The Itch

April 1st, 2015 at 06:12 pm

Does anyone else get "the itch?"

I'm doing well on my financial goals, I fully funded my EF, and paid off my debts. Overall things are going great...

But I'm starting to get the itch to buy things I want/need.

For example the gun. I'm saving for it sloooowly, but part of me wants to buy it now and pay myself back later, or put it on a 0% credit card.

I need a desk. Right now I work full time on the kitchen table and my crap is everywhere. Husband hates having to clear my giant stack of papers every night to eat, and I'll admit it's a mess.

Also I've been waiting several years to buy myself a desktop. I promised myself I would for a graduation present, but I never did. When I started my job my employer gave me a laptop to use, but it's not mine. If I quit I have to give it back, and I'm not suppose to use it for personal use such as games or pictures.

I need a printer too. I never needed one because I could use my employer's, but now that I've switched jobs, I quickly realized how often I used one.

I just don't know how to curb the craving of wanting to buy something. Especially if rationally it's something I could really use, and would make my life better.

Do you ever give in?

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “The Itch”

rob62521 Says:
April 1st, 2015 at 09:36 pm 1427924167
1427924167

I won't profess to be perfect, but I have found as I have gotten older and tiny bit more patient, I don't give in like I used to.
creditcardfree Says:
April 1st, 2015 at 09:57 pm 1427925429
1427925429

Yes, I have given in. If they are really needs, and you have cash buy them. On the gun, you could save half and then consider if you want to borrow the rest, paying yourself back or keep saving.
FrugalTexan75 Says:
April 1st, 2015 at 11:16 pm 1427930215
1427930215

If you have a local Facebook garage sale type group, you might be able to find both a desk and a printer pretty inexpensively. The printer I have now I paid $20 for - an all in one, maybe a year old when I bought it from the person on FB.
ceejay74 Says:
April 2nd, 2015 at 01:19 am 1427937593
1427937593

It's a tradeoff, neither of which scenario is ideal: Either instant gratification followed by the bother of having to pay off something you already have, or delayed gratification but no guilt or annoyance at still owing money on it after you get it.
snafu Says:
April 2nd, 2015 at 05:11 am 1427951509
1427951509

I agree with DH, the kitchen table is part of your home, personal and not appropriate for work tasks. Since working from home is a 'condition of employment, I think you need to set up a proper work station of desk, printer and worked related supplies. These are all tax deductible so hang on to receipts whether you choose new or gently used from FB seller, Craigslist, Goodwill etc. Obviously you'd need to pay cash for pre owned but an EF is pretty fluid. Everyone has their own standard for use of EF.

In our case,since we both work from home for the main part, I've set up my office in a tiny bedrm and DH set up his very old, roll top desk in the dining rm which is only used for Sunday dinners. The deal was the desk disappears as the cover comes down, the dining table is cleared of any evidence of work by 5 PM every day. I use the top of his roll top desk as a 'serving station' for Sunday meals as we often have guests for dinner.

The cost of computers comes down every year and they add new features. If the employer's laptop is adequate for games and photos, is use on your time negotiable? How many hours per week would you use a PC? You are both managing your money well and being rewarded for your efforts is 'a good thing!'
klarose Says:
April 2nd, 2015 at 01:34 pm 1427981693
1427981693

Husband and I are compromising on the gun. He's going to loan me some of the cash out of his truck fund. So by next check I will have enough to buy it.

Is the office stuff deductible if it's not my business? I thought it was only for self employed people?

I search craigslist daily for a desk, but have yet to find one I like. I'd rather not buy just any old one. I'd rather save and wait to buy something I really like. So that makes it more challenging.

The laptop I can't use for games. Husband and I are both gamers, and the games we play are far too large to be downloaded to my work computer.

Out of curiosity I looked at computers. The specs I need would cost me around $2,000. Way out of price range right now, unless I was to get free financing. Which I'd rather not. Husband is pushing me to get one. But I've waited this long, I guess I can wait some more. Maybe after the gun I can start putting back some money.
PatientSaver Says:
April 3rd, 2015 at 09:54 pm 1428098090
1428098090

This happens to me all the time. What will you use the gun for?
cptacek Says:
April 6th, 2015 at 04:05 am 1428293116
1428293116

I made my computer desk out of a 4x8 sheet of smooth plywood, 5 replacement folding table legs (each set of legs has two pieces on the ground, so it is very sturdy) and smooth sticky tile from Home Depot. I cut one end off so it was an extension, then cut the remaining 4x5 1/2 piece at an angle on one side and then straight. Hard to explain, but it is 4 feet on one end and about 2 1/2 feet on the other, and the cut is straight for about 3 feet and then there is an angle to the other side. I put three sets of legs on this piece and used sticky tile to finish the top. the other 4 x 2 1/2 piece I used 2 sets of folding legs and the sticky tile. So the desk is huge and perfect for me. I think it cost about $100 to make this.

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The Itch

8 Responses to “The Itch”

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