https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:27:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2013106 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 06:06:32 +0000 rachiecakes 2013106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: I just saw this!! omg - one of the great things about having Target next door is that when they have one of these collabs I can get what I really want first day and then check back when it goes on clearance. My birthday is around that time too ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2013086 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 02:22:07 +0000 matador84 2013086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep my credit card in an inconvenient place in my house. If I want to spend I have to get it...out of sight out of mind. I should do same for my debit but I rarely carry cash. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2013073 Wed, 07 Jan 2015 00:16:22 +0000 sunny 2013073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: ok, so this is either the opposite of helpful or extremely helpful... but Target just announced their next designer collab and it is with Lilly Pulitzer!!!! Coming April 2015 so plenty of time to curb your spending now and save up for any fun goodies you want to pick up across the street ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2012187 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 14:42:50 +0000 youboots 2012187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually keep a want list for myself and for home- sometimes it's dated so I know how long I have been looking. When I'm sticking to a budget I don't buy anything off that list. Then I'm not fully restricting myself, but it helps me stay on track. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2012149 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 14:23:21 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2012149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: I know you aren't supposed to be shopping but you still can create a list of requirements for the "ideal" dress/skirt and don't buy anything unless its really a crazy good deal for an item that meets all criteria. </p> <p>For skirts, can you add multiple tops? Can you add a scarf/blazer to those tops or the dress? Can you add leggings/tights for year round wear? Can you change out shoes to diversify the outfit. I've found that with a few really nice shift dresses in solid colors, I can change up the style really easily and wear the dress about once every two weeks or so without people noticing.</p> <p>Also, you can have a basic black dress, a basic black skirt and maybe one other solid skirt/dress that you wear weekly. That covers 3 days of outfits plus about 6 accessories to change it up and covers most of the week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2012129 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 14:14:23 +0000 hellobeeboston 2012129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need to get better at this as well!! I did just unsubscribe from a bunch of emails so I wasn't tempted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2012078 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:56:06 +0000 birdofafeather 2012078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been better when I set a budget for something and stick to it rather than complete non-spending. Then I know I have $50 for clothes for the month and I can choose to spend it however but once it's gone, I'm done. Then I'm not totally deprived but it makes me more mindful of what I'm spending on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2012071 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:53:50 +0000 mamabolt 2012071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also delete your stored cc info from sites you often shop at. Having to get out the card and type it all in again makes you consider purchases more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2012062 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:50:25 +0000 rachiecakes 2012062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I pretty much wear dresses and skirts every day. I occasionally wear leggings with a tunic and heels but that's really dressed down for my job, so I usually only wear pants or leggings when it's a half-day or really bad weather. If I wore pants, I'd have to go shopping ;)<br /> I'm going to try switching up my dresses with scarves and other accessories that I have though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011977 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:10:50 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2011977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cait: That's a really great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011961 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:06:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2011961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cait: +1 on that tip.</p> <p>I have/had a mindless impulse spend and often return problem that I needed to break. One of the things that has worked is to keep a small notebook handy and write anything down I want to buy. At the end of the month if I still want or need it I buy it. </p> <p>Also, I have personal spending budgeted for the month and within that I have an idea of the maximum that should be spent on certain things. For example daily coffee &amp; lunch is $7; knowing my max helps to keep me in line. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011935 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:53:35 +0000 cait 2011935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A great tip I read about once is to make a private Pinterest board and pin whatever you'd like to buy that month. At the end of the month, look at the board and see if there's anything you still feel like you really, really want. Usually you'll be over a lot of the stuff, but if not, you can choose one thing that you like best and can afford, vs accumulating everything over time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011933 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:53:23 +0000 looch 2011933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: ha! I did the exact same thing...an extra 40% off a sale item would be my downfall!</p> <p>What we really need is a shop your closet thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011915 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:46:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2011915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: I really have enjoyed spending the time to focus on what I have in my wardrobe and really carefully buy pieces not because they are on sale, but because they are classic pieces that will fit with multiple outfits. </p> <p>That and I've decided guys wear the same black/brown pants 5 days a week. So if I wear black pants twice a week and some brown pants twice a week no one will notice! Throw in one skirt or one dress and it mixes it up enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011913 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:43:17 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2011913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Saving is pretty much automated for us. A set amount automatically goes into our savings account, and the rest is for paying bills. It's worked out great. I started by tracking all my spending for 2 months and I was horrified by how much I was wasting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011910 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:41:49 +0000 bunnylove08 2011910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: Oh no you said the key words I dont need. I would cancel my order. Try to stick with you plan, you can do it mama! Do you have a budget? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011906 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:37:22 +0000 rachiecakes 2011906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: I look out my living room window and see Target :)<br /> We also live in a teeny city apartment with no storage. I do have a Costco membership, but we have no where to store anything bigger than a 4-pack of toilet paper. </p> <p>@blackbird: I'm trying! </p> <p>@Cole: I'll definitely try that!<br /> For my job I have to keep up with my appearance. But I think I can do a better job of buying things, waiting for a sale. And I can definitely rotate my wardrobe a lot more than I do and really get creative with it.