stop me before i spend again!

[lizajane]

can we start a support group for those of us suffering from the dreaded addiction to RETAIL THERAPY?!?

i simply do not have the funds to keep buying and buying and buying.

i have been waiting for the hanna sale FOREVER so i induldged (but used my WAHM business money so i wouldn't feel TOO bad.) but now i want a bunch of new things for my biz and i can't spend our personal money. I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T!!! i am afraid to buy sippy cups, for heavens sake! and all of mine LEAK like CRAZY. i fear the credit card. i fear the mall. i fear coupons and sales. please tell ann taylor to STOP sending me coupons for her loft stores! please tell the gap that i don't HAVE to have more of the cute tees that go with the skirt that is on sale even though i have a coupon for $25 off a $60 purchase!

deep breath...

[bcky2]

omg, i thought that i was the only one! i am such a sucker for the buy this much get this much off cupons and almost fall for it every time. i hate when the mail man brings the stack of catalogs and fliers to my house because im sure to find something that i like. we have paid down alot on our cc and even paid one off and i have to fight daily to not charge things on them. i am a online addict, who was the psyco that told me about hyena cart????????????? how many times can i buy "one last diaper"? i even rack up a fortune on traiding posts! me and money are just too happy to part x(

[elliput]

I have one last purchase for you to make with your credit card. Buy a locking fire safe, put your credit card in it and give DH the keys. Tell him he has to put them in a place that he will remember, but that you will not know and suspect.

I can completely sympathize. I hardly ever check out Bargain Alert, as I know Jo and Corie, and many others have found some incredible deal that I just have to have! :o

[mommyoftwo]

ITA. I can't check out the bargains forum at all because I always end up seeing some great "bargain" that I can't pass up. I always fall for the big sales.

[LD92599]

I tend to see a good deal and snag it only to think more about it and return stuff. I make a lot of returns (all w/ receipts!). I always think to myself i'd rather return it than pass it up. I'm always "window" shopping and coming home with something. Yet I *really* need new shoes for work and have I bought them yet? Nope!

And the link for the Kate Spade sample sale.......need to remind myself that I don't NEED anything!

Laura
Will is three...and doesn't sleep :-(

[img]http://b4.lilypie.com/vEOmm4.png

Use a Mac? Interested in learning more about them? Join us!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BBB-MacUsers/

[kijip]

2 tips:

A- block the email addresses for you favorite stores that alert you of sales via email.

B- Have someone else open your mail and toss out all the catalogs. I open my mail over the recycling bin to cut trash and $$ temptations.

make that 3-

Give yourself a cash allowance for stuff that you are a spendthrift for like this and stick to it. My downfall was groceries (oh look! $12 pesto cheese spread!) so I withdraw cash and stop buying food when the money is gone. Encourages me to skip the $12 cheese.

[mamato1]

Oh I am feeling your pain! I just spent about $50 on Everyday Minerals make-up. I am itching to buy some of the ELF brushes that everybody is saying are such a great deal even though I have perfectly good makeup brushes already. We got a 30% off coupon on our Kohl's mailer and went nuts buying stuff.

I heard a really good tip about managing your credit card. Take your credit card and put it in a ziploc bag. Fill the bag halfway up with water and lay flat to freeze. That way you have to wait for it to thaw before you can make a purchase. Of course if I did this I would just read the numbers through the ice and order it online!! :)

I wish I had an answer, but for right now please include me as a charter member of your support group.

Chris

Mama to Brendan (aka Boomer) 01/04


http://b3.lilypie.com/FnI6m5/.png

[bcky2]

i have thought about freezing my credit cards but then i picture myself holding blocks of ice under hot water to get them to thaw out so i can spend and realize that it just wouldnt work for me ;)

[mudder17]

Unfortunately, I (and DH) have memorized our credit card number! But it's not so bad--we almost only use our debit card, so we do have a limit on what we can spend. But for "frivolous" online purchases, I put a certain amount in my own paypal account every month and once I run out, I run out. I think it's definitely helped. It's very similar to what Katie has done.

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 27 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_-6_Kaya+is.png
Kaya will be a sister, ~11/14/06!

[ribbit1019]

Oh! Tell me about it, we have NOOOOO money and I just in the last month have spent more $ on stuff than all of last year combined.

I think it is because I am home all day and internet shopping is way to easy. I feel your pain.

When I get the coupons snail mailed or e-mailed to me I just trash them I don't even look at them, that helps a little. Well, that and I don't fit into any clothes at the places I used to shop. Maybe every time I feel the temptation to but something online I should run up and down the stairs 10 times. :)

ETA: Oh and catalogs get trashed too, my only downfall is the bargans forum. I have a terrible time avoiding that forum.

Christy
My Waterbabies
Maddy 6/9/04
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040609/3/4/0/-5/.png
& Jarred 3/8/06, 14 lb 24 1/2" @ 10 wks, a happily breastfed babe.
http://b1.lilypie.com/KH1pm5/.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/steitzsmith/Other/jump.gif

[TaChapm]

Our Credit cards were in the freezer for a LONG time. There were times when I would be holding my tupperware under the hot water to get the cards to thaw out. I felt like a crazy woman doing it! :) Now we don't even have a credit card. Once we paid everything off my DH cancelled them all. I really wish we had one for emergencies (like when all our Christmas gifts were stolen!) but we don't. We have a check card and a Christmas/Birthday fund savings account where all of our gifts come from.

I have been a little out of control buying clothes for Jaci here lately. (well...not a little...A LOT!!!) :) Girl things are just too much fun! Luckily I have my mad money from selling Mary Kay which has paid for everything but I still think DH is going to kill me. He doesn't realize that even though I pay with our check card I always put the money back in our account. He would be perfectly happy for our little girl to wear the boy's hand me down clothes. Men just don't understand! In my defense I have been on Bedrest which I think contributes to to the shopping.


Tara
Mommy to Jackson 11-10-02
Tyler William 6-9-05
OMG!!! It's a GIRL!! Due September 5, 2006!

http://b4.lilypie.com/gzWfm8.png

http://b1.lilypie.com/kLMem8.png

http://bd.lilypie.com/UEZ3m8.png

[Jo..]

There are some great freebies in the Bargains Forum...That way you can FEEL like you are shopping online, without spending a penny. I sign up for a lot of freebies, but really don't spend much money at all!

[tina-t]

I need to join that support group. I just bought a bunch of toys from the Amazon deal with free shipping, but ds does NOT need more toys! I spent some more money at the Gymboree and HA sale too!!! I feel like I just have to buy it because it is such a good price!

Darn! Dh is ready to throw me in the closet, lock it and throw away the key!