Over the last 6 months I have felt nothing but stress when it comes to money. I have had a lot of expensive bills that I do pay off with no late fees, but it leaves me completely broke to the point where sometimes I have to skip meals to make ends meet. This isn't the way I want to live life, but these bills are for things like tuition, books and other necessities. I do like to shop though and it doesn't help me at all. What's the best way to slow down on your spending. I tried setting up a savings account that I only take money out of for school and stuff, but I can never get the account that high because I spend what's in my checking before I get that far. Plus with Christmas coming up I feel totally trapped. I love getting my friends and family presents, but I don't want to go into debt over it. HELP!!

Whatever you do, don't do something foolish like getting a bunch of credit cards and maxing them out!  So many people rely on them, and I think they can truly be an evil thing.  You may feel like you're going broke because of all these bills you're paying for, but most people in college are in the same boat.  What's good is that you're learning how to be responsible with your money, and in the future when you're graduating and have a stable income, you'll be able to look back and be proud of yourself.  I've had to cut out many things in my life because of more bills, more things to pay for and my paychecks seem to mysteriously getting smaller lol.  But gas has gone way down and that's a plus!  It's a good feeling to be free of debt, so try your best to manage your income and be resourceful when finding new ways of saving money.  I decided to only buy clothes that are on sale, I go to a cosmetology school to get discount prices for hair cuts and colors, I no longer go out to dinner (lunch is always cheaper), I only get manicures and pedicures when I really need them which is hardly ever, and I drive really slow now to save my gas! 

I started buying Christmas presents a month ago.  It's a lot easier than buying all of the presents at once.  And I've taken the time to ask my friends and family what they really wanted so that I'm not overspending on anything.  And there's actually a ton of killer sales right now.  They're clearing out inventory to make room for new Christmas stuff. 

With all those stores closing down now too it made buying christmas presents much cheaper too. I found some really nice things for the house that I could get my mom, and my grandparents. Also a nice watch from Mervins which used to be $300 and is now $150 for my dad! Some nice clothes for some friends. And stuff that I coudn't get from all those bankrupt stores I look for on sale. It's good to buy things in advance but also the few days before christmas are when sales are amazing!

With all those stores closing down now too it made buying christmas presents much cheaper too. I found some really nice things for the house that I could get my mom, and my grandparents. Also a nice watch from Mervins which used to be $300 and is now $150 for my dad! Some nice clothes for some friends. And stuff that I coudn't get from all those bankrupt stores I look for on sale. It's good to buy things in advance but also the few days before christmas are when sales are amazing!

December 26 is the best day hands down!  LOL but all of the presents might be a lil late, or you could just go find a few things for yourself that are suuuuper cheap.

LykMagic said: December 26 is the best day hands down!  LOL but all of the presents might be a lil late, or you could just go find a few things for yourself that are suuuuper cheap.

I was just talking to my friend about this this morning! I cant waaaiiiit till the 26th! But i swear last year it took me an hour and a half just to find parking!

I'm starting to feel better. I'm paying off some of my debt and I feel relieved. I just read a story though about Stephanie Tanner from Full House - Jodi about her and her husband getting a divorce over money problems. I guess I never really thought about celebrities having money problems. It helps to know I'm not the only one..

brokenpieces said: I'm starting to feel better. I'm paying off some of my debt and I feel relieved. I just read a story though about Stephanie Tanner from Full House - Jodi about her and her husband getting a divorce over money problems. I guess I never really thought about celebrities having money problems. It helps to know I'm not the only one..

Do you remember when Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson were married? (They were they cutest couple i still think they should get back) Well on their show the newly weds they used to fight over money too. He was pretty cheap and she didn't really care much about how much she spent. I guess once they hired a maid to clean their house, and they have a big house obviously, well she took $100 and he was complaining that that was too mcuh and that they wont bring her back anymore. Our maid takes $50 and our house is probably not even half the size as theirs.

Yeah, I remember that episode!!! I'm just about done with Christmas shopping and I'm feeling so good about it!! As much as I love Christmas this year has been tough on many people when it comes to money. I always like getting Christmas money too!! Helps a lot

I like it when I get money for christmas rather than presents. I already have everything I really need and want. Unless my friends and family want to pay my car payment or buy me a brand new TV then I'd rather have the money. My family doesn't really think of it that way. They think that takes the whole fun out of christmas. So what I do for them is buy them things, and put in the receipt too, hoping they'll leave a receipt in mine as well so I can keep the money and they get to have their fun!

Christmas is not about presents! I've heard this many times and it is very true! Presents do add more fun to it though. What gets me very mad though is when I go all out and buy my friends and family really nice expensive things and in return I get stuff I dont even like, or cheap stuff. I spent about $600 on presents this year and my presents were probably worth only $300. It makes me mad!

I'm feeling the same way right now. I owe $2100 in a couple days and I have no idea where I'm going to come up with the money...

to control my spending, I have to stay home. I have cut out alot of social events that I used to over psend on and then I had to buy a new outfit, hair, shoes........I am not completely cured...I have still trying to pay things off from my binges of overspending. I do get a high when I shop, my heart beats heavily and I get really excited. I do hide things from my husband. He always has not pull us out of the whole and it is upsetting to me but I can't seem to stop. I am trying though. It did start out with cars...I am now on gadgets. I have to stop!!!

Edit:
to control my spending, I have to stay home. I have cut out alot of social events that I used to over psend on and then I had to buy a new outfit, hair, shoes........I am not completely cured...I am still trying to pay things off from my binges of overspending. I do get a high when I shop, my heart beats heavily and I get really excited. I do hide things from my husband. He always has not pull us out of the hole and it is upsetting to me but I can't seem to stop. I am trying though. It did start out with cars when I was younger...clothes, stuff and shoes have aways been apart of my addiction. I am now on gadgets. I have to stop!!!

   I know what you mean with the social events and having to get the right outfit, then the right accessories.. And the cost of the event.  Not only that, but our time is valuable as well. 
   I think that the more you save, the more you get use to it.  And the reward of being able to pay off your bills will be worth it.  It took me many months to be able to set spending rules for myself and actually follow them.  The only big bills I have left is my car and a dang speeding ticket! lol...

Hi, I just joined today.  I'm here because I have a problem with spending, but when it comes to Christmas that one is a little easier for me.  Someone gave me this tip, and I think it's genius in more ways than one.  We are starting with our kids this year with... 3 gifts total.  That's it.  One each to represent the 3 gifts from the wise men.  If you're celebrating Christmas, it's about the religion, and so this is a really good way to keep the focus on that.  Also, the amount spent can change with your finances.  This year, we're not in good shape - the 3 gifts are going to be handmade or from rummage sales.  As we bounce back maybe they'll be in the realms of an ipod, etc.  Our kids BTW are 4 and almost 2.  We plan to do this throughout their childhood.

Another thing my husband and I agreed on is to do a one-night getaway, just us.  We go out only a handful of times a year, and so I look forward to this for months.  But, this one is hard for me.  We say no gifts between us, but I just bought him a $250 watch (cause it was on sale from $750 and from one of his favorite brands, and he doesn't have too many as the saver in the family!)  I am thrilled that he will have it but feel extremely guilty at the same time, because I know we can't afford it.  Watch out for those sample sale sites, they are fun but dangerous.

Finally, expect some resistance about scaling back. I asked my parents and sister last year to forgo exchanging gifts and just do gift exchanges with the kids (to and from grandma and grandpa), and I was met with anger.  Not disappointment, anger.  Oh well, my husband and I decided we will control what we can.  Or at least try to as in my case!

Best of luck to all of you.  I'm so happy I found this site, I have a long road ahead of me...!