Have you ever have one of those “Life Happens” weeks. You know the ones – where every possible thing that can go wrong does. The times you feel like your head may literally just explode off your shoulders. I had one of those weeks.
This week I broke every one of my rules.
1. I didn’t use a single coupon at a grocery store shop yesterday.
2. I spent $36 eating out for ONE day – that was just to feed me.
3. I paid $2.00 for a cereal cup of Cheerios. Yep one serving.
4. I bought convenience food without coupons instead of cooking – every day.
5. I paid ATM surcharges.
I am not going to beat myself up – the circumstances were out of my control. Most importantly, I will get back on track.
How do you recover from a “Life Happens” day/month/week?
Maggie says
I did pretty good with coupons for the family but taking my little shih tzu to the vet really killed the budget. My dog has skin allergies, prone to ear infections, low tear production in his eyes and a possible thyroid problem. $330 at the vet and my dog is on more meds than my 86 year old parents. I did just switch to a dog food that I’ve seen coupons for :)
Vicky C. says
I am so glad for this post, Shannon! This week, I went to get Pull-Ups and some other things at Target this past week. When I got there, I realized I left a Target coupon booklet (which expired that day) and a $2.00 off Pull-Ups coupon. I could have saved an extra $5 in that trip! Afterwards, I was beating myself up over it thinking, “Don’t you know what you could do with that $5.00?!?!” I am glad that it happens and it was great to hear that there was “something in the air” this past week…hoping for a better trip this week!
Janet says
I’ve always said that I try to save when I can because of the “unpredictables in life”. We all have our indulgences…some of us can afford them better than others because of our daily saving habits. Shannon THANK YOU for being such a BIG help!
Mrs S says
I am glad you remind people that you are human too Shannon! I pray everything in you life will be back in order soon, though you are right to say that life happens and we should not feel guilty!
Do the best you can with the information and resources you have at the time!
As the wife of a severely wounded veteran, “life” happens every day, so I know that even when life gets in the way for prolonged periods of time, you eventually start to roll with it and aim for just doing a couple small things. So if things arent back to normal for you soon, just aim for doing what you can, and not worrying about what you can’t!
Amy says
Since my husband got a job,(before that he was “Mr. Mom”) I’ve been in “life happens” mode. Before that, I had time to clip the coupons, look over the flyers and get prepared to go to the store. Now with him working second shift, it’s hard to fit anything into my schedule. I have a newspaper route in the morning, then off to work for USPS (more driving), then home to two kids. I only have 4 hours left in my day to clean, cook, and get the kids ready for bed. I have to be in bed around 7-7:30 so I can get up at 3:30 am. I feel I am doing “okay” purchasing everything that’s on sale that week. I try not to cringe when I throw things in the cart that I could be getting for free. It’s okay that “life happens”. All the saving we did before, allows us the extra spending without feeling too guilty about it!
Melissa S says
When I saw the sorry no coupons sign I was thinking, Shannon must have shopped someplace who doesn’t allow coupons dun dun dun……. :D
Tina Seymour says
ok I had that day today … sort of. Remember all the free toilet paper we got a few weeks back? GONE!!! all of it is GONE! I think my son and his friends stole a bunch to go roll houses or something. So today I had to go buy toilet paper and paper towels … full price!!! well all I had was a measly $0.25 off Q for each. I felt sick.
3 bags of frozen vegetable, 2 packs of dinner rolls, french bread, 1 lb hamburger meat, 1 – 6 pack of cupcakes (yes the 4 yr old HAD to have them even with all the free cake mix and frostings we have at home) milk, tea, toilet paper and paper towels… $35 … I hate hate hate Walmart
Janice K. says
I’m SOOOOO happy you wrote this!!!! I have these moments too and it’s really hard not to let it get me down. But in the end I remind myself of all the money I have saved!
Lauren @ Palmetto State Saver says
Hang in there Shannon! It happened, it’s done, and it’s nothing to lose any sleep over. You keep it real and remind us all crap happens sometimes… Have a fantastic weekend, and just think of all the money you’ll save at RA this week!
Kristen says
It happens!! I had an expensive morning as well. Went to Acme, realized I left my coupon folder in the car, but had the baby with me. It was too overwhelming to me to leave my full cart, take the babyout of the cart and get the coupons. So I probably overpaid by $20. :( Next time, coupon folder will be in my purse!!
Heather says
@Kristen, Some stores let you take your reciept back to the store with your coupons and give you cash. You should check because it is worth it if they let you. I know Rite Aid, Walmart, and Target do because I have done it before. I always did it within a week. Hope this helps.
Bree says
@Heather,
If you’re a ShopRite shopper, they will take your coupons up to 1 week after you’ve shopped. They’ll also give you cash just bring your reciept!
Angie says
Think of all the money you have saved in the past – you deserve to have a day like this without the guilt. I, too, have a hard time buying something that is not on sale or has no coupon. But we need to treat ourselves once in a while. Thanks to your blog, I have saved a lot in the past year.
Nancy says
Beth is right. That’s one great thing about being given another day. We get a do-over with every day we open our eyes and get out of bed in the morning. You cannot change the past, and there’s no point in dwelling over it. It’s better to concentrate on the do-over part, try every minute to move past the mistakes, and most importantly, learn from them. And know that regardless of all the mistakes we make in life, we’re forgiven by the One that is the most forgiving. And if He can forgive us for all the big mistakes, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up over the little ones. We’re all only human, right?
Valerie C says
We are trying to bounce back from about a month of “life happens.” We had a major ice storm that shut the city down, my son was hospitalized for 3 days, and currently we are all sick with the strep throat of doom. In that time we have eaten more fast food, spent more on “quick trips” to the store, and wasted more money than I thought possible.
