For five days only, save an extra 20% off clearance items online at CartersOshKosh.ca! They’ve sure got some cute stuff! Great time to stock up on the next size!
Shop online at CartersOshKosh.ca here.
Offer ends January 16, 2017.
(Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here.)
I was recently going over the Reader Survey you guys did for me late last year and a bunch of you mentioned you’d like to see more personal type stuff from me.
I’m trying to incorporate more of our day to day life here on the blog (for example, the No Spend Challenge), but for those of you that want a quick peek, check out Instagram!
I post more personal pictures on Instagram that give a glimpse into the Simply Frugal household. My pictures aren’t perfect, but I don’t want them to be. My life is not perfect so I like to “be real” with the messes. 😉
So go on, I invite you to take a look!
Just how do we resist the desire to buy? We all like nice things. We all want nice things. But do we really need all those nice things? Let me just say that there is nothing wrong with wanting nice stuff, but sometimes we need to draw the line and say enough. I have gone through quite the learning curve in the last couple of years and I have found some things that always seem to help quench my thirst for more:
I think this is the most important thing to consider. If you're trying to get out of debt, a new $2000 couch will not be helping you. If you're saving up for a vacation, a new bathing suit (when you have 10 others already) will not help you. Will buying a particular item help you meet the financial goals you have put in place? Or will it hinder it?
I rarely think about buying something if I haven't seen it first. Stay out of the stores if you can and do away with catalogues! Unsubscribe from all those emails to your favourite stores. (Even the Simply Frugal emails, if you must! ;))
Do you really need it or is it a want? If it's a definite need then there is no way you should feel guilty about your purchase.
I've found many times I can do without something if I simply walk away. For some reason, the item might not seem as appealing days later.
Do something fun. Enjoy the outdoors, volunteer, etc!
How many hours will you or your spouse have to work to pay for it? Will you have to fix it, clean it, store it, insure it?
Having a thorough decluttering session is a surefire way in my books to stop needless spending. I find once I finish decluttering my home, I am so satisfied with what I had let go of and all the space I cleared up, I really don't want to clutter it back up!
If you carefully consider a purchase and buy something that will last, you won't feel that constant desire to upgrade. There's always a time and a place to buy temporary, but generally buying quality will save you money and time in the long run!
What are some techniques that you use to help you resist the desire to buy?
Now here’s a great coupon! Buy two Canadian cheeses and save $3.00 with this new coupon from webSaver.ca!
Print your cheese coupon here.
Coupon will expire March 31, 2017.
Visit the Simply Frugal SmartSource coupon page to print two new coupons for Black Diamond cheese! Here are the coupons:
Did you find yourself spending a little more than you had anticipated over the Holidays? It’s easy to do, especially when you want to give all your friends and family the perfect gifts. Well, I have an easy way for you to recover from your holiday spending from the convenience of your cell phone.
Swagbucks is the web’s most popular rewards program that gives you free gift cards and cash for the everyday things you already do online. Whenever you shop, watch videos or search the web, Swagbucks gives you points called SB. You can use your SB to redeem gift cards to hundreds of your favorite stores.
With the Swagbucks Mobile and SBTV apps I can use my spare minutes to earn free gift cards on my phone! Just like the Swagbucks website, I can rack up SB by shopping, answering surveys and watching videos. Here’s a break down of how you can earn your free gift cards:
By downloading the Swagbucks mobile app, you can earn a free $10 gift card by the end of the week. Who knew playing on your phone could be so productive!
Invite your friends to download the Swagbucks Mobile app so they can start earning their way to free gift cards. It’s 100% free to download and 100% easy to use. Its available for both iPhone and Android devices.
Gap Canada has a new coupon code that will save you 40% off almost everything! Perfect to use during their Big Winter Sale where you’ll find savings of up to 75% off!
Use coupon code: GAPGOOD
Expires: January 10, 2017
Shop online at Gap Canada now.
Offer not valid on the following regular price Gap merchandise: Jeans, Kids, Toddler, & Baby Sleepwear, Baby Organics Collection, Shoes, GapBody Underwear, Baby First Favorites, Cashmere, Sunglasses, Leather and/or Suede Apparel and Accessories, Junk Food™, Maternity Ingrid & Isabel®, Noodle & Boo®, (RED)™, Pendleton®, Gap x GQ, Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, Star Wars, Marvel , Disney, Warner Brothers, Free City, and Mad Engine. Qualifying amount applies to merchandise only, not value of gift cards purchased, packaging, applicable taxes or shipping & handling charges. In-store prices may vary and may differ from online prices. Online promotional codes cannot be used on in-store purchases. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts except The Big Winter Sale.
Impulse Spending: The buying of goods without planning to do so in advance, as a result of a sudden whim or impulse.
I am guilty of impulse spending and I'm all too familiar with the feeling of regret after I make said purchase. Are you all too familiar as well? These days, I'm much better at avoiding an impulse purchase thanks to my tried & true method. It's simple, really, and has kept hundreds of dollars in my pocket over the years.
Here’s my method:
There you have it! My tried & true way to curb impulse spending! It's not 100% foolproof, but it has cut my spending down significantly over the years. After the process, I'm often looking at my list and wondering “why on earth did I think I needed all that stuff!”
For those of you that are joining me this month for the No Spend Challenge this could be a good lesson for you to incorporate. Since it is a No Spend challenge, I'd encourage you to write every single item down that you may want throughout the month. At the end of the month, take a look at your list and reevaluate your need/want. So instead of a 48 - 72 hour waiting period, you could end up with a 20 day waiting period. My guess is that if you have to wait that long you probably won't want those items after all. 😉
I'd love to know how you curb impulse spending? Any tricks you care to share?
I’m wondering: What’s one thing you own that cost less than $20, that has gotten you the most bang for your buck?
Have you got something you’ve been wondering about that I could feature in a future I’m Wondering post? Submit your question here!
Since I like to spend $5 or less on everyday clothing items for my daughters, this up to 70% off clearance sale at Joe Fresh should have a few things!
Check it out! I saw women’s cord pencil skirts and men’s shirts for less than $7! Tons of deals in the kids categories of course.
Shipping is free on orders of $50 or more. Sale ends January 12, 2017.
