STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Sandy · Kate Spade

shopping ban tips?

jacL · Coach

OOh, this sounds hard. I was on a shopping ban but it was easier for me because I really had no money. What helped me was not to read the shopping/fashion thread on this forum. I don't know, maybe hang a picture of a possible [used] new car where you can always see it...that may help.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Do you have a savings account? If not, open one and put your car money in it. This way the cash isn't in your bank account and you won't see all the dollars in your checkbook waiting to be spent! And of course every payday put what you can into the savings.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

Cortney1982 wrote:

Do you have a savings account? If not, open one and put your car money in it. This way the cash isn't in your bank account and you won't see all the dollars in your checkbook waiting to be spent! And of course every payday put what you can into the savings.

I agree- how about an ING account? Great interest, plus you have to wait a few days to get your money so the possability of an impulse buy isn't really there. Put the money in there and pretend it doesn't exist! (I actuall have been having $50 a week direct deposited in mine and I never check it and kind of forgot about it- I was very pleasantly surprised when I checked my balance the other day! Since it's not right with all of your other money, it's not as tempting to spend

)

laken1 · Hermes

The best thing I think I did during my shopping ban was give myself a little allowance - I said $20 a week. That way you have a little bit to spend to fight the "spending" reflex - It made me feel like I could have a little something (say a tank or tee from Target) & a little fast food, but it also made me really think about what did i want to spend that little bit of $$ on - I myself would much rather have a new shirt than taco bell. I am a firm believer that you if you COMPLETELY deprive yourself, it will be so much harder (same with diets, etc) HTH

Sandy · Kate Spade

Thanks for all the tips, girls. I deposited all the money in my wallet into the bank, except for $20. That seems like the perfect "allowence" to give myself. I opened an ING account (my mom has been telling me to do this for ages... I didn't realize the interest was so high). I put all my car money in it, leaving just enough money in my checking account for bills and gas. I just need to figure out how much I should have directly deposited into my ING account each week. I printed out pictures of the car I'm getting and put one by the computer (to cut out online purchases) and in my wallet (to make me think twice about pulling out the debit card or credit cards). I can do this... thanks for the great suggestions!

laken1 · Hermes

Just out of curiosity - what kind of car are you getting? I'm about 6 months away also from getting some type of new (well, also used) vehicle & I'm kind of looking for something reasonable, gas efficient, etc. I haven't car shopped in years so I'm kind of getting a little list of "possibles" together.

Andrea Julia · Coach

ILoveChoo wrote:

Cortney1982 wrote: Do you have a savings account? If not, open one and put your car money in it. This way the cash isn't in your bank account and you won't see all the dollars in your checkbook waiting to be spent! And of course every payday put what you can into the savings. I agree- how about an ING account? Great interest, plus you have to wait a few days to get your money so the possability of an impulse buy isn't really there. Put the money in there and pretend it doesn't exist! (I actuall have been having $50 a week direct deposited in mine and I never check it and kind of forgot about it- I was very pleasantly surprised when I checked my balance the other day! Since it's not right with all of your other money, it's not as tempting to spend )

Once you get the ING account, you can convince other people to sign up and then you will get $10 per person. They don't let you touch these bonuses for a month so there will be no chance of you spending them.

Some other ideas that come to mind to help you with your ban are writing up a story of one time you just had to have some impulse purchase and where it is now (i.e. in the back of your closet, given away, etc.) and bringing it with you everywhere (to show that you don't really have to have everything you think you need at that moment) or carrying around a picture of the car you want.

-- Edited by Andrea Julia at 14:10, 2005-08-31

Sandy · Kate Spade

laken1 wrote:

Just out of curiosity - what kind of car are you getting? I'm about 6 months away also from getting some type of new (well, also used) vehicle & I'm kind of looking for something reasonable, gas efficient, etc. I haven't car shopped in years so I'm kind of getting a little list of "possibles" together.

I think I'm getting a 2003 (maybe 2004, depending on what kind of deal I can get) Toyota Corolla. They're excellent on gas and will last forever. I change my mind between a Corolla and a VW Jetta, though (almost daily). If I had it my way, I'd get a VW Cabrio... also good on gas, but since I live in the northeast, a convertible isn't really my best option (I've always heard the roofs leak and they're very cold in the winter).Plus, while everyone I know who has a VW is satisfied with their car, I've heard some horror stories on how much money they are to fix, and that they break often. I'm still researching that...

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I just told three of my co-workers about ING (hoping to make some extra money ) and I typed up a story about something I thought I needed and just gave away because I never wore it. Thanks again!

halleybird · Hermes

Stephanie wrote:

laken1 wrote: Just out of curiosity - what kind of car are you getting? I'm about 6 months away also from getting some type of new (well, also used) vehicle & I'm kind of looking for something reasonable, gas efficient, etc. I haven't car shopped in years so I'm kind of getting a little list of "possibles" together. I think I'm getting a 2003 (maybe 2004, depending on what kind of deal I can get) Toyota Corolla. They're excellent on gas and will last forever. I change my mind between a Corolla and a VW Jetta, though (almost daily). If I had it my way, I'd get a VW Cabrio... also good on gas, but since I live in the northeast, a convertible isn't really my best option (I've always heard the roofs leak and they're very cold in the winter).Plus, while everyone I know who has a VW is satisfied with their car, I've heard some horror stories on how much money they are to fix, and that they break often. I'm still researching that... Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I just told three of my co-workers about ING (hoping to make some extra money ) and I typed up a story about something I thought I needed and just gave away because I never wore it. Thanks again!

I had a Corolla and

d it. My husband, who knows a lot about cars, said he usually advises against VWs b/c they are expensive to fix.