What are your strategies for saving or avoiding indulgences? I've cut back on my coffee habit, but I feel like there are other solutions out there. Anyone? Help a girl resist the urge to shop...
Penny Pinching
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments
I have a lust list that I allow myself to purchase two items from each year (one moderate price, one supremely expensive). Saving up for those pieces as well as favoring one quality piece over several lower quality helps...a lot.
My granny used to say, if you can't buy it cash, you can't afford it. I got myself into such a depro using charge cards, but have been on a cash only basis for a couple of years now and I promise, the remorse aren't half as bad! So, if you can't afford it, you really can't have it. The weird thing is, we survive in the end wearing our good old favourites from last season! Good luck, I know it's hard! But everything that's worth it is!
i don't know if this is a solution, really, but sometimes it helps me to go to thrift stores. i have the hunt of finding the needle in a haystack, the drama of wondering if it will fit, and the rush of something new when i finally buy it. all for usually $2. :)
I agree with the Note Ventress's granny. My piece of advice is this: stay out of stores, and possibly away from those fun fashion blogs. If you don't know it's there, then you won't "need" to have it! You'd be amazed at how far you can stretch what you already own. If you really do need something, make it high-quality and basic so it will last.
i only buy things on sale unless they're from handm or forever 21. eat lunch out instead of dinner it's cheaper and you can usually save half for dinner.
Have you tried mint.com? I use it religiously and it helps when you have budgets set for clothing, coffee, etc.
buy it, wear it, then sell it on ebay. i just did that with the hot nanette lepore dress i wore to charlie's wedding!!
I agree. Saving is hard. I have about 10% of my paycheck deposited into savings. I don't get paper statements anymore, so I make a habit of not looking at what's in my savings until I need it.
I use cash more often now. That helps me realize how much I'm spending instead of using a debit/credit card.
The only things i'll splurge on are clothes that I know i'm going to be wearing a lot, like jeans, winter coat, bras. I love looking at thrift stores or re-stores for a good deal. Half the time goodwill has perfectly good clothing (good brands too!!) if you're willing to look. It's so much more rewarding knowing the shirt everyone is complementing was $2!
Well, I guess everybody else that commented before I did had some very good suggestions. I specially agree with the cash only policy, it's good to have a credit card for emergencies but not for lust items.
In my case I have been keeping a piggy bank for a few years with only 25c coins. I put at least one or more everyday with the change I have when I get home. After a couple of months you will have some cash saved up and will feel great about spending it all on yourself... Good Luck!
Honestly, I've found the best way to ween myself off shopping was to just not go into the shops for a while. You'll be surprised how easy it is.. I couldn't believe how quickly the urge to buy, buy, buy went away.
I try to pinch pennies, but I love to go out! Spending money in restaurants is my weakness. What I do is I buy %25 gift certificates to restaurants on www.restaurant.com for only $2 to $3. You should definitely check it out. It may not seem like a huge difference, but it's done wonders for my wallet.
Also, walmart.com gives away free samples of miscellaneous items on their website.
OH girl, you are singing the story of my life. What I have started doing to curb my spending is associating a specific milestone with purchasing an item. LIke, I'll get that new Anthro jacket when I receive the a great report back from my boss at the end of the quarter. But here are some good hard, fast rules for saving:
1) Make your own lunch to cut down on food spending, and when you go out for dinner, scour the internet/paper for coupons, there are tons out there.
2) Only splurge on classic or basic clothes items. Trendy clothes are always duplicated cheaply at many stores so buy them there and then when it goes out of style you won't feel bad about the splurge.
3) Make coffee at home, except for one day when you can go and indulge!
4) If you go get pedicures, do it yourself, and then every third time go get the real deal, you know where they get all that nasty skin off the bottoms of your feet.
i feel your pain - stay away from the shops, that I find bringing your own lunch saves a ton at end of the month it really adds up! x
I find Mint.com to be really helpful. I've been using it for over a year now. It really helped me to eliminate a lot of the overspending I was doing. It illuminated my problem areas and allowed me to set a budget (that occasionally yelled at me) to monitor my spending. I'm not particularly pro-active or good about tracking it, so it was good for me. I also try to buy clothing only if I have a coupon to the store.
Post a Comment