I have been swamped lately — nay- absolutely buried. I was busy at the work, busy with my camera research, and busy with holiday social activities. It’s been nearly impossible for me to juggle everything. Now I’m getting sick, and I can’t help but think it’s due to the stress.

But the stress has done more than affect my health. It’s leading me to spend without thinking. Ever heard people crib that they skipped breakfast because they didn’t have enough time in the morning? I get like that with money when I’m under stress.

Under normal circumstances, I’ve learned to ask myself questions about every purchase I make:

• “Is this a want or a need?”
• “Would I buy this if I had just lost my job?”
• “Why don’t I wait thirty days to see if this is still important?”

I also track my finances at least once a week, sometimes more.

After being pretty frugal for the past two years, I’ve started spending more than usual recently. It is partially due to work stress and the urge to update my boring wardrobe after living a pauper-like existence for awhile. It felt great wearing those nice clothes, and people around me complimented me of my new look too.

Last year I was absolutely debt free but off late, I’ve been slipping into old habits. I’m accumulating debt, because I’m buying on impulse. Today I did my finances for the first time in two weeks, and I was shocked by all the little indulges I’d been allowing myself. It’s not that I’m going shopping — I’m not — it’s just that I’m eating whatever comes to mind when I’m in the store. I spent a lot during the Christmas season anyhow, and it’s as if this has made it easier to spend on myself. I got my prized camera- gorged out at food like never before. Drove around to new places.

I’m a bit worried. Balancing my checkbook this morning was enough to alert me to the problem. To add to the misery was added weight around my waist. I always boasted of a 4 pack, which now is comfortably buried under the subcutaneous lard.

Deep Sigh !!!

I just wish I was smart enough not to buy SCRUBS DVDs in the first place! (Oh well — at least I’m enjoying them.)

In conclusion: stress is one of the worst enemies of GOOD habits. Hence the need of REGULAR habits: to keep a certain level of control over your life.