I STILL haven't learned. So, I must punish myself.

[cbmeeks]

I've cracked down on stupid spending. Today was payday. What did I do? Spent $6.50 at Long John Silver's.

I sat and looked at that GREASY food and realized that only thing not deep-fried was the cole-slaw!!!

It tasted terrible. Not just because of grease, but because of the money.

So, to punish myself I am literally only going to eat Ramen noodles until Monday. The only exception is a bowl of Grapenuts (that I already own) in the mornings for breakfast.

Wish me luck.

cbmeeks

[boefixepa]

Habits are hard to brake, but did you notice the change in your attitude? Did you notice how you looked at the food differently? What until you can start adding up how much you could have saved by making it home. Even two dollars at Wendy's or Taco Bell makes me shake my head some times. One potato - about 2-5 cents in a 5 lbs bag on sell and less then a penny to nuk it (zero if I nuk it at work). So WORST case maybe 6 cents - .99 on the dollar menu. I figure I can make homemade chili - which like better than wendy's for about 15-25 cents a serving.

So for lets say .30 cents I could make what will cost me 2.14 at Wendy's. That two dollar meal doesn't look like such a savings now.....and that makes it all the harder to enjoy.

Sometimes it get's annoying. But winning the mental game is most of the battle and it sounds like you are well on your way!!!

[shengmei]

I don't think it is good to punish yourself. It creates negativity in your mind.

Don't think about ramen noodles as punishment. There are plenty of recipes on food network that would make the noodles tasty. Think about it as a learning experience.

IMO if you are going to eat out you might as well really celebrate it and get the best food you can. There is a three-star French restaurant tht offers lunch for two for about $20. It is the best restaurant. We would rather go there every month on the 12th (we got married on the 12th) instead of eating $10 dinner twice a month.

[Ima saver]

I wouldn't punish myself, at least is shows you are thinking and you are trying. You will get better, I feel sure!

[cbmeeks]

Well, I've got to do something. Maybe punishment was too strong a word (I actually like the noodles). I was mainly getting at that only eating Ramen, my food budget for the next 5 days will be less than the $6.50 I blew today.

cbmeeks

[veronak]

Good luck I know exactly how you feel yesterday I wasted $5.95 ( I haven't eaten out since last Fridaay). Dining out is the worst for me I spent sooo much money last month close to $200.00 But any way what I do is when ever I waste money I add the same amount the the challenge (saving account) I look at it as if that was money that could be saved...so now I think twice because not all the time I can doulbe the amount.

Good luck

[Broken Arrow]

I like your attitude, cbmeeks! Hard and unrelenting, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that mindset when it comes to fighting for your financial freedom!

However, it's not the mindset but the methodology that I would question. I agree with the rest in that there's no need to punish yourself in that way. Instead, may I recommend an alternative solution?

What about doubling the price of everything you spend on?

That is, if you want something that costs $10 -- and, assuming your budget will allow it -- then make it cost $20 to you. Doing so will help you with the following ways:

1. It gives you the permission to buy pretty much anything you want. I don't know about you, but to me, this is a relief!

2. However, all purchases are weighed doubly against you. That should also make one think twice before buying something.

3. Helps you accelerate your investing or debt elimination.

The other half of that amount would be added to help paying down a debt for example. Debts are good because once you put money into it, that money is gone for good. Obviously, it's put into good use, but the idea of permanent loss is what's important here. Wouldn't want to stick that kind money in your savings, tempting you to dip into it, right?

So, when you save, you win. Even when you spend, you'll still win in a way. What do you think?

[cschin4]

Sorry, I think you are being too hard on yourself. You wasted a few bucks. You didn't run out and sign for a new car, etc. Life is not a race but a marathon. Sometimes it is 2 steps foward but one back. The steady plodding is what wins the race. So, you have changed your attitude toward money, that is the main thing. Now, eat some decent food and put away the Ramen noodles.

[PrincessPerky]

I like veronak and brokens doubling idea. But I understand the cheap food idea.

I think an occassional reward is important, to keep yourself from cheating.

Keeping a reward in budget often keeps the amount smaller, but still a cool treat.

[Ima saver]

I like the reward idea too! However, if the food wasn't good, it really wasn't a reward.

[Thrifty Ray]

I think you learned from the experience already.

Lesson 1- Your meal was less than desireable.

Lesson 2- You are committed to your budget- so much so it is 'painful' to spend frivulously

Lesson 3- It was definately NOT worth the post-meal guilt you suffered

So- live and learn....a $6 lesson in life is a very small price to pay. Just chalk it up as 'education'.

