STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I've found that the best way to remain controlled is to avoid temptation!!  Definitely stay away from the mall and if you get bored try hard not to shop online.  I think it also helps if you have support....I am trying the ban and it's been working so far because I know my husband would be furious if I went back on it! 

But I will admit that I have still been doing a lot of online shopping and I have a list planned out.  However, I LOVE everything on the list.  It keeps me from wasting money on little impulse buys.  And definitely remember that if you wouldn't consider something at full price, don't buy it just because it's on sale!

I'm trying to cut back as well, it's hard because I'm addicted to online shopping. I used to get packages like every week. I stopped for now, I don't want to buy another thing till March, but I'm always tempted.

I WAS ADDICTED TO EBAY FOR AWHILE SO I JUST WOULDN'T LET MYSELF EVEN GO NEARIT. IT'S SO HARD WHEN IM BORED AT WORK THOUGH!

quote:

---

Originally posted by: trixie
"  And last but not least, since I've been on the shopping freeze, I've noticed how much more money I have and how much more I can save and/or put on my cc debt.  That has been extremely motivating b/c I feel like this shopping ban is actually making a difference in my life.  HTH and good luck!"

---

OMG me too!  I was so shocked to see my balance in my checking account.  I think the first week is the hardest to get through on the shopping ban but once you make it its all good and really easy.  I am on week 3 and have only bought one thing for $21 because it was a steal and it was money that I had already spent before the ban and got back from a return. If you need motivation check some back posts on the shopping ban and some of the things we've all said about it.  I'm about to start this weeks post to see how everyone is doing and you can always pm me about it or just to talk in general.

 

I say treat shopping how an ex-alcoholic would go about being around booze. It's a terrible addiction you need to break! heheeh (sorry to get soooo dramatic).

1. like everyone has said resist temptation

2. occupy your time with something new... like when you feel the urge to go shopping do something else completely unrelated to shopping... like do a manicure at home, go the gym, do yoga, bake cookies, clean the house, read a book, pay your bills, create a budget for yourself, whatever! if you're like me, shopping has a big place in your life so you need to fill it with something new.

3. also i really recommend debit card spending as well. two years ago i had to be really tight with my money and all my purchases were on debit. it made a big difference and now i feel like i have a much better handle on my spending so now i have credit cards again (although i mostly use my amex which i have to pay the full balance every month).

4. i do this alot when i feel like i keep buying too much of the same item (like makeup!!! my biggest weakness). let's just use makeup as an example,... i take all the makeup that i haven't used recently or ever really used at all and calculate how much money i could have saved if i never bought those things in the first place. it's really quite shocking! so maybe add up how much of your wardrobe you don't wear.. keep that number in your head or maybe on a post-it in your wallet to remind you not to spend not things you may not need.

i don't know.. i should probably follow my own advice more! hehehehe

good luck and if you ever feel tempted post here!