Are you a recovering impulse buyer? (materialist)

[msugeotech]

That really is a good idea…passing down books. When we moved last year to Florida, before we left…I ‘donated’ all our books (probably 100 of them?) to our local library. And these were brand spanking new when I bought them…now the library will have a larger Catholic section because of that donation. Do you ever keep books though, and reread them? I do. Sometimes, I forget the endings to some. I am typically a non fiction reader…I like to learn from the books I’m reading…I don’t view books as entertainment really.

Rarely have I reread a book. I use my Catholic books for references quite a bit. One of my favorites is Catholicism For Dummies, which I thought was great, especially for us coming into the Church. My first Catholic book I read was Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic - awesome!

As far as entertainment vs. learning - I do both, depending on what kind of mood I’m in. I like mystery novels (which I check out at the library now!), but then I’ll follow it up with something non-fiction. I read the Millionaire Next Door a while back, which is excellent. I am planning on reading Witness To Hope here soon (Pope John Paul II biography by George Weigel).

 

[whatevergirl]

Rarely have I reread a book. I use my Catholic books for references quite a bit. One of my favorites is Catholicism For Dummies, which I thought was great, especially for us coming into the Church. My first Catholic book I read was Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic - awesome!

As far as entertainment vs. learning - I do both, depending on what kind of mood I’m in. I like mystery novels (which I check out at the library now!), but then I’ll follow it up with something non-fiction. I read the Millionaire Next Door a while back, which is excellent. I am planning on reading Witness To Hope here soon (Pope John Paul II biography by George Weigel).

Too bad we can’t do a book swap…I would like to read that book you mention…Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic…that sounds interesting.

Books that are good over and over again, and seem to keep getting better every time I read them, are CS Lewis classics…do you agree?

 

[msugeotech]

I can’t say since the only C.S. Lewis book I have read is Mere Christianity. I did like it very much, and I do plan to read more of his books. I just haven’t gotten to them yet. Any suggestions on which to read next?

 

[whatevergirl]

I would highly encourage you to read…The Great Divorce and buy the book on cd for Screwtape Letters. It really is a masterpiece, on cd.
I loved Mere Christianty…if there ever were a person who unravels the complex human mind and puts it to paper, it’s Lewis…

 

[MadameButterfly]

Yes, I’m a recovering impulse buyer ! My passion (or weakness), was books.

I love books!!! I love reading books and I love collecting books . And homeschooling my ds didn’t help any; while I did buy all the books I needed, I also bought books that I thought I needed .

Unfortunately, we only have a certain amount of room for bookshelves and when they started to overflow, that became a problem. It wasn’t until I read the book “Happy Are You Poor” by Fr. Thomas Dubay that things began to change.

I realized that most of the books I owned I would never read a second time; they were just on my shelf collecting dust. God moved my heart to sell all the extraneous titles so that others could enjoy them as much as I did. But when it came to my ‘collections,’ I was a bit hesitant. Was I too attached to them, or could I get rid of them?

It took a financial situation that compelled me to sell every book that was not needed. I was even willing to give up all my collections.

Eventually, things improved financially and I didn’t have to sell my 2 favorite collections And while I’m glad that I still have my collections, I’m also glad that I am have been purged of my attachment to books (I never realized that I had such an attachment).

Now, I use the library extensively, especially for children’s books as well as fiction. I only buy the books I NEED for each homeschooling year (after my dc is done with it, I sell it, or give it away). The only titles I keep are those that are are considered reference books, OOP children’s book, or religious books that can’t be found in our library system.

Madame Butterfly

 

[SDMom]

I think I have turned a corner:yeah_me: …and wanted to start a thread…to see if there are any recovering impulse shoppers here. It felt so good to go to the mall this weekend, and not buy anything. I even went to Target, and only bought two Christmas decorations,because we as a family, are sticking to a budget. Budget isn’t an evil word, not sure why I fought my hubby all these years about being on a family budget. How stupid of me.

Maybe I’m getting sick or something. lol Kidding. It feels good to have control over myself, and our money.

Looking forward to any of your stories you wish to share that sound similiar.

• This is an interesting thread and I’ll be following it closely! I am also trying to stick closely to our budget (DH must have been praying hard for me about this!) and am realizing more and more the importance of saving $$$ and not wasting. I’m also realizing more and more that every dollar is a gift from God, and we should use/spend it wisely!!! I was never really into name brand anything as an adult, though my Mom showered me with name brand clothing when I was growing up. God blessed us with 2 boys, which has helped us abundantly! Little Brother’s wardrobe consists of Big brother’s old clothes. They even play with the same toys, many of which have been gifts. Sometimes I like to dress my sons in the same clothing because they just look so cute, and then I realize that it’s totally not necessary. They just need to be CLOTHED!

I budgets and am so grateful for the husband God gave me because he is much more educated in terms of finances, and he is helping me to learn and grow a lot in that area.

