If you're a former shopping junkie who gave up her habit, share your tips with our readers. What do you do know to fill your time? Now that you're not in the mall or driving around to stores as much, what are you doing to keep yourself occupied? Any tips?

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computer time!!

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~Happiness is a large family~

i found that the more i shopped the messier my house was..now to fill my time i keep my house very clean laundry is always done(and put away!) this in the end leaves me more time to play with my kids and i now can have time to sit down and read a magazine(i get from the library for free). i found the more i shopped the more disorganized my life at home was and it created alot of stress becuase i was constantly running around trying to get things done at the last minute...

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'The will of God will never take you where the
Grace of God will not protect you.'

I was never a "in the store" type shopper, I was an online shopper. That habbit is harder to break because the computer is always right there and there is always an amazing clearance sale going on somewhere and it's just a click away! I just stopped checking the sale sites completely. I don't even open the posts on this site that scream "bargan alert" at me. I used to check them every single day. It was really hard to stop, I even had to stop getting the freebies because it just got me shopping again. It truly was an addiction!

I still spend too much time on the computer, but it try to limit it to early in the morning and evenings after the kids go to bed and my dh goes to work. Now that it's summer, I'm spending more time doing little projects around the house and playing with the boys. I really need to try to break this computer addiction too!

Well we live a lot farther from the stores now! lol I rarely leave my house and go shopping, what always got me was the fact that I was bored at lunch during the week and would go shopping just to get out of the office. Now I fill that time with errands that have to be ran or the library.

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Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley

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I still hit the malls, but for fitness purposes or to talk with friends. I think shopping is a great activity only just don't buy anything. Or have set amounts that are a good deal like with clothing. A shirt under $5 or pants under $10 I will consider trying on and yes sometimes you can find them that low. Anything else forget it. Luckily its nicer weather so my friends and I spend less time in the malls.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

I used to find any excuse to shop, but now that I'm a SAHM I have to watch every penny if i want to continue to stay home with my DD#3 who's 10 mos. I learned how to sew and make baby dresses for my daughter and skirts for my other 2 DD's. Only thing is when I need something like thread I have to leave my money, cc and debit at home or I will come home with more fabric, needles, lace, etc. I already have these things, but i start thinking about what I could make with more! We go to the library once a week for the summer reading program and I make a list of books and I read. Also, cleaning, decluttering, laundry, etc. Also, I taught my girls how to play rummy, go fish and crazy 8's and we play cards. Also, painting each others nails, fixing each other's hair and watching a girlie movie from the library. We also cook together and make snacks like root beer floats, fruit salad, salsa, etc.

I've replaced shopping with practicing frugality. I like looking for ways to save money instead of spending money. I enjoy cooking and baking from scratch, making my own products, finding ways to reduce my expenses, clipping coupons, doing drugstore rebates, gardening, making my own cards and gifts,swapping books, finding bargains on things I need on Ebay etc. These activities take up a lot of my time, and I enjoy them.

Exercise and cleaning! I am losing weight and for the most part- my house is always ready for drop in guests, as for the kids rooms- that is another story!

I redirected my shopping! I put more thought and effort into the grocery ads and coupons, go to more yard sales and hit the consignment shops a lot! I currently take things in to 3 different shops one is child oriented and I get 50% store credit from the things of mine that have sold so I get to do some guilt free shopping there:happy dance: .

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Amanda
Mommy to Zack & Emily