So this is something of a confession/failure that happened this past week. Basically it occurred at a “candle party” a friend of mine threw (the company and friend will remain nameless to protect the innocent), where you get together, look at candles, and then buy said candles, hopefully LOTS of them. The problem is I love things like that. Partner loves things like that. So pretty and smelling good. And then there’s the fact that part of the MO of said company is to put a bunch of women together in a room, give them glasses of wine, and then talk up all your products while their will power to buy steadily decreases. Not that I’m complaining, I had a good time. They had some nice bargains, and I got some things I really liked. BUT. None of it came out of my budget. I did pay cash for it (actually I wrote a check) and thankfully the cash was there in the account, but I think I can safely say I hadn’t budgeted for drunken induced candle buying when I was thinking of things I was going to be buying in the last month. So rather than take away from say… oh food, I just decided to cut that as a loss and a lesson. It’s not something I do frequently in any case, but it is a reminder that putting money away is a good thing. Later I’ll probably go into some of my “money consciousness” and all the things that affect how I spend and look at finances, but that will come later. I have, however, decided that next month (when our household income will take a little notch up) to set aside a small amount above and beyond the budget IN cash, and keep it in yes, you guessed it, an envelope. I have several things I’m saving for, most notably (and embarrassingly I know) a Wii, but money for extra expenses like this, things like glasses and eye exams, dental expenses, birthday gifts, short vacations, etc would be good to have already set aside so as to prevent the temptation of reaching for the dreaded C.C.’s.
And yeah. As an aside, when buying or God forbid actually using candles try not to drink. At least all I did was spend a rather embarrassing amount as opposed to burning the house down.
April 22, 2009 at 2:12 am
These things happen. As long as you paid cash (well check) for it, it isn’t a complete failure at least. You didn’t incur extra debt, so it’ll shake out.
And btw, nothing embarrassing about saving for a Wii. We did. And for the WiiFit and the things that came after. One of my favorite monetary purchases recently, and I’ll admit, I’m saving for Rock Band 2 because it is silly and the whole family comes together to play it (we had a borrowed copy). Buying luxuries is good sometimes!
Those candle shows (and Pampered Chef and other similar shows) are waaaay dangerous. I will usually set a budget for it first, knowing I’ll likely spend SOMETHING and just trying to limit myself to a reasonable splurge.
April 22, 2009 at 7:57 pm
These things are waaaaaay dangerous. Another personal danger for me is a bookstore! I simply can’t go to a “luxury” store until I get the budget squared away.
But I do agree with Trys, treats are important. I am using some cash I got from downsizing my electronic section to fund a treat camping trip, because it’s money not factored into the budget. And I plan on funneling some of anything left over in the envelopes into a “whatever” envelope that I can use for occasional bookstore trips or girly-things.
April 22, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I have a book budget! It was a compromise way back when Kev and I started this, and I agreed that CD and DVD purchases would also most often come out of this fund (which is why I haven’t bought books recently). But being a writer, buying books was important to me, so I just carved out a chunk that I could afford to, and I DO dip into it and make it smaller when I need it for necessities. Otherwise, it grows slowly and then I go binge at Flights of Fantasy (which I am due to do very soon and since the new Butcher is out I believe, I should do that…).
April 23, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Maybe in a month or two I will see leeway in my budget to add a “books” or “fun” line, but I need to see how it stabilizes out with the new rent and new utilities and so forth.
April 24, 2009 at 12:55 pm
That makes total sense. And I’ll tell you, my “books” budget tends to be fluid… there’s a cap on how much I can put in that envelope, but there are definitely months when I put in less because I know it’s just not in my best interest to put it there.