Need to nip the spending habit...

**rachelMcK** · 10-18-2007, 09:17 AM

I've recently started a new job where I am making double (DOUBLE!!!) what I made in my previous job, however, i've seemed to justify that I can spend money on myself now, but really I shouldn't because I've got student loans that need to be paid. So how do you suggest I curb that spending habit I've acquired???

**LexTysMommy** · 10-18-2007, 09:37 AM

First off Congrats on making DOUBLE! WHoo hooo!

I would say make a written list of things to be paid off. In order you want them paid off..or interest rate..or lowest to highest. However you think you can pay them down. Then try to pay them off as fast as you can. Every extra penny put towards that debt.

BUT you probably could work in a new item for yourself every time you pay off a debt. A new piece of clothing, a cd, etc. Make it a reward system.

Good luck! And stick to it, visit here for inspiration!

**druidessemily** · 10-18-2007, 10:55 AM

How about setting aside a reasonable amount of money that you CAN spend on yourself? If you give yourself only X a week/paycheck/month/etc, you'll be able to spend money without worrying about not being able to pay off bills, and it will also make you feel better.

**sdrjeolsen** · 10-18-2007, 11:19 AM

Congrats on the increase! WTG!!When dh got a raise, we wouldn't change a thing, except to increase our tithing & giving, but the rest went to debt payoff or savings. We just never put it into the budget to be spent.

How about buying yourself one congratulatory item and then be done? I know easier said than done. But remind yourself why you want to be frugal and what goals you will be giving up or delaying when you spend on other items. Hope that helps.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-18-2007, 11:23 AM

Everyone always seems to advocate setting aside a small amount for yourself, or giving yourself little treats to avoid feeling deprived. I have to say, for me that has the opposite effect. Giving myself a little treat just opens up the floodgates and leads to more and bigger treats. If you think you may have a similar issue, what I did was just stop cold turkey. Stay out of the stores, no window shopping, no browsing, throw out the Sears flyer without even looking at it. Every time you think you need something try to find a way around it, and if you can't, just put it off and keep putting it off. See how long you can go without buying anything at all (except food). If you're at all stubborn or competitive, you may start to find it difficult to buy anything, because you don't want to ruin your non-spending streak.

If you have a good imagination, you can pretend that you aren't getting paid any more than you used to be. Try putting half your pay right on the bills before you get a chance to spend it. Or how about taping a little picture of the house you want on your debit/credit cards just to remind you to think before you spend.

**justpeachy92** · 10-18-2007, 12:20 PM

I see in your siggy that one of your goals is to save money too move. Wrap pictures of a house, a moving truck anything that will remind you of a goal you have. You will get this visual reminder everytime you pull out your debit card, credit cards or checkbook. Another rule I have is if I bring one thing in, then one thing goes out. This helps keep clutter down too. So if I buy a new sweater then I know that means I have to get rid of one I already have. The only exception I have to this rule is gifts, and when I return to the work force and need a work wordrobe.

**rachelMcK** · 10-19-2007, 09:15 AM

Thanks everyone, those are all great tips. DH and I worked on our plan of action yesterday, and so I've paid off one credit card already, and half way paid off the second one, then its on to student loans. The hardest thing for us is eating out. I've given us more money for groceries so that should help with that. I find that if we skimp on the groceries we end up eating out because we don't want to eat the stuff at home. But If we have more good things at home, we don't eat out. Its still cheaper!

Just peachy, actually, I've already moved. I just got the internet back the other day, so i haven't changed my siggy yet!

Thanks again, keep up with the tips!

**Dancing Lotus** · 10-19-2007, 09:28 AM

I really like the idea of wraping a piture of your goals around your money, credit card and checkbook. That might work for me.

I also have the problem that if I give myself an inch I take a mile. Once I buy a treat I just want more.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-19-2007, 09:54 AM

Hopefully having a plan will help to keep things in check. Good job getting the card paid off. Eating out is my biggest problem, too. Even worse when I was working. Have you ever tried those Knorr's frozen entrees? They are not cheap, but sometimes go on sale and are still cheaper than eating out - they are fast and don't taste like frozen food. I sometimes have those to ease my restaurant cravings.

How's the new place?

**rachelMcK** · 10-19-2007, 10:17 AM

Great Idea Monkey!!! Those would be a great alternative! The new place is amazing! We lived in a terrible area, our building was full of cockroaches and crackheads, but no more!!! I'm loving everything about living in a safer neighborhood!

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-19-2007, 11:05 AM

I'm so glad you're happy with your new place. Are you still in Oshawa? We were a bit nervous about moving here after we saw some of those neighbourhoods, but luckily we managed to find a place in a considerably less scary part of town.

**rachelMcK** · 10-19-2007, 11:16 AM

Yes, still in oshawa, just in a nicer part of town!

**Edna_E** · 10-22-2007, 04:21 PM

There have only been tow things I've found that work for me. The simplest is to stop going places that tempt me (including on-line catalogs) and the second is to make a budget that clearly lays out paying things off, but that also has a line for "pamper me" with an amount suitable to my current income/debts. Good luck, and congrats on the job!

**mea772** · 10-23-2007, 10:29 PM

Congrats on your new job!!!

All of the others have offered wonderful ideas...I would just be repeating some of them so I will just say ditto! LOL

**Libby** · 10-23-2007, 11:12 PM

Congrats on the new job and pay increase!

My two cents?
Keep living as you did on your previous income and allocate all that extra income that you were not used to having to debt! I mean pad up your grocery spending a bit more as you said you had done but by no means allocate yourself any extra income for spending or eating out. The idea is to still live as frugally as possible.

I spent $100 on stocking up the house full of things I'd actually eat - fresh produce, soy milk, whole wheat pasta vs what my dad would buy - stuff that he'd eat only. I even bought snacks and treats to curb my mid-day bender. Knowing its in my desk ready and waiting for me to eat it when I crave it has actually helped curbed my cravings. But that $100 I spent on GOOD foods would only equal 5-7 really sinful dinners out. My groceries will last me atleast 2 weeks if not more if I stretch it out carefully and only replenish the perishables.