My husband will admit that he's the big spender in the family... He likes nice things and will spend the bucks for good quality items when he comes across a deal. He contends though that it's not these purchases that strain our budget. He has a saying that I "nickel and dime us" with my great buys here and there. After some self reflection and hands-on research, I've come to the conclusion that there just might be a bit of truth to his statement.
It's not the new bicycles (his vice) or furniture or surround-sound systems that we're having trouble passing by. It's the little things, like magazines and toys and home decor items that are putting me to the test. I can't count how many times I've wanted to grab a $2 ice coffee or a clearance t-shirt (darn that Target red tag) because of it's tiny price tag. They seem so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but they add up. I wish I'd been keeping tally as to how much money I was "saving" us by passing on these whims. I think that little nugget of info would most definitely help me stick with this spending trend in the long run.
What do you think? What are your hardest tests when it comes to spending/saving money?
22 comments:
Entertainment and Food! I could not shop for clothes or crafts or anything and hold off for a while.. but going out and eating is where I splurge.
I think, I fear, you might be on to something. I can't resist a good deal, it's in my blood. But if the item is not something I need, then really, is it a good deal afterall? Probably not!
I realized just how much this "nickel and dime" thing cut into our budget when a Starbucks opened up within walking distance of our home. I admit I am a bit of a coffee fiend and I was so excited I would visit daily, sometimes twice daily. And THEN, when I checked my Amex bill at months end, I winced in pain...$300 plus of StarBUCKS literally down the drain! Ouch! :0)
So I got myself one of those nifty single serve coffee makers with the handy little coffee pods and it's been bliss every since. Now that was a good investment!
I agree with Jennie entertainment and food. Have a golden day! xoxo
ah yes... my husband actually has a pet-name for me "old-nickle-and-dimer" - it's what he says when I walk in with a starbucks or a target bag or craft store finds...
But it is true, it the little things that are the hardest to give up and also the easiest to justify! But they can make a huge difference on your account balance if you cut them out (which I an still working on!)
I think you are completely right - it's how you run into Target to get a gallon of milk only to be suckered into all those deals... then you leave having spent $100. I'm finding that it's easier to save money when you really just say you are not going to spend it at all. If you just cut back it's the little things - the $2 here and $3 there that get you...
I JUST checked our bank account before I read this and did a month long tally of the little things. I won't even tell you how much we have wasted on fast food here, a trip to Target there, etc. It makes me sick! Things are changing TODAY! Great post, E.
Ugh, I'm with you here. I definitely buy those little things, thinking they're inconsequential but totally regretting them later. I've thought about setting aside a jar and dropping into it the money I *don't* spend on these little things, just to see/feel how much it adds up to. This is a good push to try that out. Your honesty about your struggles is totally supportive, Erin!
I am TOTALLY the same way - a little cappuccino here, a muffin there, anything that's on sale even though I didn't need it - it all adds up!
i go out for my daily cup of coffee--small size at a local coffeehouse (not starbucks). not bad really, until i add the pastry to go with it!
I get in a lot of trouble with the $1 and $2 bins at Target. The reason I have to have strict spending rules is because I would shop til I dropped if I didn't! can rarely resist "a good deal."
It's hard to say no to the little things. Because it's what you tell yourself- "It's just a small purchase"... I have been trying to stay away from stores (that I can avoid)- Like Target!
I spend way to much on magazines-especially the international ones! And then I am a total lattee addict and $4 a day sure adds up--but I have given at least that expenditure up in favor of the 50 cent black coffee at our local organic shop.
I think you have caught onto us all. I am the queen of a good deal. But it only cost $$ is my mantra. I have been thinking more and more about spending since you started this blog series. I wonder just how much I would save if I did it for even a month. Thanks Erin!
I totally know what you mean. I had a two-a-day venti skinny vanilla latte habit prior to becoming pregnant. It was costing me almost $9 daily. That's almost $3k a year! I've since cut that down completely. I still buy the US Weeklies though. Have to.
oh, uh. I succumbed to the little red clearance tag at target last week. A cute little tee for only $5.
You know, I like to have nice things, but I'm only willing to spend so much. My husband not so much. We can be thrifty on all sorts of things, but when he sees a gorgeous piece of furniture, he buckles. It's nice to get another couple's perspective!
Target for SURE! if only it didnt exist...but then what would we do?
That is EXACTLY how my husband and I spend. He does the big things, and I too nickel and dime us.
Don't worry, though, it gets easier. It will become a habit, and I hope that you can share my new desire to not shop. It seems the less I do it, the less I desire to do it. The problem comes when I need to buy something, like jeans, and I'm so non-committal, I'm sure I can find it cheaper somewhere else...then I just never find the right thing. Well, that might be ok too.
I am the same...magazines, coffees, quick runs to the local super expensive but very close market compared Aldi or some other cheap market that is further away, Target sales, home decor, yard sales, make up and a whack of other little costs that add up to a lot of money for us. I need to be ever so careful with money and I really struggle with that. I so loving your blog though. It reminds me to be careful but still be inspired with life. xo
great post, and I'm with you 100 %......my weaknesses are starbucks chai teas..target...mac cosmetics......... hmmmmm...I'm sure there are many more..:)
Hardest test? magazines are a big one for sure! so are trips to the drugstore--it's so easy to pick up a new shampoo here, a lip balm there, and before you know it you've spent $60!
Magazines and Starbucks are definitely big ones for me. We started buying gourmet beans and grinding them ourselves at home. I got subscriptions to only the magazines I really love and stopped impulse buying them at the grocery store.
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