It's Spring Break, Folks!

Spring Break. Music to a teacher's ears, body, spirit, and soul. Once it is here...and gone...the countdown to the end begins. At my house, it also is the chance to get things done. Anytime I have a break from work, it seems that I have fantastic and lofty intentions of getting everything ship-shape and in order for the hectic months ahead. My list of things to do this week is very long. Boo. I did get a good start on being productive Saturday, by working all day in the garden plot, but now Monday is halfway finished and I have done nothing  else on said list.

Something that I have spent a couple of hours working on today though that is not on my list is gathering coupons and making yet another list...a grocery list. YUCK! I hate grocery shopping. It seems like the shopping lists in this household never end. As soon as we go and get everything on our list, another is started. Anywho, I tried couponing a couple of years ago, and quite frankly, I sucked at it. I either forgot to have my coupons with me, or forgot that I had them at all. Also problematic for me with couponing was that our newspapers no longer include coupon inserts in the Sunday paper. Those crazy cool couponers from the extreme coupon shows manage to find stores that double coupon values, but alas, none of our local stores do. It seems like an operation in futility to me, but I will try anyway. If I can shave a few dollars a month from our necessity shopping bills, maybe I won't feel so guilty about them. I am heading out in a bit to do the first round of shopping with my newly clipped snippets of paper, and I will most definitely let you know how it goes!

Tomorrow, for Spring Break Day 2, I will have to do something productive in the morning, because I have an appointment that will take all afternoon. The reason for this appointment will be another post all on its own, so I will not go into detail yet, except to say that I hope Hubby goes with. I am excited beyond belief about it, and a little bit nervous too!

Excess

Excess = too much, overdone, indulgence, surplus...you get the idea.

It is the way of the world. Especially here in America. Including me.

I don't realize that I overspend. It isn't something that I set out to do. I know I have used the term 'retail therapy' a few times, but I don't really go on sprees very often. Yet somehow, it happens. The credit card bill at the end of every month shows it. No, I am not the only one that uses the card, and no I do not use it only for superfluous purchases. But I still feel guilty every time money is mentioned.

The majority of my extra spending is on the girls. I know this. I have a very hard time telling them no. The first ten years of their lives was a constant no, and it sucked. They are teenage girls, and they are constantly requiring this or that. I say requiring...I am sure that they wouldn't perish from not having a majority of those 'requirements,' but I do want them to be well-dressed and able to participate in whatever they choose. It gets expensive.

The card is used for everything except bills. We use it for groceries and household spending, eating out, online purchases, and 'extras.' It adds up. Apparently for the year 2012, it was over $36K. That's my salary. On top of the card, there are always other financial obligations...bills, household repairs, medical responsibilities, taxes, insurances...and they all seem to be getting larger by the day. Just yesterday, our homeowner's insurance doubled because of our distance from a fire station. REALLY?!?! They are just taking that into consideration after 10 years?

So every time some financial surprise comes up, or Chris mentions the credit card bill, or when he is paying bills...I feel like he is angry with me. Like I am the reason that he has expenses. Like he would have no monetary concerns if not for me. Like I am a burden.

I saw someone's New Year's resolution on Facebook was to spend only what was necessary. To make purchases only if it was necessary. To stick to that 'Wal-Mart' list and not stray from it. It got me to thinking. How possible is that? Could I do it? Not if I take the kids with me! However, how hard would it be to only spend/purchase what was necessary, or a true requirement? I would like to try it.

          
           
So with all of this in mind, I have a few questions for you. I would really like to hear your thoughts. It seems this is an area that I need help with.

• How do you budget your expenditures each month?
• Do you take your kids shopping with you? (groceries/household items)
• When do you indulge, and what do you indulge in/on?