I've spent too much this last month and now I'm freaking out - Page 2

[velochic]

Originally Posted by cappuccinosmom

Homeownership can definately be a drain on the budget.

However, reading through the OP, I think maaaayyybe your sense of "needs" vs. "wants" is a little out of whack. Or maybe not but as a family you have fallen into the "gotta have it right now" trap (which is easy to do!). We are on a very low income, and fairly frugal spenders, but I know how you are feeling, and I can just as easily bust my budget with a bunch of inexpensive things that I need (but don't really need), as you can with big-ticket items.

I see what your saying and I do agree that it's easy to fall into the "gotta have it right now" trap. In fact, I have owned our home for over 10 years and the stuff we did to our house these last few years were on my list of "things to change" the day I moved in. I have several more items on my list, but will wait to save up *earmarked* home improvement money. I just wanted to clarify that I wasn't advocating that the OP should go into debt or drain savings to do "everything" right now. I'm a saver, not a spender.

[SleeplessMommy]

It is really easy to spend lots on furniture, house projects, etc when you first move in. We have done it too...

It is OK to having missing furniture or empty rooms, even for a long time. As Velochic said, just make a list of projects, things you need, and furniture. It is a long term list. Keep all of the measurements handy in case you see the right piece of used furniture somewhere. When things are stabilized with the new house, you can start prioritizing your list. We have ended up with more furniture than we actually need :

With the holidays coming up, focus on non-monetary ways to be happy in the new home - like baking cooking together. And defiantly ignore all snideness from your family.

[ChattyCat]

I think you sound like you have a healthy control of your finances. You still have a sizeable savings account after all of these expenses. You're not continuing to spend yourselves silly. You realize that you'll have to do without some things (like furniture) until the money's there. Just make a prioritized list of things you want for your home, and when the money's there, you can get them. Keep a notebook of all the money you spend. I find that with writing it down, I really have to think whether I truly want to spend my money on it.