A List of the Stuff I'm Not Buying

**krbshappy71** · 01-05-2012, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by madhen

This is a great idea! I just added a "Things that I will buy when I am rich" board to my Pinterest.

My problem is that the things I really WANT are all big-ticket. I couldn't care less for purses and knick-knacks. I want a new deck, a propane-powered refrigerator, to replace all the carpets with hardwood....

Sometimes, when I price those things out, I think I'll never get them, because I have a really hard time coughing up thousands of dollars for stuff that is really a want, not a need. Even the new roof, which was absolutely a need, and which cost about $3,000, was not easy for me. I was depressed for about a week afterward, thinking of all the FUN stuff I could have done with that money!

I have trouble with this as well. I just had to shell out $323 for tires for my van. I was GRIEVING that stupid money but it came out of my emergency fund. It was NOT spending money in the first place, I am not in a position to be spending $323 on anything but a credit card payback or an emergency but I still grieved, ha ha!!

I am very surprised Pinterest is helping me with this, (spending urges) but it is. Most of the time I don't follow the links to the original site if I'm re-pinning because I don't want to know how much that amazing fireplace next to a hot tub costs, I just want to say "hey I love it!" and dream about it then move on.

**nuisance26** · 01-05-2012, 12:14 PM

~Awesome idea! I used to do something similar in a round about way. I kept a list of things I wanted to buy then I put off buying them as long as possible. As I added new items to the list it was always gratifying to see that my urge for that book, craft supply or jacket had completely vanished by waiting it out.
I'm an out-of-sight, out-of-mind person so I couldn't do the Pinterest thing. It has to be simple words on paper, not the idealistic beauty of pretty photos. Too tempting!
It really isn't depressing Deer. It's a high-five every time you can cross out something on your list. Not because you bought it, but because you actually don't want it anymore. Of course, some things remain on that list, and that's what pocket money is for. I get to spend that however I want.

~

**oheoh's momma** · 01-05-2012, 01:36 PM

I think this is interesting.. I always keep a list of things I need of the house and family... I think for me the list would be a running stockpile list. for example if I have 14 toothpaste I may have enough.... It maybe a money thing I know what is and what isn't in my budget...

**geckoace** · 01-05-2012, 03:54 PM

I keep an amazon wish list with every little or big thing I crave (I have a separate amazon shopping list for stuff we actually need for the house) then I periodically look at it and delete the nonsense. It used to be 4 pages now it's only 2. I've definitely been thinking more about needs vs wants in the last couple years

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2012, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Cricketlegs

My wardrobe really is complete, hobbies I have out the wazoo, stocking is in the budget.

I have nothing to buy lol!
.

I'm with you here..........and I have a really expensive house improvement NEED coming up......it should take the "buying wind" out of my sails.............have been using up my stockpile instead of adding to it.

MH---if I can get my roof done for that amount I will be smiling........think it will be a killer.......and I am thinking about
new gutters, and siding (not much area, mostly brick) all at the same time since I HATE having workers around!!! Get them here............and get them out!!

**Frufru** · 01-11-2012, 03:45 PM

I do a version of this too as far as writing it down. I make a list of wants that I will either think about for 30 days before I committ to purchasing or that eventually get moved to a wish list of sorts that is longer term....things that I might receive for a birthday or holiday or else will purchase myself if I am still wanting after thinking it over for many days.

**gmarie** · 01-11-2012, 10:46 PM

I'm sitting here with DH reading over my shoulder and say all excited, 'I'm going to start a list of all the things I WANT!' I open a word document and type "Broom!" He thought that was hysterical... but apparently my wants have become fairly simple... our broom is so old! ;-)

**Cricketlegs** · 01-12-2012, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by gmarie

I'm sitting here with DH reading over my shoulder and say all excited, 'I'm going to start a list of all the things I WANT!' I open a word document and type "Broom!" He thought that was hysterical... but apparently my wants have become fairly simple... our broom is so old! ;-)

Why is it so hard to buy a broom?? Why why why???

LOL! You buy that broom!

Next thing you know you will be out of control and buying potty scrubbing brushes and *gasp* a new ironing board cover!

**krbshappy71** · 01-12-2012, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Cricketlegs

Why is it so hard to buy a broom?? Why why why???

LOL! You buy that broom!

Next thing you know you will be out of control and buying potty scrubbing brushes and *gasp* a new ironing board cover!

'Cause the mop died first?

I don't have brooms in my budget, they are definitely a wish list item, ha!!

I wuv pinterest, its so addictive for me.

**gmarie** · 01-12-2012, 06:03 PM

We will buy a new broom when we are debt free haha.

I've been considering spending entire months snowball on frivolous things and/or a vacation when we are done with BS3.

I'm getting DH all excited with the possibility, but we'll see. ;-)

**frugalwarrior2** · 01-12-2012, 07:47 PM

Pfft-broom is on my list too.
-new filter for the air cleaner
-a new vehicle
-a new furnace
-a new water heater
-a new mattress
no luxeries. Just want to survive w/ a modecum of comfort.

**sunflowers*8890** · 01-14-2012, 12:28 AM

Yep, I see the point here. I'm using my old broom for a while longer

I'm trying to put off buying everything I can, not just the frivolous stuff. Because if I leave any gray area, I can come up with a way to justify anything.

**gmarie** · 01-14-2012, 08:20 AM

I wasted money last year buying things to save me money. Like a $50 Wonderwash that I never use. With the possibility of being debt free this year, there will be NO purchases out outside of the budget for any reason, even if it's to save money in the long run!

**Backwoodsgirl** · 02-13-2012, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by sunflowers*8890

I lost my job this past year, and we are knee-deep in debt. So I'm on a self-imposed spending holiday for 2012, which means NEEDS only. If we can live without it, we aren't buying it!

Being a red-blooded American, of course I am already seeing things and thinking I'd like to have them... they would improve my life, my health, my organization, home, efficiency... etc.

So I've decided to add a page to my notebook. I'm going to list all the things I want, or consider buying. I'll add the date, and the cost if I know it. Then of course I won't buy it! Then I can look back over the list as the year goes on. My guess is that, when I look back, many of the items will seem frivolous and unnecessary, and my life will have marched along just fine without them. I'll have saved money and have less clutter, just my list

Entry #1 will be the automatic air freshener I saw the ad for last night. You walk past and it spritzes out some freshener. We had them at work (yes, the job that I lost) and they were great; how wonderful my home would be if smelled nice all the time! hahaha. (Then I remembered... "oh yeah, I'm not buying stuff".)

Try spraying some vanilla around, or put a tea candle beneath a can with apple peelings and cinnamon in it. It can be done homemade.

Also, try a lid with some cinnamon oil in it and sit it on the frame of your reading lamp. The heat will scent the air.

Oh, and add a dash of cinnamon to your coffee filter in the morning. It will scent up your home as the pot perks and it tastes good too!

Backwoodsgirl

**crunchycon** · 02-13-2012, 05:44 AM

I do this also! It really works - I can delete stuff I no longer need, or use it for "what would you like for Christmas responses" (if appropriate), or think about how, if I really decided needed something, I could obtain it more economically or find a better substitute. The list gets things out of my head and "on paper."

Originally Posted by geckoace

I keep an amazon wish list with every little or big thing I crave (I have a separate amazon shopping list for stuff we actually need for the house) then I periodically look at it and delete the nonsense. It used to be 4 pages now it's only 2. I've definitely been thinking more about needs vs wants in the last couple years