Flat Eric tries again ....

Flat_Eric

Wobblydeb wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me joining in but I got into the thread and am fascinated. I am really astonished that you have the willpower to walk to work because the fare went up, but not to stop yourself from buying a magazine in Tesco.

The relative effort is so much more to walk, and yet you can do it!

I am guessing that unless you can pin down WHY you spend the way you do, that you will always struggle to get a grip on it. The only alternative I can think of is replacing the habit, with something more healthy for your bank balance. Have you tried selling online before? Perhaps some of your crafting would sell well?

I purchase a monthly bus ticket for one company but have to utilise the services of another bus company for (a short) part of my journey home for which I have to pay for. Its not economical for me to buy a separate monthly ticket/pass because the journey is only about 5 mins. It takes me about 20-25 mins to walk. Now that the evenings are dark and its inevitably raining, I will happily pay for them to take me the short distance to the city centre so that I can catch my bus home. When Spring arrives, I shall probably go back to walking. I enjoy the walk. It rids me of my work demons from the day and gives me some quiet time. The fare increase was the second increase in as many weeks. At what point do we stand up and vote with our feet? I was uphappy that the fares had been increased yet the service provided was not improved. As the drivers were no doubt coming towards the end of their journey, they were typically running late and grumpy and not so much as a smile while they attempted to beat Michael Schumacher on their journey into town. Over a week the fare saved added up to quite a lot and meant I could treat myself to something that would last longer than the 5 minute commute to town. I also felt good that I was doing something beneficial for my health. Getting in some exercise without too much effort.

Its hard to say why I spend money. Perhaps its something I will be able to answer on 1 December 2012 when I have spent the year trying to save my £1000.

ZTD

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Its hard to say why I spend money.

Of course it is. It requires introspection and analysis. No one is expecting a glib answer, or even a whole answer. But you need to go through the process or you will just do the same things for the same reasons and get the same results.

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Perhaps its something I will be able to answer on 1 December 2012 when I have spent the year trying to save my £1000.

You seem keen to always push the looking at things in detail off into the future. Is there any reason for that?

Flat_Eric

ZTD wrote: »

Of course it is. It requires introspection and analysis. No one is expecting a glib answer, or even a whole answer. But you need to go through the process or you will just do the same things for the same reasons and get the same results.

I spend money probably for the same reasons most of us spend money. and I throw the question open to everyone following this thread. Why do you spend money ? and if you were given £100 to spend as you pleased, what would you spend it on?

ZTD wrote: »

You seem keen to always push the looking at things in detail off into the future. Is there any reason for that?

I am finding the process interesting and wonder whether in a year's time I will have a different attitude to money and how I spend it. I'm not putting off doing a self analysis, its more that I can't find the words to express what I want to say.

chickywiggle

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I spend money probably for the same reasons most of us spend money. and I throw the question open to everyone following this thread. Why do you spend money ? and if you were given £100 to spend as you pleased, what would you spend it on?

probably go for a meal with hubby and kids. get toddlerwiggle some lego - perhaps treat myself to some cross stitch stuff.

would LOVEEE some new saucepans but i hate spending that sort of money on "cooking utensils".

i rarly spend any money on ME! mostly on the kids/ house.

ZTD

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I spend money probably for the same reasons most of us spend money.

People don't spend money for the same reasons. If they did - I wouldn't have needed to ask.

Flat_Eric wrote: »

and I throw the question open to everyone following this thread. Why do you spend money ? and if you were given £100 to spend as you pleased, what would you spend it on?

Right now, I'd spend it on petrol. If I had to buy a "thing" (which is what my mother makes me do), I'd buy a bag to go in my boot (and tidy the small world of crap it has become for winter) and put the rest towards a kerosene lantern in case the power goes out this winter.

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I am finding the process interesting and wonder whether in a year's time I will have a different attitude to money and how I spend it.

How can you compare then with now, if you haven't explored "now"?

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I'm not putting off doing a self analysis, its more that I can't find the words to express what I want to say.

So use the words you can find and a little bit of arm-waving - just like everyone does.

