keeping on track

I have a little secret...it helps me to not go totally broke. It is my savior! I love it. I wish sometimes items I want would appear then I wouldn't feel guilty for buying them! Shall I explain?

Ok, so as much as I would like to spend with abandon I wasn't born into the Hilton family (or Vanderbilt or any uber wealthy family you can think of!) nor am I racking in mounds & mounds of dough at the job! So I budget. I have to think about the purchases I want.  I save for the items I have thought about for a while (trying to no make impulse buys!) 

So I have a list (I have more than one list, but this isn't a discussion about that! I may or may not have like 10 lists, in my cell phone sad but true - I like lists.) When an item pops up in a mag or I keep 'needing' in my mind it goes on the list. I try to stick to the list. I am not going to say I don't ever skip away from the list - but I do try to stick to it as much as I can. I also have items that never make it to the list.... like new bras and undies...I don't think those deserve the list. Those are necessities and I can talk my way through those pricey purchases any day! (Hey I am no equal-opportunity-undies wearer! I have favs and those are the only ones I wear! Another post for another time!) Same for make-up and skin care.

So here is the list as it was mid-day yesterday (when I emailed it to myself). It has since been updated - leather jacket (the Anthro one), stalked and SCORE (on sweet SALE!)!!! Ok so back to the list. Here it is.

So once I purchase an item off the list, I move it to the bottom, until I make sure A- I like it, B- it is the right one. There are lots and LOTS of things not on this list that I like or would NEED to have but.....these are the smart choices I should be making. {That dress from H&M this past weekend - not on the list, but 20% off and it is totally fun! oh well, I didn't look at the list then! But it is kinda leather-ish so it is sorta...see I can talk my way through a lot ;)} 

How do you stay on track? Or am I just a silly-list lady (Hubs don't answer that!)?