Comments on: Why I’m NOT tempted by summer sales!

By: robinmadrid

robinmadrid — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:41:20 +0000

That is one thing the Wife is really really good at, finding good work clothes that compiment each other without spending a fortune. I’ve learned to trust her judgement on that one.

Speaking of shopping we’re heading home in a few days to spend some of those wonderful euros in Canada, to keep our selves on budget I’ve created a detailed shopping list of things we need. 90% of what we buy, we buy becuase A it is a regular purchase it and B it’s much cheaper

By having a good list (mouthwash is one, way way cheaper) we avoid the tempation to “stock up”

I’ll probably post daily on how well we do.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:29:18 +0000

I so agree with this post. It is all too easy to get sucked in to spending little amounts in a steady ‘drip drip’ way, especially if something seems like a ‘bargain’. I try to always use the ‘accumulator principle’, adding up the little spends that happen each day, or each week, and seeing how much will have been spent over a month, a year, or two years. Often the figures really add up and it is much easier to not buy that ‘bargain’ or your favourite takeaway sandwich or magazine if you think how much will be spent on such fripperies over a sustained period of time.

By: margot1257

margot1257 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:05:02 +0000

I love this blog and want to comment!

Two things have changed my approach to shopping:
1. When I had to tighten my budget because of a job loss, I was able to cut out a large amount of unnecessary spending by asking myself before every purchase “If I don’t buy this, will my life be less complete?” The answer was almost always “no”.
2. Four years ago, I had to empty my parents’ house of 40 years of accumulated ‘stuff’. It took a week of my time, sorting and pricing, followed by a monster 2 day yard sale. My mother was sad to see some of her things sell for yard sale prices. I vowed at that moment, I would stop buying non-practical things for my own home, especially on vacations, that can’t be eaten, worn out, or used up. This has made a sea change in my shopping habits. Now instead of decorative knicknacks, I bring home a T-shirt, a local specialty food (like Stilton from the UK–yum!), or French perfume etc.

By: Sharon J

Sharon J — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:18:30 +0000

I think you already know where I stand on this issue so it probably won’t come as a surprise that I totally, 100% agree. Sales are just another way of luring money out of us and as you say, better in our own bank accounts than added to somebody else’s, especially as that somebody else probably has tons more than most of us simplicity bloggers put together.

By: neimanmarxist

neimanmarxist — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:52:42 +0000

hear hear!