Resisting temptation

CRALISLIS

i hadn’t realised fully until recently how massively exposed I was to marketing and adverts. Of course I knew that watching tv would bring up adverts and scrolling through my FB feed too, but just recently I have paid more attention to it and have decided to actively do something about it with a view to being tempted to buy less than I currently do!

What do you do to resist temptation of buying more than you need or things that you don’t need?

Kaylataste

I imagine that the thing I want is on my dining table and the money for it is next to it,then I ask myself “do I want the product or do I want the money more?”
more often than not I want to keep my money!
And I stay off social media,especially Instagram with all the lovely make up!

Edgeoftheburn

I have started to keep a waiting list for anything I decide I want/need, if in 30 days I still feel the same I go ahead and buy. Amazing how much doesn't get bought.

Brie

put all your credit cards and debit cards in a bowl of water in the freezer.  literally.  

Blackcats

I unsubscribe from mailing lists.  Amazing how many marketing emails arrive that trigger me into thinking I want whatever the company are offering.  I used to head off onto the linked website and start browsing even when I hadn't even thought I wanted anything from that company before the email.
when I do actually want to buy something I often sign up for the deal that's often offered - sign up for our emails and get 10% off - I get the 10% and then unsubscribe. 

flipflopflo

Another way is to visualise how many hours work you would need to do to pay for the item, that’s your take home wage after tax etc. 

so for example if you earned £10 an hour after taxes etc. and the food mixer you covet is £100. Then you would have to work 10 hours to pay for it. Is it worth a day and a bit of your labour?

Rosa_Damascena

flipflopflo said:

Another way is to visualise how many hours work you would need to do to pay for the item, that’s your take home wage after tax etc. 

so for example if you earned £10 an hour after taxes etc. and the food mixer you covet is £100. Then you would have to work 10 hours to pay for it. Is it worth a day and a bit of your labour?

^^ The principal behind MSE Martin's spending demotivator.

I have not subscribed to SM feeds such as FB and Instagram realising early its just a waste of time combined with a marketing grab. Unlike @Edgeoftheburn, if there's something I want I add it to my P'interest board and sooner or later I find it / very similar through the medium of the chazzer.

JIL

Brie said:

put all your credit cards and debit cards in a bowl of water in the freezer.  literally.  

I know all the details of my credit card off by heart 😔

Edgeoftheburn

Rosa_Damascena said:

flipflopflo said:

Another way is to visualise how many hours work you would need to do to pay for the item, that’s your take home wage after tax etc. 

so for example if you earned £10 an hour after taxes etc. and the food mixer you covet is £100. Then you would have to work 10 hours to pay for it. Is it worth a day and a bit of your labour?

^^ The principal behind MSE Martin's spending demotivator.

I have not subscribed to SM feeds such as FB and Instagram realising early its just a waste of time combined with a marketing grab. Unlike @Edgeoftheburn, if there's something I want I add it to my P'interest board and sooner or later I find it / very similar through the medium of the chazzer.

That is a great idea Rosa, no Charity shops near me but Marketplace of Face has been very good to us recently when I have made an effort to look. I think my wait list will have a new dimension for 2022 and a tracking of £ saved 😄

baggins11

I am so glad I found this post.  I have just been browsing my favourite companies websites like a magpie this evening.  I don't need anything but sometimes get the urge just to buy stuff!  I think for me it's as much about the action of buying that makes me feel I am doing something positive/making a step forward.  I need to turn this feeling around and feel positive when I don't let these companies part me from my cash.  

I think also the strategy of working out how many hours work is a good one for me.  I am hoping to retire early in the next 10 yrs so spend less= work less is a really good incentive to save.

Also I am trying to buy more quality stuff and less of it.  For example recently I treated myself to 100% washed linen bedding.  It was about 4 times the price of what I would usually spend but I took ages researching and choosing what to go for.  For me it was a great investment that I absolutely love and will last many years.  No more buying bedding in the sales then regretting it and buying more in the next sale.

I do also like the idea of the 30 day waiting list and might try that one.

Rosa_Damascena

baggins11 said:

I do also like the idea of the 30 day waiting list and might try that one.

I also try to defer big spends for as long as I can, at least waiting until the new cc month starts. The psychological impact of the wait has benefits.