Fell off the wagon...:-(

[Ferrisbueller]

Hi All
The last 6 weeks have been a blur, great fun at home at Xmas (3 small kids) but stressful at work.  My company has been bought so we're moving locations and there's tons of politics already. Some of my bad old spending habits which I was working on have crept back. Now I'm spending $25/day on breakfast, coffees and lunches because "I'm stressed" (whiney complaint pants voice).

Time to grab hold of myself and try get back on the wagon.

FB

[trailrated]

FACEPUNCH! Followed by a hand pulling you back into said wagon.

:)

[Northerly]

The little things are important, but so are the big things: Are your investments on auto-withdrawal on paycheck day?? I overspent this past month as well, but was somewhat protected by my past self, who has tenants in our two apartments and has the stock market investments in autowithdrawal. So if you haven't already, do your future self a favor and automate the big stuff so you can forgive yourself for the little slipups.

[Ferrisbueller]

Thanks guys

[11ducks]

That happens to me too when I'm stressed and rushed, between work and kids it can be so hard to make time for yourself. I find forcing myself to plan and freeze/refrigerate great breakfast and lunch meals is the best way to avoid the rushed morning-skip breakfast-stressed out-hungry and tired-sugar and crap binge. If its there you are much more likely to grab it, and then I feel too guilty to buy other food (and waste the prepared lunch).

[innerscorecard]

Were you still cash-positive during that time, after taxes and expenses? As long as it wasn't eating into your savings, just write that time off as if it didn't happen. If you were actually spending savings or investment money on the other hand, then you would need a face-punch. :p

[OutBy40]

Time to grab hold of myself and try get back on the wagon.

Nothing wrong with falling off the wagon as long as you get back on, which you apparently have.  FI isn't about perfection - it's about the journey.  And next time, you'll probably be able to look at this experience and use it to prevent yourself from doing something even stupider with your money (like buying a brand new BMW or something). 

[stlbrah]

I would be more worried about the content of the food and coffee. Donuts and a starbucks mocha with whipped cream and all that stuff, and then mcdonalds for lunch could get you to an extra 1000 calories a day really fast.

[hunniebun]

It is easy to get derailed from the best laid plans at the holidays and add a work stress on top of it.  At least you are aware of your spending and that is the first half of the battle!  It sounds like you know what you have to do :)  Maybe try to substitute the spending related stress relief with a free healthy option...like a walk with a co-worker for venting, or some mindless reading of a tabloid trash magazine (from the library of course)!