Comfort instead of bidding?

[Jovan]

Not to get too touchey-feeley, but I find that if I'm yearning for a blue sweater say, or a new novelty dress, I usually just put it in my head that I will find one, fitting me, for an incredible price. I bide my time and you know what, I usually attract it or something similar enough that it scratches the itch.

Ah... the secret. I need to remember that.

 

[Mojito]

I make a very long, hard look at the item in question. Odds are, it is something that will come along again (or something similar), either cheaper, or when I have built up my "big purchase fund" enough to cover it.

Once in a blue moon I'll buy something that stretches (or even blasts) the budget if I'm absolutely madly in love with it, convinced not having purchased it will haunt me, and am convinced is truly rare - but it's not often.

 

[pigeon toe]

It's really easy for me to not spend when I don't have a job...I just don't look at Ebay or go to any vintage stores or expos. It also helps right now that I'm living abroad, therefore shipping prices are too much and the Euro is really sucking out my will to live right now (damn exchange rates!).

I guess I don't have much trouble with avoiding buying vintage, since it usually takes a good amount of effort on my part, and when I don't have the time or money, I just don't do it.

Stuff from places like H&M are much harder for me to resist since a lot of their things are vintage-inspired, relatively cheap and easy to find in my size.

 

[scotrace]

I have a look around at the things I now own that i thought I HAD to have, that clearly I could have easily done without. That helps somewhat.

Mostly, when I see something I want and cannot have (which is now a daily occurrence) I get really, really honked off.

 

[deadpandiva]

I
The way we save money is to put it away before we realise it's there. Automatic transfer to a savings account, and you only allow yourself to spend out of checking, etc. I save for splurges by holding back cash each paycheck and putting it aside in an envelope, and then when I look at my checking I don't have enough money to buy impulse items. When the money's all grouped together it's WAY too easy to spend it all now, forgetting the long-term goal.

This works well for me. I have my savings at a completely different bank. I don't know the acct number or the password so it's a big hassel to get money out, which is a real plus for me.

 

[kamikat]

The way we save money is to put it away before we realise it's there. Automatic transfer to a savings account, and you only allow yourself to spend out of checking, etc.

We do this, too. Our checking account has gotten much smaller as our family has grown, but without using automatic transfer, I doubt we would have had the discipline to start college accounts for our sons.

 

[Miss Sis]

All good advice, ladies and gents.

I did used to transfer money automatically at payday but since moving I had to stop that. I am going to re-instate it at a different amount from next month. Even a smaller amount will soon add up, and it's true that you don't miss it. I don't have a credit card, or an overdraft, so what I have in my accounts are it; there's nothing 'extra' to fall back on. I think relying on credit can be a trap. I was bought up to think about money and what you spend it on rather than live now, pay later.

Not looking on Ebay or going to the shops helps, alot! Focusing on saving that money for something special tends to stop me spending on things I don't need. I need to save up to go home and see my Mum in New Zealand next year, so I am going to keep this in mind to help me save and enjoy the visit all the more knowing I can afford it.

 

[Mojito]

Ditto on the autosave. I have several automatic deductions, some of which go out of my pay before it hits my account - a superannuation contribution and health insurance, for example. My biggest purchase on the horizon is my own apartment, closer to work, so a chunk of money gets whipped off into a higher interest, online-only savings account.

 

[Caledonia]

I do the old Watch List thing. Stick it in there, watch and drool, then delete it a few days later when sanity hits. Of course, this doesn't work if it's near to ending, or if I just happen to have imbibed a small libation. In that case, I look at what I have and sell on the rough equivalent.

However, this makes me a bit saintly. And I'm not. So I spend more than I should, worry about it, keep telling myself I will not do it anymore, and.... I think I have the solution.

I love my personal item buying, but I would really like a new back door. Check that - need a new back door. Hencetoforth I am doing lots of positive focussing on how much more desirable a new back door is than another vintage hat. So far, so not so good. Am ever the optimist.

 

[Smuterella]

I have been overspending lately, I think its a reaction to giving up smoking and cutting down drinking. I now have two pendletons, an impractical pink dress and an unflattering blue knit set.

I need to try things on, get pics and do an eBay clearout, rid myself of some guilt and excess clothing.

Does anyone have any eBay selling tips for a newbie seller?

 

[Foofoogal]

an impractical pink dress and an unflattering blue knit set.

lol lol

Wow, you too. I have a ton of stuff I have bought and it is wrong size or wrong persons life. Funny how different monitors show different colors.

 

[Smuterella]

its more wrong persons life, I like to think I can totter around in a candy pink frock and white stilettos all day but unfortunately I actually have to work

this fact still shocks me on a regular basis

 

[Lulu-in-Ny]

I have been overspending lately, I think its a reaction to giving up smoking and cutting down drinking.

You quit smoking? Good for you! I just did as well, but I do find that that I have rationalized spending the money I would have spent on cigarettes on anything else that catches my fancy. There is a Vintage shop in my local mall, of all places, and my weaknesses are hats and handbags. I swear I've bought about a half dozen of each since I quit last month. The handbags are fine; I can use them. The hats, though... I don't know. Some of them are kind of impractical. Still, all in all, it's a preferable addiction...