- Make shopping harder. First, delete bookmarked shopping sites from your computer. Next, gather the pile of catalogs by your bed, call the toll-free number for each, and ask to be removed from the firm’s mailing list. Or go to www.catalogchoice.org, a free service that helps you unsubscribe from hundreds of catalogs.
- Try cash. You’ve heard this before, but it bears repeating: If you don’t put purchases on a credit card, it’s impossible to spend more than you earn. Next Monday embark upon a week in which you use only cash or a debit card. Then try another week and another, until this behavior becomes second nature.
- Find new ways to get a dopamine rush. Sign up for a class you’ve always wanted to take, like salsa dancing or Pilates. And the next time you get the urge to shop, log on to YouTube and watch some silly videos: more entertaining and much cheaper.
I always wait a few days before purchasing something I want. That way I make sure my want isn't impulsive. What do YOU do to keep your spending under control?
Click here for the whole article from Real Simple.
1 comment:
my number 1 way to not spend: stay away from the store! especially the good stores (target... oh so easy to spend lots o'moneys without meaning too!) and stay away from the store when bored. I also try to only use gift cards... and I ration them out for the best deals ever... if you don't have any money on the gift card, you can't buy!
p.s. thanks for the catalog opt-out site. I just put all my catalogs on there! I don't have a spending problem with them... but I do think it is a HUGE waste of paper. and you can always browse online anyway and save the trees. yay.
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