Can't Stop Spending!!!!

[luvsJack]

Okay - if you're buying your groceries at Walmart, when you go to get groceries, go with a specific list and do not step foot outside of the grocery section.. That should help some..

That is my goal every week (not necessarily an accomplished goal, but I have high hopes every week. ). Actually when I do the "big" grocery trip, I tend to stay out of anything not grocery (but aren't they smart, putting the dog food right next to the electronics! ), as long as I go without dd and dh. Its the usual little extra trips that take me all over the store.

Like someone said, I probably would do better to pick up forgotten items at the Dollar store because I tend to only buy the exact thing I go in for. It just kills me to pay more for something in a place where the assumption is that its cheaper.

I think my main goal is going to have to be staying out of the stores completely. Buy groceries once a week and we get then or we don't get it. I would probably find there is a whole lot of things we really can go without for a day or two.

 

[C.Ann]

Like someone said, I probably would do better to pick up forgotten items at the Dollar store because I tend to only buy the exact thing I go in for. It just kills me to pay more for something in a place where the assumption is that its cheaper.

I think my main goal is going to have to be staying out of the stores completely. Buy groceries once a week and we get then or we don't get it. I would probably find there is a whole lot of things we really can go without for a day or two.

Stick to this plan and you'll be amazed at how much extra money you have lying around..

 

[Swalphin]

That is my goal every week (not necessarily an accomplished goal, but I have high hopes every week. ). Actually when I do the "big" grocery trip, I tend to stay out of anything not grocery (but aren't they smart, putting the dog food right next to the electronics! ), as long as I go without dd and dh. Its the usual little extra trips that take me all over the store.

Like someone said, I probably would do better to pick up forgotten items at the Dollar store because I tend to only buy the exact thing I go in for. It just kills me to pay more for something in a place where the assumption is that its cheaper.

I think my main goal is going to have to be staying out of the stores completely. Buy groceries once a week and we get then or we don't get it. I would probably find there is a whole lot of things we really can go without for a day or two.

I really try to go to WM once a week for my groceries, I stay away from the other parts of the store. But, you are right about the pet food all the way at the other end. I try and stay as focused on my list as I can. Also, sometimes when you think you need one or two things that turn into the $50 trip. Try to think of an alternative. Sometimes I'll think I have nothing in my house for dinner, then I challenge myself. There use to be this show on the food network, Door Knock Dinners. When Gordon Elliot would go to some unsuspecting persons home with a chef and whip up something great with what they had on hand. Sounds silly but, I will play that game in my head It is hard but, those quick trips do really add up.
With the holidays I am trying to resist the urge to get someone just one more thing, really they do not need it and won't miss not getting it.

 

[aclov]

I have this problem too, go in for a couple of things and come out with 3 bags!

 

[QVCshopper]

Whenever I feel like this, I join the no-buy month thread to get myself on track. I did really well with spending earlier this year, but got tired of it for a while. But, then I found myself shopping every time I dropped DS off a preschool (not a good habit, but it's so much nicer shopping without little kids begging for stuff). Anyway, I'm back on the no-buy this month and it feels good to take control over my spending. Not that I was going crazy, but $5 here and there add up!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

If I get out of WalMart or Target spending less that $50 I consider it a victory. I always see something I forgot I needed.

Like Playdoh? Mason was convinced we needed Playdoh today. That $3 has actually given me over an hour of peace so far so I think it was money well spent!

 

[reginaastralis]

I know the feeling but it's all stuff we need or are running out of at home. I go out for medicine for sick child and while I'm there I remember that we needed dog food, picked up a few items for lunch or dinner that night, dh is out of shaving cream and oh yeah, we are out of the protein powder we use every morning. But this was all stuff I was going to have to get sometime this week anyways.......

We are constantly running out of food, toiletry items, school supplies, dog food, etc, etc, etc. It's never ending! I try to stock up when I can but that rarely happens as I don't have a chance to hit the sales so I end up buying 1 at a time.

Next items I need to buy are socks for dh and ds, and undies for dd. That could turn into an expensive trip by the time I get out of Target, Walmart or Kohls or wherever I end up buying them.

Something that I have started doing, and it's worked so far, is that at the beginning of the month, I write a list of everything I THINK we will need that month. I meal plan, including lunches for dd and I, and I have a different list for household items.

Once a week, I shop. If it's not on the list, it isn't being bought. It helps me plan out more expensive items (laundry detergent) and needing to buy meat, I'm a single mom on a very limited budget ... lol, sometimes you have to make choices. I've also made it a rule that if it's for the household, it has to be on the list for a full week before I will buy it. That makes me do two things, plan ... and really think about what I'm spending my money on.

Obviously, this wouldn't work on stuff like medicine or an emergency, but it's worked for the past couple of months. And I've learned to really be on top of my own game, if I run out of conditioner, it's no one's fault but my own ... and my hair hasn't fallen out of my head from using dd's baby shampoo.

Just an idea, hth

 

[erinmomof2]

I used to be really bad at this. Now I ONLY carry cash with me and I do not use the ATM. I have so much each week and I know that I'll need $40 for groceries, $30 for gas, and that I only have so much "fun" money (usually about $20). Usually I put my extra in my vacation jar. I know if I spend all my fun money in one trip at Target or Walmart I'm going to regret it all week. It's worked out well so far, and I haven't needed to use the ATM except for unforseen expenses like Dr. copays and medicines.

 

[blackforest]

I have gotten into the habit of putting items in the cart, walking around the store (usually Wal-Mart), then deciding if its a need or a want. I don't do this with groceries or staples, but on those "little" things that add up big! Usually by the time I'm done sifting through the "extras" I see that I don't really need them. Then, I return everything to where it belongs. Plus, a bit of exercise. Can't do this with my DDs, but I spend to much when they go with me anyway!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Do not get a buggy. Do not get a basket. CARRY in your arms what you walked in the store for.

Keep walking. Do not stop to look at something unless it is on your list. That is, the list you ENTERED the store with. NOT the list you create while browsing the store!