Does anyone else have this problem?

Aslan · Feb 9th, 2007, 01:02 PM

I'm not sure if this belongs in the finances subforum or this one...but does anyone share my problem? I can't save for anything! This is problematic for my recent bag addiction. I can only make big bag purchases at the times I have all the money on hand. When I have a little extra to spend, I immediately go out and buy accessories (LV wapity, cles, etc), just to have something new. Looking at my stuff, I feel I could have afforded a couple more big bag purchases. But waiting three weeks or so to amass the money kills me. I need tricks to build up the discipline!

Anyone else have this problem?

boxermom · Feb 9th, 2007, 03:23 PM

Don't carry a credit card with you? don't go into the shops so often? 3 weeks isn't very long and you make it sound like a year! Think things through before you make a snap decision to buy every little thing you like. Instant gratification feels good for an instant, but delayed gratification is much more mature. It's hard, but you can do it.

Aslan · Feb 9th, 2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxermom

3 weeks isn't very long and you make it sound like a year!

I know; that's the problem I acknowledged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxermom

3 It's hard, but you can do it.

I know I can, just hoping that anyone else who has an impulse shopping problem and has overcome it can help me.

boxermom · Feb 9th, 2007, 11:02 PM

Hopefully someone can come along with advice. I know I wasn't too helpful--sorry. This sounds kind of lame, but if there's a bag or something else you really want, why not carry a picture of it in your wallet so when you open it to buy some non-essential thing, you'd see it and think about how much you want it and it might help you wait? Or could you set up a savings acct. for your personal luxuries (bags!) and just put a little in there each week. Even $20 a week would get you into the habit of saving.

I apologize if I came off like I was lecturing. A friend of mine is an impulse shopper. Unfortunately, her DH is wealthy so she buys things she never wears or uses and then feels guilty about it, but she never returns anything. Saks is her downfall--she loves that store.

Sincerely, best wishes.

p.s.Is that your son in your avatar? He's so cute!

lorihmatthews · Feb 10th, 2007, 12:52 AM

I use the "envelope method" for larger purchases. I take out cash and mark the envelope with the item I'm wanting to purchase, and then when I have all the cash in it (I also make sure to tally in sales tax) I take the envelope to the store and purchase it. Perhaps it's silly and rather simple, but it works for me. That way I avoid charging something and then stressing out when the bill comes.

LouisLady · Feb 10th, 2007, 02:36 AM

I leave my my major credit card at home.

And i also remind myself about 'wants & needs'

It sucks yes, but the wants & need thing helps alot. lol

Aslan · Feb 10th, 2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxermom

Hopefully someone can come along with advice. I know I wasn't too helpful--sorry. This sounds kind of lame, but if there's a bag or something else you really want, why not carry a picture of it in your wallet so when you open it to buy some non-essential thing, you'd see it and think about how much you want it and it might help you wait?

I like this idea! I'm printing out pictures of the bag and taping it to my computer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxermom

p.s.Is that your son in your avatar? He's so cute!

Yes, that is my son!

Thank you.

Aslan · Feb 10th, 2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorihmatthews

I use the "envelope method" for larger purchases. I take out cash and mark the envelope with the item I'm wanting to purchase, and then when I have all the cash in it (I also make sure to tally in sales tax) I take the envelope to the store and purchase it.

I want to try this as well, but I must remember to put the envelope in a high place in my closet so it's not easily accessible.

Nyria · Feb 10th, 2007, 05:09 PM

I just wanted to tell you that your son is gorgeous!

Aslan · Feb 10th, 2007, 05:33 PM

^^^Thanks!

Nyria · Feb 10th, 2007, 07:09 PM

Now I will respond the the original post =)
I know what you mean - but the good thing is with LV it's really not losing any money. If you decide you want a bigger bag you can sell your smaller ones on eBay and usually get almost as much as you paid in the first place - more if it's a piece that's not available any more.
It's actually a good way to keep your money safe - have it all tied up in LV =)

Aslan · Feb 10th, 2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyria

It's actually a good way to keep your money safe - have it all tied up in LV =)

You enabler, you. I should tell my bf that.

IntlSet · Feb 10th, 2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorihmatthews

I use the "envelope method" for larger purchases. I take out cash and mark the envelope with the item I'm wanting to purchase, and then when I have all the cash in it (I also make sure to tally in sales tax) I take the envelope to the store and purchase it. Perhaps it's silly and rather simple, but it works for me. That way I avoid charging something and then stressing out when the bill comes.

This method works extremely well for me as well.

Megs · Feb 11th, 2007, 01:13 AM

Here comes my mind numbingly dumb suggestion... just work really hard to not do it. I mean, I always want to buy things, but I just don't

The 'envelope' method sounds great tho too! And much better info then what I give!!

