In a recent thread Melissa asked "What did you do that was frugal today?". In a response by Jenn, she used the term "Budget Buster" referring to her desire to purchase fabric. I was wondering if others of us have "budget busters".

I guess mine is wanting to own every "how-to", "simple-living", "homesteading" book I can find. I can't seem to resist. I'll go to the library to borrow these books but when I find one I really love, I'll go to the book store and buy it for my own library.

Anyone else?

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass) (Trevilians@attbi.net), February 20, 2002

Answers

Those @#$% infomercials that they have on Food Network and HGTV in the early mornings. I only watch those two channels because regular programming is inane, but the infomercials are SO enchanting.

I have the paint stick, the Flavorwave oven, the cordless iron, MDR vitamins, Victoria Principal's makeup, the food vacuum sealer.... let me think.... probably something else.

The GOOD news is that all of them are fine products, and I have used all of them, but I don't use the makeup any more. Too expensive.

The iron, oven, and food sealer are in daily use, and the food sealer has already saved us money.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.

I am pretty good at not buying stuff... I often pick something up in the stores, haul it around for a while then take it back!

The biggest budget busters for me are holidays, I like to buy my kids neat gifts, candy and little odds and ends. Like for Valentines Day I bought them about 3-4 kinds of candy, and a box of horse items each. It had tablets, folders, memo pad, and a journal in a nice box. I bought 4 of them shortly after Christmas, for $4 each. So I spent about $25 on Valentine gifts for the kids. At Easter I give them a nice basket,and I put at least 15-20 little items in their Christmas stockings. So that is one of my biggest extravagances.

Another one is the grocery store! I love to cook and find new products and ideas. That is why I try to carefully track my budget, and I have to have extreme discipline in this area, as I usually want to buy lots more than I do.

Another one is BOOKS. I don't spend a lot on them, I usually just get them at the library. The only time I ever wish I was rich, is when I am in a book store!

It is good to know what your budget busters are, as this helps to keep your spending down.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 20, 2002.

OK I have another one! I put laundry in to wash, forget about it, then have to re-wash it because it smells funny. More water, more electric, more soap...UGHHH! I do this at least 2 times a week. Did it again last night... I have to work on this one!!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 20, 2002.

I think I have way to many "Budget Busters".Book stores are to me what the toy store is to my two little ones I can here myself saying I want this one and this one and..... Also gardening materials.I made out two orders yesterday for seeds etc. they are both over $100.00.Willa in IL.

-- willa (goodall6@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.

Melissa~

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who forgets the laundry!! I also forget I have things in the dryer, then have to put it back on a little bit to get all the wrinkles out!! It is soooo aggravating.

I would have to say buying groceries and books/magazines are my budget busters. I never feel like my pantry is FULL! My mother was the same way, so I guess I have an excuse. I love to read both books and magazines, but I must say I don't mind rereading them time and time again.

I'm pretty good about the kids. We didn't do anything for Valentine's because Dad was out of town, but we did go to a new restaurant they have been wanting to try for lunch on Sunday. That was our Valentine's. Easter is my big holiday. I spend way toooo much on items for Easter baskets. Almost as bad as Christmas.

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), February 20, 2002.

How about forgetting to put up food that is cooling after dinner? I get so busy with checking homework and getting kids to bed and reading to them, that I sometimes will leave out a big pot of something I intended to have a few meals out of. That makes me Crazy.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.

I love to buy books, And garden stuff, I have bought more peat moss than any one I know, and I love to try new flowers and plants.My husband has to pry me out of the gardening dept. I have a wrap around porch on this old house, and it is awash in hanging baskets. I have a place in purse where I put money back for things I really don"t need.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), February 20, 2002.

Visiting Powells Bookstore in Portland, OR, with our four children. Taking my daughter to a fabric or craft store. Those two are guaranteed budget busters. Stopping by a nursery/garden center to browse is also dangerous if it's payday!

-- Lisa Langford (langfordfam@proaxis.com), February 21, 2002.

Fabric is not my only "Budget Buster." I also am hooked on how to books. It used to be cook books and now it is building your own furniture books. I even took a class and that really put me into the furniture book buying areas. I have yet to build a piece of furniture. Someday I will.(maybe!) Jenn PS My DH doesn't care to do woodwork so I guess I will have to.

-- Jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), February 21, 2002.