Chick-Fil-A vs. a No Spend Day | brokeGIRLrich
The struggle is real, folks!
My relationship with personal finance is almost as much of a roller coaster as my actual relationships. At the height of celebrating bringing in some extra dough in October, I went into a week long, unpaid layoff from my show.
I know I shouldn’t spend much, since I’m not making much this week.
So I accidentally did a No Spend day once already and was pretty psyched about it. It’s kind of difficult to not spend a penny, but so rewarding when you check out your credit card balance.
But I’m home this week and I’ll be the first to admit… I’ve got a little bit of a Chick-Fil-A problem. You can feel however you want to feel about them, but I’m firmly in the camp of “Hate Tastes Great” (and that is clearly an over-simplification of their political and moral stances and how I feel about that, but that is a post for another type of blog).
To be honest, I’m kind of addicted. I have a pretty weak stomach and as I get older, more and more foods seem to make me sick. Chick-Fil-A has never turned on me. It is always delicious.
Even as I write this right now, I’m tempted to hop in the car and get some. And I literally just finished off a plate of food.
Sorry. Back to what I was actually trying to say.
I’ve been substitute teaching this week and as I walked home from school, I thought, “you totally earned some Chick-Fil-A.” And another part of my brain kicked in and said, “but if you don’t go buy Chick-Fil-A the odds are really in your favor that you will spend $0 today. ZERO DOLLARS MEL.”
Buy the chicken.
Don’t buy the chicken.
Buy the chicken.
Don’t buy the chicken.
Buy the chicken.
Ahhhhhh. I’m so hungry I could murder the whole world right now and the only thing that will fix it is Chick-Fil-A.
…maybe that was an exaggeration. Maybe.
Where does rational Mel disappear to during these insane inner dialogues? Rational Mel at least speaks up these days. Then deranged Chick-Fil-A lovin’ Mel pelts her with some chicken nuggets till she shuts up.
Anyway.
One of my goals with starting this blog was to really personalize the average gal’s personal finance journey. More than two years in and you’d think I’d have this insane chicken spending under control but the fact is – nope. I suspect it’s going to be a lifelong struggle.
Or I’ll get a bad meal from Chick-Fil-A one day and that’ll be that. But I’m sure something new will just pop up to take it’s place.
Like ModCloth.
Dang it. I’m being attacked from every corner.
For the record: Rational Mel actually won this one and I did not go get Chick-Fil-A… I wanted to soooo bad. But score one for a second No Spend Day and my savings accounts.
What’s your Chick-Fil-A?
**This post is linked up at Frugal Fridays! Stop by to find a collection of some of the best frugal posts of the week!**
Oh man, Mel, that was hilarious! I think we all have something like that. For me, it’s Steak & Shake. Their stupid food is so cheap and so delicious! And you know what? There’s a Chick-Fil-A near here and I still have never gone to one. I keep saying I’ll try it, but then Steak & Shake beckons once again. With your endorsement, I will definitely be trying Chick-Fil-A next. Now I know that’s not the point of your story, but I’m hungry, sooooo, yeah, that’s what I got out of it! Best wishes on that other point you were making up there, whatever it was! 😛
kay ~ the barefoot minimalist recently posted…Days of Refreshing
Hahaha, thanks Kay!
Yesterday Jon and I got our first restaurant food in over a month: Bojangle’s. We all have our downfalls, but I find they are definitely worse with things I don’t make very well at home, and fried chicken biscuits (or sandwiches) definitely fall within that category.
I guess I just need to learn to make fried chicken!
Emily @ JohnJaneDoe recently posted…R-TOU: Saving Money and Energy by Load Shifting, Part 1
Chik-Fil-A is my chik-fil-a. I love it so, so, so much. It costs $18 for my family to eat there, so that’s enough to keep us out most of the time, but not today. Today, I’m taking my son to the doctor, and then we’re eating at Chik-Fil-A, and I’m pumped.
Chick-Fil-A does have that magic power. Our family literally cannot drive by one without stopping in. We plan road trips around where CFA’s are. And now my son WORKS there, and so I have to drop him off and pick him up several times a week — can you say TEMPTATION?? It almost needs its own column of the budget, I think!! Glad to see we’re not the only ones!! 🙂 🙂
Oh gosh, good luck with that. I hope he gets a family discount.
I totally understand the Chik Fil A obsession and I can’t wait to try the one that opened up in Manhattan! I actually don’t have any super tempting things that would keep me from deviating from a no-spend day. I schedule no-spend days for myself all the time and I love the discipline they give me to stop spending.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Disability Insurance – What You Need to Know
I have them happen accidentally more often than on purpose, which is so much better – when I start to think about it occurring, I’m more likely to mess it up.
Ha ha ha… We don’t have Chick-Fil-A here (Aus), which is probably just as well, but we do have KFC and I’m a sucker for their fries. Actually, it’s probably less about the fries and more about all the addictive chemicals they sprinkle over them. And, as far as I’m concerned, the more the better!
So… Avoiding KFC is as much as health-thing as a money-thing.
diane @smartmoneysimplelife recently posted…Women, Retirement and Poverty – Don’t be a Statistic
Avoiding Chick-Fil-A should probably be a health thing as well as a money thing, honestly.
I think takeout food in general is a problem. I’ve been trying hard to get back on a healthier eating plan but the cravings coupled with the convenience factor have led to more takeout than I care to admit during the last week or so. I know it’s not good for my finances and I know it’s not good for my health, but it’s just so easy and tasty.
Gary @ Super Saving Tips recently posted…Can You Really Trust Online User Reviews?
We don’t have a Chick-Fil a in our area. Not even close. I guess you could get addicted so I’m glad about that.
It’s really hard to say no somedays! Glad you were able and had another no spend day!
Vickie@Vickie’s Kitchen and Garden recently posted…Free Kindle Books for Today 11/6/15 Plus .99 Kindle Deals, Flirty Aprons 25% off plus FREE shipping, Plus Krogers FREE Friday Download!
I can totally relate. It doesn’t matter how well you do with your finances, there always comes a day when you REALLY REALLY want something. Starbucks used to me by Chik Fil A. Happy to report that I’ve only gone a couple times in this year 🙂
Tre recently posted…What Small Business Owners Need To Know About Obamacare
I love this! The struggle IS real. For me, Chik-Fil-A is Starbucks. I always know that I have hot coffee AND cold brew coffee at home, but the green sign is like a beacon to my brain drawing me in.
K @ One More BROKE-TWENTY SOMETHING recently posted…Financially Savvy Saturdays #115
I am a big fan of Starbucks… because I am lazy and I love peppermint mochas and pumpkin spice lattes. Sigh.
Chick-Fil-A is my Chick-Fil-A! I usually have coupons and their calendar card for one freebie a month though, so that helps! 🙂
Heather @ Simply Save recently posted…Simply Save Week In Review: 10/31-11/6
Great article! Mine is Staples or Office Depot. It just makes me happy, but the truth is: I DONT NEED A SINGLE THING. I have a fully stocked office and some, but I love going there!
LOL. You should check out Rebecca’s blog over at http://www.staplerconfessions.com
Then I guess it’s still a win-win situation. 🙂
Lux recently posted…Taking Gifting to the Next Level
Thanks for linking up to Frugal Friday. And Chick-fil-a is my weakness in fact I broke down this week and purchased it …geesh. This was right in my wheelhouse!
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