I'm A Spender

Warm cookies in front of us (they help us focus) and off we go - shamelessly talking about our new relationship...with money. That's right, this past meeting we fessed up on our spending and gloated on our saving. We appropriately highlighted our spending habits during the spending-est time of year with a spending quiz. It worked for me. I now, more than ever, have the courage to pull back on Christmas spending without letting the guilt take over, thanks to the support of this group. This is what I know: I'm a SUCKER for giving, sales, bogos, lazy shopping, outlets!, "just one more gift", and convenience shopping. My name is Lisa and I am a spender.

What's the point?
Now that we know what type of spender we are...what can we do? It's not to insult, it's knowledge people.

• Identify when you are moody and wanting to just spend.
  
• Realize when you are trying to please instead of being thoughtful when gift giving.
• Ask yourself "Do I really need this?"
• Always ask: "Can I do better on the price?" because you probably can!
• Get rid of temptations - Get off the email subscriber lists so they don't grab your wallet when you are vulnerable.
  

Seriously, we are not likely in need of 28 pairs of jeans (although I can probably come up with a very convincing argument). But one thing you can do is "check in". Not in the degrading way as it may seem, but use your spouse, friend, family as your "check in". Agree that if you are buying an item, say over $50 (you decide the "too much" amount), you need to "check in" and walk through that thought process of buying that item with that person. This just might get you out of a huge purchase that could be unnecessary, like another kid toy, a pair of boots you'll wear 2 times a year, the sale dress vs. the full price one. You know what I'm talking about...it's just rare that we want to hear that advice they are going to give.

Attracting $$$ anyone???
Katie has done it. She has a small embroidery business she is slowly building and recently she took it to the next level, marketing birthday crowns designed by her to the Internet. With her first official order fulfilled, she is ready to make money with a website on deck. We are so proud of you Katie!!!! We will post the website when it's up and running.

Email me if you want to take the spending quiz :)

Cool...

One of the most valuable things I got from our last meeting is the knowledge of www.mint.com. A highly secure website, designed to be the "quickbooks of your life" was brought to my attention from a fellow Money Group Mom. This handy site links right up to your accounts and tells on you wherever and whenever you go spending. Shockingly most of my money goes right into the hands of Publix...where does yours go??? Do you even know exactly how much you have spent on food this month? How about coffee...that one hurts! It's a brilliant site that is super easy to navigate. Each week they send you your spending summary in a pie chart...lovely, I know...sometimes I just don't want to know, but this confrontation is something I need right now :).

The neat thing is, it will do as much or as little as you want. We used the budgeting tool to set up a budget so we could try to pay some things off. They remind you in email or text when you are close, and yes, especially when you go over - Wow! Let me tell you, I hate getting those reminders, but before I would have just kept spending!

And by-the-way...it's endorsed by Clark Howard (a highly reputable consumer/financial specialist). So go get your MINT.com account and start keeping track!