My last post should have been published a long time ago. So I went ahead and published it again, along with this post. Did I make my $200 mark? No. So I keep forging on, trying to make my goal, because I’ve done it before.

I often peruse SlickDeals.net for a great deal on something that I am in search for. Lately, it’s been the Logitech Z-5500, 5.1 speakers for the computer. I was searching for it because I thought my current speakers were dying, due to crackling heard everyday. But because of this, I end up reading on other things, such as Western Digital’s My Passport Essential Portable HDD and the Back-to-School promotion ending tomorrow by Apple.

The Passport Essential I actually do need, but the deal wasn’t as great, so … after placing the items in my cart not once, but twice, I decided to forget it. I told myself that a better deal would come along, and only until people rate the deal five stars would I bite. The Apple promotion is to buy a MAC and to receive an iPod Touch free (new generation). I’ve always wanted a Mac and even though I’d be selling the iPod Touch, there was no reason whatsoever for me to purchase one and especially right now. So, there again, I found myself placing the items in my cart, but  ended up just closing the browser as well.

Self-control. Self-discipline.  On Friday, I came across two excellent financial blogs – Get Rich Slowly and Free Money Finance, both blogs stressing frugality as being the best way to grow the cash in your wallet. Both blogs talk about ways to save money and creating a budget. After reading a few posts, I was convinced I would be wasting my money on items that certainly are overpriced. It also prompted me to transfer more of my paycheck from my checking account to my money market fund, so I would only have 18% of my paycheck to play around with. Honestly, I rarely ever use over 18% per month which is whyI’m thinking that’s still too much. Because the less I have in my checking account, the less inclined I would be to whip out my credit card and waffle over purchases. I’ve now added those two links to our blogroll.

Also this weekend, I went back to listing some of the no longer needed items laying around my house on eBay. Not only will I be making some extra money, I’ll also clear out some of this clutter that never seems to go away.

Are any of you feeling the urge to spend? What have you guys been doing to stop it?