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:
Smart Ways to Resist the Desire to Buy
What are your Financial Goals?
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?
Don't tempt yourself
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! ;))
Reconsider your need
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.
Wait on it
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.
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?
Declutter your Home
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!
Buy Quality the first time
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?
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:
Each time I feel the urge to buy something, I either write it down or save it in my online shopping cart.
Allow 48 - 72 hours to pass without buying the item.
During this waiting period:
I consider whether or not I actually need the item.
I think about what else I could do with that money.
I determine if I already own something that could essentially do the same thing.
I ask myself if I'd still buy it if it wasn't on sale. (Most of the time I impulse buy because an item is on sale.)
After 48 - 72 hours, I reevaluate how I feel about the item. Do I still really want it? Or has the desire faded?
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?
No matter what time of year of year it is, it's never too late to start making a financial plan. It's always a good idea to have a plan in place so you can tell your money exactly what to do so you can reach your financial goals. But, maybe you don't really know how to start? Here are some tips for bringing your financial plan into fruition.
Tips for Making a Financial Plan:
#1. Start with a budget for the year.
To begin, you should think about having a budget in mind. It doesn't need to be a set budget, but it helps if you have some numbers in mind. For example, say you plan on spending $400 a month on groceries. It doesn't have to be a set-in stone budget, but it does give you an idea or a goal to reach towards. You may adjust as needed. Now that you have created a budget for each major area in regards to your finances, the biggest obstacle will be to stick with it. 🙂
#2. Prioritize your bills and debt.
Most people have bills and/or some sort of debt. With the New Year on the horizon, you should prioritize your bills as much as possible. Also, seriously consider cutting down your debt. The less debt that you have, the more money you can put towards major saving goals.
#3. Know what your financial downfalls are.
Let’s be honest for a moment. Everyone has a financial downfall. Maybe yours is shopping. Whatever the financial downfall is, it’s important to know what it is, so you can avoid it. Everyone’s financial downfall has the potential to get them in trouble, which is why keeping tabs on it can help your financial plan, instead of hurting it.
#4. Have money goals in mind.
Every year, it's smart to plan on having money goals. For 2016, my family had a “savings” goal in mind. We wanted to save as much as possible so that we could put a large down payment on the house we bought. Maybe in your case, there is a certain amount of money that you'd like to save before 2018 hits. These financial goals help us to create a financial plan that makes sense.
#5. Don’t let your financial plan become a distant memory.
Once you have put all this work into your financial plan, don’t let it fall to the wayside. Keep on top of it! Put this financial plan into action, you won’t regret it.
#6. Keep records of your financial plan.
This year, you could plan on putting a financial plan binder together. Everything that has to do with your financial plan can go into a binder. The Budget Planner that I have available is a great way to help you to stay more organized and on target with your financial plan.
What tips do you have for someone trying to make a financial plan this year? Do you have any lofty financial goals that you'd like to hit?
Can you believe it is time to start thinking about holiday family photos already? The holidays are the perfect time to get family photos done, especially if you are considering photo greeting cards or other photo gifts. But how can you get amazing pictures without going broke? The great news is there are plenty of ways to save money on family holiday photos while still putting your best foot forward. Take a look below at 6 ways to save money on family holiday photos so you can be sure you get gorgeous photos at a great price.
1. Scour for coupons.
Chances are, you won’t have to scour at all! Newspapers are filled with photo studio coupons around the holiday season since studios know this is when customers are most active. Chances are you can find packages for as low as $20 with coupon for some of your favorite local studios.
2. Look for mini sessions.
If you want to use a private photographer, look for mini session deals. Many photographers offer mini sessions around the holidays which include a 30 minute session and 8-10 images. This is perfect for snagging a few shots that you can use in greeting cards and photo gifts! Ask local photographers in your area if they offer any mini sessions.
3. Head to Old Navy.
Why? Because they offer all sorts of color coordinated pieces for the whole family! Plus, during the holidays you can score these items for as much as 50% off. Choose a color theme of 3-4 colors and mix and match Old Navy clothing pieces for a picture perfect wardrobe.
4. Skip the extras.
Do you really need that photo keychain? Mousepad? Or fancy editing? Probably not. Skip all of these extras no matter how cute they are. Instead, stick to the basic prints and packages you are offered and bypass any additional photo perks which can hike up your price.
5. Ask a friend to take the photos.
Do you have a friend with a creative eye? Ask them to help you out. See if they will take a few family shots for you in exchange for a small fee or favor. Find a nice field or fireplace to gather around and take a beautiful shot. Use online photo editing (a program like PicMonkey is great) to make your photos pop! Then, just save and send them to your nearest photo lab for printing.
6. Check out Groupon.
Groupon is where I find a deal every year on portraits from Walmart. While Walmart definitely isn’t fancy, I’m still very happy with how our photos turn out! We also get a ton of photos with the package! Win!
As you can see there are many simple ways to get holiday family photos for less. Give these tips for getting holiday family photos for less a try and see what amazing results you can achieve.
I’d love to know how you save on family holiday photos each year. Let me know in the comments!
