially get mad when it cuts into the money available for bills. It starts to get stressful for me because I'm wondering whether or not I am going to have the money needed to pay the bills.
1 person likes this
@Cherish14 (2693)
• Philippines
21 Feb 11
Hi there :) i do because sometimes i tend to be an aggressive shopper or buyer especially when i have some spare money. sometimes a few days later after shopping, i realize that what i bought is not really that worth it. but lately i have not been buying anything, i want to be wise now and practical and just want to be thrifty. i am saving for something, i want to travel at the end of this year :)
1 person likes this
@hlgmdt (300)
• Philippines
21 Feb 11
It's not really getting mad at myself but more of feeling guilty about spending more than I should have. I'm not a big spender, and most of the time I am able to control myself when it comes to buying stuff; however, there are still times when I feel the urge to spend. When this happens, I feel guilty. I regret and tell myself that I should have not done it or I should have settled for an alternative but cheaper stuff. So I guess, to avoid overspending, we should make a list of our expenses and try to stick to it. In your case, you've got kids to bring to parks and malls and zoos, you might as well set aside like a 'miscellaneous' fund for this type of expenses. Sometimes, we become impulsive and spend for some things which are unplanned, so I guess that before you and your kids go on a family day, you tell the kids what to expect - for instance, no buying of toys, no eating at a fancy restaurant.
@staria (2780)
• Philippines
21 Feb 11
Yes, especially when I am guilty of buying things that arent really needed. Though I am very careful in buying stuff, and most of the things we buy are necessities, there are times that we buy in the spur of the moment and regret it after. But if it is for food, even though we spend a little more cash in it, I dont regret spending on food.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
21 Feb 11
Even the meal out sounded good, especially if you don't do it often. It's the 20th of February, and I'm tapping into Savings, but I have no regrets about what I spent this month It was all worth it. before spending money I make sure it is reasonable, and that I am getting the best deal I can get. I do have enough left for necessities for the rest of the month, and my husband gets a raise next month, so we'll get another major purchase checked off of our list, so I'm not upset.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I don't get mad when I spend money on other people....but when I do spend money on myself. Don't ask me why. I think it's because when the kids were growing up I had full responsibility for their welfare and they came first. Now I still can't break that habit. I will spend money on them.....but have to justify spending it on myself...and they are all grown up and make more money then I do!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Feb 11
Hubby likes to spoil me, and I like to spoil him.. so we spend money on ourselves and each other frequently. Obviously we spend more money on the children than ourselves.. but we don't feel too bad when we spend money on ourselves.
@dependability (24)
• United States
22 Feb 11
I don't get mad but I am elated when I find a bargain. I tend to stay out of the stores in order to prevent myself from spending too much money. I don't spend alot yet I have a few credit cards and the interest rates are crazy. And, I also gets frustrated when the payment dates change and if I am off by one day my interest rates double now that gets me upset.
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
21 Feb 11
We have always had cat scratching posts and the cats dont use it they still use the wood and furniture instead. I hope it works better for you with your kittens. I wouldnt attempt going to olive garden unless it was a very special occassion or someone else was paying because it is just way to expensive to eat there but omg the food is so delicious. Staying at home to eat would have saved you a lot of money your right. I am going to attempt to make the lasagna fritta that they have at olive garden for dinner tonight. I was going to do it last night but I had to babysit and it was crazy in my house lol. If I spent all that money in one day I would be feeling pretty upset as well but thats life. To get the things you really need or want sometimes you have to spend more then you want to. Like you the dinner part is what would have bothered me the rest of the money that I had spent wouldnt have bothered me as much as paying that much for our food.
