When that thing that strikes your fancy is calling your name and you know you don't need it, how to you convince yourself to walk away? Or do you talk yourself into it?

I talk to myself about how saving even that little bit will allow us to get further ahead and out of debt. I just try to look at the bigger picture. The other night dh was going to buy me a coffee from the new Starbucks and I wouldn't let him because we could use the $3 more wisely. A coffee will only last me a few minutes so that money could really go a lot further if used wisely.

It depends for me...on what it is, how very bad I want it, how long I've been wanting it....what kind of deal I can get for it. For the most part if I'll put it off for 2 weeks I can let it go. But sometimes....it gets me anyway and sometimes immediately. We're all average humans....we want things, stuff, more...even when we're trying not to. It's the pits. Just weigh the pros and cons and if it's a large purchase set a time that you won't buy until and do lots of research. Read reviews about it, maybe you can get someone else to talk you down......lol. Good luck. It's not easy, but it can be done. And keep looking at your bank balance...that helps me too sometimes.

I pull out my ledger and look at the amount of our mortgage, that keeps me in line! I want it paid off as soon as possible.

I've gotten very good at saying no to myself and to the hubby (lol, just ask him!)

kj

I remind myself that "stuff" won't bring me any kind of happiness.

If I remember, I say to myself "what would make me proud of me" and I act from there.

I have to say, I wasn't very good at saying no to myself until I came across this site. I have learned a lot and have become very inspired by everyone here and how well everyone is doing paying off their debt. I'm recently divorced and am buying a new house next week, so when I go shopping, I really think about every single purchase and whether or not I really need it because the thought of having a mortgage all on my own is very frightening!

I call that little voice inside my head my "brat", Sarah. And she gets told "No, Sarah" quite often (though not often enough). She's a very needy, clingy little girl, and sometimes she just gets her way. But we're both learning to take control of ourselves and disciplining ourselves to certain things.

Just so you know that I'm not crazy, this all came from Pam Young, at www.thebratfactory.com.

i've become rather practical over the years and generally don't give in to impulse buys because i know i can live without it. if i see something i like and i think i want, i wait until the next shopping trip (usually they are every 2 weeks). if i remembered it to put it on the list and the budget can handle it, i'll buy it, but 9 times out of 10 i didn't remember it when making my shopping list. most purchases are planned so we don't get off budget. i also usually think in terms of needs vs. wants. if it's a need, it's probably on the shopping list. if it's a want, it will be added to the shopping list when when the budget permits.

for instance, i want to buy some yarn to make a few things for christmas presents. for the last couple of months the budget hasn't had room for yarn so i've put off those projects for projects that i already have the yarn for. this month there is room in the budget for me to get yarn for at least 3 of the projects, so i will get it this weekend. i've still gotten to enjoy crocheting because i made due with what i had on hand and got quite a few projects done and didn't wreck the budget because i wanted (not needed) to work on something new.

Depends on what it is. If it truly is an unnecessary, impulsive thing, then I'm pretty good at reminding myself that I didn't come in wanting it, so I don't need to walk out with it.

If it's something I've been thinking about and wanting for a while, then often I'll go ahead and get it (as long as I have the money for it). For example, I'd seen a big pack of 12x12 scrapbooking paper at Hobby Lobby. $20. Ouch! Didn't buy it, of course (especially not at that price!). I kept thinking about that paper, though, for several weeks. So, when it finally went on sale for 50% off, I went ahead and bought it. And yes, I've used it. ;)

Well I come up with off the wall stuff sometimes. I may sound silly but I sometimes stare at it and I think to myself, "How many hours did I work just to buy this outfit?" Then I think, "Is it really worth it?":ack:

Well, I don't say NO to myself. I say "Not right now." I write down what the item is, why I want it and how much it costs. Then I go home. I wait at least one day, and then I shop at home. I look to see what I have that would serve the same purpose or fill the same need. If I do not have what it is I am longing for, or a suitable substitute, then I look at WHY I want it. Then I try to realize exactly how much use I will actually get out of it. Then I calculate how long I will have to work to pay for the item. If I still want it, the next step is to look for the item on my thrift shop and garage sale adventures. If I can't find it, then usually I will shop the item around and see what the best retail or sale price is in town. If I am willing to go through all of that, THEN I buy it. If it is an impulse thing, I usually realize it when I am not ready to go to all that trouble. Some times procrastination is a good thing.

It depends on the item and how badly I want it. I have always been pretty good, mostly because I don't feel the need to have a lot of "stuff". But in all honesty, I am much better now that I have joined this forum. Like Kim said a in few posts above this one, I am better since finding this site.

I am still working on this one. But, since I learned I am allergic to, of all things, DUST... I am reminding myself that I need to reduce clutter and stuff so I feel better. If it is something else to just have to dust and clean, do I really want it? But impulse buys are still a killer for me... I am better to just stay out of the stores as much as I can!

I ask myself "Do I NEED this or WANT this?" Need usually outweights want.

But for me the hardset places like the used book store its best if I don't even pull in the parking lot. Once I'm in the lot I've lost the battle.:thud:

LAurie in Bradenton

Depending on the cost of the item, I try to remember the things on our 'to do' list. Car repairs, home fixes, upcoming dental appointments, etc.

That usually bums me out fairly well enough so I stop thinking of splurging! (said with a chuckle :) )

If its not much money then I MIGHT put it off a week or two to see if I still really want it. Trying to avoid impulsive buying.

Sometimes DH will end run all that and get it is for me if its not too pricey ( He knows Id be a wee bit upset if he spend to much)

Stay far far away from my favorite stores.......I am not a big shopper, although I could walk the grocery store isles for hours......food is a passion for me.

I try to remember that I would rather have security than a item.

JMHO,
leezza

Usually if I do go shopping with my mother I will carry it around until I leave and then put it back. I just remind myself that I still have tops, pants, purse etc at home and don't need it.

In all honesty, since I've become more frugal, I am finding more joy and satisfaction in a simpler life, so I do not have as many wants as I once had. I used to be a drive thru coffee junkie, now I don't have any desire (maybe once a month.) I have actually trained myself to think differently. I am avoiding advertising and the advertising and marketing I do come across I examine with a critical eye. I am disgusted by the fact that Kelloggs tries to make their sugary cereal so appealing to my 3 year old. When we see those commercials together, I take the opportunity to inform my daughter how yucky that food actually is! So, we keep the tv off quite a bit! This helps tremendously! I also get more comments and compliments now that I am shopping solely at thrift stores for my clothing and accessories. This is a big morale boost!

DH and I each get an "allowance" each month, and I always know how much I have left. So if I want something that goes over my budget, I know that I have to wait until next month and save what I have leftover this month.

Well, I don't say NO to myself. I say "Not right now." I write down what the item is, why I want it and how much it costs. Then I go home. I wait at least one day, and then I shop at home. I look to see what I have that would serve the same purpose or fill the same need. If I do not have what it is I am longing for, or a suitable substitute, then I look at WHY I want it. Then I try to realize exactly how much use I will actually get out of it. Then I calculate how long I will have to work to pay for the item. If I still want it, the next step is to look for the item on my thrift shop and garage sale adventures. If I can't find it, then usually I will shop the item around and see what the best retail or sale price is in town. If I am willing to go through all of that, THEN I buy it. If it is an impulse thing, I usually realize it when I am not ready to go to all that trouble. Some times procrastination is a good thing.
I like this process! That's a great deal of self-control you have.