Okay, so maybe you’ve been overdoing it with the spending say, since forever. And you’re kind of sick of ruminating over which organ you’ll have to sell to make ends meet if you lose your job. It’s easy to point fingers and attribute your overspending to things that are out of our control (i.e., having a craptastic, low-paying job, too many ironic t-shirts in the geekverse, or spend-happy friends), but you can put an end to all the madness. Here are a few things you can say that will help you curb your spending:
Don’t: F*ck Yeah!
Instead, Do: Let me think about it.
The next time you’re pals want to get a deluxe suite for a hotel at Comic-Con, instead of automatically responding with a “Hell yes,” let them know you need some time to think about it. Sleeping on a decision instead of compulsively agreeing to do everything under the sun will help you figure out if you a) really want to do something, and b) if you can afford it. Are you a noob at budgeting? Then set aside X every month for Fun Time. If you’re super strapped for cash, you can set aside some money from side hustles, tips, or birthday money.
Don’t: I MUST have / Need / one now.
Instead, Do: That would be nice to have.
Newsflash: There are about a gazillion awesome things to buy on the Interwebs, and all it takes for them to be yours is a few clicks and a credit card. If you’re a gearhead or have a collector’s mentality, you’ll fall prey to every cute thing on Instagram or to the latest gadget buzz. You know what? Chances are you don’t need it, or at least can wait until the price goes down for a bit. Beware of sales (especially those 24-hour ones that create a sense of “buy it now or doom” urgency). You can create a 30-day list, or keep a log on your Amazon wish list or YouTube channel, where you jot down things you want and the date. After 30 days, you can revisit to see if you still want them. I also set a rule for myself, where if something costs more than, say, $20, I’ll give it some extra thought.
Don’t: Unless I do that, I will not be able to die happy.
Instead, Do: That sounds fun, but I don’t have X right now.
If you’re focusing on saving toward a mega money goal, such as an emergency savings, an awesome fun trip, or paying down debt, whatever, then be careful about doing something that requires time and money that would better go elsewhere. So don’t feel shy about opting out of something, and being honest about why. Your pals will most likely be cool with it. You can even open a separate account or open an account with SmartyPig. With SmartyPig, you can set saving goals for big-ticket items and enlist the help of your friends. Once you reach your goal, you score a free gift card.
By simply taking a brief timeout to think about what you want and responding in kind can help you put your money where it needs to go. Simply changing your response can change the way you think and help you make the right decision for you.
