Comments on: It’s harder to spend money you’ve saved up

By: MKL

MKL — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:57:08 +0000

As to credit, you get a little disconnected from the actual purchase with plastic because it doesn’t represent real money at that moment (yes, of course it’s very real and needs to be paid back, but the act of paying jsut feels different).

On my end, I refuse to purchase anything that I cannot pay off at the end of a month, but I’ll confess that it’s much easier for those purchases to become nebulous to me, whereas when I am just dealing with greenbacks, purchases are never nebulous; I’m *very* aware of just what and how much I’m spending.

By: MKL

MKL — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:53:55 +0000

There’s a very definite “ouch” factor when you spend actual cash that you have saved. You *know* what that money represents, you know how long it took to make it, you know exactly what you decided to not get ort do to hold onto it.

What’s great about this process is that, because you are much more aware, you start to look at different options than you might otherwise have considered. Is it available in another form? Do I have to spend money to get the same utility (or if yes, do I have to spend as much as I *think* I do?). I know I ask these questions much more vigorously when I’m deliberately allocating money for something, as opposed to just buying it and figuring out where to make it fit later (something I still do from time to time, but thankfully much less often recently).

By: Home Office Desk

Home Office Desk — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:42:57 +0000

This is actually happening to me right now. Especially since Christmas is drawing near. My my, what to do.

By: bluntmoney

bluntmoney — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:08:21 +0000

Chelo, I suspect that people don’t feel the same way about available credit. As far as how they do feel, I imagine that varies by person.

By: Chelo Marroquin

Chelo Marroquin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:44:32 +0000

I guess it’s a mind of matter!

how much do you really need that new T.V?

Do you think people feel the same way when there is available credit on their credit card? Or are they more apt to use that up thinking well….i can pay that back over time?

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:36:05 +0000

I can relate. This past year I saved up twice for 2 big purchases. One about 8 months for a new computer, the other about 5 months for a new TV. The whole time I was doing research, waiting for prices to come down till I saved enough to buy. At the same time I understand what you mean, yes it is hard to see that money saved and know it’s going to be spent. At the other hand, I had so much confidence and joy when I was able to afford and make an educated purchase on my items. I worked hard to save the money and did the right research involved to make my decision.

Craig

By: Middle Way

Middle Way — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:54:42 +0000

I can relate to that too. I see money as energy–energy I’ve spent to trade
it for paper money. As I value where my energy goes, I definately question
and weight options before I spend.