• Date Started: Feb 28, 2008
• Entries: 5
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Compulsive Online Shopper!!!!

8 Responses to “Compulsive Online Shopper!!!!”

1. KellyB Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 07:51 pm 1204228298
   1204228298
   Two suggestions: automate savings and set a limit on your clothes spending. By automating savings you will have less $$ to burn a hole in your pocket. If your company has a 401k, start there. If you don't have an emergency fund, set a goal ($1000 at first, then 3 months living expenses) and open an online savings account you can't get to easily, and have funds transferred there once each paycheck. Looks like your budget has plenty of room, but allocate only what you think is fair for clothes spending. I would say $100/month should be plenty! Good luck.

2. noexcusebudget Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 08:07 pm 1204229227
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   hmm, Over $600 a month on clothes is crazy... but you already know this. I think the best way to handle this problem is to wean yourself slowly. Give yourself $200 a month on clothes. Put the other $400 into an online savings accout (it'll be harder for you to touch) A good one is the orange savings account you can find it on the front page of my website at (http://www.noexcusebudget.com) and then challenge yourself to see how much you can get for the $200 you have to spend. Be sure to use coupon codes and a rebate program (also on my site). The challenge should excite you the same way that the $600 shopping is doing. Best part is that after a few months you will see the nice account balance in savings and hopefully that will encourage you and you'll catch the savings bug instead of the spending bug!
   
   Good luck! I think almost everyone has had the same issue at your age, maybe not to the extreme you are spending, but you are not alone... and you can "get better" :-)

3. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 08:17 pm 1204229865
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   one very small tip, if you think you have too many clothes:
   
   in your closet turn all the hangers backwards (leave the clothes on the hangers)
   
   over the next months, turn the hanger forward when you wear something.
   
   after most of the year, you will see which clothes you DID NOT wear. A lesson in what not to buy, eh?

4. RegkinsOrDie Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 08:41 pm 1204231275
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   Erica,
   I had a similar problem. For me, it wasn't just clothes. I bought a lot of linens, housewares, etc. When I would have down time at work, I would troll shopping sites and make impulse buys. What's worse, is I would use credit to do it. Finally, I turned on a webfilter for myself. It blocks all shopping sites during the day while I'm at work. This cut down on my e-shopping sooooo much and also helped me be more productive. Maybe you should trying putting on the filter for a specified time in the evening, (when you are most prone to shopping)

5. erica Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 09:05 pm 1204232724
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   that is a good idea, i will try this

6. Ima saver Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 09:21 pm 1204233707
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   You can do it!

7. JanH Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 09:24 pm 1204233841
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   Welcome! I agree on the clothes budget. For me, that helps a lot. My biggest love is books. We also set a book budget that is generous, but not overboard and we've saved that way. Everyone has their own area that they are crazy in, but a fixed amount set for the month really does help!

8. Broken Arrow Says:
   February 29th, 2008 at 12:39 am 1204245574
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   Welcome. Glad you're getting a handle on all your finances. Online shopping. Not hard for a guy to fall for the as well, so I do my best to stay away from websites like that. Yikes.

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