Weight loss for pre-empty nester women who don't like working out
Who doesn't love to find some wiggle room in their budget?
My hope is that these 10 tips will help you discover more money and ultimately lead you to experiencing financial freedom.
Let’s jump in!
1. Confront your emotional spending habits
Take some time to become aware of the emotions that lead to
your spending habits. Understanding why you spend money
when you are feeling a certain way is going to help you get to
the root of the problem and hopefully make it easier to stop it
altogether.
2. Identify your money spending triggers
After you confront the feelings associated with your spending,
it’s important to also identify the outside influences that trigger
your spending. Perhaps scrolling through Instagram late at
night or “just taking a look at what’s new” online is a trigger for
you. If so, it might be time to reevaluate those triggers and see
how you can lessen the time you spend on them.
3. Unsubscribe from marketing lists
Whether it’s an email from your favorite clothing store
promoting their current sale, or a physical product catalog you
receive in the mail, each will entice you to purchase something
you really didn’t need to begin with. All it takes is to be
prompted by a store promotion when you are feeling
vulnerable to make a quick purchase that you otherwise would
not have made. Limit the temptation and just unsubscribe.
4. Set a “miscellaneous” budget and stick with it
This way you can treat yourself, but in a more controlled
manner where you don’t have to feel guilty afterward for
splurging excessively. Sometimes treating yourself in a small
way can help to curb spending on larger purchases later on.
5. Leave your credit card at home when you shop
If you are someone who is more inclined to make purchases
with a credit card than you would be with a debit card, be sure
to leave your credit card at home when you go out shopping. It
helps to drastically reduce the temptation to overspend.
6. Don’t save your credit card information on websites
You’ll be much less likely to pull the trigger on purchases when
you have to open your wallet and manually input your credit
card information at check out. Sometimes that extra 5 minutes
to mull over the decision can actually help you realize you
didn’t really need that item to begin with.
7. Get accountability with people you trust
Invite your friends or family into the conversation by letting
them know you are setting a budget and would like them to
hold you accountable for it. They can be the voice of reason
and can help you achieve your goals! You’ll be amazed at how
much discipline you will have when someone is holding you
accountable for your actions.
8. Keep a record of all your purchase in a month
At the end of each month, look back over your bank statement
and ask yourself if you truly need everything you purchased. If
the answer is “no”, work towards eliminating that item from
future month’s purchases.
9. Find alternative activities
If you find yourself drawn to shopping or spending money when
you are bored, try to find a simple and inexpensive alternative
that will leave you feeling great instead of guilty afterward. I
personally enjoy going for walks as a quick pick-me-up. I get
some exercise in and burn off a little stress, so I feel really
rejuvenated after and in a much more positive mindset.
10. Implement the 24-hour rule
The 24-hour rule should be used on larger purchases. Choose
a dollar limit. Anything over that dollar limit, you should wait 24
hours before actually purchasing it. Sometimes just giving
yourself that extra time can make you realize your money
might be better spent elsewhere. Or you could forget about the
item entirely. If after 24 hours, you have decided to make the
purchase, go ahead and do it knowing that you’ve given the
decision the proper thought needed.
