genuinegirly

Thanks, NoSoup! Great advice! It really does make a difference.

Convince yourself to spend less
If you enjoy windowshopping as a hobby, leave your credit card and cash at home. Bring only a small change purse, no bills.

See what catches your attention. Explore. Develop your tastes without indulging. Learn what a reasonable price is for the items that appeal to you the most, by walking (or surfing) from store to store, comparing prices, styles, and quality. Touch items. Learn about textures and textiles. Find what you've determined is your favorite. Wait a month. Do you still find it interesting? It's probably on sale or clearance by now.

When your shoes have started to give out, start looking around. If they're dress shoes, polish them. Wait a month before purchasing. You'll realize those shoes had a lot more life than you thought. Throw away if the sole is literally worn through or the body torn noticeably.

Build a Budget

As an exercise in frugality, design yourself an unreasonably low budget. Keep to it religiously for a minimum of 4 months. Determine just how little you can live off of. Weigh your comforts and needs. By the end of that 4 months, you will realize you could have spent/wasted less. Make it a game. Try it again.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy