Author Topic: what did you NOT buy today? (Read 337456 times)

kander · « **on:** February 17, 2015, 04:11:53 AM »

The best way of saving money on stuff is not buying anything at all ;)

What temptations did you leave behind in the store? :)

For me today:
- A polo shirt at the thrift shop. It was just €4,50, but that was the only reason I was considering to buy it.

Olivette · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2015, 04:28:39 AM »

about 200 euros worth of groceries but that's because I didn't feel like getting out of the house under the rain.

Wanderlusting · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2015, 06:04:05 AM »

I went into the city for a couple hours to walk around the parks and read a book by the coastline. Normally i'd spend a bit on lunch or dinner somewhere when I make these trips, but this time I had a small lunch packed which held me over until I got back home for dinner. So I managed to avoid spending about ~$10-20!

minority_finance_mo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2015, 06:08:32 AM »

It's early morning here and I'm on the way to work. I really wanted to buy a sandwich and coffee, but know I get free breakfast in am hour at work.

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2015, 07:53:49 AM »

Days when I spend money are more uncommon than days when I do not.
Since I didn't buy anything yesterday (or anything today) it would be difficult to list all the things I didn't buy.

I thought about looking for a new pair of jeans, since my only pair got a pretty significant hole. Instead, I've resolved to stop wearing jeans to work until my skirts are also no longer wearable. The jeans were darned so that I can still wear them at home.

kander · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2015, 08:51:47 AM »

I always see things I want to buy but don't buy because I don't really need them. Like today at the supermarket:
- ~~Chocolat~~ chocolate
- ~~Pizza's~~ Pizzas; I just wanted to buy them because it was an action, buy 3, pay for 2.

MLKnits · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2015, 09:36:34 AM »

Almost bought a book for my office because it was dirt-cheap on Amazon ... but then the shipping would have been three times the actual price of the book. Never mind! I haven't gotten through half my office books anyway.

Jon_Snow · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2015, 09:55:08 AM »

Ugh...so many things I want to buy right now. All fairly big ticket stuff. Hydrophone setup. New iMac. GoPro accessories. Telescope. Paddling dry suit. Granted, these are all things related to my post-ER hobbies...but still...

Anyway, I'm not going to allow myself to purchase ANY of these things until the cash in my taxable trading account reaches a certain round number. I often play these games with myself - eventually allowing myself to spend on "wants" when I have reached a certain savings milestone - or, in the case of my investment account, when the incoming dividends have stockpiled enough to reach a certain level.

So, in June, it looks like I will be computer shopping...

1967mama · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2015, 11:34:11 AM »

Didn't buy clearance Valentine's Day chocolate at Winco last night -- like I need more chocolate!! haha

Chrissy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2015, 11:49:13 AM »

Home refrigerator is empty. The freezer has homemade frozen lasagna, but I'm saving that for dinner. Wanted to buy lunch, but knew I had a yogurt in the work fridge, and I get out at 4:30 today, so I can make it.

lunahsol · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2015, 12:34:08 PM »

This was yesterday, but I resisted the following at a thrift store:
vintage-y chandelier light fixture - 6.99
small shelf - 3.99
cute pyrex baking dish with lid 4.99

Got out of there with just looking - no money spent . . . and then felt satisfied that I knew what was in the store and I don't really need or want any of it.

2ndTimer · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2015, 03:14:16 PM »

Had a brief urge to eat out to celebrate saving a bunch of money on something else. Came home and made hot and sour egg drop soup instead.

MidwestBiker · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2015, 04:31:17 PM »

I did not make the usual coffee stop on the way to work. I brown-bagged lunch today, but do that almost every day. Now if I had just rode on past this coffeeshop on my way home...

G-dog · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2015, 06:33:33 PM »

There is a pair of pricey shoes I have my eye on, deferred purchase so far.
Magazine subscriptions (wired, bon appetit) - sale offers pending.

Bracken_Joy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2015, 06:38:49 PM »

I did not go to lunch or coffee, even though either one would have been really easy and socially preferable.

mskyle · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2015, 11:42:41 AM »

My bike headlight broke last night and I fixed it with superglue and duct tape rather than ordering the fancy indestructible theft-proof light I've had my eye on.

RWD · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2015, 12:49:42 PM »

My wife and I decided against buying a new ~$30k Volkswagen last weekend.

1967mama · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2015, 01:09:09 PM »

Car was pulling towards McDonald's for breakfast this morning, but I resisted.

ShaneD · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2015, 04:14:12 PM »

I did not buy ice cream or booze, even though this day was one of those days.

