The Great 'Tricks to stop yourself spending' Hunt Revisited

RedGoose

If I'm tempted I try to ask myself whether I have space for it. If you think about the storage space that some things need (which you're paying for in terms of rent/mortgage) then they're not such a bargain. Sometimes space is the biggest luxury of all!

(Someone I know was recently looking at moving house and I heard her say "It'll need to be a big house to fit all our stuff". I was a little shocked by this- do we buy houses to live in or as a receptacle for our possessions?)

shzbaby

I cut my spending by knowing the hourly rate of my salary and then asking myself:
"Is "desired item" really worth me slaving away at my desk for the equivalent amount of time it will take to buy it?"
Personally I find this makes me put "desired item" back on the shelf very rapidly!

Asiacat

One thing that worked for me was to cover the danger zone.

There are 168 hours in a week for around 70 hours a week you are either asleep getting ready to go to bed or pulling yourself around after getting up.

For 50 hours a week you are either at work or travelling to and from work.

For another 20-30 hours a week your current routine watching TV, chilling out on a Sunday etc. means you are not spending any money then.

All in all there are probable only 20 to 25 hours a week when you are actually likely to be involved in discretionary spending. This is the danger zone.

What you do is make a list of your own danger zones (for most people this means all day on a Saturday and a couple of hours each evening) and then actively plan to do something else during this time.

You can watch a dvd, surf the net, make love, read, play on a games console, play sport or indeed anything that costs less than you would normally spend during that time.

Cover the danger zone and watch your spending tumble and your savings rocket.

Slowdown

I once read a book that included a quote from the Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who as he wandered through a market, was heard to say "What a lot of things I do not need."
If he thought that, all those years ago, then surely it applies a thousand fold today.
It is something I run through my head often when wandering around the shops myself. It helps.

Kind regards
Slowdown

Wordyme

I write a list...

The list is called "Things I would like to own". Once something's on the list, it's half way to actually owning it for real, since I will somehow definitely buy it in the future.

CKgeordieinlondon

I just keep away from a certain high street chemist.

I used to be such a sucker for their meal deal, and once in there would merrily stock up on all the 3 for 2s. Usually spending at least £20 but more than likely £30.

Now when I treat myself to a sandwich (and it is an occasional treat, not a daily thing ) I just go to the local deli. It might cost a little more for the actual sandwich but better to spend an extra 50p then an extra £25

dotdash79

I've stopped going past shops now. I only go if I need something and I have a list in mind.

Dolly_DD

All of these tips are brilliant. I have conditioned myself to do a lot of them. Most tie in with what I learnt when I was loosing weight. Don't go to the supermarket without a list, stick to it, only take the money you need, don't go food shopping when you are hungry, always take your own food and snacks with you (you know exactly what you are eating then). And as a consequence I found I was naturally saving money, loosing weight (hurrah) and feeling healthier generally as I wasn't eating rubbish. I find it so interesting how all these factors rub along together and all impact each other.

Ken68

With food buying I now find myself checking the protein and calorie values, and never ever purchasing something where I can't see a unit price.

supersaver1000

Asiacat wrote: »

One thing that worked for me was to cover the danger zone.

There are 168 hours in a week for around 70 hours a week you are either asleep getting ready to go to bed or pulling yourself around after getting up.........

.....You can watch a dvd, surf the net, make love, read, play on a games console, play sport or indeed anything that costs less than you would normally spend during that time.

Cover the danger zone and watch your spending tumble and your savings rocket.

Brilliant - I am going to download the song that goes something like 'half-way through the dangerzone' to remind myself of this!

shzbaby wrote: »

I cut my spending by knowing the hourly rate of my salary and then asking myself:
"Is "desired item" really worth me slaving away at my desk for the equivalent amount of time it will take to buy it?"
Personally I find this makes me put "desired item" back on the shelf very rapidly!

Very true - thank you both for the tips. :T:j