I want to stop spending so much.

[Miss Phode]

Money that is. I'm an overconsumer. I spend way to much money, and on what? I have nothing to show for it. I want to buckle down and start saving my pennies, instead of going shopping anytime I see a rise in my bank account. I wish when I did buy I was more frugal. I have this attitude that "I need this, and I'm too busy to shop for a bargain". I get this mentality that since I work so hard, I deserve to go out and blow all my money on whatever I want.

Any tips, suggestions, recommendations, ideas? Also, I have never clipped a coupon in my life. Now, it's possible that coupons wouldn't work for, especially at the grocery store, because I don't buy food in packages.

[HeidiE]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

well I am not sure if I should jump in here ..because I buy what I want when I want it ..but I really want for very little actually ...the most I spend is on food and this house for remodel parts...clothing ..nope because wearing company provided scrubs is what I do....and when I am off I dont wear anything but jeans and tshirts....

I suck with money ...I never carry cards.checks or anything with me.... because I loose them and never pay attention when I use them ....and only have about $50 on me at a time ....carry very little money and no cards... you will save!!!

[julirama723]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

That's what I do--I rarely have more than $20 on me at a time.

One thing that my boyfriend and I have done that has saved us BOTH money is to keep a joint checking account, and we deposit a set amount in this each paycheck. From this account, we pay rent, energy bills, phone bills, and buy groceries. Our loan payments come out of our personal accounts. That way, anything else that is not "for the good of the whole" is taken out of personal accounts. When I have extra money in my checking account, I transfer at least a few hundred dollars to my savings account. I don't even touch that account. I also do NOT have my savings account linked to my debit card.

But then again, I'm not a big shopper. We usually go shopping every couple of months, to buy new clothes if we need them, or a new appliance or something. We use LOTS of gift cards, wait for sales, use coupons. Neither of us use credit cards. Everything we purchase, we use our money for, never credit.

[Miss Phode]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

Heidi, you're right about carrying cash. I mindlessly swipe my debit card day in, day out. I think part of my problem is I need a budget, but....I have no idea how to do a budget. I have no idea how much money I should carry. LOL. Ugh! Why is this so difficult to me?

[moonwish]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

I wish I had money to overconsume, too

Seriously, maybe going shopping only when you really need something would help? Shopping for leisure/pleasure makes you buy more stuff I think.

[hey_nelson]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

I like the idea about using on ly $20.00 a day. Miss Phode, just like Atkins, can you make a contract with yourself to keep to 20 bucks a day / 20 carbs a day. You have the will power here, you probably will have it out there too once you call yourself on it.

patty p.s. I have a problem with overspending and not paying bills too. Usually when things are at their worst, I go out and spend on other people then struggle for hte rest of the month. I have had to do the above with myself.

[ValidRouge]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

Phode, I totally feel your pain. This is one of the areas I want to focus on this year....budgeting, saving, building wealth. I'm trying to start thinking about money the same way I do about carbs and cigarettes and other things I've overcome...and use those same techniques to get my spending in control

[Miss Phode]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

Some good advise. Keep it coming.

One question. If I give myself $20 a day, is that supposed to cover gas? Or do I get extra for gas? Ugh...maybe I need to give my money to my mom and let her give me an allowance. LOL

[boonie stomper]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

Now, I'm no saint - I spent over $1200 in the last week. But that's over 2 weeks take-home. And my "normal" costs of living per month are also more than my take-home. I'm a single parent, with a kid on 3 Rx's and in therapy, with my Mom covering the daycare/afterschool care.


I've been from the extreme of having so many debit receipts stuffed in my purse needing to be added up to balance my checkbook that they kept me from finding the cards I wanted to use, the monthly interest charges on which were over $200. Now I've got that $200/mo having gotten rid of the debt and only use the debit card for major necessary expenses like Rx's & major repairs and gas.

How?
Never buy something without looking for it somewhere else first, to see if you can get it cheaper, unless absolutely neccessary.

Reuse things as much as possible without becoming a "bag lady"

Get a feel for "normal" prices on common items you buy. If you see these items at another store cost a lot more, don't shop there at all (except window shopping)

If something you use a lot is on super good sale, buy a lot of it and store appropriately.

Barter whenever possible, and if you can get something you need for free, do it.

On special occasions only, loosen your purse strings and binge shop, but then stop when out of cash.

[HeidiE]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

I can not even imagine making a budget I would not keep to it ..that is for sure ...

another thing I do and I am doing it today as a matter of fact...furniture when I need it I get it free off craigslist.com or from friends then get crazy with paint...I start with white then cover it with black enamel paint ..and then rub the edges a bit so wood then white then black shows....some new knobs and it is "distressed" black enamel furniture ..and looks even better than Potterybarn stuff ..but usually more solid and better quality under the paint job..

I love that shiiit!!!

[Miss Phode]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

I wish I was crafty like that Heidi. I have a table in my garage that I've been thinking about painting for um, like 2 years. I just don't have the motivation to do it.

Anyway...does anyone want to teach me how to do a budget? Please please please??

[HeidiE]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

my dishes do not match on purpose because I buy or scrounge vintage mix and match plates and stack them same with tableclothes and rugs even!!!! all used ...mostly free and layered

just need to clean it all well first!

[HeidiE]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

and do not get me started on my kitchen ..it is completely "vintage" late 60's actually ...

vintage in my book cheap free and very cool looking..something I like to look at ...


omg I guess I do know about not being a consumer

[HeidiE]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

I wish I was crafty like that Heidi. I have a table in my garage that I've been thinking about painting for um, like 2 years. I just don't have the motivation to do it.

Anyway...does anyone want to teach me how to do a budget? Please please please??

I AM NOT CRAFTY I SWEAR!!!!!

I am pisssed off at the governement and my lack of consumerism is a political statement

I can copy from a picture but I am really not talented and Potterybarn ..Restoration hardware ..it is all beat up furniture and raising kids taught me how easy that is to do!!!!

[Miss Phode]

Re: I want to stop spending so much.

My friend is the queen of finding free furniture and other stuff, and making it look awesome. I walk into a thrift store and get nervous because of the disarray and usually end up leaving before I've really looked at anything. You know, Anthropologie sells mismatched dishes that are really expensive, and how much better is it to find the stuff at garage sales and what not.

Anyway, I decided I'm never spending a lot of money on dishes again, because the dishes we registered for when we got married were really expensive, and over half of my salad plates have broken, 3 of my dinner plates, my creamer, teapot, and 2 bowls...all broken. Yes, I'm clumbsy, but some of them just broke when they were stacked up in the cabinet. They just randomly split in half. Anyway, just the stupid salad plates are $20 bucks a piece to replace, so next time, I'm just getting whatever is cheap.