Flat_Eric

I'm still struggling to explain why I spend money. I work so feel I should be able to treat myself if I want to buy a new book by my favourite author instead of waiting weeks for it to become available at the local library or hunting it down in the charity shop. (eta even if I'm overdrawn and have quids outstanding on my credit card). I like being able to treat loved ones if I see something I know they will like even if it isn't their birthday and christmas is months away. Why shouldn't I do the lottery? You have to be in it to win it :j and I would be a bit of a bore if I avoided office lunches at the pub and declined politely to donate to office collections for birthday/leaving presents.

I like being able to go into my local b00ts and treating myself to some shampoo/conditioner for my hair or perhaps a nice shower gel/bubble bath. it makes me feel good about myself if i have can such treats.

I spend money because I can. Each month my kindly employers deposit funds into my account to spend as I please. There is the boring stuff to be paid for of course but surplus funds can be spent as I wish.

I have the resources to fund additional spends with credit cards and overdrafts and this is what I want to work hard on because it isn't my money that I am spending and once in the slippery slope of spending your overdraft, each month you are at a disadvantage because half your salary is eaten up by paying back the bank.

My main project is to spend just what i have to be spent and to stop relying on my overdraft.
I will report each month how I am getting on!

ZTD

Not sure if this link will work, but give it a go... http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:dkVU3hpMhsMJ:www.corpsupport.info/newsletters/December-The%2520seven%2520deadly%2520sins%2520of%2520money.doc+alvin+hall+spending+sins&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgRVFxGfIhbXpjN66gHaQtwUFhOXVyFpdLhgmK_X0GKZfGbNcE83tpOzzRXGGqt5myCfSU7vYx3kGsP7u4reHNBfbs3upHnLtUo3c4Wv58RHRgcbVfMOdEOrsOgLZZOSd7qz2b1&sig=AHIEtbTKM6qYyAo7VapL6VUkPdBA-JT6-w

This is Alvin Hall...

Wobblydeb

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I spend money probably for the same reasons most of us spend money. and I throw the question open to everyone following this thread. Why do you spend money ?

Go on, I'll join in, and hope it helps in some way. Thinking about more frivolous times, I spent for a variety of reasons. The single biggest reason was probably boredom. When I lived alone I would go to the shops for something to do.

Once I was there, I would then be sold "the lifestyle". Virtually every retailer does it, and you need to be aware of it. Take for example Clarks, the shoe shop. They don't just show a picture of a shoe, they show someone looking trendy-but-comfortable walking around a European city. Inside my head, I would decide I needed those shoes for a never to be booked city break! It is a little moment of fantasy, and so much more fun than going to the shops with a planned purchase of "plain black courts for work because my old ones are too shabby now". If they can sell you the lifestyle, you will then do their job for them by justifying why you need the item!

What else ..... :think:

Some of my other frivolous shopping was for planned activities, and I still have that habit now. I see something for a craft activity, and can imagine what I could make with it. I get excited at the idea of creation and planning the project. It seems to slip my mind that I've still got the materials for another 6 unstarted projects!

The last reason again relates to boredom / loneliness. I spent more as a singleton because I was going out more socially. It is easier to spend a night in when you have company. My holidays were phenomenally expensive because I would go on organised activity holidays.

That is me though, and everyones' reason for spending are different. You mentioned treats making you feel good, and by recognising that, you have taken the first step towards controlling your subconscious spending rather than it controlling you.

Flat_Eric wrote: »

..and if you were given £100 to spend as you pleased, what would you spend it on?

Probably a nice meal out with OH. I don't spend a lot on eating out because it feels extravagant so it's nice to get a "freebie"

Flat_Eric

I've updated my financial spreadsheet this afternoon including making sure I've recorded all xmas gift spends. I still have some gifts to get but I'm pleased at what I have bought so far.

To help spread the cost and not have the financial hangover I had last year, I'm being quite strict. I've bought a page a day calendar as a joint present and intended to give money as well. Now I'm thinking it will just be the calendar and a small gift each, no money.

Instead of spoiling my siblings which I would love to do, its buying what I can afford.

I'm hoping that my pay this month and my pay at the end of December will cover xmas.

Flat_Eric

I paid off my credit card this evening with some of this month's pay cheque despite the temptation to only pay a little bit and worry about it instead in January. I have very little month left in my bank account now but hopefully that will mean I will think twice before I spend !

I suspect things won't be sorted by the end of December but I am hopeful that come the end of January, there will be no credit card and no overdraft :j