And how do you deal with it? After going over my finances for the last month I realize that I have made some mistakes. they may not be huge, but they still set me back a few dollars.
My triggers seem to be boredom, and being overwhelmed. what about you?

Me too. . .In the past, when I was feeling an " emotional void", I tried to fill the void with shopping. But, after I was done shopping, that void was still there. So now when I feel that way, I recognize it for what it is and work through it in other ways.

Excessive frugality tends to set us off on the occasional spending sprees, we've learned that small "treats" here and there keep us from real splurges. Even if it's just a pint of REALLY good ice cream now and then, an occasional bag of GOOD chips or something like that.

Also spending time together talking about our goals helps keep us in line, going for a walk and looking at the property, talking about what the current bills are, etc.

Of course what REALLY keeps us inline is wanting to be out of debt!

kj

I spend when I am short on time...which I guess validates the 'time is money' statement. Mostly I buy meals out or convenience foods.

Me too. . .In the past, when I was feeling an " emotional void", I tried to fill the void with shopping. But, after I was done shopping, that void was still there. So now when I feel that way, I recognize it for what it is and work through it in other ways.

:yeah: I agree.

I spend when I am lonely or depressed. Sometimes I feel better during that search for the "perfect" outfit, home accessory or whatever. Then I get the item, get it home, and don't feel so great anymore. This spending cycle has been very difficult to break, and it is the cycle that caused me to have financial problems in the first place. Right now I am having a hard time, because I am having so many stressful personal issues. So I stay out of the stores, off of Ebay, and just try to grit my teeth and find something productive to do.

Boredom and stress, either one will get me to spending really fast. So now I just try to keep busy and find new hobbies that don't cost much.

Yup- boredom and "convenience"/poor planning.

I need to plan ahead a little better to keep from spending for convenience's sake. For instance, I forgot to take a sweatshirt or jacket with me on vacation. So, for convenience, I bought another one. Same things with toothbrushes and toothpaste. I'm forever forgetting them. Rather than going back and getting them, or going wihtout (eww!) I buy new ones. Also, if I would just ALWAYS remember to take water with me wherever I go, DD wouldn't ask me to buy it from a vending machine. (I usually remember, but sometimes I don't.) We don't often fall into the eating-out-for-convenience trap, I'm happy to say. (Well, I don't. DH is always taking DD on shopping trips while I am at work and buys her food at the mall. Groan.)

As for the boredom factor, I don't actually enjoy shopping. I enjoy finding bargains, but stores make me batty- there are scads of rude people and apathetic employees and what-not that I can't stand. However, when I am bored, I am more likely to spend more. So that is when I try to go "shopping" at the library, or (worse, but better than a regular store) go to a thrift store and pick up a bunch of books for DD or something like that.

Boredom for sure. The summer is the worst when I'm out of school and have time to look around the mall or on the internet. When I'm back at school and working, I hardly have time to cook dinner let alone go shopping for things I don't need!!

Boredom....So I never go to town just to be doing something. Instead I find a craft or housework to do.

Going shopping with certain people...If I go shopping with certain people I tend to spend more on things I know I don't need or want. Now I don't go shopping with girlfriends.

Being Hungry....If I go to town hungry I tend to pick up more junk food and convience food items or stop off at a fast food place.

I agree that boredom will cause me to spend. I used to go to the mall for recreation. Now I work on a project at home, read or find another way to entertain myself.

Stress for me!!!! The more i get stressed the more i get the nerve to want to buy even if its just the dollar store. I love just looking but then i get that urge to put layaways.

Boredom. Being a stay at home mom is not always a thrill. I find that when I'm sick of the kids' toys, I'll take them to Walmart to get a new one. I've been soooo good as staying away from Walmart and the mall lately, though.

Same as everyone else.

Sometimes I'll go out of my way to shop to be "extra" happy. Usually it gets me depressed after I realize I wasted money though lol when it could have been save. I never however put myself in debt though with spending which is a good thing still. Or it's an accident. Or I see those huge red SALE or CLEARANCE signs and figure it won't be much of a loss lol Or plain impulse as a I need to get that because it'll look good, taste good, etc.

I have to try to remember though whether I really need it but it's hard sometimes :-D

Same as most everyone else. Sometimes when I'm in a bad mood I'll buy something like it's going to make me feel better. It usually doesn't unless I get a good deal on something I'll use, have really wanted, or needed.

definetly boredom & stressed out!!!!!!

I don't shop so much but we do eat out quite a bit.The problem here is that I go from feeding 5 or 6 some nights to just dh and I. We have eaten out so much over the years that frankly we don't eat much fast food and that leads to more expensive dining. Lazy on my part I really need to come up with some easy and delicious meals for two. My other down fall is Christmas, I just love to shop for Christmas. Our last vacation until Christmas is next week and after that I will start thinking about all the wonderful gifts I would like to buy. Can you see the twinkle in my eye just thinking about it? And I will be picking up a few things here and there. Some years I have had so many stocking stuffers I have had to make an extra baskets just to hold them all. Recently I have been turning this gift giving weakness into creative juices thinking about gifts from my heart instead of my wallet. My kids are getting older and the rest of us have just about everything we could need or want. So for the past couple of years I have been doing a lot of well thought out and creative gifts over quantity. Which is so much fun it's replacing my overspending there.

I used to shop when I was younger out of boredom and I had the credit card bills to prove it. So for all of you younger people don't give up hope make an effort and the urges will pass. In fact I have a sister in law who will go to Walmart or even the mall and will put what she thinks she wants into her cart or will lug it aroung with her while shopping. But if by the end of her shopping trip the item starts to loose it's appeal she will put it back. She claims this saves her a ton of impulse buying.

Looking for an excuse to get out of the house is one reason.
Going into problem solving mode - by throwing money at the problem is another.

A good sale. I just can't resist a really good deal :toothy:

Depression and when I feel like someone is forcing poverty on me (no names mentioned!). Then I will rebel and spend.

I keep from spending now by having firm focused spending goals in front of me. I know if I want those things I have to save my money.

Jean

The problem solving! That gets me.
I also spend $$ for fun. It seems like that's really all there is to do outside of the house.
I spend a lot for ds, too, because I want him to have nice things. That has proven to be unwise, most of the time he doesn't use what I've bought, or it backfires to where he is constantly begging for more new things.

The problem solving! That gets me.
I also spend $$ for fun. It seems like that's really all there is to do outside of the house.
I spend a lot for ds, too, because I want him to have nice things. That has proven to be unwise, most of the time he doesn't use what I've bought, or it backfires to where he is constantly begging for more new things.


I used to spend a lot for DD too, but found I had the same types of issues as a result. She has learned to accept "NO" as my final answer when she doesn't get something she wants.