Comments on: Clever Ways to Delay Instant Purchase Gratification

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 01 May 2011 15:26:07 +0000

So anyone have any suggestions when it comes to traveling back home? the cost for traveling back home costs me about $500 for 4 days, If I drive which I usually do it takes 13-14 hrs straight driving spend like 2 days, and then drive back home. If i fly then it costs around $350 but that only gets me 3/4 of the way there then either rent a car (expensive) or pay gas for someone in my family to come get me. I come from a low-income family and even though I make decent money somehow I have seemed to become financially not so good due to swiping my card for gas and food and helping family members out because they can afford their meds, food, gas,or need a new vacuum, ect. Now they do not ask me for these things, I just notice things when I am there. When my mom was very sick and before she passed i tried to go 1/month, I do not regret it but since the funeral I do not go as much now. I just feel like I miss out on so much since I’m so far away but do not wish to move closer and neither do they. Now I wanted to go back for Mothers day to visit my moms grave, which we still have not afforded to put up a headstone its been 1.5 yrs now and I am stuck because I cant afford it and I told all of them I would be there and help pay for a stone. I hate to disappoint them, but worse it kills me I can’t be there to do this.
Any ideas anyone? Sorry this is so long.

By: credit card loans

credit card loans — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:46:14 +0000

Just ensure you have 0% interest on your credit card so even if the temptation to use credit card arises you are safe in the knowledge that you have not interest to pay on your purchase, also reduce the amount of credit on the account by phoning the lender and putting a ceiling on the card so you know that you will not be exceeding a limit to whihc you can afford

By: Credit Card Guru

Credit Card Guru — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:24:59 +0000

Thanks for the info. With all the bad information we get online with crazy credit websites, it is good to read something from someone who knows what they are talking about.

By: Wizard Prang

Wizard Prang — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:47:33 +0000

1) With apologies to AMEX, don’t leave home _with_ it! Leave your credit cards at home.

2) Keep enough in the bank for your “normal” expenses… but not enough to splurge! Keep the rest in an online account (I use ING Direct) that takes three days to move the money.

3) Have your salary paid into a _savings_ account, not your normal checking account.

4) Have an accountability partner to whom you have to justify your purchases. I’m lucky – I’m married!

By: Janet

Janet — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:32:18 +0000

Credit cards are great if know how to use them and do not let your emotions guide your spending. This is almost like emotial eating, just walk away, you will feel better later on.
I liked this:
3. Place your card in a lock box, and bury in your backyard. Any time you feel the need, you have to dig it up.
lol

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:22:14 +0000

Great question since most of our purchases do stem from emotions. ” I don’t need that big screen tv, but I’d sure want it”!

Believe it or not, what works for me is finding a budget that will help me save money. That way I can tell myself that not being able to make a purchase is only temporary, and if I can make my budgeting goals this month I can have this item next month or whenever my finances can handle it.

Hiding the credit card and locking it up is a great idea but don’t punish yourself by thinking you can never have what you want. Work up to it and keep telling yourself that it’s temporary.

By: Buget Advisor

Buget Advisor — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:41:34 +0000

literally freeze your credit card how didnt i think of that before!

By: Roman

Roman — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:32:54 +0000

That is a great way of making sure you dont buy something. Why not just leave it in a deposit box in your bank if you have one. That walk will make you think about what you want to buy and if its worth it.

By: G.E. Miller

G.E. Miller — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:21:26 +0000

@ Dan 1 – over $5K/mo. on credit cards? Never been in that situation, but I would hope you don’t carry a balance! If you don’t carry a balance, at least it sounds like you’re making enough money to stay ahead of the game. If you’re really looking to cut down your CC expenses, I’d recommend checking out the ‘budget’ category of articles: http://20somethingfinance.com/blog/category/budgeting/

@ Jacqui – take it easy now, we don’t want anyone getting hurt with flying broken glass.

@ Dan 2 – I think were were all there at one point. Great idea. We were all there at some point, I think it’s good to remember those times to keep us humble.

By: Dan (2)

Dan (2) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:04:57 +0000

Before I make any type of purchase, including ones with my CC I like to think of things in terms of hours I would need to work to pay for it. It really makes you consider the value of the item that much more. For example, during a summer job in high school I made $6.25 an hour folding clothes. On lunch break one day I spent over $10 on food. Later I realized that to pay for that meal I had to work about 2 hours after taxes. Not worth it. Should’ve gone with fast food.