New habits
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New habits
| Fri, 01-21-2005 - 12:12am |
Has your debt journey inspired new habits for you? Have you dropped an old bad habit, picked up a new good habit? Is there some small thing you have been doing (or not doing anymore) that has made even a small positive difference in your debt balances, bill amounts, or savings amounts...or even in your self-esteem?
Please share! Your story may inspire others here!
Thanks in advance! Littlesbigs

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I will say I've had 2 major issues in the past. Compulsive shopping and impulse buying. I have after years of major shopping issues been able to pretty much completly stop buying thing I don't need by training myself. I had so many clothes at one point in time it was sick, along with shoes. Since the birth of my first child I have learned the fine art of your children come first. I have to say that has made life alot easier. Before them I was a shopping mess. Most of the time I don't even think twice about it. I know my kids need things and I make sure they are taken care of before anything. But if there is any money left hubby better watch out lol. Actually I have to watch my spending on the kids for toys and clothes because I will buy them to much just to spend the $. Now as for spending on random crap, lets say at the grocery store. I still will see something at the grocery store and wan't to grab it. I HATE THE CHECK OUT LINE!!! LOL there is always such cool stuff there.
But I must say as much at it hurts to not buy 3 magazines at the checkout. Even though I KNOW I must find out why jen and brad "really" broke up, Or to read about the amazing 100 year old pregnant woman, and I really need to get rid of those last 10 lbs that are hanging on with an iron grip, I just stick to my list I wrote. sniff sniff.
So I guess for me and changing my habits the biggest plus had been using lists and sticking to them. Buying what I need and getting out before an impulse buy jumps on me. (I need those eye blockers that horses wear so they cant see side to side. keeps their attention on whats going on. Yeah I need those at the store). And as for the compulsive shopping I stay out of malls or department stores unless its a holiday or birthday. Thats how I handle that. My only store I allow myself to go in is the grocery store, unless hubby is there and can remind me that our bills are behind.
Whew that felt good to talk about
~Tris
Great questions!
All my best,
Danni
I don't leave the lights or anything unnecessary burning up electricity. I will watch tv in the dark, tv is turned off if no one is watching it, and I also have my thermostat set around 68. I turned it up to 70 a couple nights ago but I just couldn't get warm but I did turn it back down yesterday. If we get cold, we wrap up in blankets.
I don't go to the store unless I absolutely need something. It helps to control compulsive spending. Heck, I rarely leave my house. lol I figure, the less I leave the less I spend cause I'm not tempted with something I would like to have and I don't waste gas and spend more in gas a month.
I've cut down on smoking also. That is a big money waster although I haven't been able to completely kick the habit, I'm slowly but surely getting there.
More like a new lifestyle altogether. I no longer stop at Jack in the Box for a milkshake just because I happen to drive by, I no longer pick up $20 worth of extra stuff just because I happen to be at WalMart, I no longer head out to the grocery store because I'm missing one ingredient (and buy "only" $15 worth of extra stuff while I'm at it). I no longer go out to dinner because I happen to feel like it or think I deserve it.
New, better habits--I find fun things to do that are cheap and, usually, productive. I learned to knit and sew, both of which I enjoy (and I've made an art out of salvaging materials from free sources so that both hobbies are very nearly free). I garden. I make a menu each week so that dinner is easy and no temptation to go out to eat. I look at the dollar menu at a fast food place and think it's too expensive (I mean, really, a whole dollar for a POTATO???). I could cook the same thing at home for pennies. I put change in a change jar, and check my accounting before purchasing things. I keep a running list of items we want and look for exceptional deals on used items. But never buy them unless the money is already set aside.
As a family, we pick a show or two to watch each week that we all enjoy (on free network television). We play lots of games (picked up at yard sales and through exchanges with friends).
I watch other people spend money out their ears, and I can't even imagine enjoying it any more. It especially saddens me to watch people spend their childrens' futures on junk--candy bars, cheap toys, impulse items. And of course to remember that I used to do that too.
Yeah, lots of new good habits.
Heather
We have (finally, I hope) kicked the eating out habit. I still get the urge at times, but I find myself thinking that the money could be better spent, and we have all this food at home, and...
Anyway, I'm very proud of us for that. For awhile, maybe 2 years ago, we were spending well over $250/month on eating out. Even just last summer it was probably about $100/month. We've turned it into something that is only a very special occasion, and that's a good thing. :)
Kris
Since I began working on my debt in early December, I haven't set foot in a single discount store, which were always my weakness (they've got such nice bargains!). So no dollar stores, no trips to Dollar General, no stops at Big Lots, or even Walmart. Wahooooo!
Pat
I became much more consious of how I spend my money. I have bought about 5 things this month on my credit card only to turn around two days later and return them. I realized I just don't need the stuff.. and the guilt outweighs any "needs" I may have.
I have also started opening the mail immediatly and paying them right away. Its amazing to me that we even have the money to do that! It used to be if there was any money left in the checking acct at the end of the week, we blew it! now, i know to save it because there are more bills on the way.
I also have a magazine buying problem, but I have learned to bypass that cost. i have learned that my library allows you to check out past issues of all their magazines. so I may be reading them a week/month late, but I still read 'em!
we also joined blockbuster rewards which allows you 3 movies out a time with no return date, which saves us TONS of money on late fees.
kel
I take a different route to work so that I don't have to pay tolls. I live in northern central NJ and traffic is horrible around rush hour. My 20 mile commute takes 90 min, one way, and costs $1.20 a day. I found a different way that still takes 90 min, but I now get to sit in traffic for free!!!
I also stopped eating out. Not that I did it that much before, but now I never do it. I never order in at work, or stop for coffee in the morning.
I stopped buying makeup. I make makeup for a living, so there's no point buying it.
I learned how to cook!!! I used to buy frozen meals and prepared and prepackeged food, which is not only bad for you but very expensive. I learned how to buy what's on sale, and in season, so my grocery bills are cheaper. If I need to I could eat for about 10$ a week, but sometimes I splurge on some ingredients for a yummy meal.
I also pay my bills as they come in...overall I am more consious of how I spend money...
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