Filling a Void

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During the six months to a year before I started the Spending Fast, I was buying a lot of stuff.  Way more than normal.  I was spending money on clothes, makeup and gifts for others that were doing nothing but creating clutter and chaos in my life.  None of it had any value to me, and it wasn't even stuff I really wanted.  Just stuff. 

Then one day, a thought came into my head.  It was something I had heard years ago, "When things make us happy, there is something bigger missing our lives."  This struck me, and hard.  What was missing in my life?  What void was I trying to fill with stuff?  I was in a great relationship, I have a wonderful family, and good friends.  I have tons of hobbies, I've even learned and nurtured new ones.  So what was the problem?

I was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints {more commonly known as Mormon}.  However when my parent's got divorced a few years ago, I stopped going to church.  I was angry at the world and took it out on God.  Whenever I would think about that void in my life, thoughts of church would immediately follow, so one day, I went back.  For the first time in a long time I felt peace.  I felt happy. 

I continued going, not only to Church, but to all of the activities my church offers.  Social activities every Monday night, mid-week religion classes, and various other activities and service opportunities.  In no time, my desire to spend money on stuff had quickly diminished.  I feel that because my life is more in balance, my finances are greatly benefiting!

Is there a void in your life that is impacting you spending?  What is it and what are you doing about it?

The Purchase Process

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For a compulsive spender, like myself, err former self, OK fine, I'm still working on it; buying things I didn't necessarily want or need was just a way of life.  I've mentioned before that I hate shopping, hate it!  But if I happened to run to the store for a white tee shirt, I might pick up a new Spring wardrobe too. 

The hardest part of the Spending Fast so far has been not going to places where I'll spend money (ie. pretty much everywhere).  Target, Walgreens, CVS, the mall, you name it, I'm not going.  However, there are times when I have had to go to the store, for example to buy my groceries.  I had no idea how much fun buying groceries is until I wasn't allowed to buy anything else.

In order to help keep me on track (and this will work for anyone trying to save money), whenever I feel the urge to buy something, I have been doing a little exercise to help me get over it.  I have even gone so far as to put this exercise onto a Post-It note which I have stuck to my debit card.  The exercise is as follows:

1.  Ask yourself "Do I NEED it?"

Yes → Proceed to #2

No → Put it down and walk out of the store.

2.  Ask yourself "Do I already have something like it?"

Yes → Put it down and walk out of the store
No→ Proceed to #3

3.  Ask yourself, "Is it well made? Will it last a long time? Is it a classic style that I won't get sick of? Is it a neutral color that will go with what I already own? Do I LOVE it!?"

Yes → Proceed to #4

No → Put it down and walk out of the store.

4.  Ask yourself, "How much is it really worth?  How long will I have to work to pay for it?  Do I have coupons?  Will it go on sale?  Is it cheaper somewhere else?  Is this the lowest possible price I can pay for it?  Is it worth spending the money on?

Yes → Proceed to #5

No → Put it down and walk out of the store.

5.  Sleep on it. 

6.  Repeat this process.  Do you still want it?

Yes → Buy it.
No → Don't buy it.

Typically, I've found that for every single item mentioned on Ooo, Sparkly Things, I don't need them as much as I thought I did after going through this process.  Does it work for you?