Something's definitely up

[wincrasher]

I don't know what it is with me lately. Seems like I WANT everything! I go to Costco and before I know it, my cart is full. I go on Amazon and click away.

This year I've bought 2 brand-new cars, countless household items and a mountain of food - pantry and freezers bursting, clothing and shoes out the whazoo. I have 15 pairs of sneakers (in their boxes)in the closet!

I'm not going into debt, and I don't feel out of control. Money is certainly not a problem. I always buy "bargains". But $1000 a week on "stuff" is just ridiculous!

Maybe it's just boredom. When work is hectic, I go weeks on end without buying a thing. I'll end up wearing shirts with holes in them. I run out of grcoeries and end up going out to eat so I can get back to work. When it's slow, like now, I have time to pursue other interest, hobbies, etc.

[cypher1]

Workout more

[Broken Arrow]

Yesterday, I wasn't really hungry, but I went to one of my favorite Chinese take-out places and got beef with broccoli anyways. I just really wanted to taste beef in brown sauce.

[Snodog]

Thank you for doing your part to keep the economy going. Keep up the good work.

Someone has to spend to make up for the "financial camels" such as myself.

[LuxLiving]

I go with cypher1. Maybe you just need more s.e.x.? There are ways of scratching itches w/o spending, but hey yeah, like Snodog says keeping that economy going while the rest of us are over here penny-pinching? Somebody's got to do it.

You do it your way, and I'll do it mine. Hopefully your way is enjoyable too???????

[wincrasher]

Lux,

That sounds like a good plan - I should definitely work on it. But probably not a money saver.

[snshijuptr]

This might sound a bit silly, but when I got that urge this week, I went to the library. It kinda feels like shopping except it doesn't cost anything. Just an idea.

[creditcardfree]

I'm in that mode a little myself, but it is the start of the school year. I hope things settle down soon on the spending front. However, I can think of several projects that I'd like to do that cost money...uh oh!

[ferriwinkle]

I agree with working out more. You could also work on a blog to take up time and do something constructive that doesn't cost a thousand bucks a week. If you need to go shopping and spend money, go to a used book store--read the books, then take them back for credit and get new ones.

[buildmybudget]

Lol, it's funny you write this bc we've been struggling this Summer as well. We've gotten a new patio, planned a trip to Alaska, and done a few other things that have sapped any potential extra saving. It's terrible!

[bjl584]

I'm guilty of splurging at times. It has never impacted my ability to save or my budget though, so I don't worry about it too much. You gotta live a little now and then.

[wincrasher]

Well, I've never been a trendy one. I spend money because I want stuff.

I have neighbors that have told me they won't buy a new car because of how it would look (at Church, I suppose). They've got the cash for a new Mercedes, but they'll probably buy a Camry because it would be unseemly to spend a lot in this "new economy".

I suppose they are fretting that their houses are so nice - guess they are afraid of what the mailman thinks - that they are rich a-holes.

I generally don't care about such silliness. I put it in the same category as buying something, not based on whether you want it, but because one of the neighbors bought one.

[ActYourWage]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Money is certainly not a problem.

Maybe money is the problem. Maybe you have too much which allows you to spend too much. Now, I am not saying go earn less, just looking at it differently. For me, I workout a lot and I find that maintaining and eating healthy is hardest when you are at your goals. Because now, I can eat poorly more regularly and not get fat, but if I continue eating poorly WITHOUT working out/eating healthy, I will eventually get fat. Sounds like you just need to find a balance, like I am finding with eating good foods while allowing myself "junk" foods sometimes.

[dmontngrey]

I was stuck in a similar rut - although not with expensive items. I got bored and took up couponing *because I can*. I've never shopped as much as I've done this year. For some odd reason, that fixed my problem. I sure don't want anything anymore! Now I'm in search of something else to occupy the brain cells.

[Snodog]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

I have neighbors that have told me they won't buy a new car because of how it would look (at Church, I suppose). They've got the cash for a new Mercedes, but they'll probably buy a Camry because it would be unseemly to spend a lot in this "new economy".

What you just described is why our economy is hurting so bad right now. The people who CAN afford it need to start spending again or else we are all going to be picking lettuce. Be a patriot and bring out the bling!

But what do I know I'm not an economist- Although I play one on the internets.

[cypher1]

LOL the whole workout comment was semi serious. Besides the obvious reasons of health fitness/stress release, working out doesn't have to cost much, including golf, runnning, rollerblading, basketball, badminton, or even martial arts. I don't know your lifestyle, but I like to keep busy. Most hobbies cost some amount of $, and I like to work with my hands, IE cars, house projects this summer, like cleaning/restaining my deck, building shelves/painting my garage, home theater setup, landscaping, etc.

[YISave]

A couple of days ago, I wanted 2 books. One is available on our PBS channel with a donation. I had already donated and was receiving a gift and didn't want to donate any more. more. I went to Amazon and saw that I could get both of the books for a little over $25. and that both items qualified for free shipping. Then I thought about my good old tried and true public library. I had just heard that our house taxes were going up 15% and believe me our library tax is included there. I went online and requested the two books and made sure that they were the current editions like the ones that I would buy. So. I'm saving myself at least $25 in books. That usually cures me of spending.

[FrugalDad123]

Must be nice. Dayam.... Must be nice.

Something's definitely up. I on the other hand have the whole family almost skipping dinner because things are just friggin tite. Surviving, but tite.

Must be nice.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by bjl584

I'm guilty of splurging at times. It has never impacted my ability to save or my budget though, so I don't worry about it too much. You gotta live a little now and then.

I tend to agree with this. As I've said many times on this board, we budget our savings but do not budget our spending. The savings money comes out first. I really don't care how the rest of the money gets spent. Sometimes, more goes to clothing. Sometimes, more goes to dining out. Sometimes, more goes to travel. Sometimes, more goes to buy some luxury item. It varies from month to month and year to year. We also go through phases where we spend a lot of money in a short amount of time, but then we go right back to our usually frugal ways.

[seen]

I think it's the summer that's "up". I've been the same way lately, but $1000 a week! Yeesh, I'm not that bad. Probably because I can't afford it on my meager pay