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Home > Had a backslide this month :(

Had a backslide this month :(

June 18th, 2014 at 05:55 pm

I knew I wouldn't make any progress, since I had that $1100 personal property tax bill to pay, but I didn't think I'd go backwards! I owe $1700 more in my credit cards than I did last month, so I charged $600 in random other "stuff" in the last month. I know $200 of it was Fitbits for my husband and I for our birthdays, the rest was gas and groceries that were more than what I had on the debit card I've been using for it.

After my minimum payments, I have $412 a month left for gas and groceries, which is impossible to do for a family of 4. I can barely keep us under $400 for food alone, and my gas is typically just over $200 a month.

The good news is that before having my 2nd job, I was in the same boat, and I was building more and more credit card debt. At least now I am making progress (most months). All in all, I have still paid off $4300 of credit card debt since January. I just need to get back on top of it and make some more progress! I have some BIG paychecks coming up from my 2nd job, I'm working 3 out of the next 4 weekends, 4th of July for holiday pay, and a few evenings. That should really help make a dent in it.

5 Responses to “Had a backslide this month :(”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1403110841

    So do you think you spent more because you used a credit card rather than a debit card? Just trying to follow. Keep working towards the goal even when you backslide, you will get there!

  2. frugalredhead Says:
    1403111409

    That's definitely why. I didn't have the money on the debit card, so I put it on my credit card instead. Part of the problem is that I realistically don't have enough on the debit card to cover those 2 expenses, so it makes it impossible to stick to what's on there. Now starting from July to September, both my Discover card and Chase cards have 5% cash back on gas, so I am going to use the debit card for groceries and then put gas on the credit card (since I am paying the credit cards with the money from job #2 anyway). You can't exactly overspend on gas - you don't impulsively buy an extra gallon that you didn't really need Smile
    We were going to drive over an hour away to a festival this weekend, which obviously incurs travel cost and then easily spending $60 on food and whatever else while we're there... I just told hubby about our backslide, and he said "Well, maybe we should just stay closer to home and take the boys to the state park or something instead". I think that sounds like a great idea! Smile And I am absolutely going to insist that he let me pack lunches to bring and have a picnic - he always wants to eat out, and while we do have the Kids Dine Free plan, we're still looking at $25-30 for our 2 meals plus tip.

  3. Bob B. Says:
    1403112562

    Backslides are part of the process. I had a few, as well.

  4. creditcardfree Says:
    1403116840

    I love that you are making sacrifices so as not to spend more than you have. That sacrifice WILL pay off, and I bet you will have just as much fun together as a family at a state park eating a picnic. You are lucky to have a partner that is on the same page as you are, too!

  5. LivingAlmostLarge Says:
    1403175557

    Being debt free is a process like dieting. It's a lifestyle change not an overnight thing.

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