curb your spending (the list method) NVR
Posted by Anonymous on Sep 13, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
So, any other impulse shoppers / shopaholic's out there? Well I'm going to try a new money saving method... I've tried the "don't use the credit card" thing (as a new years resolution) which failed miserably. So the new method, make a list and don't buy ANYTHING that's not on the list. Okay, starting now... so wish me luck.
By the way I'm not nearly as bad off as the "Maxed out" people from the documentary but it's inspired me to make sure I don't get there!
But really, my dog needs this halloween costume!!! right?
LOL Yes your dog definitely needs that costume. ;D
The picture of your dog is adorable!!! I'd have to buy it too.
This is a great idea. Good luck!
Here are a few additional ideas:
1. If you **must** buy something that isn't on the list, write the item (with price) on the list. Keep track of this impluse buying over several weeks/months. See how much you've "wasted".
2. Keep track of every cent you spend for the next pay period or month. At the end of the month, figure out how much money you've spent on groceries, entertainment, coffee, whatever. This is a real eye opener. I like to stop on the way home from work and grab a soda and a snack. When I did this record keeping, I found out that I was spending ~$180 on snacks annually. That's insane! I could use that money for so many other things. Since realizing my behavior, I no longer stop on the way home from work. When my co-worker did this, she saw how much money she was spending just eating out. It was something to the tune of $250 a month. :o
Does that costume come in Large? um ok, X-Large?!?!?!? Dini would look so cute in that!
Seriously, that picture is adorable--those ears kill me! I might have to find one for my boy cat--my girl cat would hold a huge grudge if I dressed her like that ;D
Sometimes impulse buys are OK...mine lately seem to be new food and water bowls for my cats. I just can't find any that are cute enough ::)
I don't have plastic of my own...cuts down on a lot of problems that way. I do have an ATM card but I try never to carry more than about $10 in cash on my person unless I'm going to buy something definite.
The picture of your dog is adorable!!! I'd have to buy it too.
So it's not my dog in that photo... but since it's the same breed as my dog I know she'll look awesome in it!! anyway here's the link if anyone else needs a monkey dog costume!
http://stores.thehautehound.com/-strse-*/Categories.bok
and thanks PIXIE8I8, keeping track of expenses is a great idea! I bet that'll help out too.
Not for every day use (it probably wouldn't work for you saving every single day) but like..3 times a year I'll order coupons from www.thecouponclippers.com. They charge you a small fee, but if you buy a lot of a particular item at once, like I do you can end up saving some extra cash. I use it for morningstar products, paper towels, tooth paste, and the like.... :) It's fun getting loads of coupons for things you actually buy
hmm... i am trying to cut down on spending b/c i am pretty sure this year (if i don't get another job) i will only be making enough to cover rent, which means i have to live off savings for a little while.
i really don't buy almost anything i don't need except alcohol. i am trying to stop.
and by need, i mean food.
I don't have plastic of my own...cuts down on a lot of problems that way. I do have an ATM card but I try never to carry more than about $10 in cash on my person unless I'm going to buy something definite.
It's funny because I prefer to use plastic when buying things. I find that it allows me to keep closer track of what I'm spending and what I'm spending on which in turn makes me more aware when I make purchases of whether I truly need an item or not.
I don't have plastic of my own...cuts down on a lot of problems that way. I do have an ATM card but I try never to carry more than about $10 in cash on my person unless I'm going to buy something definite.
It's funny because I prefer to use plastic when buying things. I find that it allows me to keep closer track of what I'm spending and what I'm spending on which in turn makes me more aware when I make purchases of whether I truly need an item or not.
I'm in transition from idea A to idea B. When we started our business, because our material costs are so high, we had to rely on personal credit to supplement the limited business credit. Now everything is muddled and the only way to keep track of some things is to look at the paper trail at the end of the month.
I like the list method and I love the idea about adding any extras to the list. Funny, we do that in our business to document every cost; its a good model to carry over to the household. I'm an avid receipt hoarder, mostly in the hopes that one evening I may actually want to sit down with them all and I dunno....add them up? :P
I do find that being aware of grocery costs makes me make better choices at the market. I read the receipts every time I walk out of a store.
Someone (tanevab, I think) started a thread a while back about time/money saving tips...I'll see if I can find it.
nutdragon, you have a great memory!!
Here it is.
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=14751.0
My big money saver is simply not going to stores that often. If I'm not tempted I'm not spending. ;)
OMG that dog is adorable!! ;D ;D ;D
they should have a "fitday" for shopaholics.
i have a coupon clipping obsession as well. thanks fee for adding to that!! :)
I say just make sure more money is coming in than going out.
When grocery shopping make menus around the sales. And have a shopping list.
Go to stores and compare prices.
I love Italian Greyhounds, I have two of them myself, but they hate being dressed up and are nudists.
I give myself $X.XX a week to spend and that's it. That's all I get for food, toiletries, household cleaning supplies, dog food, eating out etc. When it's gone that's the end of my spending. I take it out in cash and don't use my cards. It seems to work better than having a budget in the bank and using my debit card.
My ancestory is Scottish and it is a well known fact that the cheapest race on the planet are Scots. Let us say I know whereof I speak.
I won't share what I have saved since April, but it was lot and it just paid my self-employment taxes in full. I didn't suffer a lick either, none of us did.
