This month, we challenged you to curb your impulsive spending habit. Impulse spending is unplanned spending that you usually regret because it turns you into a weak, mindless consumer. One powerful way to squash it? Think of impulsive spending as the enemy of your financial goals.
Photo by Henry Burrows.
When I say financial goals, I don’t just mean “save $1000 this year.” It’s easy to brush off a boring goal like that. I’m talking about specific, passionate goals. Pay off my debt so I can finally do whatever the hell I want with my money. Save up so I can finally take that trip to the US next year.
While there are lots of tips and tricks that can help with emotional, mindless spending, it’s most helpful to me, at least, to remember that impulsive spending is a roadblock to my financial goals. It’s easy to get caught up in retail therapy and try to justify our purchases: “This is such a great deal, it’s only X dollars! I’ll splurge… just this once.”
Whenever I’m at that point, I try to remember: this item is the enemy of my goal. This mantra helps for a couple of reasons.
First, remembering my goal reminds me that my money has a purpose. Second, it’s a great rebuttal to my own spending justifications. Sure, I can break the rules and buy stuff just this once, but I’m only taking away from things I’ve decided are more important.
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