While it is advisable to buy only what is necessary, people often struggle to follow this rule, especially under financial stress. Intentional purchasing can help balance needs and wants. Assess emotional motivations by asking whether spending is driven by feelings or escapism. Establishing a budget line for discretionary spending can facilitate mindful purchases. Regularly evaluate shopping habits and emotional states to prevent impulsive spending, using the HALT strategy—acknowledge hunger, anger, loneliness, or tiredness that might be influencing spending behaviors.
What's going on with me emotionally? Am I just buying this because I am upset? Am I buying this because I have this dream that this is gonna solve all my problems?
If you deprive yourself too much, you will not stick to it.
If you find yourself feeling spendy, check in with yourself using the acronym HALT: Are you hungry, angry, lonely or tired?
To ensure you've got enough cash for, say, impulse buys at the checkout line, create a line item for fun stuff in your monthly budget.
Collection
[
|
...
]