52 Simple Ways to Manage Your Money – 16. We All Have Our Toys – The Mall/Car Lot
What it is …
Shopping, collecting, or buying— to excess— may be the symptoms of money mismanagement instead of a healthy hobby or outlet.
How it helps…
It is an outlet for tension, an interest, or a hobby.
When pan of a balanced life, it can provide relaxing leisure time.
Key items to look for…
Buying for the sake of buying, or buying to fulfill emotional wounds.
Purchase patterns.
Keys to action …
Plan for the purchase so that you can pay cash.
When the temptation to make an unnecessary purchase arises, be prepared to make a substitute purchase that will satisfy your craving, yet cost comparatively little.
Substitute other activities.
Stay out of stores.
SET IT UP
Awareness is the key to your control of buying.
STEP ON IT
Create a balance.
Allow yourself some purchases in your area of interest.
STEP ON IT +
Take inventory of what you have now.
Check that against your impulse to buy more.
Notice…
When you want to buy.
How you are feeling when you want co buy.
Your feelings when you show your new purchase to your friends and family.
How long the satisfaction lasts.
But what if …
I can’t control myself and I buy anyway?
Know that help is available and ger it.
Set up a plan to support yourself.
Thought primers…
When I buy, what I really want…
Having the best and biggest means…
Buying keeps me from…
If I couldn’t buy, I might…
Right before I buy, I say to myself…
If I could say “no” when I needed to say “no” and “yes” when I could afford to say “yes’’…
“The lack of money is the root of all evils.”— Mark Twain