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?
I chopped up all my cards ages ago. I have a debit card for on-line purchases but that's it. I love the fact that I don't have ANY debt. It's a much less stressful way to live.
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 use souffle dishes. They work out really well. They don't rate high on the "cute" scale, but they have a classic cool look.
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 use souffle dishes. They work out really well. They don't rate high on the "cute" scale, but they have a classic cool look.
And they're heavy enough not to tip over easily.
Ah, frugal living. Although, I had full scholarships for grad and undergrad, I preferred to live off campus. So, my "housing stipend" which I was allocated was NOT enough, lol. So, I had to get crafty with jobs, and saving money in other areas.
The thing about grocery is that it's really easy to cut down costs IF you have all the staples. Because, then, you can make everything from scratch. I always purchased staples in bulk at the beginning of the year. I used money from summer jobs for this (as, then, I had more time to work as opposed to study). The staples were good for 6 months, so I had enough flour, beans, rice, etc. for half a year.
Then, I just paid anywhere between $10.00 and $20.00 per week for fresh produce. That was enough to feed me, any study groups I may have had over, along with my boyfriend. I made my own bread, my own pasta, my own cookies, my own crackers ... just everything. It was a relaxing break from studying.
I also purchased nothing new during the whole time I was in grad school and undergrad. Garage sales and Goodwill were my friends if I really needed something.
I'm really into simple living, too. So, my rule was this: for every one thing I purchased (excluding necessities like food, etc.), I had to give away something I already had. This kept down the clutter, and made me aware of what I was buying.
I don't have to be AS excessive in being frugal now. But, I find the simple living stuff agrees with me. I like avoiding clutter, and only purchasing things that add value and quality to my life. This way, I'm surrounded by objects and clothes and books that I truly LOVE.
One note about credit cards - I have none, never had any. No credit is just as bad as horrible credit, lol. I should have gotten a credit card in college, and just paid the balance in full. Because, now, if I wanted to buy a car or house ... I'm not going to get any good deals with my "no credit" status.
One of my friends used to put her credit card in a jar filled with water, and freeze it in the freezer. This way, when she wanted to buy something ... she had to go home, and unfreeze it. 9 times out of 10, she decided against buying it because of that.
I also purchased nothing new during the whole time I was in grad school and undergrad. Garage sales and Goodwill were my friends if I really needed something.
That's actually gonna be my new years resolution this upcoming year. I want to spend a whole year not buying ANYTHING new. It's more of a waste issue for me than a financial thing though. I'm not a very consumer driven person to begin with but I know that I could be even better.
I love Italian Greyhounds, I have two of them myself, but they hate being dressed up and are nudists.
MUST SEE PHOTOS!
Since you asked. :)
http://allnurses.com/forums/gallery/files/2/2/7/5/0/Dogs2006.JPG
http://allnurses.com/forums/gallery/files/2/2/7/5/0/22750ellie_after_hives-med.jpg
http://allnurses.com/forums/gallery/files/2/2/7/5/0/22750pay_attention_to_me-med.jpg
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 use souffle dishes. They work out really well. They don't rate high on the "cute" scale, but they have a classic cool look.
GREAT tip--we need food and water bowls for our new dog, but everything at the pet store was ridiculously expensive. And not that sturdy. Thanks!
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?
I AM DYING!!!! :D
I'm still on a mostly-cash basis. It's too easy to hand someone your debit card and let them zip it through the machine. Particularly because, at least where I live, you don't get a readout of what's left in your account unless you go to your bank's ATM and check it. But having to take it out of the bank, and see what's left each time, helps me. Otherwise, if I keep using the card, then when I take out some cash and see my balance I'm like "WHAT?"
This way I always know where I am. We only have my husband's pension and what I can make tutoring from home, so I have to be careful. Always have had to be really.
I'll never be rich.
I'll never be beautiful.
I'll settle for happy.
Which I am.
I'll never be rich.
I'll never be beautiful.
I'll settle for happy.
Which I am.
I don't necessarily believe the first two lines are fact, but the second two are inspiring.
Hmm. The list thing is a good idea I think, at least for those of us who already like lists!
Now that I'm done school and am working, I don't have to worry as much about spending money on things that aren't necessary, although I do have some debt to pay off. Here's my strategy (background info: I have 2 jobs, one is 10h/week and the other fills in the rest)
- money from the 10h/week job can be used for rent, bills, food, and spending money. It takes more than one paycheque from there to make rent, but it leaves me with more than enough for the month's necessities.
