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Smart Money Moms

  • Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
  • Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
  • Work at home
  • Group Leader
How to keep from buying stuff you don't need
FamilyHost_Annabelle - September 12, 2009
Many people across the nation are in hot water because of overspending. Hubby and I used to overspend before we had kids, just because we were on our own and felt like we had done so much saving for the wedding and furniture that we wanted to splurge. Fortunately that habit was short lived because we started our family and knew we wouldn't be able to afford to pay for all our expenses with only hubby's paycheck if we didn't make our spending come to a screeching halt. Now we use the one week rule. If we want something, we wait a week to see if we still want it. If we still do, we ask ourselves if it's a "want" or a "need." If it's a "want" we examine why we want it and try to think of something less expensive that will satisfy us. If it's a need, we try to see if it's something we can borrow, and if not, we only buy it on sale.

What do you do to keep from buying things you don't need? Tell us how you do it! For some interesting reading, check out the article "How to Manage the Family Budget" at http://family.go.com/parenting/article-sk-492148-how-to-manage-the-family-budget-t/. It's an eye opener!
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  • Work part-time outside home
kayceecat - September 12, 2009
I used to be pretty guilty of this, but since paying off everything I have become more careful about what I spend my money on. I pay cash for most things and then think about how many work hours an item costs and that helps me decide if it is something I think is really worth spending my hard earned money on.
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  • Son: Age 4
  • Daughter: Age 4
  • Step-daughter: Age 14
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Stay at home
maddoxabz - September 13, 2009
I used to be guilty of this until I had my twins. I did so much online shopping at work! Food shopping was another thing where I would buy something just because it was on sale and I might use it. Now that I'm a SAHM and we only have one income we always stick to a budget. We make sure to only buy necessities and are always checking for sale and clearance items. I actually don't miss the shopping (did I actually say that?) and it's very nice to be so much more diciplined with our money.
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  • Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
  • Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
  • Work at home
  • Group Leader
FamilyHost_Annabelle - September 15, 2009
Replying to ...
  I used to be guilty of this until I had my twins. I did so much online shopping at work! Food shopping was another thing where I would buy something just because it was on sale and I might use it. Now that I'm a SAHM and we only have one income we always stick to a budget. We make sure to only buy necessities and are always checking for sale and clearance items. I actually don't miss the shopping (did I actually say that?) and it's very nice to be so much more diciplined with our money.  
By maddoxabz
I hear you, Katrina. There's nothing like having one income to jolt us into budget-keeping!
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  • Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
  • Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
  • Work at home
  • Group Leader
FamilyHost_Annabelle - September 15, 2009
Replying to ...
  I used to be pretty guilty of this, but since paying off everything I have become more careful about what I spend my money on. I pay cash for most things and then think about how many work hours an item costs and that helps me decide if it is something I think is really worth spending my hard earned money on.  
By kayceecat
kayceecat, thinking about the number of work hours it would take to pay for something is a great way to curtail spending. Thanks for sharing that great idea!
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  • Son: Age 32
  • Oklahoma
  • Work full-time outside home
BroncosDad - October 29, 2009
I have a Saturday night Live video clip of a spoof called "If you don't have the money, don't busy stuff." It's with Steve Martin and is like an infomercial. The pitch guy repeats over and over the premise, while the needy couple keep asking if they can buy stuff and not have money to pay for it. It's hilarious, but it led to a great discussion with my small group on how easy it is to buy things on credit, which is the same as taking out a loan at 22% interest, something we would never do when we go through a bank.
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  • Daughters: Ages 34 & 32
  • Grandsons: Ages 2, 2 & 17 months
  • Work at home
  • Group Leader
FamilyHost_Annabelle - 3 weeks ago
Replying to ...
  I have a Saturday night Live video clip of a spoof called "If you don't have the money, don't busy stuff." It's with Steve Martin and is like an infomercial. The pitch guy repeats over and over the premise, while the needy couple keep asking if they can buy stuff and not have money to pay for it. It's hilarious, but it led to a great discussion with my small group on how easy it is to buy things on credit, which is the same as taking out a loan at 22% interest, something we would never do when we go through a bank.  
By BroncosDad
There's a lot of wisdom in the clip, BroncosDad! Thanks for sharing that!
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