Tips or tricks for holding off buying?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 04 May 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Bean Feasa	04 May 2004
Do any of you have strategies for managing your taroholism?? How do you restrain yourselves from buying more and more decks? Lately I've discovered that I can make payments off my credit card at my local post office; without having any paperwork with me. I just hand them my card and the amount of money I want to pay and they give me a receipt. I can do this as often as I like during the month. So I made an agreement with myself that everytime I order a deck online, I get up and go around the corner to the post office and pay the price of the deck off my credit card IMMEDIATELY! I've stuck to it so far and it works brilliantly, my credit card balance is finally starting to come down. I find it's making me a lot more selective - I think a lot longer and harder about a deck when I know I'll have to hand over real cash, as opposed to just pressing a button or clicking on a mouse. Today I succumbed to the Green Man oracle by John Matthews, so... if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the post office now ;)

Mimers	04 May 2004
I use my check card so it comes directly out of my checking account. I pay all my bills first and then and only then can I purchase a deck. Or, I ask my boyfriend for a little gift!

TygrEyes	04 May 2004
LOL - the best way for me to control it would be to stop coming here. Now, I have to check out the Green Man Oracle. Thanks a lot! :o)

lionette	04 May 2004
I user Mimer's strategy too and ask for decks and books as gifts! Happily I've just graduated and will have a couple offers for gifts in very near future -- reminds me that I must go review my wish list to be sure it's up to date :)

mercenary30	04 May 2004
Sounds like you all either have or are looking for a Candy Man....heheheh :laugh: I only allow myself a deck if I get a bonus or windfall.....or if it is a really good deal on Ebay.

Woof	04 May 2004
Find another hobby? }) I recently got sucked into the world of fountain pens. Now that's an expensive hobby! Make a deal with yourself; buy only when you know your last purchase inside and out. Or only keep a certain number at hand so if you want a new deck you have to get rid of an old one either through trade or sale. Or only go for a great deal like a certain percentage off. What slowed me down was a string of bad purchases. I just don't use most of the my last few decks. And since I keep going back to my old favorites anyway... why buy many more? Good luck. Addiction can be so tormenting, even if it's buying tarot decks! Woof

ncefafn	04 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Woof Find another hobby? }) I recently got sucked into the world of fountain pens. Now that's an expensive hobby! Ay! You're telling me! After a few years of very quiet additions -- a Mont Blanc here, an Aurora there -- I finally caved in last Fall and bought myself a Delta. Ohmigosh. It was worth every penny. Kim

TygrEyes	04 May 2004
My "problem" started when there was a deck I wanted that was OOP (I got one). So now I want to get them as soon as I can, before I can't! Adding to the problem is I like to collect them for the artwork as well. I only became interested in Tarot a little over a year ago & I've actually become distracted from learning Tarot by collecting Tarot. I'm screwed.

hedgecub	04 May 2004
Right now my strategy is allowing myself to binge on decks every once in a while, then putting my paw down and not buying any more for the next few months or so. Also, I try to get decks through trades instead, so I get what I want but only spend on postage and also trade away things I don't want anymore. Also, around my birthday or Christmas, I stop buying anything at all, and anytime I see something I'd like, I put it on a wishlist which I post online so my friends and relatives can all access it. This way I still get stuff I want, but I don't have to pay for it, and I don't get random gifts I don't want either :)

Gerbear	04 May 2004
Another fountain pen fanatic here. mainly because I remember when people wrote with them! As far as Tarot decks, I use no credit. If I see it and like it I buy it, or in the case of ebay, bid on it. I don't win too often, but I console myself with privately issued decks. At the beginning of the year, I averaged about ten decks a week, but now I get only about 15 per month. (sigh)

lionette	04 May 2004
I must say that tarot decks and books are lots cheaper than music! I spent lots more when keeping up with new releases. Or at least my tarot purchases give me far more value for the $$ ! :)

Rusty Neon	04 May 2004
Here's a similar thread: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19046

Majecot	05 May 2004
Well, no fountian pens, but I do have a lot of pens, cushy ones fat one, freebie ones, pens that have multi colors, pens that little bobing things on them, I even have one that has a tiny VW Beetle that comes off and you can play with it.... even the silly ones are an expensive habit :D But constructively, I save my change for when I want something big-or just want, (that way I don't feel like I am spending) I never spend my coin money, it either goes in the ash tray of my car or my change purse, and when those get too full, it goes into the big piggy bank. That is my fun money. Trading is a nice way to round out a collection also. It seems to be work pretty good so far ;)

Chronata	05 May 2004
It's very easy to curb your tarotholism.... Just do what I do...be very very broke all the time. :) Actually, I only have enough extra money to afford about two new tarot decks a year. (This of course doesn't include all the AT trading of old decks, or trading the ones my mom finds cheap at garage sales!!) But only being able to afford about two decks means I really have to want a certain deck. I have to do the research, and exhibit a ton of patience...and when the money is available, and I STILL want a particular deck after all that time waiting...well, I am usually very happy with what I get. (with the exception of my last picks...which was more about buying anything...because the store didn't have what I wanted!) And I have discovered that no deck gets soooo OOP that I can't afford it...especially if I'm saving for it.(I am refering to normal priced decks here, as some are so expensive to start with, that when they become OOP they just skyrocket more.) Or...you can just buy a lot of different oracle decks...they are usually cheaper than tarot! :D

Solty Dog	05 May 2004
Get married.... Now before I have the entire female community knocking at my door to pummel me, allow me to explain. I'm an avid collector of record albums, shot glasses, 80s toys and games and (according to my wife) tarot. For the record I have hundreds of each of the categories but only eleven tarot decks. ( I still dont consider it a collection) Now when it comes to my other collections, I was tired of coming home from flea market or yard sale and getting "the look". So every so often, Ill ask how much money we have in the account, then I will point out something I saw that interested me. "Honey, look at this lot of albums for only 50 dollars" "Honey, remember this game when we were kids" "Honey, look at this deck, its so peaceful isn't it?" If I get the flat out, capitalized, exclamation pointed, NO!, I go no further. No means no. If she says thats nice, interesting or something positive. Boom, its mine. Seriously, having someone to bounce a decision off of is a good thing. My wife is my logical side. I am her wild side. We still arent sure who the better half is though. If it wasnt for her, I would get everything I see and be living in a van down by river. B.S. Dog

Mimers	05 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Solty Dog Get married.... This answer deserves a prize :laugh: :laugh: :P That was great Solty Dog!

MeeWah	06 May 2004
Solty Dog: Actually, there is another part to that. Get married AND have kids. No worries about having $ because there will not be any :D

_N_	06 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by TygrEyes LOL - the best way for me to control it would be to stop coming here. Now, I have to check out the Green Man Oracle. Thanks a lot! :o) Ditto :D N

WalesWoman	06 May 2004
You could forget to check your email when bidding on decks at EBay... ):(

Bean Feasa	06 May 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Solty Dog Get married.... :laugh: Solty Dog, that's hilarious! Mind you I've been married for 17 years and it's never stopped me being a complete spendaholic! It's a bit late to start listening to him now... :D Seriously though, thanks for all the tips folks - that's a fabulous list Rusty Neon, and I'm going to take due heed of it... before the bailiffs arrive.

The Tips or tricks for holding off buying? thread was originally posted on 04 May 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.