What's your spending kryptonite?

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

I'm a big giant geek, so I love books and dvd's and movies. But I use the library and netflix and paperbackswap now, so I'm not nearly as tempted when I see stuff come out. Now I can wait until I have some fun money saved up before splurging.

[jenna30]

Lately, it's been items for my 3 1/2 month old son. Just bought his first set of swim gear, and will probably get a jumperoo soon.... and a high chair, a second car seat, some toys, lots of books, etc.

I do research the big ticket items, and try to get the best deal.

ETA: We're also looking to buy a small video camera.

[998fbird]

After thinking about this I realized I needed to add groceries to the list. To control the urge to stock up the pantry (which is already pretty much fully stocked) I have to not look thru the weekly flyers. LOL

[sharona]

Convenience and procrastination are my biggest kryptonites. My condo fees are $140/month unless paid after the 9th and then they go to $165. I've paid $165 almost every month. Convenience boils down to eating out too much and not being prepared so having to pay extra. I'm definitely working on the convenience thing but I fear the procrastination will never be solved.

[nidena]

I would say that my kryptonite is my part time job or, more specifically, going in when I'm not actually working. I KNOW that we have to get each customer to buy $50 worth of product in order to meet conversion so I feel *obligated* to do my part if I go in. I try not to go in.

[lurkyberk]

BJ'S Wholesale club! I go in with a small list. Then I end up walking out with at least 2 or 3 extra items that "I think will need eventually". I'm thinking I'll save myself a trip next time, but I'm back in 2 weeks anyway!

[chiver78]

Jun 5, 2011 8:53:46 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

Gardening supplies...flowers, mulches, seeds, tools, tan shirtless yard boys. ;D

I'm open to charitable donations.
Joost saying.

[sarcasticgirl]

it used to be make-up. i have spent thousands at the MAC counter. but I've stopped, because i really have just about every eyeshadow they have.

mostly now... it's cheese. or kitchen stuff. or placemats. i'm obsessed with placemats! WTF?

[mizbear]

sarcasticgirl- My grandmother and aunt laugh at my placemats and napkins. I was raised eating fast food and now I have denim placemats with matching red bandana napkins and bamboo placemats with heavy cloth napkins- and then I have cheap dollar store placemats for the nights when dinner is messy. And don't let me find napkin rings on sale!
Now that I have my own place and can call the shots, it is much more important that dinner be cooked at home and we sit at the table (even if you can see the tv from the table because it's a 1 BR apartment).

[dcmetrocrab]

When I was younger, it used to be music (used cd stores, Tower Records!, bootleg live recordings), sales, and video games. Now it's high end designer collaborations at places like Target and H&M. No matter how much I tell myself, ok these designs aren't so interesting, the quality isn't all that, I show up on first day of opening to "check it out" and get all excited that the clothes actually fit and go home with several items. (I have a difficult time finding adult clothes that fit me. Jr sizing will fit, but the design tends to be too teen.)

I guess my underlying kryptonite is that I enjoy shopping in the window shopping sense of the word.

[Deleted]

Clothes. I must stop now. I don't have time to wear everything I already have!

[mizbear]

How do you prevent something you need from becoming yor new spending kryptonite? Especially when you have no guidance? Other than the wonderful folks on WIR?

[gardenergirl]

How do you prevent something you need from becoming yor new spending kryptonite?

Interesting question mizbear! This one made me think.

Do not let the things you own end up owning you.
Live simply.
If you put the things you are supposed to do first everything else will fall into place and your needs will be cared for.

I think those words are some of the best advice I've ever received on this subject.

BTW, my spending kryptonite has been DD - buying clothes for a little girl is just too much fun! And also my hobby of collecting vintage fiestaware.

[mizbear]

I asked because I will have to replace my entire wardrobe and a portion of my dishes over the next few years- but after my bedroom suite is paid off at Christmas- I will also start racing my car payment and student loans (even though the student loans are interest free).

I guess that's the double edged sword of losing weight- but have also discovered the coating on my dishes is damaged after over 15 years of use and 3 exes.

[3jsmom31]

Plants..... indoor plants.... outdoor plants..... fruit trees, brambles, veggie plants..... annual plants.... perennial plants..... dirt for plants.... collectible plants...... ugly plants..... pretty plants..... this year, it may be a new home for plants.... I have more than enough... I try to stay out of the garden center. I try to not look at all the exotic new introductions..... I try to ignore the 50% off plants sale, but, alas, I just can't.... Just kidding. I do have a spending splurge each year on plants., and I would love, love, love to have a greenhouse to fill up, but unless I can figure out how to build one myself, it's not going to happen.... I've been thinking about how, though......

Also, lately I have "needed" to treat my kids. They have been pretty great while we've worked to pay down debt, and I want to make sure they know they are important, and I've enjoyed giving in after I've had to say, "no, not now", and "we need to wait" for the last while.

[lazysundays]

I used to not have one.. until I had a girl.. Now it's baby dresses!!!

[Agatha]

Jun 19, 2011 11:58:08 GMT -5 mizbear said:

How do you prevent something you need from becoming yor new spending kryptonite? Especially when you have no guidance? Other than the wonderful folks on WIR?

I think I can boil it down to one four word phrase:

Stay in and stay out!

It's the thing that works best for me. Stay at home and stay out of the stores. But, then again, cottage fever does take over from time to time. ;D

[mizbear]

agathas- I do pretty well with the "stay in and stay out" theory usually, except that these items are going to be a need soon. I am dragging my paws on buying them for as long as possible. I have already decided that certain people will not be going shopping with me because they do not respect my budget or my style or my personality.

I hate shopping honestly, but my dishes and all of my clothes are going to have to be replaced. I am trying to do this inexpensively as possible without coming off as cheap.