Some of those on the "no spend" threads are really struggling with not spending on a day to day basis. I appreciate their efforts, but sometimes I have the opposite one: I don't want to spend, even when there are things I need. (Mind you, I said sometimes, not always).

For instance, I need to have my eyes checked and know I'll need new glasses. I keep putting it off because I don't want to be out the money. I keep saying "I can't afford it," even when I'm putting enough to cover them in a savings account. That's awful, now that I've written it down!

Have you ever put off buying something you really needed because you didn't want to spend the money?

 Yes, all the time. I always think tht I can wait a little longer. Babs

Pat:

Have you ever put off buying something you really needed because you didn't want to spend the money?

Yes ... my mammograms. I don't feel I need to get one every single year. Three years ago, the hospital didn't bill my mammogram correctly so I paid out of pocket. Finally after a lot of nagging, I got one again .... only to need a second one plus an ultrasound to confirm breast cysts. So putting it off to save money backfired in my case.

Pat:

For instance, I need to have my eyes checked and know I'll need new glasses. I keep putting it off because I don't want to be out the money. I keep saying "I can't afford it," even when I'm putting enough to cover them in a savings account.

I've done the exact same thing only not for eyeglasses but other things. Not sure if its guilt for spending money on myself or fear that some big bill will come out of nowhere and I won't have enough to cover it. Great Topic.

Toni B.:

Yes ... my mammograms. I don't feel I need to get one every single year.

 

You are correct, Toni.  You DON'T need one every year, even tho your provider will tell you that you do, the American Medical Association - AMA - recommends one every TWO years, not every year.  You also don't need a Pap smear every year, if you have had 3 negative ones in a row.  I have never had anything BUT negative ones, & I no longer get them every year.  My doc doesn't like it, but he doesn't argue much with me, either, since I tell him I choose to follow the national recommendations instead.

About 15 year ago, my eye doctor ( an opthalmologist) told me I only needed an eye exam every couple of years, and only needed new glasses when there was a significant change.  I appreciated that advice & went to eye exams every other year, with glasses when I needed a "significant" change. Worked out to new glasses every 4-5 years, & he saved me a lot of $$. 

 

I've done that with my glasses, and other stuff I need.  It's a regular source of "discussion" in my house.   I'll spend the money on the kids, but seldom on myself and it drives my DH nuts.  He hates it, says it makes him feel like he's not providing for me!   A friend told me once, "Are you crazy?  Your husband WANTS you to spend money on yourself, and you're resisting???"  When you put it like that, it really does sound ridiculous!

zohnerfarms:

About 15 year ago, my eye doctor ( an opthalmologist) told me I only needed an eye exam every couple of years, and only needed new glasses when there was a significant change.

Yep same advice here except getting glasses for me means getting three pairs. Regular bifocals, sunglasses and magnifying for reading/computer and needlework. So I try to use the same frames, especially when I find a pair that fit well.

sounds like dh! has worn glasses since a child,  needs new glasses..going for bifocals now.  but won't go to the eye doctor because it is not covered by extended health insurance. $200 for glasses is covered. so wants to wait to until his irightus? (cant spell) flares up so it is a medical issue and covered by medical.....we can afford the $100 for the exam!

also waits until shoes are falling apart to buy new or pants etc. he complains... and I said go buy them then!!  he likes me buying everything lol. 

Well, I don't feel so alone now, anyway! Maybe talking it out will inspire me to make an appointment to get my eyes checked. When I think about it, though, it's strange how some things "cost too much" while other things (same amount of money) don't seem to. I can't decide whether it's a matter of priorities or more a matter of "wants" overriding "needs." 

Pat:

I keep putting it off because I don't want to be out the money. I keep saying "I can't afford it,"

 

I've done this too many times myself.  There are things we should replace, like some new clothes,  but I just don't want to put the money out for it, because of a fear that I won't have the money on hand for some emergency or other urgent need. The money is available, but if I don't spend it now, and add to it over a few months time, then I'll have even more later.  Of course my clothes may be getting embarassing by then, but that nervous feeling of not having enough money still remains. Edey

Oh yeah, you are not along on this.  I should be on topomax since I get migraines so often, but the OTC works, so why bother?  I only see the eye doctor every 4 years or so.  I've been in glasses since I was 7 or 8; it's not like I don't know when I need them and even when I need them the change is so small in the prescription that it's aggravating to me.  I only cut my hair when my neck starts to hurt!  I simply can't justify cutting it every 6 weeks, so it gets done every 3-4 months (though it's been 5 months this time around...ouch!).  I keep my hair long and it's thick, so I have the stylist put in long layers and thin it out for me and then I'm good to go for a while.  I need a new winter coat, but I'll hold off.  I can wear layers and make it work until I find what I want at rock bottom prices -- post season sales are what I live for!