Do you have a shopping list?
By Antzon
@Antzon (159)
Singapore
September 6, 2008 8:54am CST
Do you create a shopping list before you got to shop? I usually do because i am a person that will tend to over shop and end up buying things that i do not need but bought on impulse. Thus i create my own shopping list, withdraw the amount of money that i need to control myself from spending extra. I find that this method help my save quite alot.
2 people like this
9 responses
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
6 Sep 08
Hi there Antzon!
Yes, I always make a shopping list before I shop because I have bad memory and if I don't, I am most likely to forget some things that I need to buy.
1 person likes this
@madasp (563)
• United States
6 Sep 08
Its funny because as I'm reading your post I have my list in front of me. I'm going later today and I have to have a list or I forget everything and have to go back and I always end up buying junk I don't need if I don't have a list.
I use cash and bring only what I'll need plus maybe 10 dollars incase of a really good deal for something I can stock up on then I leave check,cards etc at home so I can't be tempted. I also eat before I leave and most importantly I NEVER bring hubby! He's an impulse buyer and my total is usually double when he's with LOL
@Antzon (159)
• Singapore
6 Sep 08
Yea, cards are usually the problem that leads to buying junks as you cannot feel the pain when your money is being "deducted" because you cannot see it physically, however when you spend cash you usually see for yourself how much you have left and feel the "pain" if you spend too much and my wallet gets thin. :P Thx for sharing.
@sysco252 (43)
• Singapore
6 Sep 08
to answer straight to ur problem statement, i will say that what is more important is to focus and solve the root of the problem. and financial planning is the medicine to the root of the problem. u have to plan ahead of what u will need and calculate the sum out. afterwhich u divide accordingly and make the necessary calculations and decide if you are able to spend more or just buy the necessary stuff that u need. if you are able to spend slightly more, then why not? therefore the medicine to the root of the problem is not a shopping list or an amount of withdrawal. but rather it is a beforehand financial calculation that draws u to the next step of shopping list and money withdrawal. financial calculation is also a measure of your spending freedom and restriction.
@Antzon (159)
• Singapore
6 Sep 08
i believe a shopping list is a part of financial planning as you plan what you buy. Its a easier way to control how much you spend and a relatively good way to discipline yourself. Of course a good financial planning will be better in the long run. :D thx for sharing.
@sysco252 (43)
• Singapore
6 Sep 08
well, i do agree with you. i would just like to commment that having a shopping list is a smaller scale of financial planning. while having a financial calculate over a period of time is on a larger scale basis. therefore, what is needed is to look at the larger scale before narrowing down to the smaller scale as mentioned in my 1st reply. to see the restriction of spending through calculation would induce a stronger disapline then just a shopping list as the shopping list may be a little lenient that you may think "nvm lah, just spend a bit more also ok one".
@Sam334 (125)
• Singapore
6 Sep 08
Well, I used to have a good list of items...
Cabbage, Meat, Potato, Carrot. Basically, chicken stew of the like, and one small bowl of rice in the soup... It's what I love to eat, when I have to cook myself or something.
Then again, once in awhile i use the tidbitZ list, with a chocolate, 2 potatochips and 1 or 2 litres of drink. Just so you know, these actually finished in a day or two before I even opened them. Heh.
@benita2008 (102)
• China
25 Sep 08
I scarcely create one. If I need something, I would go out for it. I almost don't buy too many things at a time, because I'm not rich so that I can just buy what I really need.
