I rule at saving money, and suck at the alternative. Please help this frugal girl learn to spend her hard-earned cash without experiencing fits of anxiety. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 2, 2009 - 34 answers

There are a lot of goals that I am working towards, that are easily within my reach if I just stick to some simple routine tasks. However, I always wind up sabotaging myself by making excuses for or rationalizing getting off track, and ignoring the reminders and cues I have created for myself to stay on track. How can I knock it off so I can reach my goals? [more inside]
posted by dumbledore69 on Nov 30, 2009 - 13 answers

What would you do with an extra $600 a month? [more inside]
posted by little_c on Sep 3, 2009 - 33 answers

What is the difference between spending and consuming? And what is the meaning of "luxury goods"? [more inside]
posted by thesailor on Aug 20, 2009 - 5 answers

What are some tips on wisely handling an increase in income? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 5, 2009 - 19 answers

I've a boyfriend visiting me for a couple of months soon, from outside the US. Funds on his end are quite low, as he's still a student, so I'll be supporting both of us while he's here. (I'm happy to do it, I've a steady full-time job and I've really missed him since he was last here, a few months ago.) What I'd like to know is, would it be appropriate for me to also give him some spending cash for whatever small things he'd like to get for himself, during his stay? A prepaid card of sorts? And, how should I approach this without making him feel like he's completely dependent on me, even if that might be the reality? I'd like to be delicate. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 3, 2009 - 21 answers

How much spending money do I need for 10 days in Japan? And: help me eat vegetarian while I'm there. [more inside]
posted by Kirn on May 27, 2009 - 19 answers

Economics newb asks: how does a consumer-based economy generate wealth? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on Feb 11, 2009 - 17 answers

Mom has uncontrollable spending habits. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 - 27 answers

I seem to remember reading about a study which showed a correlation between higher taxes and lower spending, can you help me find it? [more inside]
posted by Reverend John on Oct 3, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm thinking of getting a credit card -is it worth it? [more inside]
posted by Flamingoroad on Jul 13, 2008 - 14 answers

Total financial ruin filter: I am terrible at managing my very small amount of money. How did you learn to manage your money better than me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 - 38 answers

Given that I have no bills to pay, what percentage of my wages should I save and how much should I take as spending money? [more inside]
posted by DMan on Apr 6, 2008 - 19 answers

Global consumer spending/expenditure data, beyond government stats [more inside]
posted by Marzipan on Dec 10, 2007 - 2 answers

My impulse towards giving myself instant gratification is ruining my life! How can I train myself to stop lunging for instant gratification and instead remind myself to consider what will be most gratifying in the long term? [more inside]
posted by tastybrains on Jul 20, 2007 - 26 answers

What are some of the stupid things rich and famous people have spent their money on? I know about Michael Jackson and his ten AIBOs, for example. What are some other examples? Actors, politicians, athletes, past and present — tell me about their excesses. [This is lazyweb research for a future article.]
posted by jdroth on Jan 10, 2007 - 58 answers

What do I need to know about current LCD HDTV prices re: buying a set now or later? [more inside]
posted by logovisual on Jan 10, 2007 - 13 answers

How is our government education funding spent? [more inside]
posted by aburd on Dec 29, 2006 - 5 answers

My Flexible Spending Account (FSA) has about $250 left on it to be used by the end of December - it's use it or lose it, so I'm looking for ideas on the most useful things I can spend this money on within the next 3 weeks. I am potentially interested in stocking a basic medicine cabinet items that would be useful for a baby/ small child. [more inside]
posted by netsirk on Dec 12, 2006 - 25 answers

How do I stop judging my significant other's spending habits? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by onepapertiger on Sep 1, 2006 - 49 answers

What's the best way to save money when you have a financially irresponsible spouse? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 26, 2006 - 42 answers

Suggestions on handling/spending money in Europe? [more inside]
posted by chudmonkey on Jul 6, 2006 - 21 answers

My mom is bad with money. She has asked me and my brother to help her with her financial situation, and my brother wants to have power over her financial accounts at her bank. She does not gamble or have drug problems, she just lives beyond her means and we can't stop her unless we have control of her assets which she has agreed to. She currently holds two known mortgages on the home and we want to be able to keep her from putting on any more against it. [more inside]
posted by Dean Keaton on Feb 20, 2006 - 24 answers

Two-part question about money and spending per semester: first part for college students, second part for those in the post-collegiate working world. [more inside]
posted by limeonaire on Dec 16, 2005 - 19 answers

Is there someplace to find a easy to understand breakdown of the U.S. National Budget? [more inside]
posted by Botunda on Nov 5, 2005 - 7 answers

I have been looking for some basic stats like the number of small businesses in a metropolitan statistical area (Kansas City), or the average amount of SMB spending on healthcare, but can't seem to find anything. [more inside]
posted by Quami77 on May 1, 2005 - 5 answers

Does a certain amount of money exist in your mind as a mental cut-off when buying that does not require you to report your purchase to your significant other? Does exceeding that limit stop you from impulse buys etc. and make you consult on the expense? [more inside]
posted by BrodieShadeTree on Apr 26, 2005 - 18 answers

Ok, so it says that the typical person earns $14/hour, and the typical household earns less than $40k/year. Yet everywhere I look, I see displays of wealth. Expensive homes, cars, boats, TVs, activities, etc. So my question is: how are people paying for all of these expensive things? [more inside]
posted by eas98 on Feb 22, 2005 - 46 answers

I own a digital point-and-shoot camera, and was looking to upgrade to a "nicer" camera for some more ambitious photography. But I was wondering if it makes sense to spend a lot on a digital camera, as it seemingly will be a bit archaic, if not outright obsolete, in a few years. E.g., old Leicas or even manual Nikons still fetch fair amounts on Ebay, while digital cameras a few years old sell for a fraction of their original value. I know digital cameras are supposed to making analog obsolete, but I'm just wondering about the obsolescence factor of digital. In other words, should I buy the new digital Leica or a vintage analog Leica? Any thoughts?
posted by jgballard on Jan 27, 2005 - 31 answers

How should I spend my Christmas money? [more inside]
posted by feelinglistless on Dec 30, 2003 - 22 answers