Nervous of my own challenge - reduce or stop spending!

coraline_2

Yes! I feel like this a lot, especially when I have done a piece of work for uni or some other thing I have worked hard on, I feel I need a new 'treat'! My usual way of getting around it, apart from hitting the charity shops or Primark (naughty), is to go through my clothes/CDs/DVDs etc and watch/listen to something I haven't had time to for a while, or try to make some new and more interesting outfits out of stuff I already own, listen to new music on YouTube etc, or read blogs about what other people have bought and live vicariously through them!

If I do buy something in the fit of the spends I usually regret it after - OS is generally a lot more satisfying! and, as my dad always used to say, 'doing well is its own reward' - I kind of know what he means now!

maryb

I have at least three different persona - and they all need shopping for! I'm guilty of buying for the life I (sometimes) want to lead and not the life I actually lead. If I could just settle on the one 'me' I would find it so much easier. I ought to keep reminding myself I actually hate the gym then I won't tempted by new sportswear

Disflop

Well its nice to see I am not alone! Thanks for your replies. I am finding myself on here more now, gleaning bits of knowledge and improving my skills all the time (I hope).
Purpleclutterbuck - re other peoples choices - thinking back over the last few days maybe this is why my little monster has surfaced - spent a day with friends who seem to have it all and do it all! I used to be like them, but since making the decision to live within our means I have to admit I sometimes feel ashamed of how much money I have wasted in the past.
Anyway, onwards and upwards, I shall return to my crafting secure in the knowledge that others share my affliction, but first I will make myself a cuppa and enjoy one of Twinks hobnobs - possibly one of the best ever finds on MSE for me!

Caterina

Hi, I am also glad that it is not just me! I get like that when I go to M&S to top up food shopping - all the amazingly easy ready-meals and pre-cut, pre-washed veg really beckon, especially after 3 months of receiving industrial amounts of muddy carrots, swede and parsnips in my organic veg-box!

I also get like this when I buy a (rare) woman's magazine, I find that I really want this or that and it gives me a dissatisfaction (totally unreasonable) with my lovely frugal and simple life. I need to stay really on the alert about this feeling and I understand it is quite commonly generated by women's mags (e.g. "the whatever you cannot live without", "this season's MUST HAVE frippery" etc...).

The trick is to come back here and admit to these very normal feelings (a bit like being among mothers and admitting that sometimes you would love to thump your little darling, really - you think it, then you say it, but then you don't do it and that's the important part!) , then give oneself a moderate treat if the impulse is really strong, and then re-direct one's attention. It works for me, how about for others?

Butterfly_Brain

Sometimes I say to hell with it and buy a little treat usually a cookery book (addicted) You have to have a little something now and then to keep your sanity. And why not? if you have been going without for a long time.

ginnyknit

I also get the urge to splurge, to have a little luxury or turn the heating up but like everyone else so far I just find something to do to occupy myself. Today I realised its Mums 80th next week so I dug out some Aida and grabbed a bag of threads I got cheap a couple of years ago and started a sampler for her. My main unhappiness is my rented house but have got used to the fact that i will have to do the best I can here. I think a little treat is good for everyone though.

katholicos

I got the urge to splurge (thanks ginny, great expression) today. I'm now really cross with myself though. I feel very silly. It's a slow growing learning curve i'm on.

charlies-aunt

ginnyknit wrote: »

I think a little treat is good for everyone though.

Would agree with this totally Ginnyknit- I suppose that the trick is to keep it within reasonable limits a little bit of what you fancy does you good like when you have to have something sweet so you buy a small milky way but avoid buying mega box of Continental Chocs

When I get the urge, I hit the charity shops and car boot sales for vintage costume jewellery - wear it until the novelty wears off and then ebay it or redonate it:)

*Vikki*

I too have this problem! I try to limit it to under a few pounds treat or buy for birthdays. That way I get the feeling of a spend.

larmy16

I also allow myself a small amount of money to spend as I please. It stops me from going crazy on yet another gadget.

For example the other day, I just happened to read about an electric potato peeler. I looked on ebay and was on the verge of clicking buy, even though the non-spending angel on my shoulder was yelling NO................! Luckily I looked at the reviews on Amazon and they said they were rubbish and didn't work.

That could have been £30 down the drain!!!

If I just want to spend money for the sake of it (what is that all about?) - I will use it to buy toilet rolls/loo cleaner, a special offer on bleach - just as long as it is something that will get used up.