Lifestyle Creep...

[SiouzQ.]

I saw this term posted on a different thread and realized that's exactly what I am doing lately...as you know, I got the new job back in June and that is going very well. What I don't think I have mentioned anywhere is that I also have gained a roommate along with it! I have had an empty bedroom in my townhouse for years, vacated by my teenage daughter during those horrible years of her addiction when I ended up kicking her out. She hasn't moved back since, and lives quite comfortably with her father about a mile away from me.

At one point a couple of years ago when I got downsized at one of my retail jobs, I put in an ad on CraigsList for a roommate and got about 67 responses! After interviewing a couple of possible prospects I decided in the end that it was just too creepy to let a virtual stranger in to share my home with.

This current roommate situation evolved quite differently ~ a woman who worked at a Florida Wholefoods transferred up here to Michigan and needed a cheap place to live that was close to work ~ Bingo! I am charging her $250 per month for the room, which effectively reduces my share of the rent and electric bill to approximately $265 for me!

I am slowly getting used to having another person in the house and sharing the bathroom, etc. She's not around all that much and sometimes I only see her when our shifts overlap at the deli!

But I digress...my carefully orchestrated frugal life is starting to unravel in little ways. I used to work very regular hours and days at the guitar store and had my meal-planning and grocery shopping down to an almost exact science. No more of that, really. My schedule is so all over the place it has been hard to plan and implement my home-cooking scheme as effectively as I used to, so consequently, it seems like I am CONSTANTLY picking up something at a store (whether it's Wholefoods, Trader Joe's or Krogers) so I can get a whirlwind bulk cooking session in. It just feels a lot more hectic and I seem to be spending more money (or maybe it really is the high cost of food that I am seeing). Other things like starting the coffee and cigarette habits again is really adding up. I wasn't buying coffee for a long time and that saved a bit of money, but now I am and when I run out (like the other day), I end up buying gas station coffee on the way to work at 5:45 am. I had to buy pretty much all new clothes for the winter because of the size change ~ I cannot buy jeans at the thrift store because nothing there EVER fits and I had to get three new bras at the cost of $70! I still need long sleeve T-shirts but I am pretty sure I can thrift shop for them...

So all in all, I have more money now, but it feels like I am spending it pretty fast as well! Some of these things are obviously necessary purchase, like clothing and food, but the silly stuff that isn't good for me is really starting to add up! I have a goal to have $19,000 in my savings account by the first of the year (which means I have to save $1000) in two months... I am vowing to put my roommate's share of the rent into savings on Friday, and to be able to divert a bunch of each paycheck as well into that account. November is one of those three paychecks months for me and I don't have any major purchases lined up, except that electric guitar I ordered for my birthday...;)

[SimplyL]

For a short period of time, could you implement a cash only plan vs. debit. You see what you have in front of you. Jot down your purchases. There's a connectivity with the cold, hard cash that differs (for me, at least) from swiping a debit/check card.

As well, for approximately 3 future pay periods, could you budget and earmark your spending/needs?

I keep a ledger for our next 4 pay periods.
If I see that a family member has a need *that can wait*, I will enter it into a future pay period with the budgeted amount.

Example:
This pay period, daughter has rental for her instrument
Next pay period, husband needs winter gloves for motorcycle replaced
Following, son's incentive for Honor Roll...

There's no surprises.

For the cooking, is this something that the roommate may be interested in? I'm assuming that maybe you try to keep things friendly yet may not want to fully integrate into one another's lives. However, it may benefit them, too. And then, you could keep better organized.

Regarding clothes shopping.
When you do not find what you need at the consignment shop, what is your go to alternative? Are you going to the mall? Do you have a secondary consignment shop to check in with? Do you go to Target (example)? $70 for three bras sounds really costly.. and I know all about needing proper support, however, have found Playtex (good structured ones) on clearance for $3-$4. Even at regular cost, around $15 is a good price for something that you may not have to frequently replace. I'd also look at the timing of when you shop. Do you wait until last minute, absolutely have to get a new pair of jeans TODAY. Or do you think ahead, 'hmmm.. these are borderline hole in the knees or other places and won't be able to make it through the season'. If you can get a season ahead on your clothing replacement, you may find that you can try that consignment shop periodically and find what you need before it becomes an emergency, where you wind up at a mall store (or otherwise).

Hope some of this helps input wise.

[try2bfrugal]

Trader Joe's quick meals are better than fast food for us, but still grocery budget killers. We are trying really hard this month to make sure we have dinner planned out in the morning and some quick meals in the freezer so we don't resort to stopping by Trader Joe's for convenience food because we are tired out or too busy to cook. I really try to come in under budget on the groceries each month and my incentive is to get to use the money I save on my urban homesteading / native garden shopping list at Amazon (solar lights, mandoline, sewing machine, water fountain for the garden, etc.)

I am trying to keep more quick meals in the freezer and pantry, plus make crock pot meals or or do dinner prep first thing in the morning.

