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One Step Forward and Two Steps Back

October 27th, 2008 at 10:19 am

Over the weekend I took a few steps in the right direction. I have a huge problem with fast food. I know how bad it is for you, but the convenience (well, what I have convinced myself is convenience) is the big draw. We ate lunch out on Saturday, but it was with my mom & dad and they paid. Sunday we didn't eat out at all. Today has been a different story. After I left school this afternoon with my son he says, "Mom, can we go to McDonald's please?" It was cold and rainy and I gave in. I feel slightly disgusted with myself, but I don't feel as guilty as I have in the past and I'm not sure why. I did however, feel enormous guilt when the total came up on the screen. $10.37 for two of us to eat lunch. How outrageous is that? I know I could have definitely used that $10 for something else, putting it in savings, using it to pay on a bill, anything other than what I used it on. I need to keep those thoughts in the forefront on my mind when those opportunities come up. The day isn't over, so I will have more opportunities to say no to spending for things we don't need. The only good thing that came out of it is that I paid cash for it. I guess that's a pretty small consolation prize, but a prize non the less.

Posted in unneccessary spending | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “One Step Forward and Two Steps Back”

  1. dmontngrey Says:
    October 27th, 2008 at 10:40 am

    Now that you've opened your eyes up to the problems with fast food, it SHOULD get easier! The fact that you found the cost so outrageous will hopefully stick in your mind the next time you go. Don't beat yourself up over this time and concentrate on cutting back in the future. I'm with you, I'm addicted to BK. It's sickening when your money management software tells you that's where you "shopped" most often. Bleah. Breaking the habit here as well. Well me at least - DH still isn't quite on board!

  2. Janetmc1 Says:
    October 27th, 2008 at 11:26 am

    You are absolutely right. DH doesn't have as much of a problem as I do. He rarely eats fast food, and never eats it on the weekends, which does make it easier for me then. I'm sure that's where our money software tells us I shopped the most, but I'm not ready to look at that graph quite yet. Thanks for sharing!

  3. debtfreeme Says:
    October 27th, 2008 at 02:08 pm

    Watch the movie supersize me or fast food nation and they might help you realize how the fast food industry works and how bad it can be for your family.

    The important thing is to remember the next time how you felt about going this time. Don't beat yourself up, you made the decision, now it is time to learn from that decision and make a better choice next time. How about packing a picnic for the two of you to enjoy on your way home from school? Stopping at the park to eat it might be fun too.

    Welcome to the blogs! There are some amazing people here with great advice and time to help. You can make it a better situation for your family.

    Welcome!

  4. campfrugal Says:
    October 28th, 2008 at 06:38 am

    It is harder when you have kids. At some point, they just never seem to quit eating because they burn it up so quickly. My youngest DS is so active, yet he can put some food away and stay extremely skinny. But, for the eating out, don't beat yourself up about it. Everybody needs to eat. If you'all are getting a well rounded diet, than it is okay. Yes, you could have used it somewhere else, but don't deprive yourself. Maybe you could say, "If we try to eat at home on such and such days, then on _____ day, we can go out to eat, your choice". That will give both of you a goal and help with the guilt. Yes, eating out can be more expensive that eating at home, but we only live once, enjoy life and quality time with your son. Like I said before, don't beat yourself up about it.

  5. Janetmc1 Says:
    October 28th, 2008 at 02:48 pm

    I have seen the movie Supersize Me, but it didn't bother me all that much. I actually watched it in hopes that it would give me that kick in the pants that I need to drop the fast food habit. The picnic idea sounds like a lot of fun. We live in Michigan and it's in the mid 40's right now, but maybe we could have a picnic in the house instead. Thanks for all the suggestions; I really appreciate them.

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