1. 20+% interest on a maxed out credit card 2. bank fees for bouncing checks 3. lunches out when I oversleep and don’t brown bag it. Or should #3 be the $70 a week I spend on gas to get to my under-paying job? Or perhaps the cosmetic gifts-with-purchase that I still can’t resist after selling cosmetics for a year and a half? (I thought it would get it out of my system). Anyway these items keep me too broke to spend much on other dumb things.

accessories! handbags, shoes and the newest, latest in cleaning supplies. (i always think this stuff will make cleaning more fun)

too much candy, too many accessories, too many shoes

Trashy magazines, junk food masquerading as a meal, and (thank goodness it is over) cigarettes.

I couldn’t resist answering this. I’m a foodie who has swooned eating at the French Laundry. Even though I barely have time to cook anymore, memories of baking bread, fancy deserts & complicated meals still drift thru my cranium. I’m constantly buying jars of who know what at Whole Foods or any gourmet shop. I just love looking at them on the shelves……all those beautiful preserves, different seasonings………anything in a beautiful jar and we won’t even go into the numerous bottles of olive oil on the counter even though I know the wisdom is to buy one at a time because they quickly spoil. I’m an artist who teaches Chinese Brush painting and also have a line of greeting cards so you can guess my next foolish addiction. I’ve never seen a brush I didn’t want or a mood seal or chop that didn’t call out to me.

Shoes, Shoes and more Shoes…I’ve got tons of shoes still in the boxes that I’ve never worn…just had to have them…earrings and good wine.

I feel dumb buying ice tea at McDonald’s just because I have run out at home & not filled my to-go cup as usual. And there are a few online subscriptions I regret & have cancelled. Book clubs (I never follow through). But really, my frugal philosophy is to AVOID spending $ on dumb things and save it for things you need and WANT. That’s the way to afford them!

Budgeting with a large family, I’ve cut out everything, and find it hard to indulge myself - except with chocolate. I like them large, dark and organic.

Exercise equipment, and Dvd’s I’ve never used. Any one want a brand new (15 year old) stationary bike? Pedagogical newsletters and myriad interest magazines which I just can’t seem to throw away, whether I’ve read them or not.

geez you guys that buy shoes, USE them and be glad you can. i have bunions so bad im still looking for a pair of dress shoes that fit, —- but really my thing to buy are used books, yup i’ve got enough to last me but cant resist another if it looks good. and my two other dumb things are remnants of material i really dont need either. and sweet rolls or cakes — ha just to take the edge off,

Stationery is my weakness. I have cards for every occasion but lately I use e-mail to contact friends. I can share if you need some. Contact me. Joan Mullaney

They don’t have coffee in my office. I realize I waste 20 dollars or more a week on iced coffee. Such a waste of money but I tried to bring a thermas to work the other day and a man on the subway ran into me and knocked over the thermas spilling it all over my blouse. The dry cleaning cost more than $20. Yikes.

Thousands of dollars on St. John Knits. Now they look so matronly I don’t wear them but still have the credit card bills for them!

I could open my own version of William Sonoma. I am awash with kitchen stuff, cookbooks and various magazines. When my children get married I will be able to furnish their kitchens and dining rooms!! I love to cook and entertain……these things make me happy, but I am afraid I am obsessed.