My Name is Laura and I'm a Shopaholic

Blogging about money, finances, frugalness, and debt is nothing new for me.  I even had my own money savings/frugal blog a few years ago.  At the time we were strapped with credit card debt, were barely making it paycheck to paycheck and didn't see any way out.

Since then we've sold a house, bought a house, relocated to a new state, started new jobs and honestly we are now making more money than we ever have before.  And you know what?  We're still in debt.  While it isn't as bad as it used to be and while we are not struggling to make ends meet it is depressing. 

Aaron and I have never agreed on money.  We've known from very early on in our relationship that we come from opposite sides of the financial fence.  I never learned how to manage my money and from an early age I spent every dollar I had in my pocket.  Aaron has always been one of those "I'll save all my money and buy everything with cash" kind of nerds.  I got my first credit card before I was married and already had accumulated some credit card debt before we were married.  Aaron, therefore, took over our bills after we were married.  

And We.  Were.  Broke!  I'm talking, only making $200 a week broke.  We had a very limited grocery limit.  All my clothes (and anything else I needed) came from Goodwill.  We didn't have the newest clothes or gadgets or cable tv.  My parents still made my car payment for me.  

After I graduated from nursing school I started making money.  Good money.  Money like I had never made before.  Aaron wanted to continue with the $40 a week grocery budget and thought we could continue buying everything at Goodwill.  I figured I was working the long shifts and making the money so I should be able to spend the money the way I wanted to.  And spend I did.  

I didn't save my money so when a crisis or unexpected event happened, I used my credit cards.  Dentist bills, vet bills, and car maintenance bills were routinely added to my debts that were climbing by the month thanks to some hefty interest rates.  We fought about money a lot.  About how Aaron thought we needed to be saving more and about how I thought I should have some say in how we spend it since I was the primary breadwinner of the family.  And trust me, that was a fact that I didn't let him forget.

It was not pretty.  We finally separated our checking accounts and split the bills and that was working for awhile.  Once we moved I wanted a joint account again.  I figured I had grown, matured and was more frugal and thus we certainly would be able to get along with our money together again.  And though we don't fight about it like we used to, I certainly haven't changed in my spending habits.

I don't have tons of credit card debt.  I don't have a closet full of designer bags or new clothes with the tags still on.  I'm not out making frivolous purchases on a daily basis.  However, I do spend what we make.  Clothes for the girls, eating out, ordering in, frozen yogurt, overnight trips, movies, etc., etc., etc!

The only difference now is that we do have an emergency fund if something happens (like when our fridge and stove needed replacing within three months of each other!).  We have very little credit card debt (which will be NONE by the end of the week) and finally we are getting on the same page as far as our finances thanks to Dave Ramsey.

We started the online Financial Peace University online last night and we've had a lot of recent civil discussions about money.  I'm going to be journaling some of our thoughts here on the blog throughout our FPU class.  I am motivated.  I am ready to stop my shopaholic ways.  I'm ready to fight this "addiction" to spending.

Do you have, or have you ever had, problems with spending?