[WishfulThinker66]

There was a time in my life that I landed a great deal of money. It didn't last as I fed an addiction to some pretty risky lifestyle choices (namely dangerous outdoor pursuits). It all came to a sudden end - and the withdrawl and grieving the loss of the ability to do so was horrible and life consuming.

Well this time last year I was awarded a lumpsum payment from veterans's affairs Canada for the traumas and human rights violations I endurred for my years in the Navy.

You got it - I've been burning through that too.

I am assuming this is a usual thing within the BP community. Has anyone come up with strategies to combat this happening?

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry, WishfulThinker66 I don't have a lot of advice unfortunately. Can you share some more details about how you spent the money? Where do you usually keep the money? Perhaps you could avoid having them at hand, so you won't be tempted to spend them. Also, does this happen only when you have a lot of money or is it something that affects your daily life? Either way, I hope you'll be able to keep it under control. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, I have never experienced this. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Victoria'smom]

A lot of us don't have access to our own money. It maybe an option for a third party holder. I do have control of my money but after bills we have around $50/wk. So it's hard to spend a ton of money in my situation. I would pre-pay your rent, electric, car payment, insurance, internet and any other bills you have. Until you have very little left so you at least know your bills are paid and you don't need to worry.

[WishfulThinker66]

Great deal = $100,000 (the first time lasted 10 months)

At the first time I had left a rather confining and abusive marriage. A lot of the money was spent on discovering who I was.

Travel, Jeep, very expensive kayaks and equipment, trailer, back country equipment (all season), etc. Outings - lots of them. Any two days off meant another road trip, another lake kayaked, another mountain hiked, another cave spelunked, etc. Year round adventures. Paid for other people to join me at times. Pubs and musicians and friends. Art supplies, lots of expensive art supplies. But always an adventure. It was quite the life.

This time around, another car, a tent trailer, and travel.

I am such an idiot.

I admit I fritter away money even when I have very little of it too. Never more than I can afford or to bring me into debt but if I have it I spend it.

Isn't this a hallmark of being bipolar? I always thought it was.

[Blue_Bird]

I have a payee because I used to be out of control with money. I get a rush from spending

[~Christina]

You can set up a savings acct with limits on how much you can use at a time , you decide the amount.

One way that might help you think before you spend.

Don’t let your money just sit in your regular acct , that’s way to easy to blow through quickly.

[Victoria'smom]

It depends on the person. I try to be responsible but at times it's hard. Most spend money while manic.

I have found that lump-sums don't matter very much as i just burn thru them while manic. Having a steady, decent income makes all the difference tho.

[sarahsweets]

Unfortunately for me I had to learn through pain and consequence. I had to suffer a lot of pain and hardships to appreciate my money. I got married at age 20, we have been married for 23 years. In the beginning I didnt even know how to balance a checkbook or that credit cards were not "free money". As I got older and settled in as a grownup my husband went back to school and changed careers and I slowly descended into BPII hell until I could no longer work. The economy crap that started in 2008 nearly killed us and we are finally at a point where we have our nose above water, so, barely making it. I hope that it gets better. I used to be more impulsive with spending but I have three kids now so I have reigned it in. But it took 23 years now to get to this point and a lot of tears.

[pirilin]

Burn baby, burn. Money ain't nothing 'till you spend it.
You're doing your Patriotic Duty of keeping the economy rolling.
Money is in my way. Always been, always will be.

It buys happiness, yes. Sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanent.
Beatles were wrong. It can buy love too. The best kind. Professionals.

Only advise I have, buy a lot of what you'll need in the future, that doesn't spoil.
And designate an area, big area for it.
Toilet paper comes to mind. Flushable towels take less space.

Plan to stock for at least three years. When you'll probably be broke again. Works for me.
I run three year cycles. And boom, broke.

For intance, I have a stock of five years of vaping liquid and supplies.
I also collect guns, knives and flashlights.

Buy stuff that always be worth at least 80% of what you paid.
Not cheappy colorful stuff. Some of it even will appreciate in value.
Learn how to bet wisely at auctions. And be ready to lose a lot of items.
When I get burnt, is never less than 20%. Sometimes I double the money.
Invest in things that people want. Not in things that you like.
Unless is profit. Then burn, baby burn.

Cheers.

[WishfulThinker66]

thx. Putting someone else in charge to limit my spending is I guess the way to go. This question incidentally is timed as I sit here considering another trip for next November. It is too easy for me to just think it and spend it. My finger seems to be hovering over the [order] button so to speak. I can afford it. But I know I should instead be salting away the money in case things change. For instance, how long can I manage and live with this anxiety over work?

[liveforsummer]

I think the others have given great advice.
Reduce the limit on your credit card to avoid those spontaneous big purchases?