This is my problem...impulse buyer. I get on amazon and wham a dvd here or a book here and then it all adds up. Then its off to Lucy.com for a pair of comfy yoga pants since nothing fits.

Like eating I buy to make me feel better. Sigh. I need to get better at this.

Ok, I am going to not buy anything tonight. (except maybe for my fave yappy monkey - I got choccy )

Gonna check the bookcase downstairs see if there is something I have not read yet.

And going to repeat to myself I dont need to buy anything right now.

Thanks for the intevention from temptation.

WAY TO GO, SHELLEY!!


I knew you could do it .. already some great advice!!

Shelley - we ALL have been there ... and understand your pain ... but you came here to voice your fears ... one day at a time!! way to go!!

Since my avaergae commute to any where is at least 45 minute one way (this can double during rush hour or accidents which shut down bridges), I am always tempted to stop and get a drink and a snack before I leave just incase i get hungry/thirsty; so what I have started doing--and ironically, i didnt intend for this to be away to save money, is to pack little snacks and freeze several differnt drinks so that I always have something convient and ready to eat/drink.....

One of my Occupation Therapists suggestions I do this so food would be easily accessabile, all the time, as I am trying to gain weight. It has turned out to be a good money saving tool too !

Something I have started doing to prevent impulse buying is just "sitting" on the desire to buy something for a least 24 hours. If I still feel I need it (or want it) after waiting I'll assess the need again and make a decision. I find this SO helpful especially when I'm watching QVC or looking around in Target. I ask myself - "are they going to stop making this particular product within 24 hours?" "What will happen if I don't purchase it right now?" Probably save myself some money!! It helps me - and makes me think twice about everything I buy.

I'm debt free and a big saver, but here's one of my big money savers that really makes a difference each month.

When you shop for groceries, plan out menus for a month (even if you repeat the same two weeks twice). Then shop for what you need - all the staples, once that month. Once/week to the grocery store for just milk and a few fresh fruits and veggies, but all your primary shopping once/month.

Planning your menus and stopping that cycle of "what are we going to have for dinner" every night stops you from eating out as much, getting takeout, or stopping at the grocery store for just a few things - where you will always buy impulse items or easy, more expensive stuff.

I spend around $175-200 once/month and then probably another 50-100 throughout the rest of the month on dairy and fresh veggies/fruits.

Good advice Greta. I do the same thing. Add in coupons and you've saved yourself a bunch of cash.

I also take advantage of sales (like chicken breast for .99 a pound). I stock up and plan meals around what I have stocked up on.

Also, shopping in the evening has its perks, too. The deli and bakery put items on drastic markdown late in the day so as not to have to toss them out.

Hey ... we are on quite a roll .. didn't take us long to get back into posting our diet!!

L2L - what about keeping a small cooler in your trunk with ice ... and I get these 'fruit'bars at the dollar store ... SunBelt has some GREAT ones! and quaker oat bars has 'smores' and choc chip & peanut butter in a variety pack for $2.50 or so .. there are 8 in a pack .. about 32c a bar!! and it's good for you!!

Kelly - can I pick on you (just a little ... ??) (I wanted to use this cute little smiley!)

QVC?? that's trouble!! you know that too ... and it can glue you to the TV .. I know!

but - you are handling it great ... and you may probably forget it the next day anyways!!

we're almost thru January ... and it sounds like everyone is making a good attempt (and already there!) getting debt free!! way to go!!

Someone suggested the library to Shelley. This has been a lifesaver for me. My 10 year old son has suddenly become a voracious reader. This is wonderful, but expensive. When he read the new Harry Potter (784 pages) in a mere 2 days, I knew I was in trouble. I decided that I couldn't afford to feed his book addiction.

Off to the library we went. I discovered that we could go the nearest branch of our county library system and that even if they didn't have what he wanted, they could transfer it in. They even have an online system where I can search (shop) for books and request them. Then, we just go and pick them up. It's nearly as much fun as shopping but I don't have to pay! I also don't have old books gathering dust.

Our library also loans DVDs and audio books.

I forgot to get my annual vaccuum belt today while I was out shoping.

But when I was a house keeper, one thing they pounded in my head was keep the machines maintenance up, and keep the machines. Even a small appliance like that gets expensive to replace.

This sweeper's been here 16 yrs or more. A new belt and filter every spring and it's still like new.

Better $6 a year than a couple hundred on a new sweeper.

you're right, BGB ... maintenance and care keeps things together ... I still have my smith-corona electric cartridge typewriter from high school ... I think I can donate to the museum now ... but, I still type tax stuff on it! (had it for over 30 years!!)

be proud of me today - I went into a BigLots (my weakness) ... and wanted to get these plain serving trays to paint on them and then give as gifts ... but I didn't get them - I have to clean out the boxes of glassware I have now first, right? right!