I’ve never been a huge shopper(except for clearance shopping!), but back when I just had one or two kids and gas was really cheap, I used to spend more time at stores. Although prices are lower now, paying $4 a gallon for gas really made me rethink all of my excursions, and as a result, I’m now far less likely to go shopping unless it’s really absolutely necessary. Even when gas is cheap, wear and tear on my van is still something to consider…every mile that I drive takes me one mile closer to the point where I’ll have to get a new vehicle(not new-new, of course…just new to me!).
Another thing that makes me less likely to shop is my children. Since I homeschool and since none of them are old enough to stay home by themselves, I pretty much have to take them with me every time I go anywhere. Having to haul four kids to the mall or to Target or Walmart greatly decreases my desire to go browsing around, and so I really only go when it’s necessary.
I’ve decided that this is not all bad, though, because it’s a lot harder to spend money if you’re not at a store. You know how it goes when you head to Target…even if you’re just going to pick up some diapers, you inevitably find some other thing(or two, or three!) that you just can’t live without, and you end up spending more than you planned.
So, that’s my very un-womanly tip for today…don’t go shopping unless you have to!
Incidentally, this not shopping thing also seems to save me a fair amount of time, which means that I have more time for other money-saving activities. More on that next week, as I hope to finally get some posts up about efficiency, planning, and saving time(since so many of you have asked for posts on those topics). I seem to, um, not have had time to write anything about that yet. Apparently, I’m too busy being efficient. Or something.
photo by NNECAPA
Tianna
Friday 3rd of April 2009
I agree. The more you are at the stores, the more you buy and want new things. Staying away really helps me too. Question: What is compacting/ The Compact?
Tracy F
Friday 3rd of April 2009
Yeah, shopping with the kids is not very much fun. I tend to be the woman at the store who can't quite control her children. I am like you in that the habits I developed when gas was really high are sticking with me. I don't just jump in the car frivolously. Plus, last year I sold my second car and bought a bicycle. That has saved me so much money in so many ways. Of course, now I've been daydreaming more about buying bicycle stuff....like a second bike!
Kristen
Friday 3rd of April 2009
Calimama-I'm sort of compact-ish, but I do like to buy new stuff every now and again. For instance, I like being able to buy primer and paint for refinishing furniture instead of trying to find some on freecycle.
Battra-I like shopping, don't get me wrong. I love to go sift through the clearance racks all by myself. It's just that even when you're shopping 80% off clearances, it's possible to spend money unnecessarily and buy stuff you don't really need(which is just clutter).
My husband is a delightful shopping companion, and a lot of times when we go on dates we go browse stores together. I consider myself blessed, because not many husbands are such good shoppers. lol
Battra92
Friday 3rd of April 2009
I love shopping. Strangely I hardly spend any money but shopping was something that I always did. It was our family outings and with many girls I dated shopping was where many dates ended up (shopping and eating out seemed to be the most common.)
I'm learning now that there are a lot more fun things than shopping but when you need to get away from the office on your lunch break there are few things more fun than a bookstore or looking through all the notebooks and stuff at Target.
Frugal Dreamer
Thursday 2nd of April 2009
I'm with yah! I have never been a huge fan of shopping either. It sure helps :)