Thank you, Lord, for enlightening us Please continue to shower us with Your infinite wisdom, especially those who are having tough times financially. Amen! *

 

[joamy]

Too bad we can’t do a book swap…I would like to read that book you mention…Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic…that sounds interesting.

It’s an excellent book. I have a whole list of good “convert” books- the ones that got me here. You could always come visit my library… .

 

[whatevergirl]

It’s interesting to see what people spend money on. You know, they (who is they anyway) say that a person can tell a lot about someone by what he/she spends his/her money on. I don’t want to show ‘they’ my bank account, therefore. lol

But, books? That is an admirable thing to spend money on. I wouldn’t consider that wasteful. I used to buy a lot of books too…like there is one recently…The Boy in the Striped Pajamas…the writing is just a bore. I just can’t get into this book, and I’m typically interested in Holocaust novels, journals, etc. But, I should just give it a chance, because I did buy it. That’s the thing…I buy a book, and then it sits…then, I buy another one…start that one…and then that sits for a time.

So, I’ve decided to read the books I have before buying more.

 

[whatevergirl]

It’s an excellent book. I have a whole list of good “convert” books- the ones that got me here. You could always come visit my library… .

Oh I’d like that …please feel free to share some of your book titles with us. I typically like non fiction moreso, so I should like these. Thanks!

 

[whatevergirl]

• This is an interesting thread and I’ll be following it closely! I am also trying to stick closely to our budget (DH must have been praying hard for me about this!) and am realizing more and more the importance of saving $$$ and not wasting. I’m also realizing more and more that every dollar is a gift from God, and we should use/spend it wisely!!! I was never really into name brand anything as an adult, though my Mom showered me with name brand clothing when I was growing up. God blessed us with 2 boys, which has helped us abundantly! Little Brother’s wardrobe consists of Big brother’s old clothes. They even play with the same toys, many of which have been gifts. Sometimes I like to dress my sons in the same clothing because they just look so cute, and then I realize that it’s totally not necessary. They just need to be CLOTHED!

I budgets and am so grateful for the husband God gave me because he is much more educated in terms of finances, and he is helping me to learn and grow a lot in that area.

Thank you, Lord, for enlightening us Please continue to shower us with Your infinite wisdom, especially those who are having tough times financially. Amen! *
Good for you! I am not sure I’m where you are yet…that I ‘like’ budgets…but I sure like the savings. I am amazed at how much we are saving by not eating out so much…or buying stupid online things. My dh too is a saver, and God bless him…He is so patient. He has told me over and over to do this…but finally, I have seen the light. I think it is The Light that I saw. God wants us to have nice things, but He doesn’t like waste. I am glad that you joined this thread…and for your prayer.:hug1:

 

[joamy]

Oh I’d like that …please feel free to share some of your book titles with us. I typically like non fiction moreso, so I should like these. Thanks!

I bet most have been mentioned on CAF before, but here goes…

Rome Sweet Home by Scott & Kimberly Hahn
The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn
(OK, just about anything by Scott Hahn - including Hail Holy Queen and the one on confession)
Steve Ray is excellent, too.
Life on the Rock by Jeff Cavins
Any of the Surprised by Truth books by Patrick Madrid
Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating
What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating.

Now this isn’t really a convert book, but Joseph Pierce has a really good biography of Tolkien. He also has a book out that I am almost dying to read explaing how Shakespeare was Catholic.

 

[Pacbox]

Okay, I was an idiot for posting in here the other day. That seems to be a trend with me lately, posting like a stupid idiot.

Money is really sticky issue with me and unfortunately I was stupid enough to respond to this thread. So I apologize for posting and being stupid.

 

[blue_skies_1]

I’m a not recovered impulse buyer unfortunately! If I see something I like in the shops (clothes, makeup & books are my main weaknesses) I have so little control in myself buying it. I don’t think of myself as ‘materialistic’ in a bad way but I do get over-excited about nice ‘stuff’, even though experience tells me it won’t enrich my life beyond that first infatuation . I also tend to shop more when I’m feeling stressed or insecure about things - I throw money at the problem! This is something I’ve been praying about!

 

[whatevergirl]

Okay, I was an idiot for posting in here the other day. That seems to be a trend with me lately, posting like a stupid idiot.

Money is really sticky issue with me and unfortunately I was stupid enough to respond to this thread. So I apologize for posting and being stupid.

Pacbox…why do you say this? If you are saying that you are still having troubles with money…hey, we all slip. You’re not stupid for posting in here.

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m a not recovered impulse buyer unfortunately! If I see something I like in the shops (clothes, makeup & books are my main weaknesses) I have so little control in myself buying it. I don’t think of myself as ‘materialistic’ in a bad way but I do get over-excited about nice ‘stuff’, even though experience tells me it won’t enrich my life beyond that first infatuation . I also tend to shop more when I’m feeling stressed or insecure about things - I throw money at the problem! This is something I’ve been praying about!

