That's not for me. When there's something I'm not supposed to have I want it more. Like Chik-fil-a on Sundays. Never want it during the week but want it on Sundays when they are closed. Same with diets - if I'm supposed to be dieting I want to eat, but if I am not on a diet I don't think about food.

yeah, like since we stopped getting satellite tv, I've almost forgotten about channels 2 and 5 which don't come in with the rabbit ears. lol

Love all of your Pixburgh references. :)

I think that most people just need to budget for fun and plan better (budget) for expenses and savings.  The premise that needs to exist for us is "If you don't have the cash... you can't afford it"   That's why we are supposed to save for things...  Credit cards may satisfy your "gotta have it now" urge... but for most Americans, debt is increasing.

Our nation used to be financially stronger back in the days where you spent cautiously, you saved a portion of every paycheck, and credit cards didn't exist yet.  

If you want to be wealthy - use this simple formula....

INCOME - MONTHLY EXPENSES = disposable income.

Then take:  DISPOSABLE INCOME and divide it in 3.

Take 1/3 and go have fun with it (or save up for big things you want).

Take 1/3 and go pay your debts off asap.

Take 1/3 and put it away in an interest bearing savings account or CD.

When the debt is gone... use that 1/3 to put more money in savings.

You will amass wealth faster than you think!

If you have problems not spending money, you can "hide" it from yourself too.

For this trick, you will need a money managing program - no using online banking all the time.  

The way to do it is to write a fake check of a few hundred dollars into your money managing program to "HOLDOUT". The program says the money is no longer there for you to spend, so if you have bad memory (like me sometimes) you'll think you have less than you actually do. Thus, you'll have saved.

Another trick is to tell yourself that you'll buy whatever it is you want tomorrow.

Make procrastination work FOR you.

I like the savings idea of "Pay yourself First"  but that requires real discipline.  Do it with automatic deductions from your paycheck.  First, claim 0 deductions and take your gross pay minus 34 percent (that's Uncle Sam's).  From your net pay, deduct 10 percent for God (or charities), 10 percent for yourself.  The remainder is your expendable income.  If I can't live on that, I am living too high.  Now, living in a rural area, the pay is low, the mileage high, and cost of living is the same as city.  So, I pay what I have to, go without the rest.  Some of the things I will go without this year will include heat this winter, milk, meat, and health insurance.  I will be asking for candles for Christmas gifts. What am I saving for?  Gas for going to work so I can keep my old house, and life insurance premiums for a funeral policy.  I'm glad I'm not the one who is going to have to explain why to God.