How to Deal with Vices
What do you consider a vice? Smoking, drinking, travel, buying shoes, investing in tech gadgets or going on vacation? We all have them, and some of them are not as visible as others. I, personally, have an unhealthy passion for travel, and shoes, oh, and cheesecake (as seen here, and here, and here). We can’t forget cheesecake. (Although, I like to think of that as an indulgence rather than a vice, but still). I don’t smoke, rarely, if ever, drink (Fincon being the exception) but that doesn’t mean that I have a firm grasp over where most of my spending money goes.
While most people can tell you what they spent on car insurance, or gas last month, they have a hard time coming up with a concrete answer for their vice spending. It’s not because they are spending an astronomical amount, it’s because they just have no idea or self control with it comes to it.
Take me for an example, I get very trigger happy when I see shoes I love, or all inclusive vacations, and being able to work from home, I normally pack up my things and go.
Now, that doesn’t sound like a way to deal with vices, does it? Here are some tips that I’ve picked up:
Make a category in your budget for things that you’re bound to impulse shop for: I have a fun category and a travel one. I also save money from other parts of my budget to put in it.
Look for a discount: I know I said that it was impulse shopping, but either ask for a discount so see if you can find the same thing elsewhere. All inclusive vacations are different as they come. As long as you’re not picky, and can settle on a beach anywhere, you can generally find some cheap ones.
Find alternatives: As a cheesecake lover, I understand that buying excessive quantities of cream cheese can add up, but just like e-cigarettes are valid and cheaper option for smokers, add a bit of ricotta or sour cream is a option for cheesecake fanatics, and it has less calories to boot! There is an substitute for everything as long as you’re willing to try it.
My vices, a couple probably, the biggest being food. I like exotic foods (think truffles 🙂 )I don’t know, just find myself craving for a new food experience often and at times it ain’t cheap. Could definitely put that somewhere in my budget: Exotic Food Indulgence 🙂 and probably research some chaper sources!
Wonderful tips, I should try that cheesecake …lols
My vices include junk food, and .. junk food. There’s no good way to deal with that, except self control, of which I have none. But I’m working on it! I used to love shopping but I just avoided the malls when I couldn’t afford it.
My vice is totally trashy reality TV like The Real Housewives…of anything. I can’t help it, and I don’t want to. I am not into the Kardashians but I can watch The Real Housewives all-day-long.
I’m ashamed to say that I watched the Vancouver one.
My vice or comfort food is chocolate chip cookies. I’m not very impulsive in general, but if I have a bad day, look out Cookie Monster! Where do you get your cheesecakes? The only one I hit is Cheesecake Factory. There was a Ghirardelli chocolate one that was to die for. However, I think they discontinued it. Interesting you have special vice funds. If you only could choose one, would you buy shoes, buy a great vacation package, or indulge in cheesecake, which one would you choose?
Vacation- hands down. You can wear out shoes, but the memories from the vacation last forever.
For me, it’s golf. I’m not any good but I love to play, and I find myself justifying a round in all sorts of creative ways. My wife and I give ourselves small allowances each month for things like golf, but it’s still tough to stay under budget!
Golf is exercise!
All my vices are devices. Expensive little technology devices that get outdated so quickly 🙁
I went through a tech phase as well. Hello, Moto RAZR
My vice was spas but I can’t afford them anymore. I get the occasional massage and that’s with a deal attached.
Do you find deals on groupon and such?