envy

**mek42** · 05-28-2010, 12:58 PM

Any helpful advice for when that inner spending brat stomps his (or her) foot and whines, "They have it so I want it too!"

**ladykemma2** · 05-28-2010, 01:43 PM

i work in rewards and planned purchases at reasonable breaks in the plan.

right now, at this ,the inner brat wants to charge a trip to london. ain't gonna happen. will start a travel sinking fund instead.

**Greebo** · 05-28-2010, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by mek42

Any helpful advice for when that inner spending brat stomps his (or her) foot and whines, "They have it so I want it too!"

Spank it and send it to bed without its supper.

**Ceashels** · 05-28-2010, 02:01 PM

Mek, I slap him upside the head.

(j/k DearHusbandofMine)

**Greebo** · 05-28-2010, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

Mek, I slap him upside the head.

(j/k DearHusbandofMine)

She's definitely kidding. She actually uses a frying pan.

*CLANG* OW!

sorry dear

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-28-2010, 02:09 PM

I was having that prob too as the trucks arrived around the neighborhood from furniture stores and new cars appeared after tax season. I don't even want toys. I want to vaccinate all my cats, and a dishwasher,an umbrella for the deck table,a new water heater.some summer t-shirts.
I just made a list and put it in my purse. I will see which items I still want in 2 paychecks. It sometimes changes.
I also add up that bottom line every month as it shrinks. I visualize the cement of debt lifting. $75,000 in 5 years so far. A paid cash roof,car and 4 semester of tuition and books for DD. I say it like a mantra.
You should make a wall chart. Remember you don't really know what goes on inside others houses. We eat much better food from this process.

**TigerGirl1226** · 05-28-2010, 02:17 PM

A small reward/want is reasonable if you are able to afford it. It will be years before we are out of debt and if I "went without" the entire time I'd go batty and derail our plans. I know that my way doesn't exactly work within other people's plans, but it works for me.

**mek42** · 05-28-2010, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

... Remember you don't really know what goes on inside others houses. ...

Good point. One of the guys at FPU mentioned how he was visiting a friend near a swanky part of town with ridiculous priced houses and the friend took him for a little tour. Most of the houses didn't have furniture to speak of. But they sure did have the two beamers in the driveway.

Guess it comes down to priorities. I want freedom. Unloading the debt / learning to live not over-lavishly will help me get there.

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-28-2010, 02:21 PM

Tigergirl-totally agreed. We have been at this 5 years and will be 3.5 years more. Unforseen medical!! This is why we garage and estate sale. Estatesales.net if anyone cares.
I coupon heavily and really it's a pain but this I do to get somewhere else.

**ml2620** · 05-28-2010, 02:52 PM

Especially in matters of travel, I think you can give the envy brat a long leash by researching and planning a trip, pricing things out - you just can't let the brat pull the trigger.

Check travel books out of the library, search the internet, look at all the places you could go, the history, food, etc. You just can't book it ....yet.

I'm going through the same with home decorating. I requested decorating magazines on freecycle and got a nice pile. I look at ideas and put together a book of ideas and plans, shop best prices and let that motivate me to save and then I just dream, dream...

**ladykemma2** · 05-28-2010, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by ml2620

Especially in matters of travel, I think you can give the envy brat a long leash by researching and planning a trip, pricing things out - you just can't let the brat pull the trigger.

Check travel books out of the library, search the internet, look at all the places you could go, the history, food, etc. You just can't book it ....yet.

I'm going through the same with home decorating. I requested decorating magazines on freecycle and got a nice pile. I look at ideas and put together a book of ideas and plans, shop best prices and let that motivate me to save and then I just dream, dream...

i do this!

**Jethro33** · 05-28-2010, 03:33 PM

Mek, well my wife and I keep a "blow" fund thanks to Dave Ramsey's advice. We know at times are going to want to just buy something. So even if the item might only be a want, if the "blow" fund is big enough we go ahead and buy what we want. Obviously I am talking pretty small scale but I hope it still helps

**mauimagic** · 05-30-2010, 01:48 AM

I try to take a deep breath to clear my head and break the focus on the Brat!!

Had a great time planning a trip to visit DD this summer, and then when I realized that I really cannot afford it, it's okay - had the fun of planning, and the peace of mind in making the right choice.

Mahalo for the reminder to get a better tracking system down for my peace of mind also!!

**Josephhgoins** · 05-30-2010, 02:30 PM

Right now I am concentrating on getting what debt I have gone. Whenever I see something I want I remind myself that I have debt to repay and the stores will still be selling those in a few months when I can afford it. I also let myself shop for it and pick out the one I want, so I know exactly where to go and what to get when I have the cash in hand.

Sometimes, when it has been awhile since I got to shop at all, I will go to Wal-mart and shop around. I will let myself put whatever I want in the cart. I take my time and sometimes spend 2 or 3 hours in the store. By the time I am finished walking around I have gotten enough of the "new toy" high and just leave the cart and walk out of the store without buying the first item.

It's odd, but it works for me.

Good Luck!

**ladykemma2** · 05-30-2010, 02:37 PM

i find that when the inner brat is about to go out of control, i have not been paying enough attention to my need for beauty.

so i do something to create beauty in my life, whether taking care of the possessions i already own, or drawing pictures and setting goals for what i do want.