Reply to Developing the discipline to stop spending -- I need tips

Forum Index » Money and Finances

Reply to "Developing the discipline to stop spending -- I need tips"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I second postponing.

I also suggest staying out of stores as much as possible.

If you think you need something, but it's not urgent (e.g. a new pair of pants for the kid when he already has 3, but sometimes that makes laundry tight), write it down on a list. When you have your scheduled trip to buy clothes (once every other month?) you'll have a list to work from, and you may have learned during those 4 weeks of having only 3 pairs of pants that you don't need that fourth pair. Or alternate shopping at Standard Clothes Store with going to the thrift shop. You won't find all the clothes you need at the thrift shop, but you'll find some of them.

As for things you want, like organizational tools for the house, make a list. Prioritize the list. Include prices for what's on the list. Tell yourself you can buy the new coat rack when you've put an amount equal to the new coat rack in savings. Sure, doing without is frustrating, but so is feeling like you're living on the edge. If for every "want" you have to set aside double what it costs (an amount equal to its cost in savings + what it costs to buy it) you'll gradually be improving your living situation AND improving your financial situation. I also find when I write down all my wants in front of me, I can tend to get rid of several of them.

Only buy from your lists. If you're out at Target and you suddenly realize you "need" another pair of shorts, it can wait (unless the pair you're wearing JUST split and that's why you realized you need them). It is too easy to justify needing things when you're in those stores. Shopping from lists helps give you time to think over whether you really need it, and also helps eliminate those impulse purchases.[/quote]

These are helpful -- thank you![/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics