Comments on: Dealing With A Bad Day Without Spending Money

By: barb

barb — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:06:17 +0000

I have this problem myself, but reading your column the past few months has really helped to clarify my spending habits. I am trying hard to change my emotional spending. What does help me is either going on an internet “freebie hunt”, or better yet, a good old fashioned thrift store shopping trip. I can bring just a few dollars, a five & a few ones is good, & hit the book section. I am a book lover, & love to own books. The thrift stores are great for books for cheap. Then I can trade some of them at the used book store for credit for books I couldn’t find at the thrift store. I realize this was suppossed to be ways to not spend at all, but if a person has trouble going “cold turkey”, a thrift store spree can help.

By: Beta

Beta — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:22:26 +0000

I find making money can give me almost the same kick as spending it. So if I’ve had a rotter of a day, I often get on Ebay and list a few items I have lying around. Watching bids mount up is a kick that DOESN’T damage your net worth.

By: Money From The Sky

Money From The Sky — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:11:43 +0000

I can say this is probably one reason I am in debt now. Feeling down, buy something. It seems to work like clock worth. This year I will stop myself from making these bad decisions.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:37:50 +0000

@tighwadfan – I also like to browse my local bookstore, leaving my money at HOME so removing the temptation to buy. I’m a true bookworm and browsing a local bookstore always gives me the “warm and fuzzies” – even if it means a trip to the library at a later point to check out a book I spotted at the store!

I’m also a fan of exercising, though I can’t currently use that outlet as I was in a car accident just over a month ago and am still recovering. I’m looking forward to getting back to the gym but I suppose it’s a blessing in disguise that I’m not able to see the “New Years Rush” from the hoardes of people wanting to lose 20+lbs – they’ll die out before I’m allowed to go back!

By: tightwadfan

tightwadfan — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:03:45 +0000

one thing that works for me is going to the library. I can satisfy my shopping cravings by taking out books, without spending any actual money. and having a new book to read is usually a mood-lifter. and I don’t get the “I just added more clutter to my house” post-shopping regrets, because the books have to go back.

By: tightwadfan

tightwadfan — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:56:59 +0000

I still have trouble with this myself. Glad you have found non-spending alternatives.

By: f1owerprincess

f1owerprincess — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:04:49 +0000

Make something. Be creative. I knit or crochet or bake. I baked raisin filled cookies the other day, making up the recipe as I went, as I can’t find a recipe for them. :) That cheered me up quite a bit and eating 2 or 3 helped, too.

By: Shareef

Shareef — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:52:58 +0000

No Wii Boxing :(

As the above poster stated, online gaming is a definite, particularly first person shooters.

By: Fable Fox

Fable Fox — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:58:05 +0000

I just listen to music.

Quote “sing a sad song just to turn it around….”

That’s “Bad Day” by Daniel, isn’t :-)

http://www.fablefox.com

By: ArtFrugal

ArtFrugal — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:14:32 +0000

A nice long walk while talking to myself out loud does it for me. I end up talking myself out of whatever it is that’s sending me into a funk. (I stop talking out loud if I come across other walkers – don’t want them to cross the street because of me – or get a rep in the neighborhood – lots of people walk at night around here! : )

Just wanted to say to you that yours was the first blog that I started reading about 6 months ago, and I really enjoy your writing, and your thoughts. Your blog has led me out of my ‘all work drains me’ funk and has sparked my creativity that has been dormant for a long time. I’ve learned to think about my finances and started saving and paying off debts. How I managed to not think about always having some sort of debt, I don’t know how I didn’t realize what I was doing… Anyway, thank you!

By: guinness416

guinness416 — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:44:15 +0000

There is very little that exercise isn’t a good cure for – lethargy, feeling down, overwork, bad weather. I agree with the others, a good session in the gym without a doubt the standout on the list for me.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:42:14 +0000

I find that listening to sad music and singing along helps…because I can identify with the music, so I’m not forcing things. But singing gets my mind off the other stuff. Oh dear. I guess that means I “sing a sad song just to turn it around….”

Also today I made a list of all the things that went excellently, because I was feeling depressed. Like the bus arrived at the stop exactly when I did or a baby that we thought wouldn’t pass finally passed his hearing test.

By: Millionaire Money Habits

Millionaire Money Habits — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:07:43 +0000

I’m the same. I find that when I hit the gym during a bad day my mood changes entirely. It allows me to blow off some steam or forget about what’s bothering me all together.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:03:25 +0000

I personally go the exercise route. It’s either jogging or aerobics for me. After 30-1 hour, I feel better and can relax more at night.

By: na0

na0 — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:21:02 +0000

i have a music playlist on my itunes of music that makes me feel happy.
this sometimes helps get me through those rough days.

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:59:49 +0000

I have a “savings can” that I add to when I have a bad day and have the urge to spend. Believe it or not, it took me a few years to get into this habit, but once I got into it it became second nature. I used to go buy music CDs or movies when I was having a bad day and so I began saving the receipts in a can. After a time I would open the can, get a calculator, add up the receipts and see how much I had spent.

Now, instead of putting receipts in the can, I put money in it. When I’m having a bad day, I’ll add more to the can. At the same time I add to the can (during my bad day) I add the money in the can up, and write down on a piece of paper the date. Then I look at the paper, see if there are any “trends” of when I have added money (the bad days) and then I get a calculator and do the math. I add up the averages and multiply them by months, or years and see how much I would have in X time frame if I hang on to this money instead of spend it.

This does two things, it puts saving money into my head instead of spending it, and it makes me realize what my potential savings can grow to if I leave it alone. This usually gets rid of my desire to spend.

By: MVP

MVP — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:53:04 +0000

Um, how about good, old-fashioned whoopee with your significant other to help you forget your troubles. If done correctly, it releases endorphins and raises your heart rate!

Also, a good night’s sleep sometimes is what I need to get back on track.

By: sp

sp — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:40:14 +0000

I had read a tip a while back that suggested making a list of ten things that help you feel better and carrying the list around in your wallet or purse. Any time you feel stressed or are having a bad day, you can just pull out the list and do one thing to start feeling better.

There is only one thing on my list that costs money: getting a haircut. All the other things — including walking in the woods, giving the pup a massage, etc. — require no money whatsoever!

By: Dividends4Life

Dividends4Life — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:23:00 +0000

Personally, I crave something greasy when I have a bad day. Given my expanding waistline, I need to start having better days or find another outlet. :)

Best Wishes,
D4L

By: The Saving Freak

The Saving Freak — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:14:49 +0000

I think online gaming is one of the best ways to turn my mood around. Getting to shoot my brother repeatedly and hear him get frustrate seems to always make me feel better.