[ctg492]

SiouzQ. (http://www.simplelivingforum.net/member.php?67-SiouzQ)
On a side note I would Love to work at Whole Foods, closest is 45 minutes from me. But I bet my paycheck I would spend it all there :|(

[Gardenarian]

Congrats on the roommate and the new job working out!
Is there anyway you can get a more regular schedule? That would be my first priority.

I think SimplyL has a good idea with going cash. I've used the envelope method when I've gone off-track in the past and it works extremely well.

As for the clothes - yes, you need some now and then. It doesn't sound like you've gone overboard at all. I feel quite lucky that I don't need bras!

Coffee and cigarettes - I guess you have to decide if you are going to try and give these up, or find the least expensive way to support them. Can you get discount cofee at Wholefoods? (Probably still more expensive than many other places.) As for cigarettes - I'm pathetic, I quit 20 years ago and am STILL addicted to nicotine gum, something I've been working on getting off for a year (but there is always another disaster, another excuse to wait another month.) So I'm the wrong person to ask about that!

I've got housekeeping creep - the clutter is closing in! - so I kind of know how you feel.

[SiouzQ.]

Thanks for the replies, folks! A lot of times I post here simply to help keep myself accountable (or a place to vent) and perhaps in doing that it help others facing similar dilemmas.

As far as work schedule, having regularly set hours is absolutely impossible, especially going into the holiday season.. When I started I told them I had open availability because I REALLY, REALLY needed the job. I actually kind of like the unpredictability of it in a way, as it keeps me on my toes. It's just really hard to schedule things outside of work (like practicing with my guitar partner) and doing household chores on a regular schedule. I just have to get better at planning/procuring/cooking things on my day off (right now I am doing a bunch of bulk cooking ~ waiting for my tofu to bake, and the sweet potatoes I am going to use in my enchiladas to be softened enough to mash).

The clothes thing is what it is. I HAD to buy new jeans as my old ones were about two sizes too big and I could pull them off without unbuttoning. I had to cinch my belt in just to keep them up and then they got all puckery and saggy in the seat! Not a very attractive look. I have wasted a lot of money and time looking for the perfect jeans so on the rare occasions I DO find something that fits and looks nice, I will buy it, even if they weren't on sale. I lucked out and found 2 pairs of Land's End dark jeans from the junior department that were on sale for $25 each so I bought both and that is what I wear to work. I have to wash them about every other day because I get food all over me. I did splurge on a pair of expensive ($75) jeans for when I go out and socialize. But that is it ~ I only have three pairs of pants!

Bras, well, suffice it to say, I pretty much HATE shopping but had to, because again, I needed a new size. If I find a brand that works for me, I will buy that same style forever. These I got at JC Penney and the ease of purchasing EXACTLY what I had before, only smaller, was worth the price. It literally took me 15 min and I was out the door!

My roommate does not cook. I have never seen her cook here. She eats takeout all the time and is in a money mess...as we get to know each other (I have told her about my simple living philosophy and I think little by little it may rub off on her ~ she bought a winter coat at Salvation Army and I noticed some tortillas and cheese in the fridge). As of now, I would prefer to keep our food separate.

I know exactly where I am bleeding money...stupid addictions! I am going to try the patch tomorrow (again) and I bought my own coffee to make at home so I don't nickel and dime myself at the gas station every other day racing to get to work.

I also need to just sit down and figure out my monthly expenses again. My circumstances are much different since my last job. I drive to work instead of taking the bus like I used to. Taking the bus is not really an option because of my crazy schedule. Even though work is only about 3.5? miles away, it does add up over the course of a month. I recently changed car insurance and paid 6 months lump sum instead of it being debited out of my account automatically. Lots of little things like that That I need to pay attention to, I guess.

[leslieann]

I like your name for this phenomenon...lifestyle creep. I can feel it, too, sometimes. I get confused about spending, though. sometimes I need to buy some clothes, for example, but I get all worked up about it, hate to do it, hate to spend the money. Yet I spend quite readily on other things (books, training, etc). So I am not sure I have lifestyle creep but maybe something else.

Anyway, good for you to NOTICE and assess and remind yourself of your goals. Making that coffee at home is a win-win, because you'll have better coffee, cheaper. And you know what to do about the smoking...but don't waste energy beating yourself up. Just decide what you are going to do, and do it. You are pretty good at that, I think I recall.

[Zoebird]

I have this situation every quarter because our schedule changes because of DS's schooling, etc. It's so frustrating!

I found that -- for me -- it's good to keep a daily diary of doings. That is, i put in how I'm spending most of my time throughout the day, with a note next to it about how I'm feeling. This way, I can get a sense of my "free time" and how I'm using it.

Even with a shifting schedule (which I've had), I've been able to determine that I seem to feel better/more rested at certain times of the week and certain times of the day, which are then good times to do things like planning and prep to keep my life running smoothly otherwise.

It might mean sticking with some lifestyle creep expenses for the now (and monitoring them, too), but then seeing where you can implement what will work for you.

I'm lucky in that most household work is delegated to DH. He does cooking, laundry, and I do tidying and deep clean (bathroom/kitchen). Still, we have to shift schedules every quarter depending upon shifts at the business or with DS's activities, which can be a challenge.

