Food prices are always an issue at my house. My daughter has her favorites, which of course are opposite of my son’s and then there is me who is trying to make a more conscience effort in eating healthier. Most often, I can combination a meal to two of the three, but rarely do I get all three unless we go out to eat somewhere. With groceries in the home, I find eating out brings more relief to stress, hunger and housework but ruins my monthly budget. Keeping a budget running no matter what the extra demand may be take a bit of determination and staying power. Relying on a cash advance or credit cards to pay for extras would send my budget into a tail spin – out of control.
I would never use a cash advance just to buy food when I spend money eating out.
Eating out defeats the purpose and usefulness of a grocery list, but it sure does feel good after a long day. I try to keep the pantry or freezer filled with somewhat healthy quick dinners for most of the busy days and I actually have a budget category for restaurants. It isn’t a big amount, but I leave any remaining from the month before in there to carry over to the next month. I have found that keeping cash in an envelope is the easiest way to avoid future debt problems due to a busy day and/or lack of energy to make dinner.
I’m pretty strict with myself and avoid using credit cards for restaurants. I use my debit card and therefore know and understand that the amount will come out of my bank account immediately. It keeps me grounded. When I spend $80 or more at the grocery store(s) shopping the sales and avoiding pricey products, why would I demolish all my efforts by taking my kids out to eat more often than I can afford?
That is me, it is my journey and we all have our own household priorities. I go without in order to compensate for the extra added to food costs. My friend budgets for her hair and nails. She spends so much every month. It is important to her and therefore, she has earmarked that piece of her budget as a priority. She feels good about her money spent as I do. The best part is that neither of us are paying for our monthly splurges over the long-term and keeps the prices low because of it. I can’t imagine using a cash advance for my dinner’s out. That would be like spending the price for a 5 star restaurant but only getting fast food to eat – definitely not within my budgeted costs, needs or wants.
Limit cash advance and credit card debt.
Payday loans, online cash advances and credit cards are handy when the demand for emergency costs presents itself. Using them frivolously could lead to some debt problems or at the very least budget strain. Living paycheck to paycheck and not having enough to cover living expenses and the bills can make life quite stressful. Depending on a short-term loan or other credit in order to get by each month will create more problems over the long-run. Budgeting income and staying on task with it all is a job all on its own.
