Friday, October 31, 2008

FRUGAL FRIDAY

Today I was thinking that I have saved money this fall by staying out of stores. I go the places that I have to go and try to work all my errands around those trips. I am sometimes tempted to stop at a favorite store just to "look around" with no specific purchase in mind, but have resisted those temptations lately.

Lately, I have been trying to evaluate purchases more carefully and determine if they are "have to" purchases or "want to" purchases. There is a distinct difference and I believe I have saved a bunch of money by resisting those "looking around" stops and avoiding those "want to" purchases that might not be totally necessary.

7 comments:

  1. Great idea for saving money. Thanks!

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  2. Pat- I'm trying to do the same. I'm very surprised how much money I've been able to save by doing this. It's amounted to hundreds already!!!

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  3. Yes, Barbara, I believe I had become addicted to what I call “unconscious spending” and that can really be a drain on the bank account.

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  4. Oh, you unpatriotic souls! No wonder the economy is in such bad shape. Too many of us are breaking our "shopping habit" and "Gotta have" lust. "A little more won't matter." Don't you remember the post 9/11 injunction: "Go shopping!"

    I just wish I had a photo to attach of my tongue in my cheek. Time to re-form the economy on a more sustainable, Earth-friendly basis.

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  5. Yes, yes, Ritergal! I am looking more and more into reforming my own economy. It is shameful the way I have become lax and let money slip through my hands way too easily! This economic crunch has been an eye-opener for me to realize how careless with my money I have become. Time to wake up and reform, or, er, re-form!

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  6. I do that same thing ever since my husband lost his job. The only stores I go in are the grocery stores and then with my list! It is amazing the money I can save when I don't browse!

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  7. Terri, this morning I went with my list and my coupons. I stuck with my list pretty well except I added a kitchen sponge when I saw them because mine is getting pretty worn out and I remembered that when I saw the sponges. Otherwise, I only bought according to my list and my coupons. They forgot to take off my coupons before they put my transaction through so the manager just gave me the cash for my coupons, so I was able to walk out with $12.55 REAL CASH in my pocket. I felt like I had been handed a bonus. My prayers for your husband! I know that feeling! We have been through that before.

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