Vintage Leather · Feb 11th, 2007, 03:56 AM

I've learned that if you have the very nice people at your bank do an automatic transfer every time you cash a check, you won't have as much to spend, and will save money. If I don't have the money, I won't spend it.

Most savings accounts don't have fees, or very low ones, so I have a special account just for purse purchases. (Mine has no fees if I either keep it above $300 or do automatic transfers to it)

Then, the trick, which I have yet to discover, is to try to forget how easy it is to transfer money from savings to checking when I'm at the store counter.

Your son is adorable!

Feb 9th, 2007, 01:02 PM	#1
Aslan <3's her BFF Location: New York City	Does anyone else have this problem? I'm not sure if this belongs in the finances subforum or this one...but does anyone share my problem? I can't save for anything! This is problematic for my recent bag addiction. I can only make big bag purchases at the times I have all the money on hand. When I have a little extra to spend, I immediately go out and buy accessories (LV wapity, cles, etc), just to have something new. Looking at my stuff, I feel I could have afforded a couple more big bag purchases. But waiting three weeks or so to amass the money kills me. I need tricks to build up the discipline! Anyone else have this problem? __________________ A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them. – P. J. O'Rourke

Feb 9th, 2007, 03:23 PM	#2
boxermom Member Location: North Carolina	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? Don't carry a credit card with you? don't go into the shops so often? 3 weeks isn't very long and you make it sound like a year! Think things through before you make a snap decision to buy every little thing you like. Instant gratification feels good for an instant, but delayed gratification is much more mature. It's hard, but you can do it.

Feb 9th, 2007, 11:02 PM	#4
boxermom Member Location: North Carolina	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? Hopefully someone can come along with advice. I know I wasn't too helpful--sorry. This sounds kind of lame, but if there's a bag or something else you really want, why not carry a picture of it in your wallet so when you open it to buy some non-essential thing, you'd see it and think about how much you want it and it might help you wait? Or could you set up a savings acct. for your personal luxuries (bags!) and just put a little in there each week. Even $20 a week would get you into the habit of saving. I apologize if I came off like I was lecturing. A friend of mine is an impulse shopper. Unfortunately, her DH is wealthy so she buys things she never wears or uses and then feels guilty about it, but she never returns anything. Saks is her downfall--she loves that store. Sincerely, best wishes. p.s.Is that your son in your avatar? He's so cute!

Feb 10th, 2007, 12:52 AM	#5
lorihmatthews Persian Love Location: San Francisco	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? I use the "envelope method" for larger purchases. I take out cash and mark the envelope with the item I'm wanting to purchase, and then when I have all the cash in it (I also make sure to tally in sales tax) I take the envelope to the store and purchase it. Perhaps it's silly and rather simple, but it works for me. That way I avoid charging something and then stressing out when the bill comes.

Feb 10th, 2007, 02:36 AM	#6
LouisLady Member Location: south CA	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? I leave my my major credit card at home. And i also remind myself about 'wants & needs' It sucks yes, but the wants & need thing helps alot. lol

Feb 10th, 2007, 05:09 PM	#9
Nyria Drink the LV KoolAid Location: Alberta, Canada	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? I just wanted to tell you that your son is gorgeous! __________________ Take a boo at my Personalized Charm Bracelets Bellissimo_Charms

Feb 10th, 2007, 05:33 PM	#10
Aslan <3's her BFF Location: New York City	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? ^^^Thanks! __________________ A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them. – P. J. O'Rourke

Feb 10th, 2007, 07:09 PM	#11
Nyria Drink the LV KoolAid Location: Alberta, Canada	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? Now I will respond the the original post =) I know what you mean - but the good thing is with LV it's really not losing any money. If you decide you want a bigger bag you can sell your smaller ones on eBay and usually get almost as much as you paid in the first place - more if it's a piece that's not available any more. It's actually a good way to keep your money safe - have it all tied up in LV =) __________________ Take a boo at my Personalized Charm Bracelets Bellissimo_Charms

Feb 11th, 2007, 01:13 AM	#14
Megs	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? Here comes my mind numbingly dumb suggestion... just work really hard to not do it. I mean, I always want to buy things, but I just don't The 'envelope' method sounds great tho too! And much better info then what I give!!

Feb 11th, 2007, 03:56 AM	#15
Vintage Leather Dreamer and Shopper Location: US	Re: Does anyone else have this problem? I've learned that if you have the very nice people at your bank do an automatic transfer every time you cash a check, you won't have as much to spend, and will save money. If I don't have the money, I won't spend it. Most savings accounts don't have fees, or very low ones, so I have a special account just for purse purchases. (Mine has no fees if I either keep it above $300 or do automatic transfers to it) Then, the trick, which I have yet to discover, is to try to forget how easy it is to transfer money from savings to checking when I'm at the store counter. Your son is adorable!