Do any of you experience guilt for buying things?

I am feeling it right now because I feel like I've spent a lot on myself recently.
It is mostly because of the business trip I just got back from, but I'm trying to remind myself of the fact that I'll be reimbursed for meals soon!

For some reason, I will go through a short period of time where I spend on myself, and then the rest of the year I really don't buy much for me. Kind of strange, isn't it?

What do you do to overcome this? How do you slow down on your spending or even doing a "no-buy"?

Meg,

Prior to my illness last year and all of the family drama...I never thought twice about buying things.

It took 6 months to get Social Security disability (the regular type) and ONE year to get retroactive disability benefits from the VA.

Going was difficult and I had to learn how to be creatively broke. At times I was two months behind on my utility bill.

I just sold an empty condo jointly owned by my brother and myself last week. I was able to put the funds in a high yield CD.

My place is paid for since my mom left it to me when she passed away in 2006. And since I have had no credit cards, etc I only have to meet regular expenses.

What did I learn from this experience?

Mainly that it's okay to treat yourself occasionally.

Having the latest iPhone or a 160GB iPod or even a Lexus is immaterial.

I will keep my 1994 Jeep Wrangler on 'life support', enjoy my 2004 iPod, and use up some of the stash I accumulated. Ended up giving most of my stash to friends and neighbors before the batch codes expired.

Of course I miss working. I am being paid NOT to work. However, I am going to devote some time to encouraging members of my religious group, doing chores, etc.

It's been a learning curve..do I really need this item now? Is CVS body wash better than the brand name? And so forth.

It's much more fun to get a DVD for $1.00, a free lotion or find clothes 50% off.

Oh one more thing...which may or may not apply in your case. (I never ask personal questions)..
Don't make a person who has no options a priority in your life.

Of course maintain a sense of humor.

I am rationing myself to 3 VBN lotions this year!

Hope I've been helpful.

Jeff, you never know, if you give some of us BBW board elves your address, there may be a VBN lotion or 2 with your name on it come Christmastime.

As for buyers remorse, I think it's normal to go through some periods of over-spending and then feel guilty. I spent quite a bit in the last few weeks because I just got a new job and needed updated clothes etc. I did feel bad about it for a while, but then realized that it really has been ages since I bought that many things. Once in a while is definitely OK.

Meg, I occasionally will feel that way too. I normally dont go overboard, but I think everyone should "splurge" on themselves every now and then. My thinking is my husband and I both work really hard, so at the end of the day if all of our bills are paid I say why not. I have always made sure to put back something each week for an emergency fund.

My way of looking at it is the items I splurge on are alot cheaper than some peoples "addictions". I think every now and then we all deserve it.

As a single woman w/ no children, I splurge on myself quite frequently. I know that this is the time of my life to do so. But I do have my spending limits, get things on sale, & take advantage of coupons & promo codes whenever possible. There are times when I have buyer's remorse about certain things, but that's part of life.

I understand what you're going through, Meg. I believe everyone has that guilty feeling every now and then. But I don't think it's really a problem unless you overdo it. You know when that's happening if you are neglecting your obligations (bills) to buy something you really don't need just because you want it. I think Gizmo has the right idea. If you have paid all of your bills, including yourself, and you have some money left over, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself to something you want. Life is to be enjoyed, so take care of business, then enjoy yourself!

Yeah that is a good way of putting it, Gizmo!

I know I do have money and am doing just fine, I guess it was just the fact that it was an all-at-once kind of thing (my business trip being the major part of it) that made me feel guilty even though I do have the money.

Plus, I'm so happy and thankful to have had the opportunity to go on that trip after only being at my job for 2 months. In retrospect, I didn't spend that much because I will be reimbursed for my meals and they already pay for hotel and airfare. I didn't even spend much on meals, they were usually pretty cheap! I bought a few souveniers for people back home and a couple for myself and that was about it.

Phew, I feel better after reading everyone's comments!

I completely agree with Gizmo and Lovey.

Meg, I'm glad to read that you're feeling better about the whole thing. There's nothing wrong with spending money on yourself every now and then. You've earned it!

Meg, i understand, i have really toned down my spending, like Jeff was saying, i have to ask myself when i buy something, if i really need it or not, i allow myself once a month for a treat, so its something i look forward to.

I too have felt Buyer's Remorse after splurging. To try to curb this, I have gone on no-buys and I only splurge at certain times, such as during major sales. My credit card is only for emergencies. Like Megan, I too am a single woman with no kids, so I know that this is the time to treat myself, but I do limit myself!

I actually remember seeing on the local news that Buyer's Remorse is a leading cause of money loss for businesses. Apparently many people splurge, then return what they bought. While some businesses, such as Wal-Mart, can put most of their returned products back on the shelves, others, such as BBW, can't put their products back on the shelves for someone else to buy. Instead, they just lose out on that money.