Sure, I may be eating a peanut butter cup and drinking 3-buck Chuck as I type this, but gods damn it, they were already paid for (and not by me).

garion · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2015, 09:17:31 AM »

Was feeling that today would be a coffee day (don't normally make/drink coffee but I didn't get a ton of sleep last night), so I asked my husband to make me a cup so I could resist going out for a fancypants coffee.

Exhale · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2015, 09:53:10 AM »

Great thread!

Sneakers (current ones literally have holes in the soles). I'm determined to wait for my REI rebate (mid-March). So, for now, am wearing my hiking boots.

kander · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2015, 11:48:23 AM »

I didn't buy any chocolate today. ;)

mochila · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2015, 04:07:14 AM »

Today will be my sixth no-spend day this week. The amazingly cold weather on this coast makes it easy not to go out to buy stuff, but I've been giving myself no-spend challenges for years.

HenryDavid · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2015, 07:53:03 AM »

A delicious creamy cafe cortado. $4 though!
Saved the money for buying real cortados in Spain this spring. For $1.50 (Canadian).
Oh the high class choices to make.

Candace · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:49:49 AM »

I didn't buy the marked-down Valentine's Day chocolate at the supermarket. And if you know anything about my relationship with chocolate, you know that's a big deal.

I'm exaggerating. Most of those chocolates that are molded into cute shapes are not that good anyway.

Marianne · « **Reply #25 on:** February 20, 2015, 02:57:20 PM »

I am usually very resistent, I don't like shopping and spending money. But today it was just awful.
I wanted to buy (but did not buy): chocolate, pizza, crisps, lipstick, boots and a handbag. Especially the handbag was a hard one.
Fortunatelly, I could buy a few things (parfume, hair mask, hair moisturizer) which will be completely reimbursed by a cashback programme. However, it was a strange feeling, I am not used to craving things:-/

1967mama · « **Reply #26 on:** February 20, 2015, 03:09:40 PM »

Quote from: Marianne on February 20, 2015, 02:57:20 PM

I am usually very resistent, I don't like shopping and spending money. But today it was just awful.
I wanted to buy (but did not buy): chocolate, pizza, crisps, lipstick, boots and a handbag. Especially the handbag was a hard one.
Fortunatelly, I could buy a few things (parfume, hair mask, hair moisturizer) which will be completely reimbursed by a cashback programme. However, it was a strange feeling, I am not used to craving things:-/

I found this very interesting! I definitely experience ebbs and flows in my buying/not buying resolve. Thanks for posting :-)

2ndTimer · « **Reply #27 on:** February 22, 2015, 08:57:27 AM »

We did not go out for Sunday brunch. I whipped up basic sour dough pancakes and served them with maple syrup and freshly ground coffee.

garion · « **Reply #28 on:** February 22, 2015, 05:15:24 PM »

Mother-in-law stayed over last night, so I thought we'd have to go out for brunch this morning or at least buy some groceries. Ended up whipping up a nice meal with what we had around: broccoli, salami, jalapeno and cheese egg scramble, with homemade pita on the side. As an added bonus, mother-in-law left us with a big old mason jar of leftover homemade chili that we just heated up for dinner!

Bob W · « **Reply #29 on:** February 22, 2015, 08:14:52 PM »

Quote from: kander on February 17, 2015, 08:51:47 AM

I always see things I want to buy but don't buy because I don't really need them. Like today at the supermarket:
- Chocolat
- Pizza's; I just wanted to buy them because it was an action, buy 3, pay for 2.

chocolate. In the US at least.

horsepoor · « **Reply #30 on:** February 22, 2015, 08:28:00 PM »

Resisted buying junk at the store today. I had a 22 oz beer in my basket, and then put it back, also had near misses on tortilla chips, pudding cake and candy bars, but got out of there with just my healthy stuff and no extras.

kander · « **Reply #31 on:** February 22, 2015, 11:35:06 PM »

Quote from: Bob W on February 22, 2015, 08:14:52 PM

Quote from: kander on February 17, 2015, 08:51:47 AM
I always see things I want to buy but don't buy because I don't really need them. Like today at the supermarket:
- Chocolat
- Pizza's; I just wanted to buy them because it was an action, buy 3, pay for 2.
chocolate. In the US at least.

Thank you.

In the Netherlands it's called chocolade, and we also speak out the last e. That's why I was confused I guess.

