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Is it difficult for you to pick rewards?


18 years ago 0 126 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
You need to value yourself a little more. You are willing to spend your money on your kids, then spend it on yourself! A reward doesn't have to cost a lot of money. It doesn't have to cost any money at all. It is simply something that you "spend" on YOU. A used book $5. A walk in the park $0. A visit to the museum $8. A movie by yourself $6. An ice cream cone at a specialty store $3. A specialty coffee $4. A bouquet of fresh flowers from the grocer $5. There are a million options. If I were to ask you what your children liked, you would be able to rattle off 25 things right off the top of your head. Answer this question, [b]"WHAT DO YOU LIKE?"[/b] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 203 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $46.28 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56
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18 years ago 0 3368 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Is it difficult for you to think of rewards? It is for me. We could never really afford to be smokers in the first place. We have 3 kids. We went out to eat for week 1 & 2 rewards. But you know it really doesn't feel like a reward. I mean we went out to eat when we were smokers. Right now with all the money I am spending on the patches and gum, etc. it does not seem like I am really saving money. In fact, it seems like I am spending more. Not that I mind. I want to be a non-smoker. So if I need to spend a little more for the next 4 months ... so be it. I am not really a materialistic person so trying to think of something I want doesn't really feel 'natural'. I think that is the 'Mother' in me speaking as well. When I have extra money, I usually spend it on the kids. Does anyone else feel this way? If so, what rewards did you come up with? I know that rewarding one's self is important in this journey and I want to reward myself as well. I am just having a hard time coming up with things that are meaningful to me. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 555 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $72 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 23 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28
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18 years ago 0 3368 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have never had a problem spending money on myself or my family. I guess that is why figuring out something that really feels like a reward is hard. Going out to eat, cologne, going to the park, movies, Starbucks, ColdStones, books, membership to the gym ... I have never denied myself or my family ... which is probably why I am in debt and will not be taking any money to the grave with me ... LOL. But hey, life has to more than just going to work and going to sleep and then doing it all over again and I have always tried to live it that way within reason. The material things I want are too expensive. I guess that is where I went wrong ... I was only thinking of material things. I think Martha made me realize that with her post: [quote]BF, You are nearly at 3 Weeks - nice work! What if you reward yourself by giving your kids something that maybe you couldn't do with them as a smoker. Save up to take them to the zoo or an amusement park? You'll be amazed how much more enjoyable it is when you don't have to dart out to smoke every 1/2 hour! Or what about paying for a sitter so that you and hubby can go out alone? You'll come up with some good stuff... Sandra[/quote] ... because over the weekend, my oldest son, my husband and I went to see a movie at the theater ... the new X Man movie which by the way was awesome ... and it was wonderful to enjoy myself and not smoke! So ... that is what I need to come up with ... things I can do and enjoy more fully because I am not smoking anymore. And I will take that camera along Islandgirl so I can capture the moments of being smoke free and living life to the fullest. Any ideas of places that are more enjoyable without a smoke would be appreciated... I'm thinking camping and swimming ... I'm going to the gulf of Texas in July ... so I'll be going to the beach there ... should be great not to have to worry about loosing my lighter and smokes ... I'm excited now ... I can't wait! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 561 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $72 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 46 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53
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18 years ago 0 3368 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you EVERYONE! [IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a17/Daniwiz/cidxma21099315387aol5b15d3ee.gif[/IMG] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 561 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $72 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6
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18 years ago 0 3368 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My husband and I got his and her engraved iPod's today to reward ourselves! We will be rockin' out at the gym tonight! Woot! [IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a17/Daniwiz/an183.gif[/IMG] It was his idea. LOL ... I still haven't come up with anything on my own. LOL!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 19 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 594 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $76 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43
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18 years ago 0 547 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Breaking!! It was really difficult for me to reward myself at first because I just couldn't remember to! (CRS et al, LOL) Well I would forget and then the day would be over, and I would say at the end of the day, or the next morning, 'Oh I forgot to reward myself today'. So what to do?!? Well I decided to do something a little different. Instead of doing the daily thing, which wasn't working so great for me anyway, I decided to work toward something for the weekend. It also gave me the extra incentive I needed to get through the stressful week and get my weekend reward. My rewards consisted of: A new outfit, new sneakers/sandals, new perfume, something fun for my apartment, a very large fancy coffee or a wonderful take-out meal that I normally would not spend on myself. There are so many different ways to reward yourself, just make sure you are getting or doing something that YOU enjoy!! THAT is the point. YOU have to like it for it to be a reward!! Many Blessings, Eve :) [IMG]http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i126/Eve144/CareFlav8.jpg[/IMG] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 52 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 421 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $156 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37
18 years ago 0 2257 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Breaking Free: How about some nice perfume/cologne for yourself? How about a manicure? Or on the cheap, a nice long walk in the park with a jug of your homemade lemonade? I have also bought some fresh cut flowers for myself as a reward too - not so expensive. Our family (i have 3 kids too) do not eat out very often and we have yet to have the time to do this - but will since me & hubby are doing well w/ our quits. Let us know what you decide upon. CobenFan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 66 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,131 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $231 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36
18 years ago 0 852 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I know exactly what you mean, Breaking Free. Even though I quit cold turkey, you would think I would see the money, right??? Wrong. I too never had the money to smoke. I just did anyway. I wish from day 1 I would have saved some of the money. But now, I am used to it for my regular bills. However, I am more lienent with myself now. If I see something I like, I usually buy it. Within reason though. I found these cute flip-flops, and since I needed some new ones, I bought them. I couldn't decide between 3 of them, so I bought all of them. I don't reward myself daily either. But if I am out and I end of paying for something for me, I consider it a reward. My personal favorite (I was doing it once a week, but now it is about every 2 weeks) is a pedicure. It is only $18. My next splurge will be on a massage. It is $1/per minute, but a 30 minute massage is fine with me. Top that with a pedicure and new thongs, well, I am ready for my summer!! Already done: Peidure, Intamates, Taking my kids to the park, Buying new make-up, New perfume, New flip-flops, 3 new books, Pilates class, a new computer, veggie plants for my new garden, and sushi. Then future rewards: More books, new magazine subscription, add another day to Pilates class, more pedicures, massage, massage cushion, more sushi. Thats all I could think of right now. Be kind to yourself. Never let yourself feel deprived. It is hard to spend money on yourself, I know. But it is essential. It doesn't have to be alot, but something to make you feel good. ;) 4my2girls [b][i][color=Maroon]What Consumes Your Thoughts Controls Your Life[/b][/i][/color] [list] [*]null [/list] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 86 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,600 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $281.22 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0
18 years ago 0 962 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Breaking Free - A good one would be to take your children and a camera outside and take some fun pictures of them doing silly things, hugging each other, playing or just hanging out. Gather them all around you and hold the camera out as far as your arm will allow you to and click a pic of all of you together. It's a fun, free time. Island Girl [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/21/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 98 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 986 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $196 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 6
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18 years ago 0 453 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Breaking Free- I think most of us have grappled w/what we can & cannot afford to reward ourselves with. I'd like a new car but it just ain't gonna happen just now. While we can certainly find rewards that are free or inexpensive, it might also help to think of the reward being that deep breath we're now able to take without feeling that funny, little tickle of a cough just waiting to attack. And it looks like the SSC Calvary is coming to the rescue even as we speak by Bumpety-Bumping all Rewards threads still available. One of our ever-growing SSC society has a moniker that reads "The reward is the journey". That's the truth, isn't it? Just don't smoke, my friend. It truly is that simple. Mc [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/31/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 272 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,089 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1088 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 26 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4

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