How do you stop unnecessary spending? Tips/ideas

earwig

just ask your self whos money you are spending your or the banks credit card ect if its your cash then fine if it not you shoudnt be spending it

Fen_2

If you are going out shopping, whether for groceries or a new outfit, make a list of exactly what you need, your total budget, and cost per item (esp. easy for groceries as you can do the price comparison sites on line, then print out your price-itemised shopping list). Stick to it.

Never go food shopping when hungry - you'll throw in calorific extras that you don't actually need. Bad for the waistline, bad for the pocket.

Don't go shopping when upset or hormonal - you'll end up comfort shopping.

Always take a bottle of water with you to sip whilst going around the shops, even if you are only in Tesco's. Dehydration muddles thinking. Plus, you won't need that pick-me-up (expensive) cappuccino.

Ditto if you are out with children - keeping them hydrated will stop them begging for sweeties or fizzy drinks. If they are going to get hungry/grousy, a little tub of dried fruit and oat biscuits will stabilize blood sugar (this is a good travelling tip for grown-ups too), and can be easily kept in a handbag or in the car.

Snow_White_5

Every time you're tempted you could try visualising whatever it is you're saving money for e.g. if it's a house, imagine being handed the keys the day you complete the purchase. Imagine opening the door and going in, looking around and thinking "This is all mine". It works for me, but it's early days yet!

oops_a_daisy

Fen wrote: »

Don't go shopping when upset or hormonal - you'll end up comfort shopping.

so that means I can only go shopping about 2 days in every month then :eek:

reehsetin

Softstuff wrote: »

I tend to see things in terms of hours worked. So if something costs $14, that's an hour I have to work for it.... and the thing is seldom worth an hour at the job I have!

same, is it worth slugging my guts out for x hours

frugalpam

oops_a_daisy wrote: »

so that means I can only go shopping about 2 days in every month then :eek:

:rotfl: Sounds just like me! :rotfl:

Pam

Kaz2904

I think about how many days it will cost extra debt wise. How much is the real cost of the item when you work out how much you could actually save by using that money to pay off debt.
I also think would I be willing to give up anything else I own so that I can have this?

frugalpam

Lots of great ideas here that I'm going to use - thanks for posting!
:T :j :T

Pam

LookingAhead

I wish I had something to add but I have turned into a useless spending lump of late and have all but abandoned my DFW trail....

(I think I'd better subscribe to this thread! :rotfl:)

Actually when I am being good, I generally just ask myself if I really need it and I also think of how it will feel being debt free - or at least overdraft free.

frugalpam

LookingAhead wrote: »

I wish I had something to add but I have turned into a useless spending lump of late and have all but abandoned my DFW trail....

(I think I'd better subscribe to this thread! :rotfl:)

Actually when I am being good, I generally just ask myself if I really need it and I also think of how it will feel being debt free - or at least overdraft free.

I've been lazy this past week, and ended up spending too much on Saturday (see 1st post in thread). I'm pretty annoyed with myself :mad:

Still, I'm taking back the stuff I bought on Saturday and getting the money back, and today I've started another claim for refunds of unlawful charges (CC).

Had to nip out to the Post Office earlier on, and lingered by the magazine stand - nearly bought a mag. but said 'no, you'll end up flicking through it and not reading it' and walked on by :T

Been counting up my Quidco, Pigsback and Boots points - cash will go in the bank, vouchers are going to be used towards Xmas presents.

I stopped procrastinating today and applied for a council tax banding reassessment - had gathered up some evidence to support my claim.

And FINALLY I'm booking to go to the stopsmoking clinic and will be able to save a fortune that i'm currently wasting on fags :eek:

Doing all that has just helped me get more focused and put my money saving hat firmly back on my head :j

Pam