Can't help buying.
@Belle_of_the_Ball (896)
Philippines
March 18, 2013 10:24am CST
I find it hard not to buy something or spend a penny whenever I go out of the house.Most of the time, I end up buying food (even though there's no room in my fridge anymore) or petty stuff for my abode. I am a far cry from being a big spender,though.
It's just that realize that there's always something to buy needed for my home or for my kitchen.Few days ago, It seemed like I had been panic buying. Hoarding canned foods,bar soaps,tissues, powdered milk etc occupied most of my spare time. I had a feeling that I should not run out of these items in my cupboard for emergency.So, whenever I go out to mingle with friends or something, I would make sure to drop by the grocery store.I would never go home without grocery items. On the positive note, I have more self-control these days than the other months. In the past, I would spend over one thousand pesos for buying stuff mentioned.These days, I only spend less than five hundred a day. I think this is a good start.
HOw about you fellows, do you also find it hard not to buy anything or spend money whenever you go out? How do you combat impulsive buying?
2 people like this
24 responses
@Kksmarty7 (55)
• United States
19 Mar 13
I went through the same situation. When I got married I didn't have much idea about home stuff. I filled my pantry with overstock. And ended up by throwing expired stuff (almost half of the stuff). But now I make a list of the items and stick the note to refrigerator and add the items to the list whenever I fill like I need to buy a specific item. Every time I go out I take the paper with me and save money.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
18 Mar 13
I would suggest making a list and sticking to it. This way your not wasting money or spending money that you can't afford to spend. Its not easy, as I am always finding something I need also. I'm sticking to my list now.
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
18 Mar 13
I've been going through a phase like this as well. It just feels like I should be buying things. Maybe not grocery items, maybe I just buy lunch out, but I feel like I should be spending money.
Can you make an inventory? Maybe if you have a list of all the things you already have, you won't feel as much of a need to buy more. I guess you could take a picture of your cupboard and put it into your wallet, too.
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
19 Mar 13
If you find that you cannot be trusted to leave the house and not shop, you need to seek help. It doesn't matter whether the amounts of money are small or not, the fact that you are being overwhelmed by the compulsion to buy things indicates that there is a problem.
I am not a compulsive shopper. However, I have known compulsive shoppers. Often, the shopping is but one symptom of a greater problem.
@Belle_of_the_Ball (896)
• Philippines
22 Mar 13
As I've written in my post, I only buy food and some stuff for my kitchen.Few of the things I have mentioned were tissues,soaps,detergents and some canned food. I don't buy luxury items just because I find them pretty. So it goes to say, that I haven't gotten to the extent wherein I need a professional help. I have an allocated budget for the needs and necessities at home.
@nyssa102 (748)
• United States
25 Mar 13
I am the absolute opposite. I hate to spend any money at all. I am a compulsive saver. I cannot wait until I graduate and get a job, so I can play with mutual funds and investing again. I love those things, I love finance.yahoo.com. I love Exchange Traded Funds. I can't wait until I can make more money to stick into funds. That is where my fun comes from. I shop at thrift stores and dollar stores and will put it all into funds, savings, checking and CD's (diversify). I love to save money. I sometimes wish I was more like you are. Some people just have such fun in stores, I really envy them sometimes. I just can't find fun shopping, unless it is video game store or computer store. Have you thought of attempting to become a compulsive saver? I know some people combat their shopping love with learning to love to save.
@Belle_of_the_Ball (896)
• Philippines
22 Mar 13
well, buying fruits and drinks is not that bad at all.At least you are spending your money on nutritious food.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
23 Mar 13
I've been spending like crazy for some time now and I'm beginning to have to stop myself but even then I still find something I just have to have. The other day it was 2 new floor rugs for the living room because I have new living room curtains. I also have new curtains for the new kitchen which is being installed. It goes on and on. I bought a new car, solar panels and cladding for my house. I bought a generator and I'm taking my daughters on holidays.
I've never done anything like this before, not even close. I'm driving myself crazy.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
19 Mar 13
Well that is a good start for you.
There is nothing good about impulsive buying so you have to impose self-control whenever you go out. If you don't need don't buy that should be your motto. And it is my motto as well after I learned the value of doing so. You know, I used to be like you. I buy whenever I go out. It is just like I am not happy if I were unable to spend. But I have changed. I noticed lots of stuff in our house which are not really of use so I end up just junking or giving them away.
Even with food, I noted lots of them just get to spoil. Oh boy! Life is hard and money is not that easy to earn so why be that careless and carefree in spending? So now, I am the wisest spender ever. I learned good lessons from my own mistake. Think before buying and when you buy make sure you really need it.
