Curbing Consumerism Club: 2009 Edition Part B

[Allisonfaye]

Originally Posted by guess

I finally caught up with the old thread this week. Like I said before, each time I would visit there were another 10 pages waiting for me. I almost panicked when I was about to reply and saw it was closed. I'm still reading and keeping up with all of your amazing stories. You are all truly inspirational. I know words on the internet may not mean much but you've shown me that strength comes from many places and shows in different ways. Aside from all that you ladies have a wicked sense of humor and crack me up. For a quick reintroduction, I wasn't dealing with debt but did want to curb my consumerism. Even though my income was drastically reduced by the economy I've also been able to continue saving. I've had a few no buy months this year even with being tempted by sales so I'm very proud of that. I have everything I need and bringing more stuff into my life didn't make any sense. I've updated my wishlist after buying some things from the original. There were great discounts that made it possible. I don't like paying retail and can wait until the cows come home so no rush there. Each piece I do buy feels like something special and well earned. I admit that my comfort level in price is a lot lower in comparison to what designer purse lovers are used to. Some of you might think my strategy is silly but it's been working well in the long run. Just trying to be more aware and mindful of everything.

We don't think any strategy that works is silly....maybe cutting off your credit card signing arm would qualify as silly.

[Allisonfaye]

Originally Posted by canadianstudies

4 days left in the month, and I have $163 left in my budget! I do need to get a haircut, which will eat up a lot of that, but I'm very pleased I've managed to live 4 months on a budget- the first time I've ever been successful with budgetting!

Way to go, CS!

[Loganz]

Originally Posted by Allisonfaye

Do you belong to a gym? I swear this solved my shopping problems. It gives you the mental lift because it gets your endorphins going. It fills time and keeps you away from the malls. I would have gone nuts without my gym membership over the past year. Not sure how old you are, but women need to have some weight bearing exercise, especially as they get closer to menopause. It keeps your bone density in tact. Please consider it. I figure the $85 a month I spend has saved me thousands of dollars.

I work out 7 days a week - and have been for 2 decades. Working out is something I do because I am obsessed with staying fit and fitting into my size 25 jeans.

I have a home gym and a membership to 24 hour fitness -

My issue is that I got used to a certain lifestyle - with that lifestyle came the ability to charge what I wanted when I wanted - could I still do this and have NO savings, sure - but, I am trying to change and not be so driven by instant gratification - the withdrawal I speak of stems from not having my usual stress relief = shopping. Working out is already a major component of my life - but, I am not going to become one of those people who go to the gym 3 times a day - as it is people say I am too rigid with my fitness routine, lol.

[simmmchen]

You fit into size 25 jeans? Awesome!!

[Allisonfaye]

Yeah, I certainly don't advocate working out more than once a day. I WISH I could do 7 days but it just interferes too much with other stuff.

[Loganz]

Originally Posted by simmmchen

You fit into size 25 jeans? Awesome!!

In the spirit of FULL disclosure, I had lateral thigh lipo over a year ago - I used to be a 27/28 in jeans; after the lipo I am a sz 25. Working out just wasn't getting rid of the "saddle bags" - now that they're gone I am pretty fanatical about doing squats and lunges to keep them gone!!

[simmmchen]

^^I remember in middle school my best friend and I had this thing about fitting into size 26 Levi's 501. We were obsessed with it! There is NO WAY I'd fit into my jeans from back then. I do have a wide hip and saddle bags as well. I remember that I even had the saddle bags when I was underweight (which I was around that time), so I have no hope in ever getting rid of those. Although, now you've put lateral thigh lipo into my head... good to know you're able to keep them off, though. I have heard that the fat in those certain places might come back after lipo.

haha, sorry, that's WAY OT

[VanessaJean]

I am getting really frustrated with having this debt and not being able to pay more on it. I am going for a walk now so I won't eat or look at stuff I can't afford online.

[windycityaj]

^^^It can be daunting but don't let it get you down. You will pay it off!! Working out is a very good stress reliever for me...so are cupcakes, but that sort of defeats the whole purpose of losing weight!!

Anne

[Loganz]

Vanessa - Don't beat yourself up - it is more important that you are not adding to the debt - paying it down will happen in time.

simmchen - yes, OT: but, the fat won't come back if you eat sensibly and work-out sensibly. I know people who had lipo and then ate worse than they had previous -of course, the weight came back. I still eat sweets and pizza - but on days that I do I watch my caloric intake on the other items I eat and I make sure I do my weight exercised the day after.

[Allisonfaye]

Originally Posted by Loganz

Vanessa - Don't beat yourself up - it is more important that you are not adding to the debt - paying it down will happen in time. simmchen - yes, OT: but, the fat won't come back if you eat sensibly and work-out sensibly. I know people who had lipo and then ate worse than they had previous -of course, the weight came back. I still eat sweets and pizza - but on days that I do I watch my caloric intake on the other items I eat and I make sure I do my weight exercised the day after.

I know someone who had lipo and she weighs weigh more now than when she did it. I could probably benefit from it but I feel like I have to do it the old fashioned way (not judging you, Loganz).

[VanessaJean]

Thanks aj and loganz. I do feel better after my walk. I bought DF his wedding gift this week so I did add to my debt a bit but that will be paid off in 3 weeks. Then in 7 weeks the wedding will be over and I can start really paying it down. I just thought I would have more paid off this summer but I made a few unnecessary purchases and wedding stuff happened so it's a slow process.

[simmmchen]

Vanessa, good call with the walk! After your wedding everything will seem less stressful and overwhelming, I think.

[Loganz]

Originally Posted by Allisonfaye

I know someone who had lipo and she weighs weigh more now than when she did it. I could probably benefit from it but I feel like I have to do it the old fashioned way (not judging you, Loganz).

I know - no worries, no judgments in this thread! I was sick of those s-bags and WAS looking for the easy fix - now I am more motivated to keep it off!!

[renie]

Originally Posted by Allisonfaye

I know someone who had lipo and she weighs weigh more now than when she did it. I could probably benefit from it but I feel like I have to do it the old fashioned way (not judging you, Loganz).

I know 2 people who had lap band surgery and one who had gastric bypass who gained it all back+.


I haven't made an unnecessary purchase in 2 weeks!! I finally feel like I'm in the right mind set to resist these urges to spend frivolously. We're hopefully making an offer on a house soon and as always there are unexpected costs associated with it so every dollar counts!