A Spender Needs Help Saving!

[MomToOne]

One more idea I haven't seen mentioned yet - how about just saying you are going to cut out all shopping and nightlife for 10 weeks completely. It would be painful, but you'd have $2000 at the end. And you'd know it'd only be for 10 weeks - once it was done, then you can go back to your normal lifestyle (not that I think you should, but that's not the question you asked really).

I personally find that for short periods of time like that, I can typically suck it up and power thru the pain.

 

[nowellsl]

One more idea I haven't seen mentioned yet - how about just saying you are going to cut out all shopping and nightlife for 10 weeks completely. It would be painful, but you'd have $2000 at the end. And you'd know it'd only be for 10 weeks - once it was done, then you can go back to your normal lifestyle (not that I think you should, but that's not the question you asked really).

I personally find that for short periods of time like that, I can typically suck it up and power thru the pain.

That's a good idea - 10 week spending freeze. I like that!

 

[PrincessSarah314]

One more idea I haven't seen mentioned yet - how about just saying you are going to cut out all shopping and nightlife for 10 weeks completely. It would be painful, but you'd have $2000 at the end. And you'd know it'd only be for 10 weeks - once it was done, then you can go back to your normal lifestyle (not that I think you should, but that's not the question you asked really).

I personally find that for short periods of time like that, I can typically suck it up and power thru the pain.

I wouldn't be able to stick to that. I know that I am going to need to shop before the trip for a new swimsuit, purse, etc. And it would be so hard!

 

[cseca]

Good for you OP!!!
You're doing great in saving for this trip.
Just a thought, maybe this trip could be a stepping stone for you to continue to improve your spending habit.
Once you do something for 10 weeks, you might feel it doable to do for even longer. Just like a reasonable food diet... once you get yourself on a diet for 10 weeks it doesn't feel so bad anymore. And you might even start to see where else you could save in your budget. You never know!

Good luck on your savings and have a fun trip!

 

[livvylivvie]

One more idea I haven't seen mentioned yet - how about just saying you are going to cut out all shopping and nightlife for 10 weeks completely. It would be painful, but you'd have $2000 at the end. And you'd know it'd only be for 10 weeks - once it was done, then you can go back to your normal lifestyle (not that I think you should, but that's not the question you asked really).

I personally find that for short periods of time like that, I can typically suck it up and power thru the pain.

ooo I like this Idea!!!

lol maybe cause I've been living it for the past while! lol! Buy only the Necessities!!

But It sounds like you are off to a good start! I understand everyone needs some down time, and relaxation. Good start!

 

[nowellsl]

I wouldn't be able to stick to that. I know that I am going to need to shop before the trip for a new swimsuit, purse, etc. And it would be so hard!

You would still have a couple of months left that you would have your $1,200 spending money left.

The most important thing you need to work on is your attitude (not you personnally) - if you really deep down don't want to change your lifestyle in order to save money then it won't happen. You definately have to have some self control! I have to talk myself out of going to Target every Sunday because I had been doing it for so long it had become a habit (plus I love Target).

Why don't you set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account to go into a savings account. I use Ally bank (on-line). Pay it just like you would a bill...

 

[suzieQ36]

I had dinner out last night at the total was just under $20 so I put aside $20 in a cookie jar!

Today is payday. I had about $90 leftover from my excess money from last check so I am setting $50 from that aside into my savings for vacation.

AND I didn't spend any of my singles or change yesterday or today so that is all going into the cookie jar as well.

In one day I've saved nearly $80. Everyone's advice is awesome and is helping me sooo much!

THANKS!!!

WAY TO GO!!! Sounds like you have a great start! You'll have that money set aside in no time!!

 

[LookinUp]

Hurray for OP, making progress! Not just toward her Disney trip, but toward a new relationship with the budget monster. Update that ticker, Princess!
Also, I must say as a mom myself that I agree with others about getting life insurance into the mix. (Your boy's father, should, too!) Check with HR to see if you can get basic coverage & have it taken out of your paycheck automatically. It's often cheaper through work, and relatively painless if it's off doing good for you & DS before you can even miss it. Once he's independent, you can shift the money to a retirement fund.

 

[MomToOne]

I wouldn't be able to stick to that. I know that I am going to need to shop before the trip for a new swimsuit, purse, etc. And it would be so hard!

