Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

We should start a no (or limited!) spending challenge and cheer each other on.

I came across a $50.00 AMEX giftcard I had earlier so I went to Old Navy to get some pants for work. I ended up spending close to $50.00 on top of that at Old Navy and another store.

I just transferred all but the amount of $$$ I will need for this week into my savings so I am less likely to touch it.

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

I am so like this!!! I just go to Target sometimes for the sake of going and walk out spending $50... on what, I don't know. I can easily just buy "stuff" and never have anything to show for it. I don't buy fancy clothes or bags, it always on stuff at the food store or Target.

What helps me is to ONLY use cash. This way, you see exactly how much you have, and you HAVE to make it last. We budget a certain amount each paycheck, and I have to make that last the 2 weeks. I get a thrill of having left over money afterwards.

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

I can't believe how much money I waste. A little here and there add up to hundreds in no time and I'm like, where did all my money go!? Especially if something is a "good deal" I end up buying it even if I don't really need it & then I get home & get mad at myself. And credit cards, forget about it, I have to really make myself not use them. When I start putting stuff on my credit card it's all over!

I am trying something new in 2010. I'm keeping track of every single dollar I spend in a notebook every day & I find that although it's a little depressing, it's helping me become more mindful about my spending so I can make improvements. I don't know if it'll really make any difference in the long run but I'm giving it a shot.

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

I like to only use cash as well.

When we do use our credit card, I pay it off right away, weeks before it's due because I notice if you wait until the due date, they sneak in interest charges on you.


I justify my purchases as well on little things........like the $5.00 tank tops at Old Navy. Granted I live in them, but still, it's not like I NEED them.

And this morning............we will probably spend another $20.00 because DH wants to bring DS to McDonald's for breakfast.

I like to pay myself first too------putting a certain amount in savings. But still, I could have so much more if I didn't spend an extra $200.00 a week on "little things".

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

I am glad you posted about this because I am the same way. I am also taking a spending break and have left all of the finances up to my DH. I am trying to avoid the excess spending, even at Target or Stop N Shop. He does our grocery shopping. I give him a list and coupons and he buys exactly that. If I went, I would probably have an extra $50 on nonsense items.

I have been cleaning up the house more and cooking meals based on ingredients out of our pantry and freezer. I never did that before.

He's managed to cut our CC bill by 3/4 the past two months in a row. I couldn't believe it. It was such an eye opener to see how I pretty much spent money every day.

I even asked him to not give me access to my debit card, because I felt like that (and cash) was burning a hole in my pocket.

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

I need to do this too.

I spend too much. We are fairly thrifty, I don't spend a lot on designer anything but if I am in Target, I could spend $20 at the dollar spot just because. I cruise around the store, and by the time I get to the register is $100.

If I would cut this stuff out I could save even more than we do already. Maybe I'll make March my no spending month to see how I do.

Message edited 2/22/2010 2:06:25 PM.

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

I try to balance, because life is short and you should enjoy things if you have the money.

So the 15th of each month is "savings day", where I transfer some of my money to savings. I won't say the amount that I transfer, but it's an amount that I feel is fair. As long as I can transfer that amount each month to savings, and we can pay all our bills, then I feel like I can spend a little money here and there without guilt. If for some reason we couldn't put savings away for a month, I would be much less likely to spend on extras.

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...

this is what I really need to work on

I am either frugal- like now

or a spendaholic

I could fall off the wagon at any momement...

I am like you. I am on extreme or the other.

Here is a trick that I have had to learn the last few months...
If I am out shopping and see something I pick it up and walk around the store with it. I think about what I need/want it for. IF I really want to buy it I put it back and leave. If a few days laster I am still thinking about it then I go back and get it or save up for it.

Sounds silly but it works. There is so much stuff that I have not come home with and ended up never going back to get!

Re: Taking a "spending break"...a vent about myself...