This post was written by Mrs. HB
Have you heard the ole saying ” Life can change on a dime?” Well ours has this summer. It is the summer that our HB daughter turns 16! And if that doesn’t have life altering effects for you then I don’t know what does, but unfortunately we found out what the other could be.
HB boy blew out his knee while playing tournament baseball! UGH! A fracture in his knee growth plate has changed everything. Poor thing! Not only his summer plans, but how I navigate the summer with work. I have had to take all my sick leave plus two weeks vacation for the interim. Then we will see. Bless his heart!
But I am not here to update you on my Hillbilly family affairs, but rather how life has intervened and how that has affected everything about what I have been doing in regards to my budget. Should I be keeping my fingers crossed here? Yes, events have caused me to do things I wouldn’t have but if I am being honest, I had veered off the path before said events happened. Fortunately I have had several months that I have been saving before this occurred.
Lets start with my cash stash for which I am supposed to withdraw at the beginning of the pay period and dole out with each expense…. botched. I just haven’t made it a priority to go get the cash at the beginning of the pay period and as such, start my week using the debit card for groceries ect. Having divulged that, I have also been going to the grocery store a lot more than my previous once a week grocery shopping trips.
But to my defense we have been using the grocery as a source of entertainment for HB Boy, it evolves riding the grocery scooter around the store while I shop. So sad I know. We have gone at least three times this week. Once for groceries, again for HB daughters Bday stuff and again just because. I know I have lost all control. But, I know how much I have spent and I have not dipped into my savings for this luxury.
We have also gone several times to Costco for the same entertainment of scooter riding.
This life event has also allowed me to catch up on yard work and landscaping that I have been needing (wanting) to do. Like laying stones along the top part of our garden. I had about half from a previous project but had to purchase the rest as well as multiple plants.
Granted I re-purposed many plants to other areas, but needed to purchase others to fill in. I love working in the garden. The veggie garden is blossoming but I need to weed very soon.
I have also ventured back into my old haunts, Tj Max and Marshalls. Not for the purpose of wasting time but for specific items. So I may have spent money looking for a purse, magnifying glasses or shirt for HB Girl but I know exactly what I spent and wasn’t willy-nilly about it. I have even started to use my credit card again but pay it off immediately so I still have a zero balance!
As I mentioned our HB daughter also turned 16 this month….. She is very low-key but I have booked an overnight for her and a couple for friends. As well she wanted to go to Seattle for a “splurge” at her favorite store. I have a hard time saying no to both of my kids but bless her heart, I gave her a budget and she came well under it. She is much more like her father when it comes to spending.
At last I can only speak for myself. It’s a beautiful thing to have a friend that can make you focus and reinvent your spending habits. But when I get back to my reality, I can’t always follow my best made plans. I can be aware of my spending and can be responsible for that.
That means paying bills off and making decisions whether or not I NEED or want things. That is important. I think my journey with Ms Mavis has taught me to be aware of what and when I spend. Though I loved the structure of our early months (Jan-May) most of us can’t keep up with that type of dedication.
I do know I do better with cash only and that is one pattern I want to hold on to. Meal planning when I can is always best and helps with stress. But again, may not happen every week and that’s okay. I guess its flexibility and accountability that makes for a positive life long change.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hillbilly
Christy L says
Don’t beat yourself up about the extra spending on groceries due to a “family emergency.” If you can save and plan shopping when life is normal that helps when life goes off course. In the past 1.5 weeks I have spent more at the grocery store than I typically do in 2-3 weeks because I am out of town helping take care of a family member during an unexpected illness. No well stocked pantry to work with. Trying to shop sales but I need things not on sale. It is OK, it is what I HAVE to do right now.
Torry says
Christy L. You are probably spending much less that eating out all of the time. Reassure yourself of that and the fact that you are not using up the stuff at home, so will get some of the savings back in the long run!
