How do you put the breaks on a shopping spree?

United States
August 14, 2007 8:54pm CST
Last week, I got the most amazing gift catalog in the mail. And, it was full of all kinds of really cool gadgets and kids toys and even furniture. And, surprisingly most of the items were $5.00 to $15.00, just in my budget. And, the moment I saw all this really cool stuff and the amazing prices, I wanted to buy them all. I was half way down the hall, telephone in one hand and credit card in the other, about to do some serious Christmas shopping, when I caught a glimpse of the ever mounting stack of bills on the hall table. Needless to say, it felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on my head. A very sobering experience, to say the least. And, that's how I put the breaks on my own shopping spree. And, my bank account has thanked me ever since! How far I've strayed from the frugal path! How do you put the breaks on shopping spree when you have money to spend? Do you find that it's harder not to spend money when you have a credit card versus cash?
2 responses
carlaabt
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
15 Aug 07
My husband and I have a rule about spending money. If it costs more than $20 (Total if I'm ordering it from somewhere), we have to talk about it before we buy it. That really helps me curb my enthusiasm for shopping a lot. I then have to go through and pick out what I can legitimately get him to agree to. Like for instance, we got a catalog recently, that was almost all kids' toys. There were lots of things that I wanted to get for my son, but I knew my husband wouldn't let me. So I looked through it, picked out a couple of birthday gifts for my nieces, checked on shipping, and then bought Elliott two new toys so we would get free shipping. They are going to be Christmas presents, so my husband had no objection, considering once you factor in how much shipping would have been on the things for the girls, we basically got two toys for Elliott for $6. If I had gone to my husband with my list of everything I wanted, he would have told me no way and I probably wouldn't have been able to convince him to get anything.
1 person likes this
beautyqueen26
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
15 Aug 07
That was a really good deal! I love those free shipping deals. I think this catalog gave free shipping with $75 purchase. That was another reason it was so tempting. But, now with the truck acting up, I have to rethink every purchase, not just the big items. Even the small stuff adds up.
KrisNY
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
16 Aug 07
Yes- Credit cards are Evil- if you misuse them- You feel like you can buy and buy- even when you don’t have the cash- Why not right?? I think of the credit card bill I’m paying now- I don’t even take my credit card with me most times when I shop.