Spending Splurge...

kem10

After doing really well for a few weeks I went a bit mad today and spent much more than my weekly budget in one day. The guilt has kicked in though and tomorrow I will be returning much of what I bought.

This is my main issue, as soon as I get a bit of money together and feel comfortable I end up spending more than I should.

I was wondering if anyone else has any tips on how to avoid this splurging? As I'd like to get the 'habit' under control so once I clear my debt I can avoid getting it back.

Any hints or tips?

Asiacat

Just remember never turn a slip up into a give up.

You can't go back and undo your actions. Just resolve not to make the same mistake again.

tealady

Hi
Try tantric shopping (when you try to put off buying something - even for a day)
Leave cards at home (or freeze them!)
Or only carry cash (and only enough for what you need to buy
HTH

Learning2Budget

Factor a treat allowance into your budget. That way if you really want something you will be able to save yourr treat allowance up and buy it that way. It reduces the guilt and saves your budget. Also you can actually enjoy what you bought minus the guilt factor.x

katsu

I use charity shops for my splurges. I felt bad recently for spending about £40 in the CS :eek: But I got:
* a new coat for work - needed as mine was damaged
* a christmas pressie for my dad and one for my brother
* some brand new thermals - needed in this weather
* a gift for a friend - not really needed
* an item of jewellery for me - not really needed

So I did buy some non-essentials but I got them all for probably about what the coat would have cost if I had purchased it brand new.

This way I got some things I needed, some I wanted and feel like I had a big splurge so feel a bit guilty, but all for far less than if I was buying new.

datlex

kem10 wrote: »

After doing really well for a few weeks I went a bit mad today and spent much more than my weekly budget in one day. The guilt has kicked in though and tomorrow I will be returning much of what I bought.

This is my main issue, as soon as I get a bit of money together and feel comfortable I end up spending more than I should.

I was wondering if anyone else has any tips on how to avoid this splurging? As I'd like to get the 'habit' under control so once I clear my debt I can avoid getting it back.

Any hints or tips?

I find it best to go to expensive places because then you know you can't afford the things they have on sale.

CurlyTop

Learning2budget is so right, build a treat into your budget otherwise life feels as though all it is about is paying the bills.

I have 2 magazine subscriptions and welcome hearing them thump through the door each month.

My problem prior to debt was buying tons of books that I never got round to reading and most of which I gave away to charity shops (mad I know).

Until I got my kindle (paid for with a bonus from work over 2 years ago), I regularly used the library. Having purchased from Amazon in the past they recommend choices of books they think you will like. I used to have a look and note those that seemed right up my street. I'd then go to the library website and check the catalogue to order the book. I could reserve it for 80p. A treat for me with a nice milky coffee and the sense of achievement that I was still having my splurge but I was winning cos I was saving money also.

Also since debt I have started to keep a small pad and note what I spend the cash in my purse on. Sometimes its a real eye opener. I've a friend in work who has been persuading me to go for coffee at lunch, which invariably turns into having a bite to eat out too and that's added up (which is mad because I bring my lunch to work!). I've hit that in the head.

Life is for living but just make sure its within your means. The surge you get from having splashed the cash is only short term. When the realisation hits in, thats when its not good. Katsu makes a good point, try charity shops. Could always buy yourself something small, life a scarf to help brighten an outfit.

Best of luck. watch those pennies.

katy_ann

Im with you on this one, I need someone to hit me when I spend as I take almost everything back to the shops! x

debtfree*wannabee*

I also shop in charity shops and donate stuff there too so I get a kick out of getting a gift aid statement telling me how much money my old stuff raised for them. I can't buy clothes in real shops now as I am horrified at the prices.

I had a bad magazine buying habit but have gradually replaced most of them by subscribing to interesting websites instead. For example I like looking at home magazines and have discovered a fab website called apartmenttherapy which keeps me suitably entertained and doesn't cost a penny.

I also have a Kindle and have downloaded lots of classics that I want to re-read and they are all free! I finally got to read Anna Karenina thanks to Kindle (and loved it!)

Another weird thing I do is order lots of stuff on Amazon and put it in my basket but never actually pay for it. When I go in again I delete it all and realise I never actually wanted it in the first place.

If buying stuff and taking it back later is what you need to do, then so be it however you will break the habit if you can work out what the impulse to shop was in the first place.

kem10

Thanks everyone.

It generally happens when I'm stressed and trying to distract myself I think. I love the charity shop and adding it into my budget idea so I'll give that a go

Glad to know I'm not the only one who struggles with self control!