Advice on how to stay focused....

[efleon]

Hi All,
I’m saving up to make installments on that large Frank Gehry diamond orchid pendant but got sidetracked by a star necklace that I’ve been eyeing for a long time.
Any advice on how to stay focused in these sort of situations?!
You ladies are the only ones who would understand my dilemma...

 

[Shopgirl1996]

The only way I can stay focused on saving for something is to stop looking at magazines, ads or the internet. For example, I had to pay off my graduate school tuition and didn't have much money left over. To make sure I saved enough, I threw out all mail catalogues without looking at them and didn't go to stores (except for groceries). That way I'm not tempted.

 

[DaBish]

The only way I can stay focused on saving for something is to stop looking at magazines, ads or the internet. For example, I had to pay off my graduate school tuition and didn't have much money left over. To make sure I saved enough, I threw out all mail catalogues without looking at them and didn't go to stores (except for groceries). That way I'm not tempted.

This is what I do too.
I remind myself constantly to hustle for the " prize " . I stay away from all stores except groceries too. This way my money adds up nicely and I'm right on track.

 

[Johnpauliegal]

The only way I can stay focused on saving for something is to stop looking at magazines, ads or the internet. For example, I had to pay off my graduate school tuition and didn't have much money left over. To make sure I saved enough, I threw out all mail catalogues without looking at them and didn't go to stores (except for groceries). That way I'm not tempted.

I applaud you on your discipline! Good for you!

 

[Shopgirl1996]

I applaud you on your discipline! Good for you!

Thanks! I figure if I don't know about something, then I can't desire it and get sidetracked.

Another thing I do is ask myself to choose between two things I want. If I buy this small thing now, will I still want the more expensive thing later? Also if I get the small thing now and get the more expensive thing later, will I forget about the small thing? I hope that makes sense.

 

[Johnpauliegal]

Thanks! I figure if I don't know about something, then I can't desire it and get sidetracked.

Another thing I do is ask myself to choose between two things I want. If I buy this small thing now, will I still want the more expensive thing later? Also if I get the small thing now and get the more expensive thing later, will I forget about the small thing? I hope that makes sense.

That makes a lot of sense.

I wanted an LV key pouch but I didn’t want to spend the money so I bought a few Coach items to compensate for my wants. Well low and behold I wound up buying that LV key pouch. I haven’t received my Coach stuff yet, but I will try to make certain I use them. Either that or give them away for gifts to family.

My problem is that if I want something I buy it; whether or not I need it lol. Need to be more disciplined!

 

[efleon]

Great advice.
Much better than the “white-knuckle” approach I’ve been using now!
Agreed about forgetting about the small thing now...makes perfect sense.

 

[allanrvj]

Hi. I'm usually in the Hermès subforum but I saw your thread on the sidebar (yay discoverability!).

The way I stay focused when I really want something is I cut back from all unnecessary expenses. Starbucks, eating out, unused gym membership, taxi/Uber/Lyft (when I could take a bus/train or ride my bike), mani/pedi/facials (when I could do them myself)--you'd be amazed at how these all add up to a nice hefty sum and avoiding them will make you reach your goals faster.

And once you've already gotten what you want, you could go back to having Starbucks, eating out, mani/pedi/facials. Or not. When I tried this the first time, I was surprised at how I didn't have to have them in the same frequency that I did before. I didn't need to have Starbucks every day. I didn't need to eat out every other night. Sure, they're nice and convenient but not having them as often as I did before did not make me feel sad or incomplete.

Hope that helps.

 

[Antigone]

Trying this now. I think I want a Speedy B but I will never save enough if I keep buying small things that add up, like those pretty Rebecca Minkoff bags.

Maybe I should stay away from TPF

Saw this thread on the sidebar too.

 

[Shopgirl1996]

Trying this now. I think I want a Speedy B but I will never save enough if I keep buying small things that add up, like those pretty Rebecca Minkoff bags.

Maybe I should stay away from TPF

Saw this thread on the sidebar too.

LOL! Being on TPF has made me aware of more things that I never knew I wanted.

 

[MatAllston]

Stay focus on the end game aka the Gehry orchid every time you get tempted. I personally have not purchased any luxury item in 8 months. This is the longest stretch I have gone in over 10 years. I now have a nice collection of Tiffany pieces. Yes I got side tracked many times in the past so I keep telling myself to just save up and buy one bigger ticket item a year.

 

[tarana6]

I think you have to really remember what you want and why you wanted it in the first place. The second hand or ebay market especially can be a dangerous place because sometimes we get so swept up in how much we are saving that we forget how much we're spending.

Keep saving! And remember how important the orchid necklace is to you and remember you can always get this other item you've been eyeing at a later time.

 

[DaBish]

I think you have to really remember what you want and why you wanted it in the first place. The second hand or ebay market especially can be a dangerous place because sometimes we get so swept up in how much we are saving that we forget how much we're spending.

Keep saving! And remember how important the orchid necklace is to you and remember you can always get this other item you've been eyeing at a later time.

I really needed to hear this today .I was on Mercari trying to buy a chanel make up bag. What the heck do I need another makeup bag for? For goodness sakes they give them away free when you buy makeup!
Sometimes I see something that I like and think that because it's so cheap that it won't hurt any. All those cheap purchases can add up! I would much rather to NOT buy a used make up bag and save that towards a purse or something equally as special.
It's really easy to get caught up when we think we are getting a deal .

 

[SakuraSakura]

Hi. I'm usually in the Hermès subforum but I saw your thread on the sidebar (yay discoverability!).

The way I stay focused when I really want something is I cut back from all unnecessary expenses. Starbucks, eating out, unused gym membership, taxi/Uber/Lyft (when I could take a bus/train or ride my bike), mani/pedi/facials (when I could do them myself)--you'd be amazed at how these all add up to a nice hefty sum and avoiding them will make you reach your goals faster.

And once you've already gotten what you want, you could go back to having Starbucks, eating out, mani/pedi/facials. Or not. When I tried this the first time, I was surprised at how I didn't have to have them in the same frequency that I did before. I didn't need to have Starbucks every day. I didn't need to eat out every other night. Sure, they're nice and convenient but not having them as often as I did before did not make me feel sad or incomplete.

Hope that helps.

It still amazes me how a wide portion of the population fail to see the things you listed as "wants." I was talking to a friend about cutting down on her pricey frappes and she looked at me as if I was asking her to cut off her electricity bill. I find that when I truly desire something I'm willing to choose, not sacrifice.

 

[SakuraSakura]

Stay focus on the end game aka the Gehry orchid every time you get tempted. I personally have not purchased any luxury item in 8 months. This is the longest stretch I have gone in over 10 years. I now have a nice collection of Tiffany pieces. Yes I got side tracked many times in the past so I keep telling myself to just save up and buy one bigger ticket item a year.

I've begun to do the same for my purse collection. I just received one of my crown jewels in the mail and I have little desire to rush out and get something else.