Sure, slow cookers are great for roasts and chili, but did you know they can do so much more? There are literally hundreds of dishes you can prepare in your slow cooker, and they aren’t just for dinner either. Take a look at these 7 meals you may not have considered cooking in a slow cooker. So whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner you need to prep, you can put your slow cooker to work for you! Here are 7 ideas to get you started!
1. French toast bake.
Do you want to simplify breakfast? There are tons of recipes for slow cooker French toast. By combining a mixture of eggs, bread, water, and select spices, you can make your own French toast bake that is perfect for serving at breakfast on Sunday morning or any day of the week, really!
2. Taco casserole.
Did you ever think about preparing tacos in a slow cooker? Add your cooked ground beef, chopped veggies, cheese, and taco chips along with select seasonings and you have a taco casserole. This pairs well with a side salad and is a meal you will be happy to come home to.
3. Brownies.
Yes, you can make brownies and other cakes in your slow cooker! There are so many recipes out there that allow you to slow bake your dessert. Can you imagine how amazing your house will smell? Head to Pinterest where tons of slow cooker recipes for brownies and cake await you.
4. Biscuit/breakfast gravy.
Heading to a breakfast potluck or just want a nice Sunday breakfast? Consider preparing a breakfast or biscuit gravy in your slow cooker. You only need a few ingredients and in no time you have the perfect, creamy topping for biscuits, toast, and other breakfast items.
5. Cider/Hot chocolate.
Yes, you CAN prepare hot beverages in your slow cooker. This includes various kinds of fall cider as well as hot chocolate. Or my personal favourite, chai tea! Your slow cooker will make it easy to prepare these hot seasonal beverages in bulk, so you can easily serve a crowd!
6. Barbecue sauce.
Why not try making your own signature barbecue sauce? Your slow cooker is perfect for creating the best blend! Use a variety of ingredients and spices to create the perfect blend (ketchup, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, etc.) and see what you can create. Your slow cooker makes it easy for you to prepare your sauce in bulk which you can then can or freeze for later.
7. Baked fruit.
Try baking fruit such as apples or peaches in your slow cooker for a sweet breakfast or dessert. You can top them with sweet seasonings for the ultimate treat! If you haven’t tried baked fruit, your slow cooker is the perfect way to experiment!
Are you ready to get creative with your slow cooker? Give one or all seven of these ideas a try. Need a recipe? The internet (especially Pinterest) is chock full of them. Give one a try!
I’d love to know what your favourite thing to make in the slow cooker is. Let me know in the comments below!
Simple Ingredients to Keep on Hand for Slow Cooker Meals
Do you love using your slow cooker? It’s the perfect appliance for getting a hot meal on the table with little effort and little expense. But do you know which items to keep on hand if you own a slow cooker? There are in fact, a few ingredients that can help you get a meal on the table quickly, even if you haven’t planned ahead. Take a look at these 7 items to keep on hand for great slow cooker meals, so you can put a meal together even at the last minute.
1. Canned cream soups.
You can dress up so many cuts of meat with a can or two of creamed soup. Cream of mushroom, celery, and chicken soups all dress up chicken and pork nicely. You can pour a can over your cut along with some water, seasonings, and vegetables if you have them and have a tasty dish in no time.
2. Barbecue sauce.
Make quick slow cooker ribs or slow cooker chicken when you add in the cut of meat along with some barbecue sauce. You can also add chopped onions if you wish to add some extra flavor, but even the sauce alone will dress up the meat nicely.
3. Ranch mix.
Dried ranch mix can spice up your chicken and even a beef roast nicely. Just sprinkle the mix in and add some butter and you will have flavorful chicken or roast that your family will love. If you have fresh veggies you can add them, but the ranch mix does well on its own.
4. Onion soup mix.
No fresh onions on hand? No problem! Dried onion soup mix can really dress up a cut of meat. Just add it along with some water and it will flavor the meat nicely. Of course you can add fresh veggies if you have them, but if not the onion soup mix is quite flavorful alone.
5. Rice and noodles.
You can bulk up any meal with some rice or noodles. Add rice or noodles along with the cream soup of your choice for a fast meal. You can also use them to make quick casseroles, soups, or stews. Rice and noodles are both cheap when bought in bulk, so stock up.
6. Certain cuts of meat.
Try to keep certain cuts of meat in your freezer so when you need to toss a quick meal in you can. Simple ribs, chicken breasts, or even an inexpensive roast all do well in a slow cooker. If you see these items on sale, stock up for future meals. They are so easy to dress up and prepare in a slow cooker.
7. Dried seasonings.
Stock up on dried seasonings. This doesn’t mean just salt and pepper, but seasoning salt, garlic salt, chili seasoning, taco seasoning, beef stew seasoning, Italian seasoning and ranchand onion soup mix as mentioned above. All of these seasonings can be added to your slow cooker along with some water for a fantastic meal.
Make sure you are slow cooker ready when you keep these 7 slow cooker must haves on hand. They are sure to come in handy when you are preparing your next slow cooker meal in a pinch!
I’d love to know what you make most often in your slow cooker?