<br /> I also stopped getting bi-weekly mani/pedis after the summer. And I discovered that I could go about 6 months with partial highlights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011898 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:33:58 +0000 cascademom 2011898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Paying more for a different daycare is the first way we're curbing our spending. I'm planning on more bag lunches, etc. in the near future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011894 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:31:27 +0000 Cole 2011894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try unroll.me, they go through your email and show you all of the newsletter types of emails you get and then you can choose to have them unsubscribe you or "roll up" those emails into one digest you get daily so you can see all of them in one place. I started putting all of the sale emails that I might want to access but don't want to see daily in that roll up email. So Gap, for example, goes there and then if my husband needs jeans I can search my email and see if gap has sent out any coupons or sale notifications without it tempting me to "just browse."</p> <p>There are lots of online challenges to do capsule wardrobes for X number of days. Would you have fun with that? The idea is to choose 30 pieces from your wardrobe and remix them into outfits for a month. If you can't wear new stuff maybe you will be less tempted to buy it.</p> <p>I am finding that I save money by inviting people over more often. I spend a bit more on snacks or drinks each month but I am not going shopping and to lunch as often with a friend or out to dinner on the weekends. </p> <p>I also pulled out and reorganized stuff for my hobbies which made me more interested in spending my time on them and less likely to buy stuff I already have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011868 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:20:05 +0000 blackbird 2011868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: Habits take time to solidify :) You got this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011863 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:19:26 +0000 LuLu Mom 2011863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, I found having a membership to Costco/Sam's club (close to us) helps me save. I go a couple times a year and stock up on necessities: Body wash, razors, toilet paper, paper towels, ect. and that keeps me from "running to Target" when we run out of something, when I run to Target I never walk out without spending an additional 100 dollars on random items. </p> <p>I also shop meat sales and stock up the freezer during that time, cutting my normal weekly bills down. I try to keep our weekly bill under $100 a week for food. I don't eat out for lunch more than 1-2 a month (DH is worse about this and does that in a week) and we only eat out once a weekend for dinner or lunch. </p> <p>I unsubscribed from emails from tempting shopping, this is easier when pregnant for clothes for me, harder for kid clothes (Carter's/Gap/ect. et me) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011851 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:15:46 +0000 rachiecakes 2011851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: I reeeeally enjoy shopping and don't love the gym. But I'm going to learn to change my ways! :) </p> <p>@yoursilverlining: haha with me, it's the things I didn't buy that haunt me! I think about them, go back, if it isn't there go to another location. I've got to stop.</p> <p>@bunnylove08: Lilly Pulitzer is having their twice a year sale right now. I just bought sweaters and dresses and accessories that I don't need but I do love! And the deals were incredible! </p> <p>@looch: DH &amp; I work opposite schedules, so we rarely go out to eat together. But many, many nights I'm tempted to order take-out/delivery on the way home from J's preschool because I'm so exhausted and hungry and don't want to cook!</p> <p>@Greentea: @Mrs. Lion: that's so true! I had a cash gift for Xmas and it's still in my wallet. It's hard for me to give up the green, but I use the plastic (debit) so easily. I should try a cash budget for extras during the week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011841 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:13:35 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2011841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: I should have mentioned our bill money stays in the accounts too :) I wasn't counting that since it isn't for "spending" :) I'm glad it works for you guys too! It does feel old school, but it works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011832 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:10:31 +0000 Greentea 2011832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: us too! I only keep bill money in our account- the rest is in savings or budgeted into my envelopes. There is a little leeway in the bill money for unexpecteds but even that has to be budgeted (whatever the bill need may be). It is going well :) I also make a list every week of my groceries and then stick to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011808 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:04:12 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2011808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: We use cash envelopes too. Single most important thing we do to control our spending. Our budget simply doesn't have room in it for online shopping, unless it is something specific that we need. The only money we keep in our checking account is for gas, so there is no temptation to buy things with our debit card that we haven't planned for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011774 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:54:56 +0000 Greentea 2011774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just started kicking it old school with cash in envelopes! It is pretty impossible to get confused or over spend or online shop with my cash sitting on my computer desk. So far it is going great!</p> <p>Also, it helps me to be saving FOR something. Right now we are saving to live abroad for one month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011750 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:49:12 +0000 looch 2011750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: Yes! I do the same thing, writing down exactly what I have spent. It makes me think about it and be aware, which is part of the accountability!</p> <p>Oh and I agree with blackbird, on not depriving yourself. We went out to dinner the other night and instead of ordering a la carte, we ordered the prix fixe menu. Saved us at least $20. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011740 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:45:03 +0000 bunnylove08 2011740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: sales were my enemy. I could not pass them up I always had to look so now I just unsubscribe and it really helped me. </p> <p>Writing down what you spend is good and also keep your cc's at home so you're not tempted to make out of budget/surprise purchases. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011737 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:43:44 +0000 yoursilverlining 2011737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a rule where if I go shopping and want something I have to wait 24 hours before buying it. If I still want it the next day, then I can go back and have it. Easily 75% of the time I either don’t feel compelled to go back and get the item, or I get distracted by work/life and never make it back to the store before I forget about the item. </p> <p>I also have alerts on my amex where they send me a text message for any purchase made online, or over a certain $ amount. Very handy, especially if you can have the text message go to your spouse or someone else who can support your spending breaking who you will have to "answer to". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-i-curb-my-spending#post-2011724 Tue, 06 Jan 2015 11:39:17 +0000 Eko 2011724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely agree that unsubscribing to emails is a good idea! I personally though would probably still visit the sites out of habit. I would also recommend cutting out online shopping, plus if you are going to do in-store shopping only pay with cash. I find that I spend less when I need to use cash.<br /> I have also saved money by switching our phone, cable, and insurance providers. If you have been with the same company, sometimes you can call and negotiate on getting a promotional deal. </p>