I have gotten really good recently at not spending more when they are with me. I generally allow a few "pleasure" items for the kids to pick out -- such as a box of little Debbie snacks or Pringles. My no means no and they accept that -- I say no we do not need that now and its over.

We go and "look" in the toy isles all the time and when the kids see something they like we "add it to the list" -- there is no written official list that I keep. But the answer that something is added to the list seems to satisfy them -- it also gives me a good idea when birthdays and Christmas roll around and I need a gift idea. If they have commented 10 times at Target that they would like something particular I am pretty sure the gift will be liked.

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Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8), Hannah (6.5), and John(4.5)

That is why I don't take my kids grocery shopping with exception to Whole Foods and Wild Oats. Even those two place I avoid the cookie, chips and cereal isle. They see ads on T.V. and I think they go looking for these items. Most other shopping I do is online so no problem there.

YES!!! I spend more when I take DD because I can't focus on comparing prices and/ or getting out my coupons. I spend so much less when it is just me, so I tend to go when DH can watch DD. At 17 mo. old she doesn't ask for things, but I still spend more when she is w/ me.
Also I don't take DH with me, b/c he is always adding things to our cart and not following my list. I spend around $30- $40 more when he is w/ me.

It is sometimes harder to shop with the little one - 2 years - tagging along. If I want to price shop, I try to only take him if I only have a few things. If I had alot to shop for, I try to wait until dad comes home and then I can go alone.

I usually do pretty darn good with the kids with me. They know if they are good the whole time we are there, that before we check out they get to pick out one snack to share. There have been times that they were not good in the store and they did not get any treat. So they know I am not messing around when I tell them before we get out of the van, that they will behave in the store.
Now dh, is a completely different story! Last time I took him to the store, he ended up costing me $40 more than what I had planned on spending. I cant even remember everything that he got. I know he got a big package cheap steaks and came home and cooked it and it was tougher than a boot. Oh well. I have two meals planned for the rest of the steaks and they are both for the crock pot so we will all be able to chew it and nothing will go to waste.

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Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.
Jon Bon Jovi

Ive always taught my daughter that if youre really good in the store and use your manners you get a slice of cheese and a cookie(which they give the kids for free )when she was little I split the time...cheese after I did 1/3 of the store then the cookie for check out.

or I went at lunch time and she got to eat her lunch that I packed(she loved the "hello kitty" lunch box )

this kept asking for anything to a minimum and luckily not begging for things at the store just turned into a habit.

She's 6 now and we have a jar w/little papers folded and she gets to pick from the jar and its a surprise what she gets.

some are for a new book,or new toy($5max) but alot for healthy treats too.Last week she got to get provolone cheese from the deli and was thrilled cause she got to have cheese n crackers for snack that night.(she's happy and I'd have bought it anyway)

This is me, too!

Today I was at the store and my sister in law asked where the boys were. I told her, "I rarely take them out in public, now that they both can walk."

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~Wendy~Rock-n-roll Hippie~Mom to Bob and Jamie~Wife to Kevin~

"The glass is neither half full nor half empty rather; it is twice as big as it needs to be."~Ngan Nghiem

Living the Simple Life...one day at a time.

No, actually I spend less with the kids b/c I'm quicker. When it's just me I take my time down the aisles and come back with much more. With the kids I'm in and out with just what's needed.

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I am only one, but I am one. I can not do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do. -Edward Hale

No...I'm not influenced by who I have (or don't have) with me.

DH is far worse. He oohh's and aahhh's when he sees something sweet. I've been getting better and just walking away and ignoring him. My gosh he has a sweet tooth. Usually I go over $20-30 budget if he is with me. I've allowed one treat a week so it's working much better, as well as long as I make some sweet treat and have in the house it saves on the dairy queen runs he likes to make!