Comments on: Six Ways to Break Free of the “Purge and Splurge” Cycle http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/ Financial talk for the rest of us Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:14:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Trees Full of Money http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-196313 Trees Full of Money Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:59:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-196313 My wife can attest to the “austerity” I tend to exhibit from time to time. Fortunately she is able to smooth out our reduction so that it isn’t so volatile.

]]> By: Beth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194153 Beth Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:28:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194153 Tracking money is SO helpful to this. I’ve recently picked up knitting, and am finding excuses to spend money, such as making gifts for friend to whom I *never* give gifts. It’s not bad to be giving unexpected gifts, but I think I need to be aware of what I’m doing, and that I’m justifying expenses to myself.

In dieting parlance, it’s like making a cake “for a friend” even though I know full well I’ll eat plenty of it. Buying yarn “for a friend” is still spending… but I’m also really enjoying the process. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it, but at least writing down my spending is making me be honest about it.

]]> By: Rob Madrid http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194106 Rob Madrid Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:43:38 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194106 “I never felt deprived when I reduced my spending”

It’s funny, I’m spending less but I’m not feeling deprived, if anything the freedom from stress is really encouraging me to keep going. I can’t tell you how good it feels not to be worried about how’ll you meet the bills at the end of the month.

]]> By: AlainaOfArc http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194079 AlainaOfArc Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:24:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194079 As others have suggested, this will also work for dieting. However, it will also work for smoking, drinking, biting your nails, or any other bad habit you shouldn’t be doing (or would like to change).

I used a method similar to this when I was quitting white bread, and later on when I was quitting Coke (the drink).

One thing I’d add to this is to remember why you’re doing it. If you’re making the change because someone else thinks you shouldn’t be doing it, but you secretly don’t want to quit, then you’ll likely fail. You have to actually want to make the change in lifestyle for the change to happen. Keep a visual aid (something Trent has mentioned before) to remind you of why you’re making the change.

]]> By: Dannalie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194075 Dannalie Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:22:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194075 We call it Feast or Famine at our house. My husband is a commission only sales person and when it’s good it’s very good. Problem is we don’t save during the good months to off set the bad months. Good post! I love the idea of looking at 6 months worth of your expenses and income vs one month.

]]> By: Adfecto http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194061 Adfecto Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:15:38 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194061 I just read your post and got energized to make a couple phone calls I’ve been putting off. It was time to cut the unused long distance plan from our land line phone and premium channels from our TV subscription. It isn’t a lot, but now I have $20 a month more to send to the credit card company! I wrote a blog post about it too. Thanks for spurring me to make the changes.

]]> By: Rejjii http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194056 Rejjii Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:10:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194056 For many years I went along aimlessly spending money on nothing in particular – and I had no savings. I had always dreamt of travelling to distant lands, but never thought I would get there, as I had no money.

It wasn’t until I began to set very specific goals did I manage to save up enough money for my dream trip to New Zealand. I never felt deprived when I reduced my spending (for many, many months) because I knew exactly what I was working towards. I did travel to New Zealand for 3 amazing weeks and the trip was so rewarding I managed to save up enough money to travel to Australia for 2 weeks the following year!

The great part is that the more goals I set for myself, the better I have become at managing my money. Sweet!

]]> By: thehungrydollar.com http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194024 thehungrydollar.com Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:51:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194024 You make some great points. I especially like the part about trimming the fat. This was key in my journey to financial freedom. I called and changed my cable and cell phone plan, and was impressed with how much money was freed up to send to credit cards.

]]> By: Phil A http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194012 Phil A Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:26:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194012 I have been saving up my money to buy a gallon of gas.

]]> By: Graham Lutz http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194008 Graham Lutz Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:18:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-194008 we love the dollar theater! And there’s this awesome park by our house with a little lake and a really nice walking trail, so we bring the dogs up there. It’s free and it’s fun!

I have this “purge and splurge” issue with losing weight. But I have made sure to stay focused and focus is what helps me.

