*NOTE TO SELF*EVERY EXTRA WE BUY IS BOUGHT WITH MONEY WE DID NOT USE TO PAY DOWN OUR DEBT OR SAVE FOR COLLEGE.
Let me tell you, our fridge door is getting pretty crowded with these notes. I had to put this one on the cabinet so it would really stand out at eye level. And I think that spending [or overspending] is directly related in my case to eating [or overeating], so the kitchen is a good place to put it.
EXTRAS counts luxury chocolate [even four ounces]; buy one, get one free shirts at Gap [one for Figgy, one for me]; yard sale stuff; Butter London nail polish in "Macbeth" and Butter London Jelly Sheer Colour [innocently happened upon at Salon Organic in Montclair]; iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts; Chinese takeout, even if Figgy and her friend do beg for it occasionally, like last night; three pizzas delivered to our door to feed a group of kids on a Friday [we can make pasta with sauce instead]; and hand-poured beeswax candles. These are the things we want, but do not need. It's hard to remember that clearly. Yes, they soften your tread in life but they take away from the larger goal.
However, I draw the line at my Lilly Pulitzer notebooks and folders. I could use plain boring ones but I feel these inspire me to work harder, longer, more clearly, more chicly and more creatively. And, they remind me that work--and perhaps more importantly, bill paying--can be fun.
I WOULD ACTUALLY LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU RESIST BUYING EXTRAS--OR DO YOU BUDGET FOR THEM AND ALLOW YOURSELF TO INDULGE GUILT-FREE? ANY COLLEGE SAVINGS TIPS FOR KIDS OR ADULTS? THANK YOU.
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Write down EVERYTHING you spend every day. This really helps. I go in and out of doing it, but when we're diligent, it naturally cuts down spending because you're more mindful.
ReplyDeleteIt is just eating, totally. Same kind of mindfulness needed.
I find gift shopping helpful. I shop for Xmas year round. So when I feel like shopping, I keep my list in mind. It also helps come december -- you don't have a huge, expensive list to scale. Just keep a very accurate list with $ expectations so you don't overbuy.
How about budgeting a very small, but set amount every week for luxuries? That might help with the mindfulness. Do I really want this nail polish, or would I rather save it for chocolate instead?
I meant -- it is just LIKE eating totally. ;-)
ReplyDeleteoh, one more thought. If it's not just the shopping thrill you seek, but really having the luxuries themselves, make sure everyone who ever gives you gifts knows what your favorites are. If you have several of those special polishes on hand, you may be less inclined to buy one more.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it’s harder, I think, to do without the unnecessary little things. The big items you know, unequivocally, are out of the question, so out of mind they go. We are approaching a similar situation as my five days of work just got cut to two and will probably remain that way until the fall. Looking for another job…again.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of allowing a small luxury item maybe once a week so as not to feel deprived.
Hi Kim and Linda. thank you for the insights. they're helpful. I've been writing down every dollar spent this week and I really like keeping track of it all, and it helps rein things in.
ReplyDeleteLinda, i'm sorry your five days of work got cut down to two. you are so talented. i hope things work out and take a turn for the better. love alice
P.S. Kim--I like the idea of keeping a list of luxuries I like, such as gift card from pure dark, inthepinkonline, etc. Because then when my Sis asks me what I want for Christmas or my birthday, I have it there....thanks. alice
ReplyDeleteWriting down all of your expenses is so hard. I signed up for www.mint.com, a free service. You connect it with your checking account, credit card account, etc. (For me, I only use it to track expenses, not income.)
ReplyDeleteThere are pre-defined budget categories, but I override them and set up my own. Only about 6-7 in total to keep it simple. Plus you set up budget goals for each category.
Get a real-time view on all expenses via the Internet, iPhone app, and how we are doing against each budget category.
The big takeaway -- at least for my family -- the little expenses add up and certainly matter ... but the big things like home renovation projects, pre-school tuition payments, college saving accounts, mortgage ... far and away are what eat up the bulk of the monthly expenses.
Hi Bill! It's so good to see you here! I was thinking of you the other day when I saw the bookstore you said you like in Montclair, and when my friend was telling me about another great meal she had at Fascina [sp?] Thank you for these tips. They're great, and I appreciate them. I am also going to check out mint.com. Sounds good! I don't have an iPhone yet or understand apps, but I bet one day soon I will. Thanks, Bill. <3 alice
ReplyDeleteI'm not very good at this. Thankfully, I am married to a rigorous saver, and my tastes are not lavish.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with wanting things that we *could* have, but shouldn't have if we're really being prudent. Like, our back patio is a boring concrete slab. I'd love to expand it, tile it with pretty pavers, and landscape the edges of it. Do we NEED that? No. There are no cracks in our patio, it holds the grill, a table and chairs, and a bin for the kids' outdoor toys. And it would cost thousands of dollars.
I want it. DH doesn't. It's not always smooth.
Hi Eileen....thank you for the noet. What does DH stand for? Peter? Thank your lucky stars that you are married to a rigorous saver......that is a good thing. i hope all is well this Sunday night. I miss you! love alice
ReplyDelete