Addicted to buying things

[Korie]

Right, so as the title says I'm addicted to buying things(mainly stuff for my PC, a new mouse, headset ect) how can I stop this? Ive almost spent all the money I made last month (was paid like 6 days ago) & I really want to quit it... (Still living with my parents) I got my drivers licence about 6 month ago and I really want to be able to afford a car, please help.

[Symphonic]

If you do direct deposit at your work, you can choose to put a certain % to a different account, like, a savings account. If you're spending it all on things you don't want to spend on, put all of it into your savings instead. Then your checks will seem smaller and you'll just have less opportunity to spend it. Hopefully.

[Korie]

If you do direct deposit at your work, you can choose to put a certain % to a different account, like, a savings account. If you're spending it all on things you don't want to spend on, put all of it into your savings instead. Then your checks will seem smaller and you'll just have less opportunity to spend it. Hopefully.

Sadly, the money I get is from school (SU) in denmark, which gives me around 3k a month which is pretty much spent instantly, on shit like food, even random wow transfers...

Every time I buy something I feel horrid the next two or three hours, I know I need to save, but I cant

[Deleted]

Make all your money go to your parents, and then ask them whenever you wanna buy something. You should have some money for yourself anyway, so you don't need to ask them when you want to buy gum or small stuff like that.

[Korie]

Make all your money go to your parents, and then ask them whenever you wanna buy something. You should have some money for yourself anyway, so you don't need to ask them when you want to buy gum or small stuff like that.

if I'd do that they'd never let me buy anything at all

[Deleted]

I generally take out a lot of cash, I spend far less frequently if it's not easy access online.

[Deleted]

if I'd do that they'd never let me buy anything at all

Isn't that kind of the point if you are saving for a car though? Obviously I don't know your parents but I assume they would still let you buy food/clothes and stuff like that that is actually vital.

Another thing you could do, if you use a credit/debit card which you can purchase stuff with (both online and physical stores), get a card that can't and only use cash. Going to an ATM every time you want do buy something can get quite hideous.

[Deleted]

Dont bother with tricks like Giving money to parents to look after for you, Putting money in seperate accounts (apart from savings which you should do).
Just learn some self control. Think to yourself is this item a NEED, or NICE.
IE
Have a pair of headphones which work perfectly, see another pair that you like - Thats a Nice
Have a pair of headphones which work, but you need to fiddle with the wires to make it work propperly - Thats a Nice too
Have a pair of headphones which only work out of one ear, or the Mic doesnt work, then that is a NEED.

if its a Need and you have the cash spare, Buy it. if its a Nice. Leave it alone.

[jizzyburnizzy]

if I could go back and do it over I would have saved a lot more money. When I was in school (highschool or college) i basically spent everything i had on beer, video games and computer parts. now that I'm 30 and out of school I wish I had saved more as my main goal right now is paying off student loans so I can afford the fun toys later in life like a cabin and a boat.

I started off with 60,000 of student loan debt and over the last 4 years I'm down to 17,000. Almost done!!

TLDR - It's never too early to start prioritizing your future expenses

[Fibby76]

Self-control, man. You gotta learn it. No excuses, no ifs, no buts. It's all about self-control.

[Nathiest]

Got a smart phone with a camera?

What I like to do while going through the toy isles in various of stores is to take a picture of the item I want.
I found out that by just taking the picture home with me was good enough, satisfying. I did not need to buy that Transformer or Hotwheels.

A Picture is worth a thousand dollars annually.

[Elenion]

if I'd do that they'd never let me buy anything at all

... That is the point of having your parents manage your money if you need a help. Especially if you are trying to save up for a car.

[Deleted]

I kno dat feel, im trying to save up for a new computer but i earn exactly as much as i spend pretty much so my bank account is stuck in limbo, atm im leaving my bank card at home so i wont do any stupid spontaneous purchase :P

[Deleted]

... That is the point of having your parents manage your money if you need a help. Especially if you are trying to save up for a car.

How will he learn then? This is something he needs to learn not to rely on other people for.

[Elenion]

How will he learn then? This is something he needs to learn not to rely on other people for.

Step by step, my friend.
Once he's comfortable with his parents managing all his money, he can slow get the control back (i.e. putting it into saving account). It's not that much different from a diet. You don't just stop eating completely or stop eating your favorite (fatty/sugary) food at after a night. You cut it slowly and adjust calories, nutrition, and exercise.

[LocNess]

Self control. As said earlier learn it yourself or have your parents manage your money. Otherwise it won't stop and this will continually plague you.

[Deleted]

Sadly, the money I get is from school (SU) in denmark

You get money from your school? I have to pay for mine!

[Torq]

My answer to this would just be "stop buying things you don't need."

Of course, then people will complain that it's an addiction, and he can't control it... Which really isn't true.

It actually takes quite a bit of effort, and several steps of input, to even buy something online; any of which is an opportunity to just ask yourself if you really need it or not.

Making up excuses for your inability to say "no," is just making the problem worse.

[eErike]

You get money from your school? I have to pay for mine!

Actually he gets it from the goverment for studying, we do that here in Europe (atleast in scandivia).

OP:
Cold Turkey or you won't ever learn, let you parents have the money and save enough for food (1k danish?). Only way to learn. After a while knowing that you can't buy all you want you'll loose the satisfaction of doing it.

[Aceshigh]

Just learn some self control.

Said so casually, as if it's the easiest thing ever. lol