I am stopping the shopping!!

[madisonlovestoshop]

I am saving money now by curbing my shopping habit. I have stuff in my closet that still has TAGS on it!! Not only that I was filling up my son's room with excess bags and boxes. My DH was getting frustrated because we'd never have enough money saved to go away on vacation. He doesn't spend anything. If he does, it is only something he needs, like a car part or a shirt, etc. I used to shop all the time and had (still paying off) some credit card debt. I read some books and never got help until I read Ways to Stop Shopping and Start Saving on amazon. My husband bought it for me and I already saved $575 toward our goal-a trip to Paris in 2013!!!!! I now think twice before I go in a store and I go with a list. If I see something and dmy heart starts racing I leave and think about it for a few days at least. If we need it, I get it, if not, I decide is it worth taking money away from my paris trip?? Supporters, please chime in what you do to stay out of stores! We can have our own support group!!

[clintdavis]

Good job Madison! My wife and I sit down before each month begins to plan out our budget. We include all of the things we need, and then figure out which of our wants should be in the budget. But here's the clincher...once we decide on the month's budget and agree to it, it is set in stone. I commit to not spending money on anything that wasn't in the budget and she does the same. If one of us wants to make a purchase that isn't in the budget, we have to discuss it first. We also have to decide where the money will come from. We have to take the money out of a different budget category. So if she wants to buy a pair of shoes but it wasn't in the budget, we have to take the shoe money away from our restaurant money or the money we planned to save for the month.

Keep it up...you're doing a good job and...enjoy Paris!!!

Thanks for sharing Madison.

[Pansori]

Madison, I love your post and I think it is very inspirational. My problem was never shopping, I have never been a big shopper. But I have friends who like to go out and have fun, so I would tag along only to wake up to a bruised and damaged checking account. When I realized how deep it was cutting into my finances I had to let that go. I still enjoy spending time with my friends, but ask them for a cheaper evening (like dinner at home and a movie). They are usually very open to it because they are broke, anyway! The last time I went out we ate salad and hamburger helper while watching Scott Pilgrim.

Also, before I go out I set myself a budget... "I will not spend more than $20 tonight..." You would think $20 would be enough for one person, but everything is very expensive! I just graduated college and am working on my emergency funds, something I honestly should have done a while back. My goal is to have my 3 months EF this time next year, and then I will be saving for a house.

[Frugal]

I have stopped all "fun" shopping altogether, if it is something I do not absolutely need RIGHT then. This would apply mainly to clothes and accessories. I still stock up on groceries, and if anything have increased my grocery shopping. I help pay for it by using more coupons and rebates, etc. and sending off for more free samples. I get on average 3-7 free samples per week in the mail, sometimes more or less depending on the week.

I would cut up all my credit cards if I could, but I have never been tempted to use them when shopping. They are only for emergencies for me, but I see how people get into trouble with them, for sure!

I am able to save a lot of money by shopping a lot less now than I did one or two years ago.

If I do go to the mall (once every 3 months or so), I use coupons for each purchase. Today, I got some liquid calcium I needed for only $3.24 at Vitamin World, after a 40%-off coupon, and my membership discount bringing the price down to $4.99.

Still striving each and EVERY day to find more ways to cut my expenses and save more money.

[khosta]

My problem has always been shopiing!!!!! BUT I am getting better too - especially with my boyfriends help!! After paying bills I would spend the rest of my money on clothes, shoes, make up, etc.... I was really stupid!!! Now I'm getting into saving and only buying FOOD, for teh week and not eating out!!!! I'm trying to save! It's hard.... but I'm working on it!!! Great post though!!!! Very inspirational!!!!

[CouponRefund]

Originally Posted by clintdavis

Good job Madison! My wife and I sit down before each month begins to plan out our budget. We include all of the things we need, and then figure out which of our wants should be in the budget. But here's the clincher...once we decide on the month's budget and agree to it, it is set in stone. I commit to not spending money on anything that wasn't in the budget and she does the same. If one of us wants to make a purchase that isn't in the budget, we have to discuss it first. We also have to decide where the money will come from. We have to take the money out of a different budget category. So if she wants to buy a pair of shoes but it wasn't in the budget, we have to take the shoe money away from our restaurant money or the money we planned to save for the month.

Keep it up...you're doing a good job and...enjoy Paris!!!

Thanks for sharing Madison.

I really appreciate your planning and I also do the same. But I want to add one more thing that you should use coupon and coupon codes by using them you can get discount on your shopping and can save hundred of dollars. I search for coupon before shopping any thing and mostly I get coupon or coupon codes for my desire store. There are so many coupon offering site where you can get free coupons.

[dawnwes]

Take back what you can if the tags are still on it!

I am taking back things today that I have used.....thankfully Bed Bath and Beyond has a good return policy.....the stupid thing chipped the first time I used it (fondue pot.)

However, I will share my retail therapy secret- I take out X amount of cash and go yard sale-ing! It is amazing what people are getting rid of.

Dawn

[Angelynne]

Originally Posted by madisonlovestoshop

I am saving money now by curbing my shopping habit. I have stuff in my closet that still has TAGS on it!! Not only that I was filling up my son's room with excess bags and boxes. My DH was getting frustrated because we'd never have enough money saved to go away on vacation. He doesn't spend anything. If he does, it is only something he needs, like a car part or a shirt, etc. I used to shop all the time and had (still paying off) some credit card debt. I read some books and never got help until I read Ways to Stop Shopping and Start Saving on amazon. My husband bought it for me and I already saved $575 toward our goal-a trip to Paris in 2013!!!!! I now think twice before I go in a store and I go with a list. If I see something and dmy heart starts racing I leave and think about it for a few days at least. If we need it, I get it, if not, I decide is it worth taking money away from my paris trip?? Supporters, please chime in what you do to stay out of stores! We can have our own support group!!

Ughh! I'm sharing the same sentiment.. Whenever i pass by in a mall, i just couldnt stop myself going inside and take a look with the offers.. especially when the items are discounted.. haha! but i admit it's wrong to be this way cause i also need to save up. so whenever i go out, i just bring almost exactly an amount that i think i will be spending for the whole day. of course i'd bring extra if i think emergency comes up. this idea for me is effective. whenever i go out, i just leave intentionally my cards so i wouldn't be tempted to buy things that are not on the plan.

[snafu]

We started a New item in, Old Item Out plan which had an amazing effect on reducing spending. For example, if i bought a new pair of black heels, an existing pair had to go. No way, I love my shoes! Until a pair is wrecked or hopelessly out-of-date, I will pass up new. Looked over the entire family's winter boots this AM [seeing the snow in NY...Yikes winter is coming]. All are in reasonable condition, no new boots to be bought! The quality of some I saw in the stores yesterday was poor. I think these are now being made in an African 3rd world country.

We now need to know what we will relinquish to have a new item. Shopping isn't entertaining, it sure doesn't fill the hole in your heart after the initial ping. If you're running a credit card balance the interest jolt is downright bad for you.