Brianna says
Life, it happens and sometimes can be unpredictable. You couldn’t forecast the knee injury, but you can definitely be an advocate and nurturer for your son and make the best of his summer. No kid wants to spend their summer on crutches. I wish him a successful recovery. You are a good mother and spending time with him and getting him out of the house when he is restless and gets cabin fever is important on many aspects. Don’t be be hard on yourself of spending right now, because sometimes it is easier to look at it after the storm and rebuild what you had.
Pauline says
Dear Mrs. HB,
I’m with the previous posters on this one. QUIT BEATING YOURSELF UP! The biggest point of being frugal is that you save money on things where you don’t care so much in order to HAVE the money and not be stressed when you DO care. Obviously, meeting your son’s needs and celebrating your daughter’s 16th are major events in your family, albeit one good and one not so good. Think about how much money you saved during the first months of the year. That leaves you in a MUCH better position to weather this storm. I still say “well done, you!”
Torry says
I’m going to agree with everyone else. Having had 4 foot surgeries, I loved the stores with the scooters! Sometimes that was my only outing in a week. Wheelchairs are difficult to get in and out of a car trunk!
But, in addition, I want to send birthday wishes to your daughter and best wishes to your son!
R.M. says
My son & I still have fun memories of him cruising around the store on a scooter when he injured his foot…a bright spot in an otherwise depressing day! You’re a great mom!
Mrs Hillbilky says
Bless you all and thank you . I have more to accomplish with my bidet I know …. but often as you have all mentioned life happens and plans change . But I will get back on track especially with cash only ! It’s thing that honestly holds me accountable and I like it too ! Until next month . Sincerely, Mrs HB
gina says
Mrs. HB, I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts so much and I hope you will continue posting! I imagine each and everyone of Mavis’s followers can see a little bit (or a lot!) of themselves in your shopping habits so don’t be so hard on yourself! Nobody’s perfect but we keep moving on! P.S.- I LOVE your kitchen!
jessica says
So sorry to hear about the blown knee- That is definitely not a great happening.. but if you must find the silver linings…
It happened during the summer.. No school time lost due to treatment and rehab.. He has the time to slow down, heal and recover.. Had it happened in the school year I would worry about the exertion of school exhausting him overall and slowing down recovery.
Let go of your guilt.. and see the lesson in this situation.. and you do! A large majority of parents would have been forced to go back to work leaving him with sister, Grandparent or alone because they did not have vacation/sick time to allow time at home.. and financially they do not have the reserves to make it happen!
Entertainment- There are many worse ways to blow your budget.. You have the flexibility and the knowledge so make the most of it! If you need out of the house.. and he needs to have some fun.. grocery shop and search for deals! You know what you cook, you have time to prepare freezer meals for future busy times… Download Ibotta, Savingstar, Mobisave and checkout51, stack with your paper coupons and start deal shopping.
You got this!!
Linda says
I’ve taught college students for years and have heard so many excuses I guess I am immune to them. Not to be unsympathetic, but certainly there must be places your son can get his entertainment that aren’t grocery and clothing stores (?) Perhaps a park, or a movie, or his friends coming over ? Who is getting entertained here?
It all comes down to what you want- do you want to control your spending? Ease the pressure on your husband? Give your children a good example as to how to manage money? Perhaps Mavis’ s level of frugality really isn’t for you, but in previous posts you sounded so proud of yourself. Today you sound stressed, about your son AND about your spending. I understand stress, believe me. Working in your garden is a positive stress reliever. Spending a ton of money on stuff you probably don’t need is not. You are in charge of your life, Mrs. HB, and it will be you, not me, who suffers the consequences of whatever you do. I’m rooting for you and your family’s happiness whichever way you go.
Ronda says
I love your posts and hope you continue to post as well as I can so relate to getting back on a budget. Summer is the hardest time for me to not overspend even when I don’t have an emergency. I hope your son is feeling better soon and remember that the rainy day fund is there for a rainy day not just to sit not being used.