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    spending above my budget

    I have put myself on a tight budget because I want to get every single dollar bill we owe paid off. I have let one of the credit cards get higher than I can pay off in one month. That is how I like to operate. I like to pay each credit card off at the end of the month. Now my problem. I am not staying on my budget. Last night I bought 2 books off ebay. Both I felt I needed badly.
    Today we bought out daughter for her 40 th birthday a cake, balloons and a small plastic swimming pool for her and the children. My point is, why can't I stop? I could have lived without those 2 books and my daughter didn't have to have the cake tomorrow. My husband wants to eat out all the time. That is very expensive and I am trying to control that too. I will feel much happier when I do this. Any suggestions? Break my fingers so I can't buy on line? What else?
    Buglebe

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    Re: spending above my budget

    Having a credit card may seem fun or like a life-saver at times.... I have seen a few friends and family relatives get themselves into a bind with it, and have had to help them out. The only solution I can give you is to cut the cards up and only keep one for strictly emergencies, real emergencies!!!! After you cut them up, pay them off like you would every month, you will be glad you did.
    A freebie a day, keeps the doctors away!!!!

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    Re: spending above my budget

    What I do and that has helped..... I like shopping off the internet but I found at times I was 'overspending' my budget. So now, I'll 'shop' put everything in my cart and not check out right away. I'll take at least an hour or two (sometimes overnight depending on the store) and then come back to my 'shopping cart'....if I still feel strongly enough to purchase it I will, if not, I don't. This has curbbed a lot of my 'impulse buying'. Good luck.

    I also pay off the bill every month (I'm cheap and won't pay interest! ). If I know I have spent a lot, I'll avoid stores as well. Won't even go window shopping. Also get involved with 'freecycle' in your area (or Craigslist). I have and when I get something I really feel like I got a 'bargain' (and haven't spent a dime! ) and when I give, the feeling is great and the clutter in my home decreases! Less to clean
    Last edited by pepperpot; 05-19-2007 at 05:51 PM.
    Mrs Pepperpot is a lady who always copes with the tricky situations that she finds herself in....

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    Re: spending above my budget

    Thanks for the suggestions. I will try both except I will just put the credit cards away instead of cutting them up. Leaving my online shopping cart for a few hrs or overnight will be a good thing for me to try.
    Buglebe

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    Re: spending above my budget

    Happy Birthday to your DD!

    And for you becoming her mother 40 years ago too!

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    Re: spending above my budget

    Quote Originally Posted by pepperpot View Post
    What I do and that has helped..... I like shopping off the internet but I found at times I was 'overspending' my budget. So now, I'll 'shop' put everything in my cart and not check out right away. I'll take at least an hour or two (sometimes overnight depending on the store) and then come back to my 'shopping cart'....if I still feel strongly enough to purchase it I will, if not, I don't. This has curbbed a lot of my 'impulse buying'. Good luck.
    This is how I've curbed my spending as well... unless it's something that is on a really good sale (like stuff I buy through the year -- started that this year -- for Christmas gifts) and WON'T be on sale for long (also talking items under 10 bucks w/ shipping, not real expensive items). Yeah, especially if it's links for stuff here, I'll ask myself if I realllllly need it and will make myself think about it over night, 9 3/4 times out of 10 I don't go back for it.
    Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.

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    Re: spending above my budget

    All good ideas above. What I do is I get out my savings book, and look at it, then decide if I would rather put what I would spend in savings or just buy what I was looking at. I love to know that I have that nest egg, and I also like to watch it grow.
    Love being a Grandma
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    Re: spending above my budget

    My policy is to have an allowance every month and never go over it!
    also i wait till things go on sale before i buy. And stockpile if its a good sale.
    we have an alotment of money for everything. My dh is allowance and i use an allowance for what we can spend everymonth. This includes eating out, groceries, etc.
    My "adopted" brother. Gone but not forgotten. 8/23/09

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    Re: spending above my budget

    Quote Originally Posted by buglebe View Post
    Thanks for the suggestions. I will try both except I will just put the credit cards away instead of cutting them up. Leaving my online shopping cart for a few hrs or overnight will be a good thing for me to try.
    Try freezing your credit cards!
    I'm a Baha'i,ask me why.

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    Re: spending above my budget

    Lots of good ideas here. When I want to buy something like books or other stuff online, I limit myself to what I have in my Paypal account. It takes a long time to reach payout at some of the sights, so I put a little more thought into buying before I buy.
    In memory of my friend Becky B. who died from breast cancer. I can still hear her say "early detection, early detection, early detection"..........

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    Lookin for the Sunshine!!

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    Re: spending above my budget

    so much is IMPULSE buying. If we want want and then wait a few days and not buy you might find that you really didnt need or WANT that item. I have put myself on a NO BUY. I keep my debit/credit cards OUTTA reach as well. Saved me lots of money, actually saved lots of money and I find that I really dont need half the crude I was buying. Good luck
    ~~Debbie

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