Nonessential Spending

[JanieD]

As prices increase there's less to spend on nonessentials aka wants. I'm shopping more now to find better deals & seeing more items I want. Wondering if anyone else is having this "problem"? I've gotton some excellent deals, but keep finding items I would love to have. How do you avoid spending too much on nonessentials? Do you allow yourself to spend so much per month?

[quiltergirl]

When I go through the Sunday paper I take out the coupons and the Walgreen's ad (the grocery sale fliers come in a special supplement that comes out free on Wed.) then I throw the rest of the ad's away. If I look at them I will always find something I want or think we "need."

I also don't buy anything (other than groceries) without talking to dh first -- he can usually talk me out of buying things that aren't really necessary. He also runs all purchases (except gas) by me and I talk him out of them. Works for us. Doesn't have to be a spouse but having an accountability partner can be very helpful.

I also periodically go through my clothes to remind myself that I have plenty. Also before I bring anything new into my house I stop and ask myself "and where am I going to put it?" -- that usually gets me to put it back. We live in a very small space.

[julieb]

For me it helps to keep a ledger that keeps track of debt, spending and savings. I know I could do the same thing with a computer program but it really helps me, pen in hand to crunch the numbers. When I want to buy something that is nonessential I get out my ledger and see where we have been and where we are going. It's very personal and helps keep me on track. Kinda like a debt diary, I keep notes on it as well. This is hard to explain but I hope it makes sense to someone?

[Royal]

Like JulieB I have a notebook as well. I keep track of all financial things. My DH laughs at me. He calls it mama's bible.

[ironmaiden]

The more you "see" the more you are going to want. And if you feel like you are on a "diet", you are sooo going to want that chocolate cake

So, the options are to "see" less. The more time spent in stores looking for deals can actually sabotage your spending. Going into 3 stores to find the cheapest price on an item doesn't save you money if you pick up something here and there at each store. You probably spent more than you saved on the item.

If we need just milk, paying more for it at the convenience store is "cheaper" if you know you wont be tempted by other things there because you know the markup is too high. Thus, you walked in, got milk and left having spent $5. Going to get cheaper milk isn't cheaper if you come out having spent $50 saving $1 on the milk. Yes, it's food and it will be eaten, but it wasn't in the budget and thus getting your farther off course and mostly whims.

The best way for me not to spend is to remove temptation which means not to go into the store in the first place. Write a list for those "needs" and let it build up. Then evaluate if those things are really needs. Keep those trips to once a month.

Feeling deprived makes you throw that pity party and buy something cause you deserve it. Read Your Money or Your Life. It will make you feel like a freaking genius for not spending i.e. EMPOWERED!!! SUPERIOR!!! for not blowing your money.

[Christa]

This is a constant problem for me, too. DH and I each have a small "allowance" that we can spend on whatever crap we want (tools & video games for him, nail polish & jewelry for me), but when it's gone it's gone.

The things that trip me up, though, are things like clothes and household items that aren't absolutely necessary, or there's a cheaper version than the one I want, or whatever. I'm always asking myself where the line is between reasonable expenses and wasting money. Sigh. Anyone have magic for me?

[AmyBoz]

Hey, Janie!
What kinds of things are you shopping around for better deals on that lead you to these other good deals on things you don't need, but want?
I ask, (and I really don't mean this to sound snobbish, but I have a feeling it's going to), because I'm always surprised when I hear people who are struggling financially say that they've gone shopping for this or that. We're in a really tough time right now, but the fact is, the only thing that needs to be bought is groceries and gas. We have everything else. We have clothes, we have furniture. So, what else would we need to shop for? Nothing, so I don't shop which keeps me out of the stores (Target is my main weakness) which makes it impossible for me to see things that I want.

So, if you are shopping around for groceries, then I say just stick to one store. The money you spend on gas trying to the get the best deal evens out the deal in the end. If you are shopping for other things, I guess I just don't understand what else you'd need to buy at this point.

Does that make sense? I hope it does. I meant it to be helpful.

[Rosebush3]

Go with a plan, what you intend to buy and do your best to adhere to it. Take along a frugal buddy to chaperone you and be the voice of reason, "yes, those baby socks are cute and a great deal but you don't have a baby" or something similar. Make her promise to keep you on the straight and narrow. Before you get to the checkout, go through your cart and take out some things. A lot of mysterious impulse buys tend to find their way in.
Set up a small fund, evelope or otherwise, for making those surprise 'good deal' purchases for stocking up your pantry - not enough in there for a whole case of mac and cheese? Maybe next time .

