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Does anyone else have a hard time spending money?

theeedude

theeedude

Lifer
I am like that, and it's annoying. 🙁
It takes me forever to buy anything.
Like I went to Staples today, and I saw this nice Lane chair that I wanted for a while, and it was on sale, but I didn't buy it, because I have this crappy chair at home that I got free after rebate, and I don't feel like I should get a new one unless it's another super hot deal. Now I am sitting on my nasty old chair typing this :frown: And it's like that with everything I buy.
 
My problem is that I have no trouble buying little things I don't necessarily need, but take forever to get the high end items I do actually need, like a laptop for classes. I've finally cut down on buying incidentals though, and have been paying off my debts like crazy of late. I have also been selling off stuff I no longer need nor want, as I have found I like having less clutter to deal with. Soon I will have zero debt and less junk. 🙂
 
I have a similar problem - I feel the need to run things I buy into the ground before I get replacements. I'm not usually one to upgrade just to keep current. When it does come time to replace something, I hunt for the things that offer the best bang-for-the-buck. Not cheap stuff, but things that offer the best performance / value for the $$.

So...no new cars for me, no cutting edge tech, etc.
 
It's not even a money issue for me, I think it's psychological. I make 6 figures, and I have well in excess of 6 figures retirement savings, and I am in my mid 20s. I have no debt.
But habitually, I am just not used to spending money, because my family never had any when I was a kid. We were barely making it, so I wore handme downs and cheap stuff, so the whole instinct skill of shopping for nice things never developed in me. But now I can't revese those habits and get into the spending mode.
 
Originally posted by: senseamp
It's not even a money issue for me, I think it's psychological. I make 6 figures, and I have well in excess of 6 figures retirement savings, and I am in my mid 20s.
Click to expand...

Average ATOTer I see.
 
I wish I had that problem...I envy you.

I on the other hand buy things new all the time and when I want them. But I'm still young and learning the better points of budget and spending wisely. 🙂
 
Money doesn't have to be about buying 'stuff'.

Some people don't like to spend a lot on cars/furniture/fashion but enjoy other things: like exotic vacations or fine cuisine. I have an uncle who refuses to buy a new suit - even for his daughter's marriage. He was like, "Bah, I wear a suit like once in a year." But he has a killer house.

What are your interests? Sounds like you want to retire at 35 and live a low-key life with no worries or desire to indulge in all the stuff that advertising and marketing execs want you to believe you need. Very Tyler Durden 🙂
 
If I need something I hate to waste time shopping. I usually go to the place that has the exact item I am looking for and other similar items at a reasonable price. If I see what I need and the price and quality looks ok then I buy and leave. Sure I may be able to find this item for a few $$$ less at another store but I will waste both time and gas in this pursuit.

If I want something then I have no problem shopping around on the internet first to get prices then checking out a few stores and maybe waiting for a sale.
 
Originally posted by: senseamp
It's not even a money issue for me, I think it's psychological. I make 6 figures, and I have well in excess of 6 figures retirement savings, and I am in my mid 20s. I have no debt.
But habitually, I am just not used to spending money, because my family never had any when I was a kid. We were barely making it, so I wore handme downs and cheap stuff, so the whole instinct skill of shopping for nice things never developed in me. But now I can't revese those habits and get into the spending mode.
Click to expand...
It's easier to start spending money than it is to not spend any at all after being accustomed to spending lots of it.

My recommendation? Look at how much you use something and the benefit from a better one. A nicer chair will help you relax more when you sit down and be comfortable. If you take care of it, it can last for ages. I don't mind using my worn chairs that I bought on sale for $50 at all, even if they're very old.

I would buy a good product once and treat it nicely so you can keep it as long as possible.
 
Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
Money doesn't have to be about buying 'stuff'.

Some people don't like to spend a lot on cars/furniture/fashion but enjoy other things: like exotic vacations or fine cuisine. I have an uncle who refuses to buy a new suit - even for his daughter's marriage. He was like, "Bah, I wear a suit like once in a year." But he has a killer house.

