Comments on: Overcoming A Strong, Sudden Bad Spending Impulse

By: Killer Bees

Killer Bees — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:53:05 +0000

I’m not a gadgets person, so things like Nintendo DS, PS2 and the Wii are a complete and utter waste of money. I understand that some people like them and good luck to them. But I’m glad I’m not a slave to every bit of technology that comes out.

The consoles are expensive and so are the games and for what? A way to entertain yourself and waste time. I can think of better ways to entertain myself and actually learn something instead of withdrawing from reality and spending heaps of meony.

By: paula

paula — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:40:21 +0000

Jenn’s remark is spot on. If you didn’t have the cash, you did without, OR used layaway! (I used layaway once, while in college, for some clothes. I took 3 months to pay it off, and then I got to take them home.)

By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 29 May 2007 23:32:52 +0000

It’s always interesting how this internal battle probably wouldn’t have even existed for most of us before credit cards. It used to be that you could either afford stuff or you couldn’t. If you bought that Wii you might not be able to eat the next day. Now it’s all about getting everything we want…

By: Jordan T. Cox

Jordan T. Cox — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:02:12 +0000

I bought a Wii sometime pre-Christmas and considered it a great investment. My wife and I have had so much fun with it that it’s paid for itself in fun alone. To each their own, but man… don’t deny yourself the fun stuff ALL the time!

By: Tristan

Tristan — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:16:36 +0000

My husband just went through the same “gotta have it now” impulse with a laptop. Someone at his work bought one. My husband isn’t usually jealous but it just ate at him that he wanted a laptop and this person who didn’t know how to use one bought a top of the line model. Hubby spent days surfing the net lovingly coveting laptops. I had to explain that we are living like no one else now so we can live like no one else later. There is no need to spend $700 so we can move around while using the computer instead of sitting at a desk. It took a while but he recovered from his temporary insanity. :)

I will show him your entry so he won’t feel so bad.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 29 May 2007 15:52:11 +0000

Thank you for this post. I had the same urge Sunday to go and get the $380 laptop, one day only/in stores only/etc. And fought it hard, all day! I had to sit down and think…do I really NEED a laptop? NO, I have a desktop and don’t really travel that often. What else could I do with $380…A LOT…am having master shower re-done in a few weeks. So, you have re-inforced my decision to NOT spend the cash.

By: HamiHarri

HamiHarri — Tue, 29 May 2007 05:22:39 +0000

aww…good for you – in a strange way, I am proud of you!

By: Wallet Rehab - Ways to save money

Wallet Rehab - Ways to save money — Tue, 29 May 2007 04:12:21 +0000

It’s almost like you fight impulse buying the same way other people manage their anger. Take a deep breath, count to ten, take a walk, etc. Great advice!

By: Getzly

Getzly — Tue, 29 May 2007 02:51:57 +0000

The Wii – like any toy or gadget – is most desirable when it’s sitting on the store shelf or when you’ve just purchased it. A few weeks later, it’s just another possession. I know; I own one. I say congratulations for resisting.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 29 May 2007 00:02:06 +0000

I’d have thought about the fact that they’re selling for $300+ on eBay, and that you could buy it, play it for a few days or a week, and then make a small profit on it if you decided to.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 28 May 2007 23:24:41 +0000

I definitely know the feeling–I was reading the local paper online & they had an article about infrared gas grills. I’m in the market for a new grill once I finish moving, so I looked up the price of these new ones, which were waaaay out of what I’d budgeted to spend. Part of me wanted it SO BAD, but I took a deep breath & hit Consumer Reports. They didn’t rate those infrared grills all that highly, so whew!

Also, thanks for the paperback swap website link. Once I get settled in my new house, I’m totally going to be ready to swap!

By: Jay Wilson

Jay Wilson — Mon, 28 May 2007 22:50:35 +0000

Congrats on the self control! Recently, I’ve had to endure a similar temptation when I amassed a sizable stash in my savings account. I was so tempted to spend it on a long time want, but reason got the better of me and i sat on the cash. Felt good.

By: Cari

Cari — Mon, 28 May 2007 21:06:28 +0000

I love these posts with your personal experiences. One thing that occurred to me when I read your post was all the recent research on how the happiness we gain from a big purchase is almost never as much as we expect. Good for you for thinking ahead to how much fun you’d actually get out of it, and all the other things that you already enjoy doing with your family. I also agree with Rob that making saving a sort of competition with yourself is a good strategy — but it’s not just a male thing!

By: Claire in CA

Claire in CA — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:56:52 +0000

You totally rock. You inspire me to do better with our finances. I took a similar route with the video games. I bought a PS2 for about $100 at Christmas for my son (who was using a VERY old Nintendo 64 for the past few years). I could have bought the more expensive one, but felt like he would have just as much fun with the PS2…and he has.

I don’t believe life is about “fun” and “playing,” as Joe stated. It is about making the most of each day, giving to those in need, and taking care of your family. You can’t very well have “fun” with a clear conscience if you have mountains of debt that you continue to deny while having said “fun.” Denial and pain come when we can’t pay the bills, but continue to take expensive vacations and buy expensive game systems on credit.

God bless you on your journey to financial freedom!

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:55:10 +0000

Thanks for this post! I think that you are clearly having fun, playing, and making the most of each day – and it’s good to remember that a gadget isn’t the only way to do so. That was a tough call, but I suppose the good news is, you’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future to get the Wii if you still want it.

By: Rob in Madrid

Rob in Madrid — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:54:51 +0000

To help me stay motivated I’ve started setting aside the money that I save from my shopping budget and my weekly allowance. I can’t get over what a motivating factor it is seeing the money you saved growing. Today I was tempted to stop by Starbucks for lunch (ummmm Starbucks) but I looked over and saw how much I’ve saved already and thought nah. I used to eat out several times a week but now I don’t. I use the male competitive instinct, it’s now a competition with my self to see if I can beat myself each week.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:50:22 +0000

You should have bought one!

Life isn’t about denial and pain — it’s about fun, playing, and making the most of each day.

By: CB

CB — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:48:51 +0000

I am just wondering, why not buy one to resell on eBay? They are still going for ~$300 plus shipping, which would be a nice 20% return on your investment.

By: clkl

clkl — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:09:06 +0000

Congratulations on winning this difficult battle!

Think of each person you’ll inspire with this post as “spiritual interest” on the $250 saved!

Enjoy your well-earned victory…

By: JMHX

JMHX — Mon, 28 May 2007 19:42:46 +0000

As a man who has recently fallen victim to the frezied mob-rule that is Wii shopping, I have to agree with the vast majority of your points. The mood rush often influences us to make purchases we later regret. However, constantly talking onesself out of “splurge” purchases seems like the wrong path – there must be a little enjoyment on an impulse purchase once in a while. While the $250 price tag on the Wii is excessive, sometimes we just have to treat ourselves.