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Thats neat that you kind of have a tradition of taking your tax money and going out to dinner. I think its even cooler that you take your kids along with you. A lot of parents wouldnt do that. I'm sorry to hear about your teeth having to be pulled. I can only imagine how painful that would be and I've heard how hard it is to get a set that fits perfectly. I hope I never need dentures. So far so good. Seems most people eventually need them though.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I'm only 30.. it's awful! I had partials since I was 26.. a top tooth broke while I was pregnant with child #4 so I ended up getting that one plus a few surrounding ones pulled. Then the surrounding teeth started to decay more and more and I kept putting it off because I knew if any of them needed to be pulled I'd need to pay for a new plate, which is incredibly expensive. Finally I decided to just get all the tops pulled and get full dentures on top. Well the dentist told me many of my bottom teeth are just as bad, and if I wanted to save any I'd need a bunch of root canals. I figured I'd save time, money, and pain by just pulling them all and having it done with.. so that's what I did. My bottom dentures are still too tight though.. so that's causing a lot of issues. I go back March 3 for an alignment, so hopefully they can fix it then.. if not I have to wait till August when my permanent dentures come in.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Feb 11
We got our taxes a couple weeks ago, and haven't spent it all yet. Typically we do go to Olive Garden or Red Lobster each year with our taxes.. but I couldn't go sooner because I just had all my teeth pulled and am still trying to get used to dentures, which don't quite fit right so it's not easy!
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Feb 11
I am definitely a member of the later group of people that you are talking about. Meaning, I get mad every time I spend money. It is so bad with me that when I go grocery shopping I will give myself a guilt trip about the money that I spent on groceries, despite the fact that our family has got to eat. I am also a person that is constantly jumping my husband for spending money on who knows what for himself because I rarely, if ever, spend money on myself and on the kids.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
7 Mar 11
I am not that bad. I spend money on the kids when I see it's needed, but I'm still frugal about it. I buy clearance items. I've already started Easter shopping because I've found things at a great deal. I'll also allow us to spend on fun stuff once in awhile. I think the point of working so hard is to create a better quality of life.. and how are we doing that if we're refusing to spend at all?
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
21 Feb 11
going out to dinner and ordering something I could have made at home at a fraction of the price and i get mad at myself and my husband. Something that is going to be used and will ultimately help the family, and I do not get as mad about. I used survey earnings to buy a membership to the children's museum. If we go 7 times in the next twelve months, which we will and some, we will be saving money.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I'm also going to buy a membership to our pool for $90. It costs us nearly $20 each time when we go as a family.. so it's well worth the money to be able to go anytime we want. We got our money's worth last year, that's forsure!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Feb 11
I have a membership to my local YMCA. Have had it for over a year.. though I go less frequently now that I'm working and in school. But I still have it so can go anytime I want to.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I would really like to have the money to join the local YMCA. It has free babysitting for the time that you are using the facility. It has a pool in it along with gyms and classes to take. I would like to get into shape, but am not motivated to do it on my own.
@stellar126 (278)
• Philippines
22 Feb 11
I think I know what you're talking about. I've been in that position before. I go shopping, or a night out with my friends and when I get home, I kind of regret the amount I spent.
I guess the reason for the regret is because I know, if I'm going to be honest to myself, that my money is a finite resource. Spending too much on shoes could mean that I might actually be able to feed myself well or cause me to miss a bill payment. Because let's face it, if I was a gazillionaire, it wouldn't really matter how much money I spend everyday, just as long as I feel happy and I know that there's more where it came from.
It took a lot of time to fix this love-hate attitude about money. But what really helped me is being honest to myself of what I can or can not afford, and to always consider the "tomorrows" and not just the "todays."
Keeping a budget helps. It allowed me to allocate my money REALISTICALLY on the things that I need and want. I just make sure that all non-negotiables are accounted for like my bills, before I portion what's left on fun things. It also made me more conscious and aware of what I really have and become more mindful about what I spend my money on. After all, it didn't come for free. I had to endure stress and office politics every day just to earn my paycheck.
Anyway, nice topic. =)
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Feb 11
I think we grow a little each day. I know a few years ago hubby and I hardly ever paid our bills and we spent more of our money on stupid stuff than anything else. We're slowly changing and paying more bills and spending a lot less.
