Comments on: Avoiding Temptation

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:18:54 +0000

I do think that if the urge is for a candle (or a few dozen), you should honor that. Good for staging too…

By: Betsy Talbot

Betsy Talbot — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:16:11 +0000

Reese, you are the devil trying to talk me into temptation! I usually do have what I call a “spending hangover” after I’ve bought something I know I don’t need. Which is a lot worse for me than regret at finding something is gone when I go back (actually, I almost never go back).

Of course, your Coach fetish is the same as my travel fetish. I’d do almost anything to be able to travel, and I can’t think of a place I don’t want to see at least once. Everybody’s got their somethin’.

By: Reese

Reese — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:46:16 +0000

My temptation? (aside from chocolate brownies and peanut butter cookies) Coach purses and shoes. And I’ve got a lot of each (I have a separate little fund for the Coach and I always buy at the outlet—don’t think I’m a money bags!).

I typically don’t buy used or 2nd hand. So what do I do? If I REALLY have second thoughts about the item, I leave it and think it over.

If I’m still thinking about it in the morning I buy it and keep the receipt. If I feel horrible guilt for days, I’ll return it.

There’s no feeling worse in the world (little exageration) than leaving something behind, going back the next day, and finding it’s gone. Which is why you should always give in to temptation. Less stressful!

By: Betsy

Betsy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:57:29 +0000

This is such a good rule, Amber. I’ve used it many times and rarely go back to buy something. I think it is just the rush you get of having something new and working out how you will use it in your life. If you go ahead and do that without actually purchasing right away, maybe you won’t be tempted to go back and get it. At least that is how it works out for me usually.

I think I’ve just naively thought that the temptation would go away after a while, but I guess it never does.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:36:27 +0000

Whenever I’m tempted to purchase something, I sleep on it for a night. Usually within hours, I’ve completely forgotten what it was that I wanted. If I wake up the next morning, and I still “want” the temptation, I try to decide how it will enhance my life and if I really need it or if I just want it. And, I only buy used, so if the item is not used then it’s really a simple choice.

But, you’re absolutely right. I’m only tempted when I’m surrounded by things that tempt me. For example, I love to shop, and as long as I’m at Goodwill or any number or thrift stores, that’s ok. But, if I step foot into a shopping mall then I’m in trouble. But, I can simply apply the above rule, and everything works out in the end. I also have a rule that if I buy a new clothing item, I have to donate something from my closet. Always one in, one out. And I’m trying to apply that to everything in the house, so the rule helps with temptation, too!