What do you do when you get the urge to go out and spend money for things you really don't need? I'm not usually like this, but we've been snowed in for a week and now I want to go to Disneyland! Aargh!
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I go to the Grocery Store and buy reduced meats or on sale, And check out the reduced bakery section,
Check the flyers for whats on sale and a good buy,
Bring it home and put it away, Then I usually get the urge to bake some cookies or make a delicious meal,
Granted I am not a sweet eater or a big meal eater either,
But I like cooking and seeing others eat,
And your never wasting your money if its going on Food,
Cause we all need to Eat.
Spend lots of time chatting with people, You never know who your gonna bump into,
Well thats what I do when I get the urge to spend money,
i would just pick something thats entertaining to do outside the home when you can finally leave the house thats low cost and will get your mind flowing like a good 2 hour movie mattinee or roller skating maybe in door putt putt. maybe just getting away from the house a whole day would fix it.
If you've been snowed in for a week and you are like most people you have probably been watching lots of TV to pass the time. That's probably the reason that you feel the need to "BUY! RIGHT NOW!!" My suggestion is to turn off the tube and watch the online video The Story of Stuff instead. (Storyofstuff.com) It made me realize the even if i gave in and went shopping I'll probably use my purchase once or twice and then forget about it and it will just be taking up much needed space in my home.
When I'm bored is when I'm most likely to do lots of unnecessary spending. You could try going to the library and checking out some books or movies. That's free and there are no commercials telling you you aren't good enough unless you have the best and most expensive.
I also liked the lady's suggestion to go to the grocery store instead. You could try out a new recipe (like homemade pizza!) and invite friends over for food and a game night! That's sure to bust the boredom.
I'd steer clear of Disneyland though. It's fun but it really is a colossal waste of money. What most people spend on a disney vacation you could feed your family (and probably someone else's too!) on for MONTHS. Besides, there are other theme parks that are just as much fun that don't cost nearly as much. Just because Mickey doesn't live there doesn't mean that you and your family won't have just as good of a time.
Hope this helps some!
How about taking a limited amount of money and go on a shopping spree at a dollar store?
Or clean out a closet or drawer and see what you can donate to an organization, nursing home, etc.
These are things I do:
Work crossword puzzles, (or whatever kind you prefer), I read (library books, I have bought at used websites, booksales, thrift shops, etc.) I bake stuff and put it in the freezer for a timesaver later, I find a craft to work on and use that to pass the time. It is fun to learn how to make something, and a lot of the time it ends up being a great gift for someone. I also write note cards to shut ins or people I know don't have much family.
When I am bored is the worst time for me to go "recreational" shopping. I buy things I don't need, won't use, or have no room for. When I am bored, I do or make something for someone else. I knit prayer shawls, and winter hats for the poor. Doing these type of things make me forget myself and help others instead.
If you're still snowed in, you could use the internet to design your dream garden. It won't be long before we all have to get out and dig in the dirt again. Or check out Bibliomania.com for free online books - try a few chapters of an author new to you, then get the book at the library when you can get there. Or try HarperCollins publishing company website - new books free online this month. I also like doverpublications.com - they have free samples from lots of different books that you can print out and use for the kids or for your own crafts. Do a survey for Stanford U. at pollingpoint.com. This week's was about the presidential candidates. Your opinion is appreciated.
Sounds like cabin-fever to me. I'd say that this is where maturity and discipline comes into play, but I've read enough of your posts to know that you already have both, and this is just one of those things.
I'm planning my garden, buying seeds, and starting my plants now, so I can transplant them as early as the weather breaks. It's also a great time to clean closets and cupboards, start spring cleaning, finish projects that have been put away, catch up on reading books that I've left unread, and correspondence I've let go way too long. Pamper yourself with a manicure, a long soak in the tub, and maybe a new haircut. I'm deciding how to rearrange my furniture, what colors to paint my rooms, and how to make the rooms look fresh and new without spending a bundle (I have a small table that I've decided to paint and mosaic the top). The truth be told, I love this time of year, it allows me to do all the things I never have time for. It's also a great time for making all those little repairs around the house that are always put off, so buy that lamp shade, new knob for the cupboard, new zipper for your favorite jacket, etc, and finally take care of all those loose ends. And good luck!
This has been a long hard Winter here in Chicagoland, that's for sure. I feel it's taking a toll on all of us being cooped up for so long. Tomorrow tho I'm going to Wal-Mart to check out the half off Valentine's merchandise! I have a list of other things I need too but I think this little outing will be good for me. I've been staying in much too much. We are going out to dinner tonight for Valentine's Day and that will be good for all 4 of us!
Happy Valentine's Day to all my thriftyfun friends,
Debbie
This is a slow time of year and in the entertainment industry it also means lean times. To beat the empty pocket blues I have been busy setting up a garage sale with my folks. Also, I have been on an organization kick at the same time so I've really taken into account all the the things that I truly need and all the things that I could really do without. It has made me a appreciate all the added space and functionality that we have been able to achieve in such a small apartment.
And as a bonus I have come across all sorts of things that I didn't even realize that I had. It has helped with the urge to buy something when I do find myself somewhere with a lot of goodies and gadgets.
Try to stay away from Disneyland. My nephew works at Disney World in Florida (so we got in free!) but he tells me that to break even the company has to extract $300 per day, per person. And that was five years ago! That's why the food and logo stuff prices are so high. Yes it is a fun place.
But so is a bicycle ride, rowing a boat, sitting by the creek fishing, walking in a park, going to a museum, etc. All of those are cheaper. I recently bought a car GPS navigation device and am finding all sorts of cheap entertainment with it close to home (within an hour or so) that I didn't even know existed. Doing that avoids expensive hotel stays. We like day trips instead of long trips.
A couple of days ago I went to an antique auto museum in Hershey, PA. I ate a full meal before leaving and took a couple bottles of water so I spent nothing on food. The only cost was the gasoline to get there & back and $9 admission. Other local museums charge less or nothing.
Sometime in the next couple of weeks it's a trip to the railroad museum in Baltimore, MD.
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