One Snarky Chica with Issues

Each Wednesday focuses on personal finance/money issues

If I had started this blog 10 years ago, it would look a lot different. At the time, I was working two jobs to pay for a lifestyle that I did not need to be living. I was in college and thought I was too cool for the school cafeteria - even though I had food available to me at no additional cost other than my tuition which was already paid! I ate most of my meals downtown where I spent at least $10 per meal, if not more. One of my jobs was at a department store at the mall, where I received a generous discount. Exactly how many pairs of Calvin Klein jeans does a 19 year old need? Apparently, I thought I need about 7 pairs, since I got a discount on them. But I didn’t stop at jeans, and I never bought something without a tag on it. Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and so on. As you might guess, I was not content spending money only at the store at which I worked, I mean, there was a whole mall attached to it! Two jobs and I was still using credit cards because my compulsive spending habit was way outta control. I’m actually still probably paying for some of those purchases on the credit card balances I’m trying to pay off.

But don’t worry; this chica is now a reformed compulsive shopper.

Breaking spending habits is hard work. Much more difficult than navigating a crowded mall the day after Thanksgiving with both arms full of bags of stuff you don’t need.

Avoiding temptation is the key to breaking these habits. While I don’t think I would go spendy-crazy in a mall these days, at the time I would have so I just stopped going to malls or stores like TJMaxx and Ross. In fact, I rarely go to malls these days and I cannot remember the last time I went into a TJMaxx or Ross.

I only go to discount warehouse clubs like Sam’s or Costco if absolutely necessary. For instance, I buy the Eggland’s Best omega-3 eggs at Sam’s because at Sam’s the case has 3 rows of eggs for $2.50 and the grocery store package has 2 rows of eggs in it for $2.50. This means I have to go to Sam’s about every 6 weeks. When I do, I run in and try not to look at anything else!

I try to only use cash or debit cards. When I am feeling the pinch of spending money then I tend to spend less of it. Sometimes I will use a rewards credit card but everytime I do I end up spending more than I meant to and it doesn’t hurt the same….until I get that bill.

I make shopping lists. If I have to go to Target or the grocery store, I make a list before I go and try my hardest not to deviate from it for any reason. If I only have a few things on the list then I won’t get a shopping cart, which means I can only buy what I can carry, which is very effective.