We live in a society that expects us to spend money.  Everywhere you turn you are asked to buy this or that. Save time by spending your money on X, Y, and Z. Weatherby online, on your phone, on the TV, on billboards, or by your friends. products and services are all around us tempting us to buy them.

well we do buy products and services  regularly. we also need to mindfully buy these things. You do not need to spend money on a whim, impulse buy, emotionally buy, or anything else. 

We also want to make sure that we are saving our money. We  believe that there is more to life than buying the things that you want in the moment. No longer be derailed by a “huge sale”, envy of gadgets, and the need to spend money on overpriced coffee/tea.

If you’ve spent money in any of these ways you’ve succumbed to the temptation of spending money.

No longer let this happen so you can stick to your financial goals. It doesn’t mean that you have to cut these out it means that you need to plan for them.

No longer be seduced by these temptations. Instead, proud yourself in recognizing them and sticking to your goals stop putting your goals on the back burner. 

One strategy to decrease the number of temptations you are exposed to is to limit the number of instances you have to say, “No.” At work it is common for someone to go out and pick up food for lunch or coffee. More often than not I say, “No,” There are times that I agree (most of the time it’s when someone else is paying ;).

1. Stop comparing yourself to others. Who cares if someone has a new car or a nicely decorated house, do you. Fund the things that really matter to you.
2. Realize commercials and advertisements are just trying to sell you something. Stop being a sucker and become a mindful consumer. Quality over quantity. Only get what you need.
3. Unsubscribe from store email alerts. They prey on you impulsively buying because you think the sales wont last. Well they might not but do you really need that?
4. Get an accountability partner. Friend, family, partner, or coach. Tell someone what you are doing so that you have someone to hold you accountable, bounce ideas off of and vent.
5. Practice 1:1. If you buy something unplanned, you must give away something.
6. Stay out of Target, or whatever store you can’t leave without buying something. (Lowe’s, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, etc.)
7. Practice delayed gratification. A learned skill for a successful life.
8. Leave yourself a wallet reminder. Place a note to remind you of why you are not spending.
9. Get on a budget. Written, app, excel spreadsheet, or with a coach. This is gold!!!
10. Know what you value. Knowing what is important to you reminds you why you don’t spend on other things.
11. Practice contentment. Be happy with what you have.
12. Don’t pay half price for something you wouldn’t buy for full price. What a good reminder. Things are just things, don’t accumulate just to have.
13. Make a list. Grocery store, hardware store, etc. have a list and stick to it.
14. Institute of 24 hour rule. Wait 24 hours before a purchase to see if you really need/desire it.
15. Use cash. You feel more when you spend with cash.

Some of these strategies will work for you and others will not. Pick and choose what works for you and implement them. It’s a small step in the right direction. All we ask for is progress.