Do you have difficulty spending, even when you save?

[Gailete]

I hate taking money out of savings, so I tend to not keep money in checking since my brain considers it spendable. My hubby can't comprehend my method or madness, but since it works and I keep up with the bills he doesn't care. I try to have different savings account for different things. We got a large payment at one point and knowing my son was dating a lovely young lady at the time and wedding might be in the future, I put $2000 into a wedding fund knowing we would have to travel etc. Well a year and half later that lovely young lady became my DIL and I had no problem with spending the money on anything related to the wedding, sent hubby to buy some new clothes, pitched in for the tux for my younger son who was best man (he in turn found discount cards for Men's Warehouse so we ended up getting the tux for about 15% less), travel, motel (nice one), food, present, supplies for making the ring bearer pillow. Let me tell you that the 18 months up to the wedding we had some real financial rough times, but I refused to spend or take anything out of the wedding fund. I'm so glad I didn't as I enjoyed myself so much and I was so happy to be there. The point being, if I save for something specific, I generally have no trouble with spending it, but for those things that come up that aren't real needs and I'm not really sure we even want it, I do have trouble spending.

[JoeP]

P.S. Get a new computer!

LOL! I have one spec'd out already, and am just waiting for prices to soften a little toward the end of this month.

[Ramose]

LOL! I have one spec'd out already, and am just waiting for prices to soften a little toward the end of this month.

Haha,

[SavingSweetOneL]

Wayne.

What is the interest on the "quick loans". We have here what aren called"payday loans", howevern the interst is high, and people get behind and it becomes a visious cycle. I know in some USA states they have become outlawed.

SweetOneL

[snafu]

Joe P, I can't phantom needing to convert an unused playroom into a much needed office/computer room since you are wasting so much money for unused square footage and inconveniencing yourself too boot! That's not smart! I suggest you list what all needs to be done to make the room useable for it's new role. You can likely get a lot of what's needed from Craig's List and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. If you check with the big box stores in your community they likely have Saturday morning 'How To' workshops that are free. The more you do yourself, the less costly the change-over.

Perhaps your family will chip in and donate time and $$ for this DIY project as their holiday gift for you.

[JoeP]

Joe P, I can't phantom needing to convert an unused playroom into a much needed office/computer room since you are wasting so much money for unused square footage and inconveniencing yourself too boot! That's not smart! I suggest you list what all needs to be done to make the room useable for it's new role. You can likely get a lot of what's needed from Craig's List and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. If you check with the big box stores in your community they likely have Saturday morning 'How To' workshops that are free. The more you do yourself, the less costly the change-over.

Perhaps your family will chip in and donate time and $$ for this DIY project as their holiday gift for you.

Thanks for the nice note.

I bought the microwave this past weekend (looked up sales guy we've used 3 times prior, offered cash, got a big discount) and I plan on installing it and seeing if anyone wants the old one for $20 on CL.

The front room is kind of an eyesore now, and we're all looking forward to renovating it. We'll buy most of the furniture off CL. After we sell the Smart Car, we'll have enough to pay in full and get some enjoyment out of the space. I'd also like to get some nice stuff for the walls from Pier 1 and BB&B to make it more cozy!

[SavingSweetOneL]

Hi JoeP,

All of this sounds fantastic!!

SweetOneL

[EarlyRetirementJoy]

I'd like to think it's more about changing priorities than inability to spend after becoming a diligent saver.

I have come to intensely dislike shopping in general because I now see the insanity of so much of it. I dislike constant eating out for the same reason - I can, and do, make similar, often better, food at home for pennies on the dollar.

I do, however, spend pretty significant amounts of money on travel of all kind because that is our priority currently. As long as I'm remaining on budget, each dollar spent is a joy.

[Gailete]

I have come to intensely dislike shopping in general because I now see the insanity of so much of it

I was never a big shopper and then when physically it became difficult, I rarely shop for anything other than groceries. I am at the point now that I can't for the life of me figure out what and why people keeping needing to buy new things such as clothing. I have a full closet and that is with making most of what I wear and with making only 0-2 garments a year tops. I stay the same basic size so I just keep wearing them, and so I too am seeing the insanity of it all. Especially now with the holidays upon us and the Christmas commercials that started 2 weeks earlier than last year and when I saw yet again a horrible Target commercial last night, I wondered who needs all that stuff??? Most people have so much already. And yes we do give gifts within our family, but for the most part they are inexpensive, something someone wants or needs,or a handmade gift from the heart and best of all, all paid in full.