I haven’t written much about what it’s like to not buy stuff. Not even stuff you really want.
Cutting spending is probably the most difficult thing about getting out of debt. Working a lot is hard too, but I would be doing that even if I wasn’t digging myself out of debt and even though I am sacrificing free time, it doesn’t usually feel that way to me. It’s not the same as sacrificing all the pretty, shiny things that come it bright colors.
I haven’t done a perfect job. I’ve splurged a few times (mostly on TV shows on DVD–my weakness!). Often I feel like I’ve splurged even when I’ve only bought stuff I needed. I guess that in my brain, any spending at Target feels like splurging, even when I walk out with a mop and toilet paper.
The easiest thing to do is avoid temptation at all costs. This is why I haven’t been to Ulta in months. I don’t window shop, I don’t look at stores online, and I don’t let myself think about the things I want without the phrase ” . . . when I get out of debt” tacked onto the end.
I know that people will say, “Oh, sometimes you have to treat yourself” and “one little thing is no big deal,” and those are all very reasonable responses, but rationalizing is what allowed this pretty smart girl to make a lot of stupid decisions. On top of which, I don’t need any of those things and after entertaining the idea for a while, once I make the decision to keep on walking, not to reach for my wallet, I feel empowered and ten minutes later that temporary hole in my life that opened up just wide enough to fit that NARS blush has closed up and healed over.
It’s not all easy to pass by. Lots of things–like, again, all that gorgeous NARS blush!–will be there in a year when I have the money to pay for it. But, then there’s the limited edition nail polish and the great sales! Most recently I was majorly tempted by a MacHeist software bundle. Over $250 worth of software for $20. One of the programs included is regularly $20 by itself and I have wanted it for a long time. And, OMG, no time to think, because the deal ends in one hour!!! I was actually reaching for my wallet when I came to my senses. The answer to, “Do I need this is?” was obviously no. But, then I had to ask myself, “do I really want this?” No, not that much. Maybe I will eventually buy some of the apps, but I don’t need them right now.
Sometimes the answer to the question, “Do I really want this?” is going to be yes. But, even if I do want it, there’s no reason for me to decide in an instant. I’ll take a page out of my mother’s book and think about purchases for a while. If I still really want something, then I will make an exception. But, the fact that it’s on sale is not a reason to buy something I wouldn’t normally. Here’s why: I’m in debt. Even if I pay cash for something, that’s money that is not going to pay down my debt. So, I am in a sense, still paying interest on that item.
The story of my life is that I have sky high expectations for myself, I then of course fall short, and I’m so preoccupied by my failure that I don’t realize how far I’ve come. I’m most pretty happy with my progress so far, but I had a real moment of pride the other night when I realized that I haven’t been shopping in four months. I’ve only purchased a few non-necessities and I could name them off for you right now, counting them on my fingers. Even that mop I bought at Target was only purchased after a major debate in my head.
When you’re getting out of debt, all those days that fall between pay days (even if you have two pay days like I do) can be pretty boring, but saying no to temptation can be surprisingly motivating.
{ 3 comments }
I say NO all the time! You are not alone!
I made the mistake of buying the X-Files seasons 1-7 on DVD in college. Even though I LOVED the show to death, in reality I only watched the DVDs once. It collected dust for 5 years. I finally sold it on eBay for money (and to reclaim my shelf space). I’m also in debt from these kind of bad habits in college.
Now I have Netflix and I rent TV show DVD’s from there. I just finished watching The Tudors seasons 1 and 2 all thanks to Netflix. For only $19/month. It’s ingenious — you should look into it. I think it’s a cheaper alternative to going to the movie theaters or buying DVDs that you may only watch once or twice.
Good luck, Ashley!
TV on DVDs is my weakness too.
Though I do not have credit card debt, I so desperately want to finish paying off my school loans. I have less than 6K left. Had I not traveled as much as I did last year, I would be completely debt free. Do I regret traveling? No, because it’s something that I needed to do and grow as a person. And even though I want to pay it off as soon as possible, I know that I really want to return to Europe again this year. Why? It’s just something I want to do. Sometime that puts me at peace. (Weird?)
I know that when/if I get married, I’m going to be pretty much in debt for the rest of my life. House, kids and who knows what else. I want to tell my future children that there was one point in my life that I was completely debt free. Though we live in a generation of debt, I want to tell them that it’s possible.
So every time I log into Mint.com, I think about you Ashley. I know our debts are not the same (in weight and types), but I still think about you. Why? Because I want to tell that the days of being debt free is not far off. That it is possible. That we can live in a debt free society. Though you may be the poster child, I want to show you that it’s doable. But most importantly, I want to say thank you.
Comments on this entry are closed.