Ways to stop buying things you don’t need

If you know you have a tendency to splurge on non-essentials, don’t tempt yourself with window-shopping or trips to the mall for leisure.

Aimless wandering leads to aimless spending. Avoid it by choosing alternate, non-budget-threatening ways to unwind – a walk in the park, a visit to the library, a potluck with friends, etc.

Practice mindfulness and gratitude for everything in your life – experiences, relationships, opportunities, etc.

Taking the time to recognize and say thank you for simple pleasures, from a sunny day to a delicious cup of home brew, can go a long way in creating an abundant mindset, which is a powerful antidote to impulse buys and overspending.

It’s easy for emotional justifications to become pervasive and derail your diligent budgeting efforts.

Instead of getting wrapped up in those feelings, stay grounded in the numbers.

Take a moment to detach from whatever you’re feeling and practice gratitude for what you already have, then take a look at your budget and see how the reality of your spending stacks up against your monthly plan.

If your tendency is to overspend, do you really think weekly emails advertising the latest discounts to your favorite stores and travel destinations are working in favor of your smarter spending goals?

Unsubscribe from those newsletters and replace messages of consumption with positive, inspiring alternatives.

You know that feeling you get mid-binge watch of your favorite TV series? The temptation to roll right into the next episode is overwhelming.

If you miraculously manage to tear yourself away from the screen though, you notice how quickly that urge evaporates. Within a matter of hours, you’re consumed by another task entirely.

Remember that feeling the next time you’re facing overwhelming purchase temptation. If you can tear yourself away from that in the moment urge to buy, you may be surprised at how quickly the temptation fades away.

This has always been one of my most sobering and effective strategies to stop buying stuff I don’t need. When I see the cost of an item, I calculate how many hours of work it would take to earn that amount.

This was particularly effective when I was making $10-15 an hour waiting tables, babysitting and other jobs I hated.

Speaking of big picture goals, that’s what this is all about – making financial decisions in the day-to-day that are in alignment with the big picture lifestyle you want to live.

The problem is it’s easy to lose touch with that big picture when it exists only in your imagination.

For example, an image of your dream home as your desktop background as you’re saving up for a down payment, or a picture of your children wrapped around your credit cards as you work to build their college cash reserves.

Whatever resonates with you and motivates you to save, make it visual and put that reminder some place where you have to check-in with it regularly, particularly in moments of temptation.

Stefanie Connell