I'm reasonably thrifty in most areas of my life, however I just can't seem to break the vending machine habit. I just can't seem to get out of the habit of searching for change and getting a pop and a candy bar.

I need ideas for things to do to help me break this habit.

i am most in trouble when I don't have things in the house that are somewhat easy to take to work -- i.e. boxes of raisins, granola bars, etc. But then there's the balance -- if i don't buy those things my grocery bill is much less.

Any thoughts? Have you been there? What do I do?

...if you don't buy them your grocery bill is much less, but thn you will spend a lot more in the vending machine, thus defeating the purpose of having a low grocery bill.

I buy a big bag of trail mix at Sam's club for about $6. It has peanuts, almonds, rasins, cashews, M&M's. I then divide it up in several, several baggies and my dh takes that to work to snack on. Then we also buy a big canister of powered Gatorade for $9 at Sam's and he will mix that up in the morning and take it in a water bottle to work. There you go, his snacks for when he gets the munchies. Those things last all month. If he were to take the $15 and spend it in the vending machine it would last like only a week and a half or maybe two.

Another thing that he does, or we do, to keep from spending in the vending machines is just not to carry any cash with us for work. We have a gift/cash card in the car that we use for gas and the grocery money is at home in an envelope. So if we have no cash we can't be tempted.

I hope that helps...

Tawnya

When I was working the vending machine always called to me :) The guy who serviced it took requests and kept it stocked with all our favs. I tried to keep snacks in my desk, microwave popcorn, granola bars, cookies, jerky. I would leave soda in the car, and just bring in one or two for the day to keep in the fridge (couldn't keep more than that, it would 'disappear' ;) I tried to remember to bring fruit and stuff also, but at least with a stash in my desk and car I could usually resist the machine. My best friend worked at the same place and her desk was directly in front of the machine, it's been about 7 years and she still gripes about it :D If you don't have a desk to store things in then I'd keep it in the car, still way cheaper than the vending machine.
Anne

these ideas are great. keep them coming, please.

THIS:
...if you don't buy them your grocery bill is much less, but thn you will spend a lot more in the vending machine, thus defeating the purpose of having a low grocery bill.
is exactly my problem.

I like the keep the pop in the car idea. It will work most of the time. I'm afraid it will freeze right now :D But it is a good one because then i won't drink it all when i am at home.

not bringing cash is really not an option because i have to pay for various things during the day -- parking, copies, what have you. BUT...having a gas card is a great idea, I might just have to do that.

edited for privacy