JetsettingWelfareMom · « **Reply #32 on:** February 22, 2015, 11:39:58 PM »

I did not buy anything today except ice cream for the kids--and even that was silly as we have some in the freezer....didn't leave the house except to chase the ice cream truck...meaning I did not buy beer, groceries that I'd convince myself I need, or any crap that my eight year old would beg me to buy her because we're in a store. How freeing!

netskyblue · « **Reply #33 on:** February 27, 2015, 09:19:27 AM »

Girl scout cookies. And I love those cookies. BUT - don't need em, don't need to spend the $$, so no cookies for me this time around.

SailorGirl · « **Reply #34 on:** February 27, 2015, 04:29:01 PM »

A water heater! We managed to fix ours so hopefully good to go for another few years.

ambimammular · « **Reply #35 on:** February 27, 2015, 04:53:03 PM »

Credits to my DH who resisted getting coffee while traveling out of town. He packed a lunch and brought a thermos. Vicariously proud!

Pigeon · « **Reply #36 on:** February 27, 2015, 05:00:31 PM »

Pizza. It was a long week and I didn't feel like cooking dinner. I made pancakes.

rencelas · « **Reply #37 on:** February 27, 2015, 07:49:20 PM »

Quote from: kander on February 17, 2015, 08:51:47 AM

- ~~Pizza's~~ Pizzas; I just wanted to buy them because it was an action, buy 3, pay for 2.

Word here would be sale. Assuming what you're describing is like Aktion in German (sale, promotion, etc.)

I avoided buying lunch out today. Remembered I had some udon noodles in the fridge. Nom.

kib · « **Reply #38 on:** February 27, 2015, 07:51:40 PM »

Hmm. I didn't buy anything today. I didn't consider buying anything today. There was nothing I needed today. Does that count?

1967mama · « **Reply #39 on:** February 28, 2015, 01:01:39 AM »

Walked into Starbucks.

Bought a $5 gift card for a friend's birthday (mailing her a card).

Walked out.

No drinks were purchased.

A modern day miracle!

kander · « **Reply #40 on:** February 28, 2015, 06:35:17 AM »

Quote from: frufrau on February 27, 2015, 07:51:40 PM

Hmm. I didn't buy anything today. I didn't consider buying anything today. There was nothing I needed today. Does that count?

Yes it does! ;)

2ndTimer · « **Reply #41 on:** February 28, 2015, 04:02:38 PM »

A new plastic cover for the greenhouse the neighbors gave us. They told us we could get it at Harbor Freight for $29 but the Hub is out there rigging up his own using an old skylight, the plastic wrapper from our mattress and some electrical tape.

Fertilizer. We just picked up a carful from the local riding stable.

Jon_Snow · « **Reply #42 on:** February 28, 2015, 07:37:50 PM »

For kicks, I drew up a list of my "wants" today...it's a shockingly extensive list. With wife's large bonus about 2 weeks away, I'm gonna be sorely temtped to buy stuff. Expensive stuff. But really neat, cool, awesome, expensive stuff...

I am hoping by sheer force of will the majority of the windfall will find its way into our investment portfolio of largely dividend paying stocks. We will see.

horsepoor · « **Reply #43 on:** February 28, 2015, 09:20:56 PM »

I didn't buy a quirt today. This is sort of a horse whacker, which would hang on my saddle horn and only be put into service to encourage horse on the odd occasion when she's being balky. I looked at it and decided I could probably find a scrap of leather and make something similar. Walked out of the feed store with feed and only feed. And used a $10 off coupon.

MashedBanana · « **Reply #44 on:** March 01, 2015, 02:29:59 AM »

I didn't pay some one to cut and colour my hair.

Instead, I did a box dye and trimmed the ends of my medium length hair.

Feels just as good as if I had been to the hairdresser.

Winning!

SMCx3 · « **Reply #45 on:** March 01, 2015, 08:04:55 AM »

A bag of chocolate bark at Costco.

wintersun · « **Reply #46 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:14:08 PM »

Groceries. I am taking a week off from a big grocery expedition.

This weekend I deliberately avoided attending a fun, all day fundraiser auction so as to avoid buying anything.

eostache · « **Reply #47 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:33:04 PM »

I was riding all around town on my bike. Briefly considered getting something cheap-fast food for lunch but decided not to, just went home to eat there.

I'm a red panda · « **Reply #48 on:** March 09, 2015, 07:46:00 PM »

Pretty fabric at quilt guild meeting.

Cressida · « **Reply #49 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:25:20 PM »

Good thread!

I really wanted a third (cough) Diet Coke today, but resisted. I generally bring two cans to work every day (I know, I know, but at least they're from relatively cheap Costco flats, and I don't drink coffee), and a third would have meant $1.50 at the vending machine.

News:

Author Topic: what did you NOT buy today? (Read 337456 times)

Wanderlusting