[pne]

I got my mastercard bill in the mail today, and it was a whopping $500 dollars. I am at a loss for words, and deeply troubled/angry. 4 months ago, after paying off a $300 bill, I vowed to cut down on my mastercard spending. It feels like the tax man stealing my money from me every month. Well instead of going down they have somehow gone up! Last month was $580, and this month I told myself no more spending. I only ate dinner out once this month, and did not make a single audio related purchase. Yet for some reason when I actively keep my spending in check, I end up being sent a larger bill! These last 4 bills alone could have bought me a very nice piece of audio equipment. Should I just cut the card up? Does anyone have any tips on how I should manage this spending?

My mastercard statements usually look like this..

no items over $50
usually 4-5 $25 charges for gas
usually 2-5 charges on ridiculous stuff I don't remember buying, groceries, shipping costs at the post office, odd tidbits
1-2 necessities such as new shoes this month
1-2 cases where I had no choice but to use mastercard, usually under $20

What can I do? I am seriously ready to cut this dreaded piece of plastic, it makes me so angry that all this money is gone, and I have gained absolutely no happiness in spending it. Rather I don't remember most of the stuff I bought with it. It just seems like a little here and there adds up to hundreds, which over the months adds up to thousands!

 

[kramer5150]

I keep a running tab on an excel spreadsheet.... It helps to keep things in check for me

 

[familyman]

keep what? of my spending?

 

[ken_loo]

^^ the spreadsheet idea is what I use as well.

Although I've gotten quite good at using only the CC for purchases, no cash or Interac. That way I get a second list to match up with my own spreadsheet.

 

[1911]

i too go threw the same process every month. all these little 20-30 dollar charges and it ends up in the thousands...i am always beating myself up...
the only solution for me is to stay home....if i stay home or am at work..presto.....i dont spend money...

 

[nabwong]

The last resort...... is to let the woman do the finances.... you'll never be broke...LOL... of course you'll never buy another pair of headphones... LOL.. seriously... my gf's a grad econs major... she does the finances...

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 I keep a running tab on an excel spreadsheet.... It helps to keep things in check for me

I need to start doing that, right now I just tally my audio expenditures in a text file, and go over any other transactions every couple weeks. Sometimes it can be a right mess figuring out where the money went, and just as much a mess figuring out why I have more than I should (tax refund updated my checking balance days before it posted any pending transaction

).

 

[DJ Mauler]

wells fargo baniking online is all i need

 

[nabwong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Mauler wells fargo baniking online is all i need

Yeah, online banking's the way to go. I try to pay my bills as soon as i can.

 

[1911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabwong The last resort...... is to let the woman do the finances.... you'll never be broke...LOL... of course you'll never buy another pair of headphones... LOL.. seriously... my gf's a grad econs major... she does the finances...

repeat...repeat....to all who have not yet committed this fatal error...dont..once you have cast the die there is no turning back...you see all the groveling and pleading and ninja shipments jahn goes through??? take a guess when this all started...

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1911 repeat...repeat....to all who have not yet committed this fatal error...dont..once you have cast the die there is no turning back...you see all the groveling and pleading and ninja shipments jahn goes through??? take a guess when this all started...

Tell us since you know. How was Jahn before?

You mean it's not because of the baby?

mmm, let me check what my card's balance is now.. uh oh. can't access my account. Can't be good

 

[nabwong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1911 repeat...repeat....to all who have not yet committed this fatal error...dont..once you have cast the die there is no turning back...you see all the groveling and pleading and ninja shipments jahn goes through??? take a guess when this all started...

Man...it's a good thing i don't have a joint account...YET....arghhhhhh..

 

[granodemostasa]

since every thing i do runs through wells fargo, i just check on the website every couple of days to see how things are going.

 

[michaelconnor]

Well, with respect to keeping track of spendings, it is far easier when you don't spend much.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelconnor Well, with respect to keeping track of spendings, it is far easier when you don't spend much.

Do not listen to this man, he speaks madness! The Head-Fi Gods will have your wallet for this blasphemy!