Good advice, Thanks.

I have tried logging my expenses daily and it works! It is important that we keep track of where our hard-earned money goes to, especially when there's so many bills to settle and one can't simply be complacent with money, just like calories or else we'll suffer the result of our overindulgence. :)

And one more thing - I never buy things on credit. If I can't afford it, I won't buy it. Easy. Just like if I have 1,500 calories a day to spare, I won't overdo it. Not only do I save money for not buying junk food, I save myself from gaining unnecessary weight and eating unhealthy things.

Great article!

I have noticed the similarity between my calorie budget and my financial budget--they are both out of control most of the time!  Hopefully awareness is the first step toward recovery :<)

This article was so right on time. I've gotten my diet in check it's the spending that I really need to focus on since we have had some major changes in our household finances. I've tried sticking to a budget previously but I'm really going to focus on it more so now. I'll use the same approach with finances as I do with my diet because I've been very successful thus far. It just takes planning and working at it each day. 

 

Its all self discipline.  I get off track with my weight when I have little will power to eat how I know I should, and I get off track financially when I have little will power to (not to) spend how I know I should.  Both issues benefit from daily re-commitment to my goals.

I truly believe that my money problems and my weight problems go hand in hand.  I feel out of control with my finances as well as my eating habits.  I am starting the Dave Ramsey snowball to help pay down my debt.  I am hoping that while I ease the stress of my debt, my weight loss will improve as well. 

Here's a free website where you can track your expenses online.  I use it to track my cash.  http://xpenser.com/

Thanks for writing this, Erik - wonderful post!

As a therapist and life coach, I see a connection between overspending and overeating.  Both reflect the same inner need to soothe oneself by external means.

Our relationship with money, food and our bodies mirrors how we feel about ourselves. It's all connected. Making improvements in one area creates positive shifts in other areas. Your suggestion to keep track of your money is a great one. I did this myself many years ago for six months.  It was a wonderful practice to develop awareness of my spending and to honor my money by consciously paying attention to how I was treating it.

Your relationship with money is a wonderful avenue for expanding your approach to weight release because taking charge of your money helps you take charge of your overall self-care.

For those interested in going deeper with this and other related themes, please feel free to join my Calorie Count Spiritual Weight Loss Group.

Thanks again for this post!

Warmly,
Diane

 

 

I was surprised on March 1 when I looked hard at my finances from the first two months of the year.  I, like many others, was not tracking my spending.  I knew we had let our spending get out of control, but even so, I was shocked! There was such glutinous spending at fast food restaurants that I couldn't even believe it... to the tune of $300/month for my family of four.  Ironically, this was more than I spent at the grocery store.  I gave up eating out for lent and here I am -- 5+ weeks in -- and I am healthier physically and financially as a result.

Both issues (the physical and financial) are truly a case of losing sight of our priorities. 

I made an Excel spreadsheet, in which I used every bill and factored tax and insurance deductions into my salary each paycheck, and put a cap on all food/entertainment spending.  Then I projected what I'd spend each month for the next 4-5 years, and put vacations in at various points.  When you realize just how much that pair of designer jeans, or eating lunch out every day, is going to cost you in the future when you want to take that big vacation, it's much easier to live cheaper now. 

I know people who eat lunch out every day, buy new clothes every change of season, and go on a million day trips on weekends.  Ironically, these people wonder how I can afford to go on long, luxurious vacations when I was unemployed the entire year before I got this job and am just starting out in my career.  It's really just a different allocation of spending--though I'm betting most people want to do the lunches, day trips and new clothes AND take long vacations and are frustrated that they can't.

ah, that's why I always fail to set a budget or a calorie-target. I am just one of those people who cannot control either. As a result: no money and too fat

Thanks a lot for the insight and I will put more effort in controlling my budget and calories...

I have done this. I tracked all of my expenses for about four months. Some how I continually manage to spend more than I earn. I have learned to cut back on the "extras". One thing I discovered, that I have not had the discipline to do, is if you save $100 a week* in two years you will have $10,400. It's amazing how it all adds up. You could also just set aside $5 every day...put it in a lock box or a jar or an envelope. After just one year you would have $1825. I am going to get started on this savings thing again and see if I can stick to it.

 

*I make tips at work and can potentially save $20 a day for each of the five days I work.

Original Post by: reginabc

I have noticed the similarity between my calorie budget and my financial budget--they are both out of control most of the time!  Hopefully awareness is the first step toward recovery :<)

I have noticed the same things!  Since I have made a committment to losing weight and getting in shape, my financial budget has followed!

I don't have a problem money.  I hope that means there is hope for me.  I do have problems losing weight.

Good for you!  That is very impressive these days.  For weight loss, along with my workouts, I use a meal replacement shake that has only 140 calories.  Has all kinds of good fruits and veggies, vitamins and minearals and tasts good.  Message me and I can point you in the right direction, it has helped some of my friends lose enough weight and balance their system enough to where they have gotten off their diabetes meds.  Have a great day! Matt