It's so hard!!!

3boysmommy · **It's so hard!!!**

I am trying to only buy "needs", just to see if I can do it. Ugh! It's so hard!
Yesterday I went to Toy R Us with DS so he could spend his b-day money. What he wanted he was short $20. So, I gave him the option of choosing something else or I could give him the difference as his birthday gift. We had already given him one gift and I was looking for another smaller gift, so this worked out good for both of us. So I guess I don't consider that a bad purchase.

Then we went to Target to make a return. I made my DH go in and return it!!!! LOL! I am so weak!

Then we went to the pet store. I had to get our dog a new collar, since she somehow cut/broke through her first one. BUT...I also got her a head halter to help her learn to leash walk. I am thinking I sould take it back. It was $25 and it wasn't a NEED, but at this point she is unabled to be walked because she is such a puller. So...maybe it was OK.

Am I justifying a bad purchase????

2littleladies · 04-02-2007, 08:56 AM

Im week too. If i were to really define my needs right now I need nothing, However I have managed to convince myself I need new bras becuase the ones i like are on sale.

3boysmommy · 04-02-2007, 09:27 AM

Yes! I found a boosterseat for my DS that I want to get him because the one he has is hard as a rock....but I guess he doesn't NEED it. I am searching for a safety reason that will make it so he NEEDS it...I am pathetic!

Daisymum · 04-02-2007, 09:36 AM

I think it just takes time to get into the groove of saving. I had a really hard time in the beginning. I had a 'relapse' where I took out a credit card and charged $300 in one evening on NOTHING that we needed, after not spending for a month. I was an 'emotional' buyer though.

I have my moments now where I really want something, but in the long run it isnt worth it.

Em&Ash'smommy · 04-02-2007, 11:38 AM

I am having such a hard time with this one. I am a "spender" trying to reform and become a "saver". I love to shop for little girls clothes. I open my email and find 20% off Baby Gap. I click on it (knowing that I shouldn't) and the outfits are sooo cute. I did it again today, but thanks to the time I am spending on this site, and the inspiration to save, I looked at the cute clothes, convinced myself my girls really don't NEED more clothes right now, then closed out, with no purchases! That is a big one for me!

As it is, I have a Baby Gap credit card bill coming this month, after a very emotional purchase episode last month--Ouch. I need to take the next step and get rid of my Gap credit card all together. Their offers to spend and save are so tempting, it's easy to convince myself I NEED to get something. I am going to try to find a thrift shop in the area, and see what they have. Why spend $28 for a Baby Gap sweater, just to have dd get markers on it??? I think of the money I have thrown away..........Geez.

mommytosa · 04-02-2007, 12:54 PM

I am soo psyched about the money I have saved in just 2 weeks of not spending!!! DH & I sat down a few weeks ago & decided to put ourselves (read ME) on a budget and only use cash!! WOW, what a difference that has made! I am now mad at myself at not having seen this and started saving a long time ago!

I don't look at it as hard, I look at it as a challange to save the most & spend the least!! I do my Walmart & Grocery shopping on Sunday and then take whatever I have left in our budget out as cash (I still want to earn points using our card). For the rest of the week, If I have the cash in my wallet, then I can get it if I really want to. I get to save what cash is left at the end of the week for the next week! This is an incentive to save for things I want, but don't need!

If there is something I want to buy, but don't have the cash for, I will talk to dh & we will decide together if it is a smart purchase.

I feel so empowered now. I look at our bank account and feel so proud of myself!!

marrobinson · 04-02-2007, 01:25 PM

I think you have just started a financial diet! All of your "should I?" questions are great! It means you are starting to think about what you are purchasing and why! You are not going to be perfect from the get-go! You will have to think and question every time you are tempted to buy.

I find that just staying out of the stores and keeping a list help a great deal. When you go to the store and see something that's not on the list, you probably don't NEED it.

Keep up the good work! This is an especially hard time -- there were a lot of temptations at the store today for me too!

M

brensmom · 04-02-2007, 01:54 PM

thats not bad i don't think...yep stay away from target and you will be surprised i stayed out of that store pretty much for over 6 months and guess what now when i go in there i usually leave with the wipes and diapers and nothing else..heck i even shop the clearance section but it just not so apealing anymore.. it does get easier..its been almost a year since i quit shopping stores for fun and now its not all that fun anymore(i still go to goodwill once a week).