I love shopping so much and often buy lots of stuff esp cloths which I do not really need. I wonder how to quit this bad habit since I do want to stop wasting my money.
2007-01-04 19:31:33 · 9 answers · asked by karen 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Cut up your credit cards is a good start, leaving your checkbook at home (yes, I have one and I like having paper checks), using cash.
Using a credit or debit card is so easy because you don't see the money leaving your hands. Using cash or writing a check forces you to think about what you are doing. Sometimes when I buy something expensive I actually think "I had to work 3 days to pay for that." and that makes me look at it in perspective and really think if 3 days of work is worth that hard drive or palm pilot (I'm a geek, feel free to substitute "Shoes", "make-up", "golf clubs", etc.)
Do you buy things because shopping is fun for you, you like the stuff you buy, or does it keep you from facing something else you can't control?
Shopping is the ultimate power trip - YOU decide if you want it or don't want it, YOU pay for it. No one else makes that decision for you. Not many other things in out lives are like that :)
If you think it is a problem, financially or emotionally, talk to someone about it. You wouldn't be concerned about it unless you thought there was a problem, even if it may be a small one.
Good luck, and it takes guts to try and fix problems, so hang in there!
2007-01-04 19:40:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lock your credit card in a safe deposit box so you actually have to drive to the bank to get the card before you go shopping. A more practical solution would be to have someone you trust hang onto your card until you need it - that way it's available to you if you need it when the bank is closed.
Shopping isn't a bad thing as long as paying your other bills comes first and you don't ring up so much debt that the payments make it hard for you to make your rent/mortgage, car payments, etc.
The best solution would be to put a little money into a special account each payday and force yourself to only use the money in that account for clothes shopping. In that way, you are not going into debt to shop and you force yourself to wait for that new outfit until you build up that account.
I also recommend cleaning out the closet from time to time and donating the stuff you never wear to charity.
2007-01-04 19:38:39 · answer #2 · answered by Justin H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write a grocery list or clothes list
Take that list to the store and do NOT stray from the list. Buy only what is on that list and nothing else.
Example: If you go to the store to buy these things, then only buy these things, nothing else!
Bananas
Apples
Pair of Jeans
New Shirt
Crackers
VCR
Video Tapes
Cd's
Fingernail File
Make sure you get everything on your list! But don't get anything that is not on it.
Also, make a rough estimate of what these things will cost and only go into the store with enough cash to pay for these things. If you estimate these things will cost 50 dolars, then take 65 dollars, so you'll have enough to pay for the tax.
Good Luck, and don't waste money :-)
2007-01-04 19:37:00 · answer #3 · answered by Daft One 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way I can think of is to stop carrying credit cards/debit cards. Start carrying ONLY cash. Go to the bank once a week, and estimate how much you'll need, and pull it out of your account. Make sure you have a little extra so you can buy yourself something special.
If you're carrying only cash, you won't feel so compelled to buy anything, ESPECIALLY if you limit the amount of cash you carry on hand.
2007-01-04 19:41:34 · answer #4 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When your mind wants to go for shopping, sit before your pc and log on to Y! Answers and get addicted! If you don't like this then you can also try reading or just go somewhere else, park, cinema or visit your friends. There's many job you can do!
OR, you can pass some days totally without money and try to live. Then you'll understand how important it is to save money!
2007-01-04 19:44:18 · answer #5 · answered by W A S I F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hide your money or try to build a shopping budget
2007-01-04 19:33:19 · answer #6 · answered by jimmyJoe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing I find that works is to stay home! Don't look at the sales papers.
2007-01-04 19:34:04 · answer #7 · answered by ginger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey. here is an article i think you might like!
http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0103Shopping-Sabbatical-ON.html
its about a group of friends who spent a whole year without buying anything new.
2007-01-04 19:34:58 · answer #8 · answered by anonymous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
find another hobby like pet care or computers.
2007-01-04 19:41:52 · answer #9 · answered by fordv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