No Shopping

Don't even go into the store. If you want to save money and avoid temptation, don't even go. As if you didn't already know that! Well, a reminder can't hurt. There's my two cents of frugalness for the day.

I was reminded of this today when I had to go to Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) to look at yarn colors for my husband's grandma who crochets beautiful baby afghans. I had two other things on my list. I walked out having spent $25 and having bought 3 additional things that weren't on my list!

Granted, the additional items were things I would probably buy eventually: a pillow, some plastic baggies (I use reusable containers, but my husband gets annoyed when everything for 3 packed meals is in a separate container he has to wash and bring home), and a lint roller. My excuse was they were as cheap or cheaper here than another place I would have to buy them. I was saving myself time in the future I told myself. But that's not the point. The point is, I didn't have to buy them today. I didn't have to spend the money today. Who knows how long I could have made-do without those items if I hadn't bought them today? I'll never know. But I do know the money is gone. And I have nothing exciting to show for it.

And I consider myself a pretty disciplined person when it comes to shopping, people!

For me, browsing online is much less of a temptation than being in a store with "good deals". Though I know that is not the case with everyone. So... just a final reminder to myself as much as anyone: if you don't have money to spend, just stay away from the temptation and find something better to do with your time!

That is what works for me.