Reformed shopaholic? please can you give me the benefit of your advice

Rattlesnake_2

Hi All

It has been a while since i last posted on here. So hope you dont mind me coming back i really need some motivation at the moment. I seem to be spending money again this month. I have been really good recently. but think the spending is because i am so bored at work as we havent got much to do so online shopping starts. (though when this happens i try to do my food shopping on line which saves me more money than if i went to the supermarket) but have done this in advance for the next 3 weeks =O I did add to books into my basket this morning but i closed down the website before i entered my payment details.
I have brought the car to work today which is sill really as i get a bus for free to work (though the bus takes me a hour each way) but i know i will end up stopping off at some shops on the way home which i know i will end up spending to much money so i need to tell myself to get home and do the washing and put some things on ebay or just go home and watch the TV.
Hope everyone is well

ThinkingOfLinking

Hi Ziggles,
I did get a good deal; it was £329.99 on Amazon and I had £87 of vouchers to put towards it, plus I went via Nectar so earnt points.
Got a pair of jeans down from £40 to £10.90 today at Hollister. Great value and needed as not only do I have no dark grey ones but I also had to bin a pair last week which I've had since 2003 which were too threadbare with a massive hole in the leg (and not in a trendy way!!)
Got a jacket and pair of trousers waiting for me to collect at Next but really trying to be good and save money.
Did a massive food shop today as I am going to be bulk cooking some home made lasagnes etc to save money in the long run.

Primrose

If you feel your spending willpower is a little weak, then you have to take steps to prevent yourself from spending money.
1. Lock your credit card away. Never take it out with you. It is FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.
2. When you go shopping only take sufficient money for your IMMEDIATE URGENT NEEDS.
3. When you get paid every month, put every penny you don't need into a savings account which doesn't give you immediate access. Perhaps lodge a sum with a trusted relative who will hold it for you for emergencies so that you some money is available to you if you have an emergency.
4. When you see something you like, translate its value into the money you need for everyday living. If you see a £50 pair of shoes, remind yourself that "this is two weeks' groceries". A £100 item should be translated into one week's rent, etc. Try to think of consumer items in this way and then you might gradually see how much of your everyday living expenditure is being wasted on things you don't really need.

ThinkingOfLinking

Great tips Primrose. Thankfully, I don't have any credit cards but I already do all the things you suggested.

morocha

Anglea,yes she does look cute,all of them look so cute together!
FA... don't you hate the thought of getting new passport pics ? i did in those post office machine... the machine was nuts.. kept tell me.. now look straight, dont smile.. dont close your eyes.. all at the same time... and i look ridiculous but couldnt afford or wanted to spend another £5 in new pics...
Ziggles- yes she is part time at the mo, next year full time, she loves it so much that she cries when she has to come back.. weird child :rotfl:. so jealous..i wish i could to to Scotland too ! and London !!! not fair.
RS... primprose gave some very good tips., sometimes what i do when i am bored it is online shopping too but then before the check out i close the window.:eek:
Today i had a nightmare with me dd, she did not want to take her nightdress off ( princess dress) as her school uniform is not how a princess dresses.she kept telling me that she looked horible. I dont know where she gets this princess thing from, her dad and i never call her princess, she does not own any of those dvd.. we always get her funny ones.. toy story, madagascar// shrek....
ohh well... at least she is funny.

NGlady

Hi to all I have no time today

I went out last night - went to cinema and had a naughty meal. Isn't it strange the next day how when youve had a lot to eat the day before, your STARVING and your not normally? or is that just me?

Ah well - Friday for me today Targets going fairly well this month - YAY

ThinkingOfLinking

Morocha: I haven't had the passport photos done yet but yes, I hate them. Really do. And they're such a rip-off too!!

Just having a lazy, well-earnt day in, although I am going to be batch-cooking my home-made lasagne and then freezing it in portions...instant ready meals which are healthy, tasty, cheaper than the supermarket and best of all, you don't actually even need to go to the supermarket to get them!!

Rattlesnake_2

Hi All

Primrose thanks for the tips i shall keep these in mind. Luckly i only carry my one card with me but i dont know the pin number for it i only have it for online food shopping (i collect the amazon points). My other card which i know the pin for but have locked it away is all paid up so that is now my emergency card. I didnt go to the shops afterwork last night so didnt spend anything in the end i started to drive home forgot how mad it is driving in rush hour had a headache so i kept driving past all the shops went home and cooked my dinner (i nearly went out or got a take away but i didnt as got a fridge full of food so thought it would be a waste of money). Today i got the bus to work for free thought i would save my petrol as that is one thing i am able to save on but need to go to town after work to buy some cleaning things but need to remember only to buy what i need and nothing else. Luckly i have cash on me.
That is enough of me going on

hope you are all well

ziggles50

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

Just having a lazy, well-earnt day in, although I am going to be batch-cooking my home-made lasagne and then freezing it in portions...instant ready meals which are healthy, tasty, cheaper than the supermarket and best of all, you don't actually even need to go to the supermarket to get them!!

Hi FE
Don't know how you do it but i thought i'm put in my 2 cents worth;)...I use those lovely foil containers for freezing in portions. They are easier to stack in the fridge than bags and their size actually is a single serving (i weight mine out for WW). I get mine from poundland. Works a treat. And i just pull them out of freezer and into fridge in morning chuck em in the oven once i have the cardboard lid off and eat out them when done too- and hey presto meal for one- and no washing up:D

ziggles50

Hi NGlady- yup i'm always starving the day after too though i tend to put it down to having a 'movement' before bed. i have IBS- which means ,lovely food eaten out- even at a friend's house always ends up giving me troubles- bit of a 'mare but i love nice food so i aint gonna stop.:D