Saving money by not buying anything? - Page 2

[knittingmomma]

Yes, I agree with much that has been posted thus far - keep the TV off so you don't feel like you are missing so much, stay home as much as possible, when you feel like you really "need" something, wait a week and see.

We also go for a morning walk every morning, borrow books and DVDs from the library, even reserve some computer time one evening a week so the children can play some Magic School Bus Software. We really try to think of ways we can use what we have. For example, when I was out of coffee filters, I cut some large circles out of muslin and wa la- I just rinse them after each use and they work great.

I would love to get a barter exchange going in our area - as I have not figured out how to get around the fees for lessons, etc...

Warm wishes,
Tonya

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by nannymom

:
, but i find myself getting caught up in the need to consume and feeling poorer than I am when I am in stores.

I invite you to go to the cashiers area at Target the next time you're feeling "poor" Watch the people unloading all the :"stuff" they're buying on the register (saving money??) and see what the total is. Watch the person just sign away and keep going. Also notice his/her hurried look, eyes of chaos, and/or sense of entitlement until they get the bill. You are all the richer by not doing that- believe me. Notice it also in the malls as well.

[wildmonkeys]

I think this is an excellent point. We try to do this as well. We try to NEVER go to the mall - just a few times a year. The library is where we get most of our "stuff" - we can even check toys out! We never shop for entertainment. Instead we go to museums, parks, festivals, etc.

When we do NEED to go to Target (usually for a prescription) I make a list of the stuff we actually need (like toliet paper) and thus end up only going a few times a year and buying very little. We do hit the thrift stpore a few times a year when there is an actual gap in one of the kids wardrobes (last time it was snowboots) rather than just to browse.

BJ
Barney & Ben

[fek&fuzz]

Originally Posted by knittingmomma

For example, when I was out of coffee filters, I cut some large circles out of muslin and wa la- I just rinse them after each use and they work great.


Warm wishes,
Tonya

I LOVE that idea!

[westernmamomma]

Thrift stores have become my salvation! Especially 50% off days, I've gotten great, well made pants for ds for $1 or even some expensive brand name sweaters for myself for $3. Great for the post pregnancy time when I'm not quite into my old stuff yet.

[phathui5]

That's it, from now on, I'm doing all my shopping on Thursdays and am going to stay out of stores on other days of the week.

[rainbowmoon]

I like to read this website from time to time when I start feeling impulsive or wanting to buy stuff we don't really need.
http://www.verdant.net/

[mamababamba]

Thanks for the link. I do the laundry and try out new combinations of clothes. I also go scavenging through the yard and gather flowers or greenery to make me feel like I have harvested something....sort of the feeling we replace with shopping.

[westernmamomma]

I do the same thing! Especially since dh isn't so good at dressing the kids. I tend to hang up the clothes in sets so he just has to grab one and I'm assured that the kids won't go out of the house looking too crazy.

[Shiloh]

For example, when I was out of coffee filters, I cut some large circles out of muslin and wa la- I just rinse them after each use and they work great.

Tonya you are a genius! I am going to do that this weekend!!!!

wow sorry that's just something i would not have thought of and i waz looking at dh 'stack' of filters going what a waste!