Addicted to spending!!!!!!

positivelypunked

I'm not in any debt but fear that one day I would be.

I just can't stop spending my money...it mostly goes on food and my partner.
I've struggled for the past 2/3 years to save money
on my own and now i find it harder with my relationship.

i also find it hard to say no, in the morning i have a clear mind and i say no to myself
but come 6pm,coming out of work i've brought chocolate or sweets to make myself feel better...

i've had to use my savings this month where i've ran out of money almost.
no matter how often i try to not spend, i always do...

i am shamefully going to admit this but i am addicted to spending money...
but i never feel good about it.

i litterally have nothing in my bank to show for the £13,000 (with bills included) a year i earn :
when I look at it that way i get panicky... I literally have £83 in my savings.
I have so much I'd like to save up for as well but i don't help myself.


How do I stop, what are some tips?

Jeems

First solution is to not take any cash or cards with you to work, only exact money for what you may need. That would be a start.

andyfromotley

Check out,
dave ramsey podcast,
Mr Money Mustache
Living Stingy

i found all of these helped me re assess my relationship with money.

Sanctioned_Parts_List

Keep a spending diary.

At a guess, you don't remember most of what you spend money on, or why you spent it; nor do you know how much you have left, what's due or whether you've already spent the money you're about to spend (but the payment just hasn't cleared yet). But life is good and you're having fun, and you're young and free and buying stuff or splashing out feels good. Briefly.

This is the precipice, and you have one foot dangling over it.

Keep a spending diary.

Just being aware of what you have now, what's already committed and what's left has an almost magical effect on one's desire to spend... it pretty much evaporates. It doesn't have to be fancy - no software required. Just a pen and paper, or a simple spreadsheet.

positivelypunked

I've downloaded and app where I can see all my spending & what i've spent it on.
Food is a really big area where I spend so I am trying to cut down...it goes with my loosing weight goal.

I've also put a huge amount away so far,since I was paid yesterday.

Hermia

Try not to go to places where you know you will spend. Where are you buying the sweets and chocs after work? Can you walk home a different way so you avoid shops? I switched to online grocery shopping a few years back because it is so easy to just put little things in the trolley in a supermarket.

mangle101

positivelypunked wrote: »

I've downloaded and app where I can see all my spending & what i've spent it on.
Food is a really big area where I spend so I am trying to cut down...it goes with my loosing weight goal.

I've also put a huge amount away so far,since I was paid yesterday.

Maybe you're putting too much away to begin with so the amount you're left with gets spent very quickly meaning you have to dip into the savings. Try saving a more realistic amount each month, start a spending diary & see where that takes you.

Kodagirl

I find its easier to spend money, when I use my debit card, because that's not money, is it? How about when you get paid, if you can, withdraw your 'spending' money for the month? Distribute the money into 4 piles, and carry with you, the weeks worth, any left over, hold back, and do the same the following weeks, if you have any left over, at the end of the month, save it. It's so much easier spending when your just putting a plastic card in a chip and pin, when you can see cash going that you've worked for, i think it changes the mind set. Whatever small changes you do, you can and will do it.��