I really like Joan's reward idea. You might even be able to break the coping mechanisms of spending, etc., with little rewards to lead up to something you really want. A vacation or a new couch or something you've wanted to save for, but the spending gets in the way. You could reward yourself for each time you break the cycle or return something. A dollar in a jar or something. And, you can't take anything from it until you meet a certain goal. The feeling of accomplishing the goal will be more than the temporary feeling of the spending. And, you'll establish new patterns. I think I'll give this idea to DS to try! He has real trouble saving for something he REALLY wants because he doesn't see it as attainable and spends on little things instead.
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