[JanieD]

AmyBoz, I totally follow what you're saying. An example would be a recent trip: Went for grocery items & ended up with 2 clearance toys for nephew (intended for his birthday). I already have 2 toys from the January Target clearance & didn't really need more toys for him. Its only $6 or so, but I still have 2 $2 coupons from the grocery items (prints w/receipt to use next visit)that will expire this week (store is out of town, didn't realize how soon the coupons expire). So looks like that trip costed me an extra $10. Not the end of the world, but you see what I'm getting at.

As far as other purchases, I've had gift cards & went shopping to use those. I wouldn't find anything at that store, but since I was already out (45 minute trip to that area) I would go into other stores since I had birthdays to shop for. $5 here, $7 there, another $15 & I still haven't gotten the gift!

And those bargains in ebay... did purchase a gift, but spent $30 on items for myself. Keep in mind I paid cash, but wonder if I've fall off the frugal wagon. I even discover several goodies I want at the market over the weekend, I'm waiting but feels its snowballing into spend, spend, spend.

I agree with not going to 3 stores, I so spend more than I budget so I just went to Walmart & stay on the grocery side! I do splurge on national brands often, but find other areas to cut. Its about find a balance that works for you.

[POOTERSMOMMY]

In my opinon "nonessentials" are WANTS not NEEDS. I have gotten to the point that I buy only needs! I have a nice home, furniture, clothes, heat, lights, and food. What else do I need? Nothing!
If you think in terms of wants and needs - it helps. I only read the grocery ads, I don't even look at the rest. Might I miss a great deal? Maybe. But I really don't need anything else.

[Marie78]

I find that making myself a wish list helps tremendously. My "wish list" usually includes things like: a book I want to own, a new outfit, shoes, a hair cut, or a back massage. Anytime I see something I want I add it to my "wish list" I carry this around with me. Then when people ask me what I want for my birthday or Christmas I can say what I really want. If I get money as a gift then I look over my "wish list" and decide what I will buy with the money or gift card.

Right now the only thing on my "wish list" is a hair cut and eyebrow wax at my favorite salon. I will ask my mom for this for my birthday in April . The wish list I create, helps to eliminate impulse buys for myself. If I find an amazing deal on a gift I can give someone else I can justify it, because it saves me money in the long run. If I come across something I want, it's hard for me to justify it. Plus my list gives me time to consider the item. Lots of times the material items are not something I want after a few days.

[Libby]

I try to curb the unnecessary spending or "wants" as some call it. Eating out, buying a new nailpolish when I have a box of 25 various colours (yes I admit, I do have 25 and none of them have been purchased within the last 2 years! ) I usually get them in my stocking or a hand me down from a friend or coworker.

For the most part, I am good at not spending simply b/c I dont want to have to pay anything off later. If I dont have the cash now and its a want it automatically turns into a I dont want it b/c I dont want the debt that comes with it!

The only exception I have is groceries. I do try to stick to my list of 'needs' with my one or two 'wants' but I'm only human. Sometimes you only need/want cookies once every 8 months or OJ every 2nd month etc. So I try to leave a lil something extra in the grocery budget for the 'wants' so I dont feel deprived. Who knew being able to splurge on yourself by buying a jug of cranberry juice could make you feel so good!

[forHISglory]

Contrary to McDonalds, I DON'T deserve a break today. I try to stay far far away from the mindset that I "deserve" something extra and that really helps me not spend the extra. We have everything we really need, and God has blessed us with some of our wants. So I just work on my contentment factor and that saves us all sorts of money.

Don't get me wrong; I've been plenty stupid with money before and lived with regrets. But I now try to keep my vision focused on what's really important and lasting, and not on the temporary fix.

[Starlight9803]

I just try to stay out of the stores, unless I have something specific I am going after. I do check out the clearance while I'm there, but I can talk myself out of most impulse purchases because I keep in mind the space I have (we live in a small house) and our financial goals. When I get really tempted by something, I just picture MIL's house (major hoarder - piles of things she'll never use, won't part with, and will only add to), that nips anything in the bud right away LOL.

[watchingpennies]

I stay out of the stores too. I only go to grocery stores and try to stick to my list. I also use the envelope system and one of my envelopes is for "blow money" which I can use however I want to (usually it ends up being for extra groceries because there is a good deal on something). I think it really is a habit. I don't NEED anything!