Most people love Pay Day. I don’t. Pay Day is my most dreaded day of the month. You see, despite all the advice and reflection I might write on this blog, I am at heart, still a spendaholic gadget freak. It takes all my will power not to splurge all my wages within a few minutes of knowing it has hit my bank account.

The sight of my balance on Pay Day is enough to send shivers down my spine. I know for the next few weeks (until all the bills have been paid), everything I see which is remotely desirable will become a mini obsession for me. I may have written previously about not denying yourself the little things if you really want them, but the items I tend to look at are generally not small in price. Apple products, or anything related to mobile computing/media, are a particular vices of mine.

Self control and living within your means are two fundamental rules of good finance. I find remembering my goals is usually the best way to stop myself splashing out on things I don’t really need. It’s been working well recently. Another good one is imagining the ear-bashing (and face-slapping!) The Wife would give me if I spent the DIY Fund on “yet another toy”, as she would say. The only way to change your habits and mindsets is to stay strong and focused, remembering what is really important. Shiny gadgets are not one of them. On Pay Day I must repeat a mantra; “today’s iPod is tomorrow’s 8-track”.

Oooooh-kay then… As I’ve been writing this, Apple have launched new versions of their Macbooks (replacing the iBook). I’ve been waiting for these for a while now. Damn you Apple, you temptress! You just make my life difficult. I must not buy. I must not buy. I must not buy!