Spending freeze - will I go insane?

[busymama77]

We've jacked up our main credit card w/ a $1k balance and it's freaking DH out right now, so we're on a spending freeze besides the obvious items needed, until its balance is zero - so in a couple of months, I assume.
I'm not sure I can even visit the thrift stores like I usually do on a weekly basis.
But DS#2 will be in need of a convertible car seat soon. He's practically outgrown his pumpkin seat and I don't want to buy used.

How do you get by when you're on a spending freeze?

[JamieCatheryn]

I guess I plan out what we'll really need to get in the next few months, set a pay period when we'll go shopping and the budget, and just hold on til then. And if we go out, only go places free like the park or library or friend's houses. Not even wal-mart or the thrift store to pick up a couple things, usually things can wait until the planned day to get everything on the list. Also, go through old packed away stuff like old clothes, craft supplies, decor stuff, etc, and see what I can repurpose or bring out so we have "new" things regularly.

[SeekingJoy]

We eat out of the freezer and pantry, borrow or barter, or move money around within the budget. Basically, use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

[justmama]

a complete spending freeze is hard. i say do free activities often to keep yourself busy. can you count loose change for an ice cream cone to share at some point? maybe sell something online for a few bucks of play money for the thrift store? Those would be above and beyond the budget so kinda like "free money." Otherwise though, keep busy. it's the best way to not think about finances and stay out of stores.

[nadia105]

The No Spend Challenge on here is always full of supportive ladies, check it out!

[Angelorum]

We are in the same boat, absolutely zero non essential spending for a while. Every time I think about something I want to buy (household things, craft supplies, etc) I ask myself the question, what if I didn't buy it? Sometimes there are things I can use instead that I already own, sometimes, the answer is just that I will continue to be slightly inconvenienced until the time comes when we have the extra money, and sometimes the answer really is something that I can't live with, like having an unsafe carseat. It's amazing to me to realize how often I think about things I want to buy, I have been able to keep this down recently. When I get depressed about not being able to go get something I want, I mentally list all the things I'm grateful for having, and that really does help. Good luck!

[2lilsweetfoxes]

We stay out of stores except if we need something and then only take enough cash in for that item plus tax. For example, that carseat: settle for an inexpensive seat, like a Scenera, for now--those can be had for as low as $35 if you watch sales. Then ask for money towards the car seat you really want for the holidays.

[Angelorum]

double post

[busymama77]

some good news

We just re-financed our house which drained us as well but also found out that we'll be getting quite a bit back in escrow money that we can put towards the card and even be able to purchase the car seats that we want to buy for DS this weekend. We're also saving $125 a month on our mortgage. Money that will be put in to savings.
But, regardless, we still need to watch our pennies very closely so that we don't get to this point again!

Thanks for all of the support!