Okay…here is my advice…I learned this very recently…and it works like a charm. When you see something you really like…makeup whatever…STOP YOURSELF AND DON’T BUY IT. WAIT THREE WEEKS. Yep, three whole weeks and see if you still want the item. Chances are you will save yourself money…because you think you want something at that very moment, but over time…your thoughts change. I love this new ‘technique!’ It has helped me stop impulsive shopping, and I’m amazed at the savings. We want to buy a reindeer for the yard this year, and possibly take a vacation for my dh and my upcoming birthdays…and we might have been very tight, had I kept blowing money on $40 things here and there. It adds up!

Please try this–I think you’ll like it.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

Okay…here is my advice…I learned this very recently…and it works like a charm. When you see something you really like…makeup whatever…STOP YOURSELF AND DON’T BUY IT. WAIT THREE WEEKS. Yep, three whole weeks and see if you still want the item

**LOL, sorry if this puts a damper on your new plan, but when i still lived at home my mom had a bit of an impulse problem when shopping (and it rubbed off on me…but shopping without her now is much safer, lol)

BUT

we would try the whole “let’s wait and see if we REALLY want it” thing too. And 9 times out of 10, YES we still wanted it and, NO, it wasn’t there anymore or not for the sale price, or out of our size/color…whatever…when we went back, lol.**

So, this is what I do now for things that may not be available later (for instance, i have hard to fit feet, so if I find shoes that fit well, i buy them!). I buy what I think i want and don’t take off any tags and give myself until the end of the store’s return policy (I only buy from places that accept returns) to see if I still want the item.

**It does take more self control, but it’s god for those things that aren’t always available (or during good sales). If it’s something that you could get anytime, don’t buy it…just go home…lol.

Oh, and another really easy way to curb shopping is to just not go. Find someplace else to spend that time. Or, shop on a time limit…if you only have 20 minutes in the mall (let’s say you HAVE to get somewhere else) then you run it, pick up what you actually came for and don’t have time to “find” all of the other stuff you probably would have bought if you’d seen it, lol.**

 

[whatevergirl]

Yeah Malia…I agree…the item might be off the shelf by then!

I think the whole concept of delaying gratification is what we need to do in this country. Everything is lickity split…we get everything the second we want it. We also confuse needs with wants and visa versa. I think however you do it…teaching yourself how to delay gratification…is key to being a good steward over money.

Thanks for chiming in.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

Yeah Malia…I agree…the item might be off the shelf by then!

I think the whole concept of delaying gratification is what we need to do in this country. Everything is lickity split…we get everything the second we want it. We also confuse needs with wants and visa versa. I think however you do it…teaching yourself how to delay gratification…is key to being a good steward over money.

Thanks for chiming in.

Yup, simply put, but exactly what we all need to learn. And not just with shopping either. Food, sex, relaxation, entertainment…we want what we want when we want it…doesn’t exactly help us cultivate virtue

 

[Pacbox]

Pacbox…why do you say this? If you are saying that you are still having troubles with money…hey, we all slip. You’re not stupid for posting in here.

It’s the time of year right now. It’s hitting me a lot harder than it has in the past and so I really question everything and see nearly everything I do in a negative light. For the most part, I actually don’t have the problems with money I used. Like I said, I still have problems with food, though suprising actually not that bad as some would think. I will make small purchases and only when I really need something or need to get out of the apartment and have contact with people. I only use my credit card for gas, car insurance, and oil changes. Otherwise it doesn’t get used. But my parents love to bring it up every time we talk. It’s always been something they’ve lorded over me and make sure to twist the knife that much more everytime we have any contact.

As of right now, if I can’t pay for it out of my pocket with what little money I make, I don’t buy it. I haven’t bought much this year and anything I have I’ve done clearance (I find lots of great things at half the price) or they’re on sale with extra discounts (the jeans I’m wearing I got for 65% off and I only bought the particular brand because their cheap in the first place and getting an extra bargain was a bonus). Or I ask myself it I really need it (usually don’t) or if I think I need it (I find things I like but definitely don’t need but if I really want will save up for it).

Like I said, money is a sticky issue for me. And right now I’m potentially losing some of the financial support I receive from my parents and work isn’t working me.

 

[SDMom]

Okay…here is my advice…I learned this very recently…and it works like a charm. When you see something you really like…makeup whatever…STOP YOURSELF AND DON’T BUY IT. WAIT THREE WEEKS. Yep, three whole weeks and see if you still want the item. Chances are you will save yourself money…because you think you want something at that very moment, but over time…your thoughts change. I love this new ‘technique!’ It has helped me stop impulsive shopping, and I’m amazed at the savings. We want to buy a reindeer for the yard this year, and possibly take a vacation for my dh and my upcoming birthdays…and we might have been very tight, had I kept blowing money on $40 things here and there. It adds up!

Please try this–I think you’ll like it.

Something else that has helped us tremendously:

1. Make lists of things you need to buy BEFORE you enter the store, and ONLY BUY what’s ON YOUR LIST!
2. Only go in with x amount of $ … try to make a good guesstimate of what your purchases will cost and stick to it!

Better said than done, I know … but it helps! Good luck!