That said....Do not shave your fun budget so thin that you do not allow ANY money for spending as you like....Otherwise, you run the risk of frugal-burnout.

In the meantime, enjoy the Ramen.

[cbmeeks]

Hey, thanks for all of the suggestions guys/gals.

Well, a big problem I have is that I like leaving the office for an hour/day. Keeps me sane. I SHOULD just bring my lunch in but sometimes I get tired of sandwiches every day. Plus, I am lazy...lol

I just need to somehow figure out a system that allows me to leave the office for a bit and not eat fast food every day.

I get frustrated at the $100+ I spend a month in fast food. Even though that is a small portion of my debt. I could in theory cut that in half and it not hurt me that much. I guess I really need to get angry(er) at my stupid car debts and CC debts.

[boefixepa]

We do different things at our office. I generally bring my lunch and then heat it up and go to the park nearby to read or runsome errands. I do allow myself to go out if somelse pays (ie the company) or if falls within my $50.00 allowance for such things. At least three of us here can not afford to eat out most days, so sometime we've even taken turns making meals. Once I even brought in my toaster over so I could try a new recipe. Sandwhiches do get boring, so I'd go for pre-made freezer meals personally. Even if you don't have a freezer at work you could still nuc the now almost defrosted frozen meal. If work doesn't at least have a microwave...complain...or go the local gas station. I'm all for getting out of the office...a MUST somedays...but the park is close by for me. Like I said I often run errands or go grocery shopping too. Work has a fridge/freezer I can keep things in until I go home, but I'm sure that is not the case everywhere.

Get creative....

[Broken Arrow]

Work lunches. Oh yes, that's definitely a hard one to fight. Everyone around me goes out for work lunches, and I am allowed to do the same. However, since very recently, I've decided to put a stop to that and not eat lunch at all, opting to eat once I get home. Yeah, maybe it's not a good idea, but... must... save... money....

[somerlyn]

Wish I was young enough to survive on Raman Noodles. I actually did the same thing, only I went shopping. I didn't punish myself (unless you count the lost of money punishment) but did learn from it.

[pyotr]

I think the Ramen Noodles for a week isn't really much of a punishment for this type of behavior. (some would call it a reward). I'd suggest you shave yourself bald to remember this. First start with a pair of scissors, then use a razor. Finish it all off with some shaving gel and a blade razor. Smooth as a baby's bottom. If you don't like it, you can buy a wig. I like those rainbow-colored ones you see in SuperBowl crowds.

[cschin4]

Look for a local park where you could sit and have your lunch. If you get tired of sandwhiches, try yogurt, or leftover meals from home. If you have microwave, nuke it and head out. Or, get TV dinners, nuke it first thing in the morning so then it will only take a min. to heat it for lunch. On rainy days, just go sit in your car and listen to the radio, you don't have to go anywhere.
Or, stay at the office and eat. If everyone else is going out, it will give you some quiet time.

[PrincessPerky]

Work lunch: Dh gets annoyed a bit too, but he doesn't have to work as long, he has rearanged his schedule to leave half hour earlier instead of needing to work a 9 hour day, sometimes he is only at the office for 8 hours (working lunch)

Somedays he gets paid overtime to wrok thru lunch. A break is nice, but I don't get one......Not even a 5 minute break....(I am a SAHM)

Not sayi8ng you don't need one, just saying you mght want to save it up till the end of your 8 hour day if you can.

[Ima saver]

My husband keeps a micro wave at each job, so he takes leftovers. When he is working outside I bought him a neat thing he loves. It looks like a large old fashioned lunch box, with an aluminum tray that comes out. He puts his leftovers in it and he can plug it in to the cigarette lighter. In about 20 minutes, he has a hot lunch. His workers all go out for lunch, they spend about $7-10 a day with tip.

[flash]

Was just reading in one of the financial mags, the average person (not exec!) spends $10 a DAY on work lunches. That's over $220 a month!

I used to keep Fantastic soups (add hot water, set for 3 minutes, black bean soup, or chili...), protein bars, cheese/crackers, hot cocoa, etc. in the office, even in my briefcase. Try to always have a protein or meal bar in my purse, just in case I am STARVING and trying not to eat out.

Some of the convenience/gas stations, like Royal Farms, Wawa, 7-11, etc., have very good sandwiches very reasonably priced.

Go for a walk!