Honestly, the first 2 weeks are the hardest. Once you get past that, you sort of "settle in" and it's not so bad. Set yourself a counter to keep yourself motivated - you know, 70 days to go, 69 days to go, etc. The first time you are tempted to go out to dinner or shopping, just say "ok, I'm going to push through the pain just this once and see how it goes." Go home and make dinner even though you really, really, really don't want to. (Been there done that! ) I bet you will be amazed how good you feel once you finish eating that dinner and can sit back and say "wow - that really wasn't as painful to make dinner as I thought it would be - and I now have $30 more than I would have if we'd gone out!" It just takes once or twice doing that for you to realize that NOT going out to eat can give you just as big a buzz as going out does!

Also, instead of shopping for the new swimsuit now, just keep it to making a shopping list and/or looking at catalogs, etc. for the next 10 weeks. Then once you have the money saved for the trip, you can start knocking off the shopping list. You will be better organized, and have a better feeling for what you really will need for the trip, instead of just what you think you need in the moment while you are shopping (been there done that too - have lots of stuff that was purchased for vacations but never packed ). The sales will probably be better on swimwear a bit later in the season too!

 

[SaraJayne]

I wouldn't be able to stick to that. I know that I am going to need to shop before the trip for a new swimsuit, purse, etc. And it would be so hard!

How badly do you want to go to Disney? Sometimes, as adults, we have to make what we feel are difficult choices.

Personally, for me, cutting out the booze and clothes shopping would be a no-brainer, if going to Disney was so important to me.

 

[crisi]

I wouldn't be able to stick to that. I know that I am going to need to shop before the trip for a new swimsuit, purse, etc. And it would be so hard!

Why do you need a new purse and swimsuit? Are your current new purse and swimsuit so worn they cannot function? Or is this one of those "I'm a spender going on vacation, I'll need new things for the trip." If the first is the case, you probably need a new purse and swimsuit, but I suspect the second is the case - you have a habit of buying. That's fine if you can afford both the trip and the spend - there isn't anything wrong with the new purse and swimsuit + the trip if both can be easily afforded. But it really doesn't sound like you can afford both - or you wouldn't be asking (and you'd have insurance and an emergency fund).

One mind trip I find is helpful is reminding myself that no-one's job is secure. How long would I be able to survive if I got laid off tomorrow. Since I have a HUGE security craving, that helps me avoid those purchases that really are wants and not needs - like a new purse when there are several good ones in my closet - or a new swimsuit for a trip when I own three decent ones already. I don't think in terms of "how many Mickey Bars or character meals" like many Disboarders....my opportunity costs are much more pessimistic. How much security am I giving up?

 

[princessnoelly]

no-one's job is secure. How long would I be able to survive if I got laid off tomorrow.

I've seen this lots and it really fuels our ability to save and to deal with the what if's. What if I get in a terrible car accident tomorrow and can't work for 2 months? What if DH dies tomorrow (yes we have life insurance but still!)? What if DD's get sick and we have huge medical bills- plus would I be able to work if one of my kids was really sick?

I don't live my life by what if's and the fear of not having a job tomorrow but I know if we did happen to get laid off tomorrow and DH was in a car accident we would have our bills paid for a few months and not have to worry about the daily stuff.

I had some medical issues and had a hysterectomy. The surgery leading up to try and fix the problems was expensive and I had to take off work for a few weeks (unpaid leave and the copays). The hysterectomy was also expensive (we have medical but the copays, Rx's, etc) and I took 6 weeks off unpaid from work. We had to cover that- it really pulled our emergency fund down. Suze Orman wouldn't approve of our vacation plans but we have no debt (other than a car and house).

I guess it's always important to have some money set aside for the events you can't plan in life and very important to get life insurance. It's less expensive the younger you are. Mine is like $13 a month for $500K for 30 years. So reasonable for the level of comfort it provides me.

OP BTW, sorry in my PP I said you were childless....I didn't look at your age or know you have a child. Sorry if I offended you with those comments.

 

[crisi]

You need balance, I'm not saying that you should give up everything until you are financially independent - but its a good idea to be able to take care of what can be "minor setbacks" if you are prepared - like six months of job loss or an extended medical leave.

 

[PrincessSarah314]

Just a quick update to let the curious know how it's going. I've saved about $1,600 so far...I've really amazed myself at how painless it was and everyone's tips have been great!

I would have saved more, but I did have my son's birthday and my best friend's wedding, along with a few other expenses.

 

[arthur06]

Just a quick update to let the curious know how it's going. I've saved about $1,600 so far...I've really amazed myself at how painless it was and everyone's tips have been great!

I would have saved more, but I did have my son's birthday and my best friend's wedding, along with a few other expenses.