- all money from the other job goes back into the line of credit I got to help me pay for school.
- I'm allowing myself to compromise on this on occasion since I haven't been able to do many of the things I wanted to while at school, like traveling (nowhere extravagant - mainly places I could do as road trips or on the bus/train) and getting some good shoes and some clothes. So far I've only bought a couple of books (most of them used, so cheap) and food items I'd been wanting but not needing for a long time.
Which brings me to...other lists!
when I was still a student this fall, I was literally broke for the last couple months of the year, other than having the money to pay rent. I would think "yeah, i'd love to get some miso broth" and stuff like that, but since I couldn't get it I made a list entitled "a grocery list for when you have $$". Finally crossed almost everything off that list the other day! In similar fashion, I also made a list entitled "things to get when you have $$" that included things like guitar strings, clothes/boots, and books. Some of those things have been crossed off. I don't tend to want alot of "stuff" apart from books though, so it's nice to have a short one with items that won't gouge me.
anyway. Now the challenge is to try to resist buying everything new like clothes and books. Luckily we have an awesome used bookstore and an abundance of thrift stores :)
Tino, every time I read that I see "the entitled grocery list." And it makes me giggle. I too occasionally buy little things "because I'm entitled to enjoy a little." Usually no more than 2-3 Euros at a time. Usually, actually, scented oils for my burner.
I saw a necklace at the "dollar store" only it was marked at 4.50 Euros and I knew I'd probably wear it only four times before I decided it was too heavy. So I just look at it when I walk by, in the shop window. It's still there so apparently everyone else thinks it's too expensive, too.
I'm still on a mostly-cash basis. It's too easy to hand someone your debit card and let them zip it through the machine. Particularly because, at least where I live, you don't get a readout of what's left in your account unless you go to your bank's ATM and check it. But having to take it out of the bank, and see what's left each time, helps me. Otherwise, if I keep using the card, then when I take out some cash and see my balance I'm like "WHAT?"
This way I always know where I am. We only have my husband's pension and what I can make tutoring from home, so I have to be careful. Always have had to be really.
I would really love to do this, but I still have the same bank account I had in high school, 9 years ago, and it's not in the town in which I work. So, I haven't actually been to the physical bank in....a year? I have direct deposit for work and I always use my debit card. But I am seriously considering changing banks to an accessible one, because I really like your cash method. Either I have the money or I don't. With my debit card, I can fudge and go over a little bit. I need to stop! And yes, every time I look at my debit balance I think "There's NO WAY that can be right!" (it always is).
I would really love to do this, but I still have the same bank account I had in high school, 9 years ago, and it's not in the town in which I work. So, I haven't actually been to the physical bank in....a year? I have direct deposit for work and I always use my debit card. But I am seriously considering changing banks to an accessible one, because I really like your cash method. Either I have the money or I don't. With my debit card, I can fudge and go over a little bit. I need to stop! And yes, every time I look at my debit balance I think "There's NO WAY that can be right!" (it always is).
What helps me in this scenario is having a second account linked to my debit card that I then transfer my 'slush fund' to every pay-cheque, and I just don't touch my main account. This means if I run out of money, I get declined without sinking into the money I've budgeted for rent/bills/et cetera. Seems to work alright for me, but it will depend on your bank as to what it might cost to keep a second account open and such.
I would really love to do this, but I still have the same bank account I had in high school, 9 years ago, and it's not in the town in which I work. So, I haven't actually been to the physical bank in....a year? I have direct deposit for work and I always use my debit card. But I am seriously considering changing banks to an accessible one, because I really like your cash method. Either I have the money or I don't. With my debit card, I can fudge and go over a little bit. I need to stop! And yes, every time I look at my debit balance I think "There's NO WAY that can be right!" (it always is).
What helps me in this scenario is having a second account linked to my debit card that I then transfer my 'slush fund' to every pay-cheque, and I just don't touch my main account. This means if I run out of money, I get declined without sinking into the money I've budgeted for rent/bills/et cetera. Seems to work alright for me, but it will depend on your bank as to what it might cost to keep a second account open and such.
I've never heard of doing this. I will look into it. Good idea!
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