Declined.......Some days are harder than others....

So it has been a tough week. Actually ran out of money on Monday and no paycheck until Thursday. On top of that the car was out of gas, so my husband actually gave me a card to get gas, he deemed that a necessity. Unfortunately I went to use the card for gas and it was declined! So embarrassing.   It turns out that the little slip up I had a few weeks ago was more than I thought. So there was no room left on the card. I was so disappointed in myself. And because of that, I had to basically stay home the rest of the week, since I did not have enough gas to go any where. What an eye opener.

On another note, I decided to try a new app to track my spending. So I downloaded Argosity affiliated with www.Argosity.com This was a free app and so far it has been really easy to use for tracking my spending as I am out and about. I would recommend it!

The Freeing and Re-Capturing of the American Express Card : (

So I had a minor setback, I liberated the Amex card from it's captor and had some fun with it... Luckily I didn't do too much damage, couldn't do too much damage as the majority of my favorite bargain hunting shops do not take American Express. I probably spent about $40 though...

The next morning, I went to get some coffee and a bagel and went to pull out my card and it was missing. I was so embarrassed, I had to dig through my purse to find enough change to pay. Boy was I fuming. I surmised (correctly) the hubby had discovered my coup and had kidnapped the card back during the night. I just wish he would have told me and saved me the embarrassment. Not too happy with him right now, but he isn't happy with me either.

The slippery slope to....hoarding?

So I saw that show Hoarders the other night. And usually I am appalled at the filth these people are living in. But in this episode they actually showed someone that was "clean" but was just being buried by her stuff. This made me take a look around at my house, and the clutter that seems to be slowly overtaking all the available space. And I got a bit scared...is this where I am heading...is this how it starts? I mean those people weren't always that bad...it had to start somewhere and progress from there. right?!?  For a moment I couldn't breathe. I have to STOP now...I have to start purging!! My children deserve to grow up in a normal house, they need space to play and I don't want them to be embarrassed to bring their friends home...

I am not sure how I got to this point...I am still trying to figure that out...but I must keep this from progressing any further!!  I don't want to be that person...

So what to do now....save and sold, the new plan!

So I can't go back and undo my spending past. But I can move forward and try to right my past wrongs by saving and selling! I have never been that much into coupons and such, but I am going to try to start saving on everything I buy. I also am going to start selling off things I already own. I plan on keeping a running tally of my saves and solds, and then deducting it from the $50,000 worth of credit card debt I have. Feel free to donate a penny or more through the link below. I will keep track of that too! So the rules for the save entries is that is has to been something I would have bought anyway (eg. toothpaste) and for the sold, it I sell it for a profit over what I bought it for I will have that listed as well.

So my first SAVE is $1.00 off of my husband's deodorant, with a mobile Target Coupon. If you don't know what that is go to Target's website and check it out. Target will send mobile coupons to your cell phone and then the cashier just scans the barcode off your phone screen...pretty cool.

And my first SOLD is a dog bed, that my dog hated and it has been sitting in my garage for the last 3 yrs, $25.

I will keep you updated on my progress. Right now I am in the process of setting up a coupon binder and filing system so I can make the most of the coupons and savings available. Pictures to follow!

It's a better day...a cheaper day...a new beginning?

So yesterday I walked out of a thrift store with nothing..I was waiting in line, my baby was crying, I had to go pick up my toddler (an was in danger of being late) the line was not moving. I thought for a moment...was the three things in my cart worth my little one's tears or possibly being last to pick up for preschool. I looked down and realized that my children were much more important than any bargain find...their happiness insurmountable. They are wonderful. They deserved more...more of me...less stuff! And so I left...with out the STUFF! A small victory!

This is not as easy as it should be...

So here it is nearly a week into this new way of life and I am failing miserably. There are too many temptations and too many ways around not having credit cards! I mean I though by staying home all day, I couldn't possibly spend money...at least not that much. But Babysteals deals that couldn't be passed up ( and the credit card info is already saved to my account there...I know BAD!) and yes...a door to door salesperson, who was willing to take a check, so now I am the proud owner of a gallon bottle of concentrated eco-orange cleaner, a environmentally safe and non-toxic household cleaner guaranteed to clean anything and make over 200 gallons of cleaner, at less than 50 cents a gallon...yeah you do the math! So not only did I spend money, I also now have no excuse not to clean....double whammy....ugh~

How do I keep from shopping...

Not sure what to do. I miss my shopping..I love to bargain shop, as in hit all the thrift stores in the area. I almost never shop at regular stores. It is the thrill of the hunt, find the unexpected. It is a treasure hunt!  There is nothing more satisfying than finding something that costs tons of money at Goodwill for $3.99. It is the rush of getting something for almost nothing! Only there can I walk out of the store with a cart filled to the brim and have spent only $50. I know I need to stop, but I don't want to...I need my fix. I am a much nicer, calmer person after a bargain trip. What do I use to take it's place, or am I destined to always be on edge without it. I need to figure something out...

How does the money go so fast...

So we are out of money again. It seems like it evaporates so quickly. I have to reign in our spending, my spending. Even though the credit cards are gone, I forgot about paypal, and that all the information is stored there. So I spent a little... but in a grasp at redemption I also made a charitable donation. It doesn't right my wrongs but if I spent for others it is better than spending for myself, or at least that is what I tell myself.

So I am having a pity party today. I am feeling bad that I got myself into this situation. I feel bad that I feel powerless to fix it. I feel bad that my children may suffer for my irresponsible addiction.  I feel bad.....