What are your interests? Sounds like you want to retire at 35 and live a low-key life with no worries or desire to indulge in all the stuff that advertising and marketing execs want you to believe you need. Very Tyler Durden 🙂
Click to expand...

Actually, that is one of my interests. I want to leave work in a few years, move to a low cost of living place, and life off the fat for several years before going back to work. Kind of have a mid-life retirement.
 
Originally posted by: senseamp
It's not even a money issue for me, I think it's psychological. I make 6 figures, and I have well in excess of 6 figures retirement savings, and I am in my mid 20s. I have no debt.
But habitually, I am just not used to spending money, because my family never had any when I was a kid. We were barely making it, so I wore handme downs and cheap stuff, so the whole instinct skill of shopping for nice things never developed in me. But now I can't revese those habits and get into the spending mode.
Click to expand...

Nice to hear that you were able to pull yourself up from your old situation. I was poor all my life growing up. Now...Well, after a bad breakup I'm sharing a bedroom with my mom at my grandma's house. *sigh* Someday things will get better! 🙂
 
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: senseamp
It's not even a money issue for me, I think it's psychological. I make 6 figures, and I have well in excess of 6 figures retirement savings, and I am in my mid 20s.
Click to expand...

Average ATOTer I see.
Click to expand...


:laugh:

He forgot the mention he was a karate master and has a 16inch wang.




 
Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: senseamp
It's not even a money issue for me, I think it's psychological. I make 6 figures, and I have well in excess of 6 figures retirement savings, and I am in my mid 20s.
Click to expand...

Average ATOTer I see.
Click to expand...


:laugh:

He forgot the mention he was a karate master and has a 16inch wang.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and he didn't even mention his >$1 Mil. portfolio!
 
just go out more and you'll spend more money in no time. i used to not go out and i saved a lot of money... once you start hanging out, everything costs money.
 
Originally posted by: senseamp
It's not even a money issue for me, I think it's psychological. I make 6 figures, and I have well in excess of 6 figures retirement savings, and I am in my mid 20s. I have no debt.
But habitually, I am just not used to spending money, because my family never had any when I was a kid. We were barely making it, so I wore handme downs and cheap stuff, so the whole instinct skill of shopping for nice things never developed in me. But now I can't revese those habits and get into the spending mode.
Click to expand...
I might be your long lost brother 😉 cept I don't match the 6 figures part.. but I do when you combine myself and my soon to be wife in June 😉

senseamp there is absolutly NOTHING wrong with living below your means. This American culture of credit cards that has allowed people to live well beyond their means is not a good thing at all.

Not living beyond my means is what allows me to be within years of paying off my mortgage and also own everything else I have outright, it allows me to not be an indentured servant to my employer. When I got laid off at various times in my life I didn't have to resort to drastic measures.

Despite what this US culture has become, living below means is being a responsable person, don't be annoyed by it, be PROUD of it.
 
Originally posted by: TheSlamma
senseamp there is absolutly NOTHING wrong with living below your means. This American culture of credit cards that has allowed people to live well beyond their means is not a good thing at all.

Not living beyond my means is what allows me to be within years of paying off my mortgage and also own everything else I have outright, it allows me to not be an indentured servant to my employer. When I got laid off at various times in my life I didn't have to resort to drastic measures.

Despite what this US culture has become, living below means is being a responsable person. don't be annoyed by it, be PROUD of it.
Click to expand...

Truth.

If spending frivolously feels wrong for you, don't force yourself to do it. Getting nicer things will evolve naturally in you.
 
We have about $2350 left after our bills are paid each month and we could live really well on that but I only budget $300 per week for groceries, gas, and entertainment money for us. The rest is saved. It makes my wife mad sometimes but when the end of month comes and we've saved $1150 it's all worth it.
 
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