As a stay-at-home mom, I get bored and feel like I need to go somewhere and spend money everyday. I was just thinking about how well I did today because I went to the playground (free) and the library (free). Then I realized I spent money at the library; 40 cents on 4 magazines. Ok, that's not bad, but I know if I don't go anywhere I could save money. But then I will have to get a new hobby.
Do you spend $ everyday?
If not, what do you do?

I stay at home a lot! LOL BUT, when I do go out, yep, I spend. I feel guilty, too, but darn it, with six kids, someone always needs something, or something in the kitchen is low, or just SOMETHING, you know?!? I do have to say, though, that age is catching up with me. I am finding that I sort of LIKE being at home more. I dread WalMart or Target...and haven't been to the mall since before LAST Christmas!!

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

I'm so glad i'm not the only one that feels this way!!! It's very hard not to be tempted to go shopping especially since both my kids are in school now. For some reason i have a really hard time during PMS and have to be careful or i will spend like crazy during this time. Sometimes just being able to buy a cup of coffee while out of the house is enough to curb the urge to spend.Hitting a garage sale helps too, then i don't feel so guilty for spending,since it's not full price.
I try to keep myself busy with a good book, or some kind of small project inside the house,or just a long walk, maybe try a recipe you never tried before?

Garage sales and Goodwill are my downfall. I don't even know why I go..cause I KNOW there is SOMETHING there I need!!!

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

I think I spend money most days of the week....I have 3 kids and one on the way and going out of the house is really the only way I am around other adults not to mention other people. It is not a good thing that I spend everyday but find it to be a lifesaver on "those " days.....even hough sometimes the hassles of going out and about seem not worth the benefits....can't resist!

LOL - this is how I'm feeling too. Maybe it is an age thing - younger kids that is. When my boys were younger I felt like I LIVED at the Target, our twins club did stroller days at the mall, or I would meet friends at the McDonalds playyard. I think I felt I had to "GO" somewhere or I would go nuts. Now my guys are 8, and in school and between my volunteering comitments, DS's therapy appointments, I would just rather stay at home. Plus the fact that I've had an epithany that I just don't need the "stuff" around me and shopping only encourages that for me.

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Debbie

"Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." --Benjamin Franklin

I start the day thinking about what I am going to do I start out with a to do list and end up talking myself into going somewhere. Worst yet I am well intended and say we'll go to the library and then say to myself "while I am out I should stop in this store or that store." Their is always a reason to shop Halloween and fall is coming. It is terrible. Now I am starting to take out $100 for grocery's a week the leftover will go yo the monthky BJ's bill and fun. Seeing the cash and knowing how much I have to spend helps keep me out. I'm not brave enough to leave credit card at home but I am trying not to use it.

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I'm the same way. I absolutely HATE going to the mall. I only go if I absolutely have to. I never wander and browse at Wal-Mart and Target. If I go there, I'm going for a specific thing. I grab what I need and get the heck out of there!

Like maoftwinboys, I would go out a lot when my dd was younger. I don't know why, but I found staying at home with an itty bitty kid who couldn't do anything for herself to be quite boring. Once she got older, we didn't go out as much.

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"Everything happens for a reason, but there may not be a point." ~ Kinsey Millhone

I'm pretty good about not spending. I know I can't afford it so that helps and when I see how much we owe on credit cards and our car loan that puts a damper on anything I want to buy. I have spent the last eight years trying to fix our credit because when we got married my dh had collections, outstanding debt, etc. It was horrible.

I think that if you wake up in the morning and just do what you have too you'll find that you're so busy you won't worry about going to the store. That will defeat boredom which I know is probably the major cause of impulse buys. Take up a project you've been putting off. It will make you feel good not guilty and you can treat your self at the end of the project with a trip to a coffee shop or bookstore. This way you won't be spending everyday and you'll have something to look forward too.

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Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy. ~Author Unknown

I work full time and during my lunch hr I like to go out to a store or something. I usually go to the thrift store and look around. Lately Ive been going home for lunch, eating there and watching some tv. It helps save money. I remember last July when I was on a week vacation, my son was at summer school and I didnt know what to do with myself...I found myself at a store - again!
Im not in any debt but I also dont want alot of extra crap at home to clutter it. I keep that in mind everytime Im out.

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Alex & the spider monkey