I'm still on the Dave Ramsey plan. I am working on my third debt snowball, and I will have it paid off in December. I am listening to him on the radio right now and simmering a pot of chicken noodle soup on the stove. I've spent a ton on groceries over the past week. I never stay within budget, although I budget $800 a month for food and gas, and I work from home, so use very little gasoline.
I coupon and get deals, so I don't understand why I am going over budget. Any suggestions?
On the Dave Ramsey Plan
October 3rd, 2013 at 02:44 am
October 3rd, 2013 at 04:05 am 1380773100
Also, can you operate strictly on cash and write down every penny you spend for the month of October?
October 3rd, 2013 at 10:58 am 1380797935
I've noticed a lot of people run all over the place to take advantage of "deals" at different stores. I don't feel this is an efficient use of your time. Whatever dollars you may be saving on food items is eaten up by gas, but many people are addicted to the "idea" of saving without actually applying an objective, unbiased eye to the big picture of their finances. They are too wrapped up in the individual "deals" to realize that, overall, they are still overspending.
If you feel that you are seduced by sales, find it hard to resist a buy one, get one free special or can't pass up any number of other enticements to spend money you really don't need to spend, that needs to be honestly addressed. There are people who claim to be frugal, but they are still, at their core, addictive shoppers who don't actually curtail their shopping activity; they only shift it into seemingly innocuous activities like shopping sales. This is a big mistake. You need to make a much more radical behavior shift that doesn't include shopping as a form of entertainment, or to relieve boredom. Stay away from magazine or TV advertisements, window shopping, etc.
Kiki's right; we can only guess as to why you're going over budget unless you post all your expenses.
October 3rd, 2013 at 02:44 pm 1380811460
If you take cash with you and make a list with a running total, you might be suprised at how much you spend. If you tell yourself my budget is $80, then total up until you have $80 and stop buying.
Another method is to plan meals and make a list of what you need for those specific dishes, and just buy those. Check your cupboards and have a good inventory (I sometimes find myself buying canned tomatoes and come home to find I already have canned tomatoes).
good luck.
October 3rd, 2013 at 06:38 pm 1380825526
What is frustrating is that I have spent $500 of my grocery budget in one week!! I have very little meat and fresh veggies left in the house, and I carefully picked deals.
October 3rd, 2013 at 06:39 pm 1380825563