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Hi, I'm Pete And I Love Gadgets..
As someone who loves gadgets, and who can never get their fill of the newest and latest technology, having self control and not buying all the latest toys isn't an easy thing to do.
If there is a new Ipod, I would love to find a deal and get my hands on one. New DSLR camera? Put me on the waiting list! For some reason I've never been one to wait a year or two until the gadget can be had for a fraction of the price. I have to have it when it's new, it's cool and it's in demand.
Electronic gadgets seem to be one of my main spending downfalls.
Reining In The Spending
Once my wife and I started watching what we were spending a little closer, I realized that I wouldn't be able to continue with always having the newest and the greatest. Once in a while? Maybe. But not every time that I really wanted to.
Part of the problem that I kept running into when I was trying to stop spending was that the things I wanted were always in front of me, a constant source of temptation.
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When I would check my email, I would get email alerts for deals on all the newest electronics. I would open my web browser and it would always go to my homepage – a hot deals website always trumpeting the best deals on the hottest electronics. I would check my RSS reader, and I had an entire section devoted to hot deals, electronics and coupon sites. When talking with friends they would always talk about the newest gadget that they had as well.
After realizing just how much temptation was bombarding me every day, I realized something. I needed to remove the temptations to buy wherever I could. Part of the reason I was having a hard time stopping the spending was because things were constantly being offered to me, when I could in fact remove those temptations.
Removing The Temptation To Buy
Here's what I did to remove several sources of temptation
- I changed my browser's homepage from a electronics deals site, to my gmail page. No more temptation every time I logged on!
- I unsubscribed from email lists for major electronics retailers that I had purchased from before.
- I removed many of the electronics and deals sites from my daily reads section in my RSS reader so I wasn't bombarded with new deals on the hottest items every day.
- I counted my blessings, and started enjoying the things I already had! Often the need to pursue the next best thing, and the need to just “have things” becomes more important than the items themselves. It's then that we know that it's time to take a step back.
When the temptation isn't in front of you, it isn't top of mind. When it isn't top of mind, it's a lot easier to realize that you don't really need it.
I think it's important to remember that we need to be careful not to become owned by our possessions. If we consistently want more, bigger, better things, they can begin to take over our lives. I believe we need to take the advice given in the bible in order to live better more rounded lives:
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” – Luke 12:15
Have you ever noticed that you are surrounded by temptations, and everyone is offering you ways to spend your money? Have you found that removing the temptation makes it easier to not spend? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
My temptation is books. I’ve tried to rein it in by visiting the library more. But if I really like something, I’ll still buy it. Books are seductive because they are so inexpensive. Plus, there isn’t the same stigma attached to them as to other products.
As far fetched as it may sound…since changing my mindset about spending & about money in general…I no longer feel tempted to spend. I now thrive on finding more ways to save! It’s awesome.
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I understand what you’re saying – it has become less of a temptation over time. I know myself though, and if continually presented with more temptations, I know I could slip back into old spending habits! Best to remove them in my case!
Exactly. Ever since we cut back to basic cable, we simply watch almost no TV. No TV, no commercials, no temptation.
I also got rid of any RSS feeds that review or mention consumer items. Now I no longer wonder about what latest cell phone I must get!
Beating temptation is soooo hard. I have a very difficult time with both online bargain hunting and visiting Target (I love their clearance sections). When I’m trying to save money, I make sure to avoid those e-mails in my inbox and to stay away from the stores.
What works for us is to give ourselves permission to shop periodically throughout the year. We may set a flat dollar amount that we can spend, or do a monthly allowance. This allows me to do some deal hunting throughout the year and still keep my spending in check so I don’t get into trouble.
I used to check the end-caps at Target every time I went there hoping for some great closeout deal. I try not to do that anymore – although, like you mention, we give ourselves $50 of “blow money” every month that we can spend on whatever we want. Save that up for a few months and you’re able to get something pretty nice. I usually spend it every month though, go figure.
I certainly understand what you are referring to. Several months ago, my worship pastor told me about one of the more popular “one sale a day” sites and since then, I have found many more. It can easily become an addiction. I have reined back my spending a bit but still visit the sites….