There is nothing good about impulsive buying so you have to impose self-control whenever you go out. If you don't need don't buy that should be your motto. And it is my motto as well after I learned the value of doing so. You know, I used to be like you. I buy whenever I go out. It is just like I am not happy if I were unable to spend. But I have changed. I noticed lots of stuff in our house which are not really of use so I end up just junking or giving them away. Even with food, I noted lots of them just get to spoil. Oh boy! Life is hard and money is not that easy to earn so why be that careless and carefree in spending? So now, I am the wisest spender ever. I learned good lessons from my own mistake. Think before buying and when you buy make sure you really need it.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
19 Mar 13
Just thinking of how much it is hard to earn money, I try to spend it wisely. There is no room for me to buy anything that comes in my mind for the reason of just wanting to buy them. I make sure that the things that I buy are really needed by my kids. Otherwise, I just need to keep the money.
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
19 Mar 13
that is more like a syndrome i suppose and you will always get tending to buy new things and also very much interested to have look at them and keep buying always
@Cricket127 (548)
• United States
20 Mar 13
Hi! You have made a good start in only carrying around a certain amount! Keep at it! Do you go through what you've accumulated before you buy? If not, do so and perhaps write a list. Take the list with you as a reminder so when you feel the urge, you can say, "No I already have.... and I don't need it."
For me whenever I feel the urge to buy, I try to remember what I already have so I don't buy more of the same items. For example, plain white shirts for work are always good to have but how many do you really need? So look through the closet before buying any more but see if there is another part of the wardrobe (or in your case pantry) to see if it needs help. Still limit yourself to a certain number and stick to it.
Good luck!
@jemzchix (116)
• Philippines
19 Mar 13
Actually, I find it hard to see if i'm a big spender or not. but i've got a phone bill to pay, my sister's tuition fee, an insurance savings to pay, my daily allowance... what's left for my personal use is just around 1000 to 2000 pesos...
but sometimes, i still find it hard to have enough money left before the next payday...
budgeting for me is hard, and i really cant discern well if i'm a big spender or just have too many to pay...
@jdalaqui (1073)
• Philippines
19 Mar 13
Ladies are not really buying big things. Most ladies are buying small things but are necessary in the house. Little things which are many and so it costs a lot of money. Wow, 500 pesos a day is pretty big more but of course you have cost cut half of your usual spending. Great start.
@kingyrvee (17)
•
19 Mar 13
Before, i was a little bit impulsive buyer. I really love buying thing even its unnecessary. But i learn to control myself. I got my own family and have to budget and spend money wisely. So i only buy when its on our needs list.. Having this helps to avoid unnecessary buying and helps to save money.
@sunsham68 (1376)
• India
18 Mar 13
No, I am a very controlled and organized buyer, I actually make and follow a list everytime. Give or take a few splurges, but not something to break my budget. It really helps me to save more, and afford the things I really want. Did you ever add up on a monthly basis how much you spend? It might scare you into stopping faster :)
@r0ck_r0ck (1952)
• India
19 Mar 13
Who doesn't like to have all the good things in the world? I do, i am always looking for stuffs that are useful could be useful i also tend to replace the old obsolete ones with new stuffs and to be honest it has cost me a lot. So, most of my money goes in to shopping, i am not sure if i am a shopaholic yet but i am hoping not. Anyways, I think the stuffs i buy are the ones i terribly need and most of them are electronic gadgets.
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
19 Mar 13
I managed to avoid impulsive buying when I am not working, thus no active
earning. Even though I have credit cards, I am very disciplined. However,
when I am back to work, I start shopping again. So, to avoid it, I do not
go window shopping. But at times, my sister asked me to come along to share
my opinion when she test some clothes. She will asked me to take some to try
too, just to know whether some designs suits me or not. Ended up ...you guessed
it right! Most of the clothes looks good on me and I ended up buying, not her!
Oh no....
, I must stop doing this!
, I must stop doing this!
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
19 Mar 13
I know the feeling. I went out today to target and had a list, but yet I ended up buying an extra item. The extra item I bought was glass cleaner for the car. I hate overspending. I will have to rework my budget to make sure I can afford everything. It is hard living on such a tight budget and not being able to find work.
@Otanetix (508)
• United States
18 Mar 13
Yes, I do sometimes to succumb to impulsive buying, but I suppress my urges to buy with avoiding malls. In my free time, I have shifted my habits by going to the library instead of going to book stores. I also try to keep credit cards and most of my money either at home or in the bank. If I decide to stay at home, I just watch television or play games. Of course, there are other ways to keep myself occupied, but I cannot think of them at this time.
@Kathy1981 (157)
• United States
19 Mar 13
I am the mother of three small children. So of course when I have extra money. I will take it and stock up on items that you can always use. And when there is sale I check my coupons and buy lots. That way when you are broke you still have all the food and supplies that you need.
To me that is the right thing to do. Just never spend money that you do not have.
