Another change… December 27, 2007
Posted by Carissa in debt, spending.Tags: debt and spending
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Since I now have months of waiting BEFORE we can even know how much money we will need for this specific adoption (it is one amount for Vietnam and another for Gabriel and Samuel), I have decided that if I cannot buy it with the cash I have in my purse, then I don’t need it (this excludes groceries and absolute necessities). Yes, I have thought this out. If I need to purchase something on-line I will use a credit card BUT make sure that I at that point have the money to put in the bank account to make an immediate payment to the card company. I am also reviewing all of our “extras” in the house such as cable, Internet and phone to be sure we are getting the best deal possible and see how much we actually need them. The beginning of this year will be all about changing my life so that I am saving money and paying down debt. The key here is me finding rewards that I can give myself when I don’t buy that amazing sweater that I absolutely HAVE to have because I don’t have the cash in my purse (and for those of you who know me - you know that I almost NEVER carry cash) or that new small appliance I have to have but don’t get because no cash in my purse. This will add to the allure of giving gifts this year, as I am going to include them as well. Aaron and I have cut back over time, but still need to cut back more and really don’t need some of the things we buy. Not only that some people are emotional eaters, I am an emotional spender. When I get down and out, the best way for me to pick myself up is to go shopping and buy something that I probably don’t need or really want. I know all of the reasons behind it, I just have never done anything to curb it. So now I have two problems (1) I need to find another emotional outlet and (2) I need a way to reward myself for NOT spending (and preferably not with food tomorrow’s post will do with that life change). So any good ideas, suggestions, or the like will be helpful…
(Just so you can follow along some upcoming posts will do with changes to my food/exercise programs; our house; our fundraising efforts; my schedule and if we are all VERY lucky hopefully soon there will be a post about our 171h!)
If I am not emotionally eating, I am emotionally spending! It is a vicious cycle and it needs to stop, especially the spending. Let me know if you get any good advice!
I do that, too! I’ve made great strides the past year though- cut my credit card, don’t carry cash and have an account where only bills are drawn from and what’s left is transferred to a ’spending money’ account. Before we got our referral, I carried around a coin with Guadalupe on it in my pocket. Whenever I felt down and the need to spend, I squeezed it to remind me that I need to save. Once we received the photos of our son, I would just look at one in my wallet! (Waiting to travel makes me *very* down)
You can do it!