There are times I would go shopping or out to eat to just get out of the house. For someone who is just barely paying the bills, that causes more financial stress. When I ask my family for help, I was frequently insulted, espcially when they had access to my accounts.

It sounds like you are nearing the end of one of your stressors, the completion of your book. Keep it together for a little longer, and I’m sure you won’t be nearly as stressed.

Take care!

We’ve really blown the budget this past month, and I think it is just because we have too much going on…leading to “well, let’s just swing by McDonalds” (which breaks our eating out allowance) or “let’s just run to Walmart and get a few things” (which turns into getting a LOT of things–which is why I hate Walmart).

I think I have good willpower about spending for myself but I struggle with saying no to my husband and my daughter. I will buy things and go places for them that I wouldn’t for myself.

Studies have shown that we have a limited amount of willpower, too. (WebMD) So if you’re using that willpower to knuckle down and finish your book, it may be why you feel interested in spending more money when you normally wouldn’t. I get the same way – if my work life is hectic, I become more interested in material goods, I eat out more often, and look for ways to have fun that cost more than I would usually spend. But this too will pass, if you can just wait it out or trick your brain into believing you’ve treated yourself, even if you’re saving money. Like taking a break to buy an 89-cent slurpee, or hiding your wallet for a few days. Whatever strategies work – it’s just like tricking your brain into wanting to eat less or exercise more.

And try not to spend on junk food when stressed–(do as I say, not as I do…)

Rootin’ for ya.

I know of several other folks who have had similar situations. And last December i was in another accident (not my fault) where a lady backed into me without looking. Her son had died a few weeks before & her dog had been run over by a car the day before. Frankly, she should not have been driving.

It is my belief that driving while stressed (or at least highly stressed) is as bad as drunk driving or while texting. Just wish folks would keep this in mind.

Sadly, my husband isn’t so understanding when it comes to my need to hash everything over with someone. I’ve noticed that he’s pretty stressed too, but it’s been building up for a while. (He doesn’t tell me these things sometimes because I tend to get worse.)

If I can survive until the end of the semester, it’ll be a miracle I swear. I’ve got one big project to do this week, plus two other assignments (at least), a test and plenty of work! Fun fun fun. I ought to work on my nasty procrastination habit a bit more, but allowing myself fun time is all that’s keeping me focused on the fact that this won’t last forever.

So I satisfied my urge to spend, but only spent $10. The item was a breadmaker (so then I went out and bought ingredients, too) which may, providing it works well, cut down on future spending.

Spending isn’t always bad and if done the “right way” even in times of stress, could be good. When I do this kind of stress spending, it’s literally cheaper than 2 or 3 drinks at the bar.

Time to change your perspective… All the hard work on the book is almost behind you. Congratulations, we look forward to another great book!

Public speaking is a challenge all by itself. I once heard that 8 hours of facilitation takes as much energy as a 10 mile run!

Take a look at the Dale Carnegie Course. It was worth every penny helping me to deal with stage fright and gaining confidence. It made all the difference in the world and was worth every penny.

I now tackle groups up to 200 at a time without flinching and I love every minute.

Keep up the great work!

What’s worse is the zapping power stress has over the will power needed to accomplish one’s goals. Your tips are a great way to deal with life’s stresses, and increase the odds that you can move forward. If stress isn’t dealt with, it will continue to zap will power and prohibit people from reaching their goals (i.e. not overspending in your case.)

For me, I just try to be sure that I’m spending money to save myself time and stress, and not just to make myself feel better. So takeout or a cleaning service or food bought not on sale at a more expensive but more convenient store are fair game, but books I want aren’t.

Remember that personal finance is about spending on things you value. If a little bowling that allows you to reconnect with your son after a really busy week fits with that, and the money is there, then relax and enjoy it.

A problem I have noticed from estate sales and
dispersement auctions after death is the amount
of “things” that were purchased to make the ill
or elderly person feel better. Sometimes just
small things like the telephone with the huge
dial buttons and sometimes very expensive things
like a fancy ATV that grandpa could use to get
around the farm. In years past he never had one
and probably would not have purchased a brand new
one himself, but the kids had to get him a really
fancy new one when a used model would have served
just as well. It is very hard not to want to
throw money at a health problem hoping the the
items purchased will make the situation more
comfortable. Sometimes it actually does help
but often it is a desparate effort on the part
of a loving family or friend to believe they
can improve the situation. Very hard to resist
these expenditures; very, very hard to make a
rational decision on what to purchase.

I strongly agree on the stress spending, though. The kicker is that when that stress is caused by medical issues and illness, you’ve got those related expenses to worry about, too. Best wishes to you & your family during this stressful time!

It’s a cycle that is easy to slip into.