Comments on: Resisting the Temptation to Buy http://almostfrugal.com/2010/06/14/resisting-the-temptation-to-buy/ Learning about frugality Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:32:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Things to Write Home About – 6/27/10 | Feels Like Homehttp://almostfrugal.com/2010/06/14/resisting-the-temptation-to-buy/#comment-8019 Things to Write Home About – 6/27/10 | Feels Like Home Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:26:18 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=5005#comment-8019 [...] Kelly at Almost Frugal wrote about resisting the temptation to buy [...] [...] Kelly at Almost Frugal wrote about resisting the temptation to buy [...]

]]> By: Donna Freedmanhttp://almostfrugal.com/2010/06/14/resisting-the-temptation-to-buy/#comment-8007 Donna Freedman Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:06:18 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=5005#comment-8007 I recommended a number of different tactics in an article called "How not to buy too much" over at Wise Bread. But here are the basic questions that I use on myself: * Do I really need this? * If I get it, will my life be significantly improved? * If I don't get it, will my life be substantially diminished? * Do I already have something that will suffice? That's usually enough to make me think rationally about spending. Note, however, that sometimes I *do* make the purchase. I just want it to be a deliberate, informed decision. If it's kosher to post URLs, here's the link: http://www.wisebread.com/how-not-to-buy-too-much I recommended a number of different tactics in an article called “How not to buy too much” over at Wise Bread. But here are the basic questions that I use on myself:
* Do I really need this?
* If I get it, will my life be significantly improved?
* If I don’t get it, will my life be substantially diminished?
* Do I already have something that will suffice?
That’s usually enough to make me think rationally about spending. Note, however, that sometimes I *do* make the purchase. I just want it to be a deliberate, informed decision.
If it’s kosher to post URLs, here’s the link:
http://www.wisebread.com/how-not-to-buy-too-much

]]> By: Kellyhttp://almostfrugal.com/2010/06/14/resisting-the-temptation-to-buy/#comment-7994 Kelly Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:00:10 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=5005#comment-7994 Ah, another good tip: how long will I have to work to buy this. When I calculate that something costs 1/15 of my monthly salary... well, I put it back pretty quick! Ah, another good tip: how long will I have to work to buy this. When I calculate that something costs 1/15 of my monthly salary… well, I put it back pretty quick!

]]> By: SimplyMehttp://almostfrugal.com/2010/06/14/resisting-the-temptation-to-buy/#comment-7993 SimplyMe Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:33:09 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=5005#comment-7993 Interesting post and perspective. Sounds like you've come a long way! Me too. I used to shop for the fun of it, and in the process I'd rationalize that I "needed" to replace this or that, or that I really didn't shop "that much" so it was okay if I did it every now and then. At some point I realized I had more clothes than I could wear in a season (not an insane amount, but more than a person needs), plus I got tired of the return-and-buy shuffle. I was wasting more time shopping and returning than I was enjoying life. Now I have very little interest in shopping, have adopted a minimalist wardrobe with only my favorite items that look great and make me feel wonderful, and I no longer even desire something different or another color. When I think about how long it takes me to earn the money to pay for "another" Ann Taylor blouse, that's when it's easy to say no thanks! Interesting post and perspective. Sounds like you've come a long way! Me too. I used to shop for the fun of it, and in the process I'd rationalize that I "needed" to replace this or that, or that I really didn't shop "that much" so it was okay if I did it every now and then. At some point I realized I had more clothes than I could wear in a season (not an insane amount, but more than a person needs), plus I got tired of the return-and-buy shuffle. I was wasting more time shopping and returning than I was enjoying life. Now I have very little interest in shopping, have adopted a minimalist wardrobe with only my favorite items that look great and make me feel wonderful, and I no longer even desire something different or another color. When I think about how long it takes me to earn the money to pay for "another" Ann Taylor blouse, that's when it's easy to say no thanks!

]]> By: Bucksome Boomerhttp://almostfrugal.com/2010/06/14/resisting-the-temptation-to-buy/#comment-7992 Bucksome Boomer Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:48:36 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=5005#comment-7992 I use a couple of the tricks you use such as the Amazon wish list and putting it in the cart and then leaving the website. It makes me feel like I went shopping without the price tag! I use a couple of the tricks you use such as the Amazon wish list and putting it in the cart and then leaving the website. It makes me feel like I went shopping without the price tag!

]]> By: Shannonhttp://almostfrugal.com/2010/06/14/resisting-the-temptation-to-buy/#comment-7991 Shannon Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:07:11 +0000 http://almostfrugal.com/?p=5005#comment-7991 Like you, I once was an impulse shopper, buying whatever I wanted just because. Now, I have become smarter with my money, but that doesn't mean I’m not tempted. What I like to do is keep a tally of every purchase I make. I budget a specific amount of money each month for food, clothes, etc. At the end of the month I write the difference of what I actually spent to my estimated costs. The thought of the number in the difference category being negative makes me think twice before opening my wallet. Shannon from FabulousSavings.com Like you, I once was an impulse shopper, buying whatever I wanted just because. Now, I have become smarter with my money, but that doesn't mean I’m not tempted. What I like to do is keep a tally of every purchase I make. I budget a specific amount of money each month for food, clothes, etc. At the end of the month I write the difference of what I actually spent to my estimated costs. The thought of the number in the difference category being negative makes me think twice before opening my wallet.

Shannon from FabulousSavings.com

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