General rules: Fruit and veg loss leaders first and foremost. Whatever is on special is what I buy, then I have to have onions, mushrooms, celery and apples. I can do without whatever else that is not on special. When beans are 2 cans for $1, I buy as much as I have room to store, sometimes I over buy, however. I never buy it full price. Pasta and other things are bought this way too. I NEVER go to the store and buy something for a meal because I am "in the mood" for something. What is here was bought reasonably as possible, we eat that.
Clothing: I sew most of this with fabric from WallyWorld's $1 and $2 table, but I only go for quality goods. I know the difference, so not a problem. Otherwise, only if it is on clearance and has to be at least 30% off, same with shoes. Underwear is hard to do this with, but socks are not.
Think outside of the box: I needed one of those floor protectors for under my office chair. I had scrap plywood, a piece of unsewable fabric, a staple gun and a nail set. It took 15 minutes to cover the plywood and slide it under my desk. Problem solved.
Don't buy, rehab: This summer I have antiqued a nasty distressed dresser into a gem, refinished a second hand table and chairs bought for $40, repainted the old wooden picnic table bought for $10 with close out oil base paint I got for 50 and 75 a can, so I painted every slat a different color. Gave an old oak coffee table a new lease of life with a sander a couple of coats of satin polyurethane left over from the table.
most importantly, TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE THINGS YOU ALREADY HAVE. Be careful of nice clothing, be gentle with furniture. Keep your house clean and even if your furniture and curtains and carpet are a little tatty, a clean house always looks nicer than a dirty one.
Oh and um cut up all plastic. If you can't live on what you make, either work a second job (I usually do), change where you live, invest in education, eat less, etc. Now, seriously, if you can't do this, you need a therapist to help you figure out why you spend and spend and what is otherwise lacking in your life. I know that careful as I am, being too tired, too lonely, too depressed, working too hard, relaxing too little puts me on edge and I am more likely to slip off the wagon. I did this recently buying a $120 put together entertainment center for $40 because I was feeling sorry for myself. It wasn't big and I like it, but honestly? I could have done without it.
Years ago while in college I ran up a bunch of credit cards and made minimum paymets...etc. I got in way over my head (living in NYC is not cheap nor easy when your in your early 20's trying to make it as a musician)....When my father found out about it he helped me pay them all down, with a promise to pay him back (which I did :) ), and a promise that I would change the way I spent my money. The advice he gave me back then was simple: if you can't pay cash for it, then you can't afford it (nor do you need it). Since then I have never ever had a balance on a credit card. I use Am-Ex or a debit card for everything (or cash). I have one credit card that I use to book hotels, flights, rent a cars, etc. Everything I have....I own. I don't finance anything. The only bills I get are utilities, insurance, property tax, etc. My food bills stay pretty much the same, same with most of my spending habits. I have to say that I live much more simple now then I did 10 years ago. Back then I ate out every single meal, and just bought stupid things I did not need. Maybe living in Boca Raton, Florida for a while made me stupid....it seems to have that effect on those living there! ::)
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Other things he taught me:
-Buy things of high quality, they usually last much longer ...which in the long run is actually cheaper then replacing things over and over.
-Save
-Don't invest in the latest craze. Invest in things that have proven themselves over history as being safe and secure.
-Be charitable...it just feels good.
-Give away what you no longer use or need...there's always someone else that can use it.
The things I noticed he did spend money on (which I seem to have inherited):
-Trips....if you're going someplace....you should not have to worry about money, just enjoy yourself. That's the whole point of being on vacation.
-Drive a good reliable safe car.
-When eating out, don't order by price, get what you want (if you can afford to do so)....I mean...i think if you're on a budget, eat out less....save up...and when you do go out to eat, don't worry about it, just enjoy the experience.
I don't have plastic of my own...cuts down on a lot of problems that way. I do have an ATM card but I try never to carry more than about $10 in cash on my person unless I'm going to buy something definite.
It's funny because I prefer to use plastic when buying things. I find that it allows me to keep closer track of what I'm spending and what I'm spending on which in turn makes me more aware when I make purchases of whether I truly need an item or not.
But the interest on credit cards is usury!! And it's higher in the States than it is in Europe. I know because I've lived both places. My husband used to be a real credit junky until he actually sat down and did the math on that "paper trail." VISA charges something awful, like 30% or something. Makes no sense to go to a "sale" and get a "deal" and then pay all that interest!
I don't have plastic of my own...cuts down on a lot of problems that way. I do have an ATM card but I try never to carry more than about $10 in cash on my person unless I'm going to buy something definite.
It's funny because I prefer to use plastic when buying things. I find that it allows me to keep closer track of what I'm spending and what I'm spending on which in turn makes me more aware when I make purchases of whether I truly need an item or not.
But the interest on credit cards is usury!! And it's higher in the States than it is in Europe. I know because I've lived both places. My husband used to be a real credit junky until he actually sat down and did the math on that "paper trail." VISA charges something awful, like 30% or something. Makes no sense to go to a "sale" and get a "deal" and then pay all that interest!
as long as you pay it in full every month you don't get charged anything.
I love Italian Greyhounds, I have two of them myself, but they hate being dressed up and are nudists.
MUST SEE PHOTOS!
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