]]> By: Frugal Dad http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193979 Frugal Dad Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:36:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193979 I have discovered that I feel too deprived I begin to resent whatever plan I’m working on (diet, finances, etc.) and eventually blow the whole thing. I have been in “purge and splurge” cycles for most of my adult life, which is why I am overweight and broke! I only recently came to this realization and started trying to do something about it.

]]> By: Never the Same River Twice http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193978 Never the Same River Twice Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:31:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193978 Really great point. That’s why it’s so important to budget a little “fun” money into your daily life. Even if your budget is super tight, $.50 for a newspaper or $1 for a donut once a week can make a huge difference.

And the connection between diet and finance holds again. Many, many diets advocate a “cheat” meal once per week to keep you from feeling deprived.

]]> By: shannon http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193975 shannon Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:26:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193975 That is why each weekend I ‘splurge’ by going to Goodwill. I pick up old VHS movies for us and our son for $1 each. I find clothes or shoes for work. I find things for the kitchen. Usually I don’t spend more than $17 tops.

Since we’ve been shopping at Costco and getting fresh produce from local CSA, instead of going to Whole Foods for all our organics….we’ve saved over $150 on groceries. And will save more next month b/c we bought in bulk (which is like investing).

]]> By: Heidi http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193967 Heidi Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:13:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193967 This couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I am just now feeling like I have my spending AND my diet under control, and have been thinking about how I should reward myself. I was leaning towards a spa day or an iPhone. Probably not the best way to spend my hard-saved money.

I usually reward myself with food and shopping – clearly that isn’t the way to go this time. Maybe I’ll take a day off and spend it doing things I really love that don’t cost much(blogging, taking my dog to the park, and cooking).

]]> By: boardmadd http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193949 boardmadd Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:55:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193949 Great advice and yes, this works with diet and with finances. This is why it’s so very important to do something that will keep you “perpetually accountable”. I blogged an incredible weight loss last year (50 pounds in jsut under 6 months). When I stopped bloging, some of that crept back, because I found myself tired of the upkeep and because I wan’t holding myself accountable in the same way any more. Money can be the same way, so find a way to keep yourself externally accountable, whether that’s a fillable “thermometer” on the fridge, or a daily money journal, or some other method that will daily energize you to keep going. Likewise, it’s important to break up your goals into truly digestable chunks, and find daily ways, if possible to say “yes, I’m on track” and just keep at it. I’m also a huge fan of setting things up that require jumping through numerous hoops to undo.

]]> By: KMunoz http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193939 KMunoz Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:42:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193939 I like this article and it’s funny that for pretty much all of your suggestions, you can substitute diet for finance and they’d still be applicable. For example, when trying to change your eating habits, don’t look at what you eat in one day, but what you eat every day for several weeks to get a realistic picture. Don’t go to McDonald’s and buy a salad, just don’t go in at all. Don’t try to lose 20 lbs. in one month, but set a more reasonable goal to work for. Great post!

]]> By: squawkfox http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193938 squawkfox Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:42:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193938 In order to break the “purge and splurge” cycle I had to evaluate who I was purging and splurging with. Many of my friends are chronic over spenders, so in order to break the cycle I really had to limit the time spent with certain groups of people. Basically, surrounding myself with those who’s habits matched a less expensive lifestyle really helps. This also drastically cuts down on entertainment expenses (eating out) and just plain over consumerism (shopping). It’s kinda like being on a diet where some people enable failure by bringing you “treats” while others enable success by signing up for a running race with you.

]]> By: Becky@FamilyandFinances http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193931 Becky@FamilyandFinances Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:37:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193931 I like your point about only having so much willpower. I’ve found that to be true with dieting, as well. I only have so much willpower to not eat the cake sitting on the counter. What I really have to do in not make the cake to begin with!

]]> By: Mike http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193923 Mike Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:29:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/02/28/six-ways-to-break-free-of-the-purge-and-splurge-cycle/#comment-193923 Thanks for addressing the splurge factor! I know I get that false confidence when I have made a dent in expenses with splurging as a result. Knd of like “wow extra money, let’s celebrate”… Not a good idea.

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