I am working to make it better though :)
Bree says
Awww Shannon don’t feel bad – we alllll have these days, weeks, months, and even years [oh yes, it’s possible]. Just try not to dwell on it and move on hard as it is; why stress over something that you can’t go back and change?
I freak out too when I forget a coupon or cringe when I have to buy something that doesn’t have a coupon. I actually have to lighten up myself because even going out to eat I’m always thinking, “I could’ve saved $_____ if we just ate at home!” But as someone else mentioned, sometimes convinience to save your sanity trumps saving a few bucks.
If I have a day/week like this, I’m just a bit more careful the next few days/weeks. Instead of eating out on Friday, maybe stay in. Instead of buying that super-expensive latte from Starbucks, skip it for today. Most importantly, I try not to beat myself up over it. I think of how lucky I am and if my biggest worry is spending too much on take-out food or forgetting ALL of my coupons (yup, I do that too) … then darn it I am Blessed. It could always be worse.
<3 ya Shannon :)
Leighann says
It’s weeks like that, that make me thankful for the weeks that run smoothly. When I have rough weeks like that, I try to just shrug it off with a “Meh…next week will be better. And if isn’t, the week has to get better sometime.”
Lauren @ I am THAT lady says
I am in a life just happens 9 months….I am currently 36 wks pregnant and have 2 other children. I just have to give myself grace that my grocery bill is higher than usual, my house is a mess, and realize that I have time to pick myself back up after the baby is born!
Christa K. says
@Lauren @ I am THAT lady, Wow, I certainly don’t feel alone then — I’m also 35 weeks pregnant with 2 kids at home! I’m doing OK on the grocery bill right now but I had the ‘life happens’ reflection in my frist trimester when I was SO sick. I bought whatever snack I needed or ate out as needed just to survive. My goal now is to use up my RA +ups in the next week or 2 so I’m not worried about losing them while in labor!! :-)
Emily says
Oh NO! Shannon is going to be in grocery purgatory.
Noelle says
Every week feels that way and it only gets worse when I beat myself up over it. I work in the theatre and when I am training I always remind people not to get hung up on a mistake or mis-step. Getting hung up only creates a domino affect. I try and remind myself of this when I am getting down on myself for busting the budget! If I beat myself up, I can’t move forward and assess the ways to resolve things next time!
Roxy says
I just love your honesty! We all do this and feel this way and it is so refreshing to hear others admit as well. I needed to hear this story this week. Been there done that. Have a great next week!
wendy says
Treat yourself to a bottle of wine … on clearance that is! That should make up for it! Something that is NEVER on clearance now is. Here is the news story: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/03/wine_and_spirits_sale.html
Mrs H in WV says
I’ve had one of those weeks between cub scouts, helping a neighbor, special events at my son’s school, a friend’s birthday, and church, as well! annnnd my coupons are so unorganized now that I’m struggling to get my shopping list done,,,, annnnnd we’ve got friends coming over to dinner tonight to help my hubby with a remodel project,,, annnnd the house is a wreck. So hubby is gonna stop by the store on the way home from work (I’m trying not to cringe too much) and grab some things I can whip up. Too bad Domino’s doesn’t deliver out to the Boonies!!
Sometimes your sanity and convenience are worth a little extra dollar or two. Just don’t let it happen every week!
CD Smith says
Yep. What they said!
christina says
I love this post! Ever since I really started couponing, every time I buy something without a coupon or not on sale (regardless of whether I really do need it or not) I always feel guilty! I appreciate you sharing this to make me, and others, remember that it happens to even the best of us!!
Paige Harshbarger says
@christina, Ditto! I needed to hear this from a “ccoupon pro” like Shannon : ) I started saving so much that I beat myself up if I miss a deal or let a coupon expire (I just found (4) $2.25/1 Electrasol in my binder…EXPIRED!). Let it go, right? Thanks for the reality check.
Marion says
Thank you for sharing this with us, it helps me to remind myself of ALL the savings we’ve had because of YOU!!!! I sometimes pull out all my receipts and look at all the stuff I would have never bought before. Really, my oldest is 11 and he forgot we had chips in the pantry because I pretty much NEVER buy them. I had forgotten how yummy chips can be! And now I am to the point where I have extras of all sorts of things to donate to school and charities! My receipts are my trophies! Thank you!
Vicki says
There’s gotta be something in the air cause it’s been that kind of week here, too! I love the Etch A Sketch reference above, and totally agree. Shake it off and keep moving forward! Hope next week is better (for all of us!)
Heather says
You definitely give yourself a break. After all, it’s tough being superwoman! Seriously…your bad day is many people’s every day. Consider it a realization of how far you’ve come.
annette says
Don’t give yourself a hard time! If you weren’t so good at this every other week of the year, you wouldn’t know the difference. :)
The thought that next day/week is a blank canvas usually helps me to overcome the guilt brought on when I pay too much for something (or when my husband does!!!!). I line up a few more deals, score some freebies, and all is good again in the world.
Hang in there!! :)
Tina @ The Blessed Couponer says
I’ve had plenty of those days! :)
Rachel H. says
We use coupons and save money just for this kind of week. And that is why they term it comes from “Petty” cash. Had one of my own…Toddler sick; Transmission died in only vehicle; broken wisdom tooth w/ surprise cavity & I’m 5 months (high risk) preggo. Does that make your week feel better at all? :-) At least you can go and buy yourself a stiff drink! lol Hope next week is better for you!
Beth says
You give yourself permission for that kind of week and start over next week. I’m a big fan of the do over, friend. Etch-A-Sketch it and move on. YOU ROCK. Don’t ever forget it. This is from a fellow mama, blogger, and veteran of the “Life Happens” experience!
Peace, Beth
Shannon says
@Beth,
Love the etch-a-sketch !