Tips on dropping the "I can just make more money attitude"

[cherryfcuk]

Hmm I work hard for my money so I like to keep it in the bank i like to see it growing and I feel great seeing how much money I have.
My biggest splurge was a ?5000 holiday, but was worth every penny. Now I only buy what I need instead of what I want I really think about my purchases.

[MandyVine]

I keep a running tally of all of the $ I spend on discretionary items (clothes I don't NEED, earrings, perfume, etc.).  I find that if I have to face that rather large number at the end of the month I'm more likely to stop myself from over spending.  It's amazing how quickly it adds up (and how easily I'm able to justify a purchase I do NOT NEED to make).

[princess_nym]

I tend to go shopping when feeling down, never a good idea. The bags coming home make me feel good but i rarely use/wear what i have bought, and the buzz is very short lived.I now have a terramundi pot (you have to smash it to open it). When i feel down i put notes in it. (once bills are paid). The feeling of knowing that it will soon be full of paper money is a better rush than the shopping. In the past 3 months it has paid for me to go to Thailand and Florida!

This is exactly what I've done! I put at least ?20 in my terramundi every time I complete a booking. It's not loads, but it stops me from spending it and is a good "break glass in case of emergency" option.

[angelastar]

been doing this and was lucky enough to get in tow with a client who did porfolio management.

I invested and tried to save as much as I could. I want to retire by 50. so been working on building my savings. Ive managed to save in the past 20 years around ?235k. thats only 11k a year. and if you take off interest and all sorts then its not really putting in 11k Id say Ive averaged between 8 and 13 k a year in savings. 20 years putting by ?250 a week ? its hard going but its money in the bank

[Philippa Joyce]

Ive developed a naughty addiction during the last 2 years...the slot game called Sugar Train on Foxy Bingo...im trying to pluck up the courage to set a deposit limit but i cant seem to do it  Spent so much on it,and have won alot too sometimes but its having the willpower to bank it and not lose it all again....Goddamn Foxy lol

[Gypsy]

I have the opposite problem. I feel guilty spending money and I stress as soon as my "to spend" cash drops below a certain level - even though I have a sizeable savings buffer. It's so bad I hardly buy meat and treats because I cannot justify the per KG price to myself.

Anyone want some of my money paranoia, so we can meet in the middle with a healthier attitude? >.>

I'm exactly the same!!! I am always frugal whether i need to be or not. Bank manager's daughter, you see 

[amy]

I think I'm fairly thrifty - I've always saved and even when I was touring like crazy and working a lot harder I never really had much actual disposable income or cash hanging about because every penny went towards buying and doing up my flat and then my work flat (neither of which are finished even now) so I've never really had the chance to throw it around. I don't think there's any harm in having treats anyway as long as it's under control, especially if you've spent years doing without but I know I can't keep money in my purse so I bank everything bar what I need for day to day necessities.

I do like nice things, so if I do fork out for something it tends to be expensive but even that feels frugal to me because I know it'll last me a long time. I spend a lot on nice food, but I don't feel that's any bad thing if it keeps me healthy and it was the thing I desperately missed when I was broke.

What I do like is a bargain . I'll be planning my Black Friday spending in a couple of weeks so I don't get silly with it, but amongst other stuff I'll be booking my London hotels up to April-ish and I have my eye on a fair bit of wireless audio too.

[Jill]

My few years in the work have enabled me to buy a property, a small one but it is mine mine mine! When I started the work I went a little silly with buying, just a novelty really which soon wore off.  I gave myself a good talking to, I could either keep on spending watch the wardrobe fill up with things which I would go off or have to keep replacing, fashions change so quickly. Or I could save and save some more and make good use of my earnings.
I still go on little spending sprees but I am happy with spending just a few pounds a few times a week on tiny treats for myself.
Now I have just about reached my goal and have some savings too I can start to relax and feel less pressure to make targets.
Not having a rent or mortgage each month makes such a difference to what I can comfortably live on and at the same time add to my nest egg.

I suppose it helps that I am low maintenance! I cut and colour my hair myself, do my own nails and never buy expensive make up or any of the other stuff that can run into hundreds a month. Designer clothes and shoes can be lovely but they don't pay the bills.
The "I can just make more money" way is all very well but I suspect the job would become less fun knowing you have to earn it this week or month just to pay the bills.  Thank goodness I have not done it that way.

[kate_x]

I see your treadmill and raise you two electric drum kits.

Haha....and an exercise bike from me! Great for hanging clothes on lol

[Teddy Bear]

My attitude to this has not improved and it's actually got worse. I spend far too much on luxuries and seriously need to learn to reign it in. I'm not always going to earn at the rate I'm used to and I need to start saving for when I retire, whenever that may be.

I used to be so frugal and good with money until I had a lot of it!

[Jill]

Slightly off topic but it is Sunday so please forgive me, but I recently saw a company on television who specialise in cleaning designer handbags, restoring them to pristine condition. Nice if that is your thing but the cost of cleaning those bags is more than I pay for a new one, a lot more!

TKMaxx do a good range of bags at knock down prices and that way I can buy a few a year, rather than have one I am scared of scratching etc.

Each to their own with money but I prefer to see mine in my statement, rather than in my wardrobe.

[Shewolf]

Same here. The money I earn goes on food etc. I would hate to waste any money I made doing this sort of work as each time I do it I hope it's the last time I will have to. It never is.

[mature helen]

My happiness comes from having enough money in my bank to cover my mortgage and bills and enough food in my cupboards to feel comfortable.
I have never been one to blow my money on expensive clothes and bags as I don't like spending money if I can help it. I like to bank not spend.
I have one long haul all inclusive holiday a year and I'm happy.