Getting A Little Sloppy

    April was a long month, but long in a good way. I don't remember January and February at all and March went too fast.
    April was just right -- long enough to enjoy and get some thing accomplished without feeling rushed, but short enough not to run into any money trouble.

    Just barely though.

    I started getting sloppy in the last few days before the close of the month.
    Even though I said I spent my eating out budget on a wonderful Fogo De Chao dinner last weekend, I have purchased lunch multiple times in the last week, as well as some random snacks and dinner because I didn't feel like cooking.
    I bought two CDs on iTunes even though I spent my entertainment budget for the next two months on Alicia Keys concert tickets.
    I drove to work and parked in the garage because it was rainy and I didn't feel like waiting for the bus, even though I'm already over budget on Metro fare.

    All this and I'm still set to finish the month well in the black, but see, that's the problem.
    Why do I need to be on red alert to make sure I stick to the plan? I don't want to be staring at a crisis to make me buckle down. If I was able to stick to the plan all month, not running into the danger of spending more than I earned, then why start blowing cash at the end of the month?

    I'm a little bothered by this. I don't want to get myself in trouble once I am finally emancipated from debt. And not paying attention to where the money is going is what got me in trouble in the first place.

    I've been living with plenty discomfort in the last few years as I worked to pay down my debt, but I've also tossed some of that discipline to the wind when I didn't feel like being uncomfortable for a few more days until the month was over.

    Anyway, I'm just rambling and thinking and typing, but I think this going to have to be something I spend more time thinking about...

    DH

Comments

[Twiggers]

I found myself doing the same thing this month! however, it was because my husband got a really big bonus this month....so I kind of threw caution to the wind a little bit. I bought things that we needed....but I wasn't thinking carefully about the purchases and asking if I 'really' needed them now or if they could be put off another couple months. Gotta buckle down in May! Husband is getting a similar bonus...and I want to make sure we don't blow through it!