I find that the diary helps. It's like a food diary, but for your time.

[SiouzQ.]

I just completed a new monthly budge and income breakdown by averaging out what each line item cost me for the last ten months. Seeing it in red and black is so good! It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but I also realize if I was paying my entire rent myself things would be a little dicier. I have found a lot of little ways to cut back on superfluous things so that I may continue to throw money into my savings account.

Anyway, here it is:

Rent: 235.00
Electric: 28.00
Internet: 34.95
Food: 200.00
Car: 235.00
Home Supplies 63.00
Clothing 55.00
Medical 50.00
Hair, etc. 40.00
Personal 15.00
Entertainment 5.00
Booze 40.00
Smokes 27.00
Guitar (strings) 5.00
Expenses about $1033
Income about $1200.

So there it is! There are a lot of little variables that make each month a little bit different, such as the monthly gain-sharing check from Wholefoods, which the last two times was almost an extra $100. I also pick up side work here and there that I haven't counted towards income from repairing jewelry and working extra hours at my friend's guitar shop. I don't count on this type of income stream because I never know when it is going to happen.

The places I can cut back are pretty evident ~ I think I can shave of $25 on the food bill by just being more careful with planning and cooking and not getting as many snacks when I am out and about. I can certainly cut back on clothing purchases because I finally have almost everything replaced that I needed; plus, I don't have to dress up at all for work. I can decide to cut back on hair care expenses by resuming doing the coloring at home instead of going to the beauty school. And lastly, I COULD cut back on my going out expenses by cutting back on beer and cigarette purchases! I think I could easily cut back $100 per month when I add all this up. My goal is to have $19,000 in my savings account by the end of the year. My car insurance is already paid for the next six months, and the renter's insurance has been paid for the full year. I have hardly any credit card debt ($104.95) which is my AT&T bill and some final clothing purchases. That will get paid in a day or two.

My challenge to myself is to save $1000 by December 31!

[Gardenarian]

Nice. Budgeting is something I really resist.

[rosarugosa]

SQ: I think you are amazingly disciplined and I don't see a single thing here that is out of line. That said, I guess we would agree that any $$ spent on smokes is too much - but I spent WAY more when I was smoking, so I'm not casting stones :( Trying to divert those irregular streams of income into savings might be a reasonable self-challenge.
Gardenarian: That seems so funny to me because I think budgeting is a blast. Then again, I never said I was a really fun type of person. :)

[awakenedsoul]

Congratulations! Sounds like you have a good plan. I wonder if your roommate is rubbing off on you? I find that I am very influenced by people around me. Not to blame her, just something to consider...

Costco has excellent bras and they are very inexpensive. I buy my coffee in bulk there, as well. It's hard to stay grounded when your schedule is always changing. I find a set work schedule makes it much easier to manage food preparation, housekeeping, regular exercise, etc...

Could you ride a bike to work? That would save a lot on gas, and you are so close. Keep up the good work. I'm sure you'll meet your goals.

[SiouzQ.]

In theory I *could* ride but the weather is turning nastier here in Michigan and I often don't get out until 10:45pm and just do not feel at all comfortable riding in the dark. I think it is around 3 miles. I also often go places after work and need my car anyway.

Now that I have the bras and jeans I need, I think I am all set in the clothing department until next spring and summer, in which I will have to replace all my shorts (it's about time anyway; I think they are all at least 6 or 7 years old and again, way too big). Yesterday I bought 3 long sleeve T-shirts for work and a leather wallet at Value World for a total of $4.77! I have my wardrobe pared down to exactly what I need and wear. I really hardly have any clothes but it is enough for my lifestyle. It's so cool to be able to wear jeans and T's everyday and not have to worry about having work appropriate outfits!

My roomie just gave me $250 in cash for the month so I just paid off the credit card in full (it was only $104.95) and transferred some money into my savings which is now $18,155. I get such a charge seeing that number go up! The next paycheck is going to be pretty good because it will have the gain-sharing included in it ~ I should be able to throw a huge portion of that into savings as well and still live quite comfortably this month, even if I go out with my friends and have some beers here and there.

I am pretty pleased with how things are going ~ I have been living this frugal lifestyle for many, many years and it is really paying off in that I have no debt and do not strive to have a lot of things. I have my own type of freedom and peace of mind. I am not rich by any means monetarily, but I do have options and I am not part of the American rat race! It does take a lot of dedication and discipline but these things are ingrained in my soul anyway. I am living by under my own terms.
Next summer I would like to take about 3 weeks off and go on a road trip to New Mexico and not worry about finances at all. At the rate I am going, it is very doable!

[Zoebird]

That's all awesome stuff SQ!

I love seeing my savings account go up too!

[awakenedsoul]

Oh, I can see why you wouldn't bike in Michigan and so late at night. I'm in California, so the weather is mild. I used to take the bus home at night and ride the rest of the way. It was 10:15 p.m. and it made me really nervous.


Sounds like you're doing really well. NM is awesome! I lived in Santa Fe for a few years and I loved it.