Your recent biggest splurge was the latest model of MacBook Pro. The next day you saw a new moisturizer and facial wash from Clinique. The ads are everywhere. You just couldn’t help it.
You can see a billboard near your building. You also see it daily being advertised in the lifestyle section of the newspaper. You even subscribed to its promotional emails, until one day you gave in. You may think it is not your fault. There are so many ads everywhere that you lose control of your spending habits because you are being bombarded by it every day.
Once you get tempted to spend, you have that feeling of excitement and satisfaction in buying new staff. However, that feeling only lasts for a few days until the next new line of skincare or gadgets come along. You never settle and never felt content. You always had the feeling that you need to upgrade, or else you are nothing.
Yes, it is not easy to resist spending temptations. But it can be done in some ways. Here are some top tips for you to not fall into the trap:
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6 Effective Ways to Fight Temptation of Spending
1. Ditch Your TV
We are aware we could get some violet reactions with this first tip. But without TV, you will be more productive, and the opportunities of seeing ads for different products will lessen.
You will not see those commercials telling you that you need a new model of vacuum. You will not see ads about the latest iPhone units in stores.
By doing this, you will be surprised how much money you will save by not being persuaded to buy everything you saw on TV.
2. Unsubscribe to Promotional Emails
Declutter your inbox by unsubscribing to any promotional emails from different companies selling whatever they can sell. You don’t have to see updates from them every time. You don’t have to go to EVERY sale they advertise. You have plenty of stuff in your closet already. You don’t need more.
3. Your Credit Card
If you are at home, and you find yourself with nothing to do, don’t take it out on your credit card. You can do what Rebecca Bloomwood did in the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic when she froze her credit cards in the freezer to avoid using it, or you can have someone keep it until the urge of doing a shopping spree passes.
4. Leave Your Wallet at Home
One way to control the urge to shop is to leave your wallet at home. You don’t have to bring all your cash and cards every time you go out. Because if you have it, you will surely spend to buy new stuff which you don’t even need, especially when there is a sale. It’s because you know you have brought so much cash with you. The best way to curb your spending is to have nothing to spend.
5. Avoid Every Store You Walk By
A store can be very inviting, especially when you see this four-letter word: ‘S-A-L-E’. It’s like a black hole swallowing you alive, and you have no choice but to get sucked right in. But no rule says you have to walk right into every store you pass by and leave with tons of shopping bags afterward. Unless you have something important to buy, make sure that’s the only store you’ll walk right into.
6. Do Not Succumb to Peer Pressure
Do you find yourself spending more money when you’re around with your friends? Even your best friend can be a bad influence on you, especially when it comes to spending habits. If you think you can’t afford to have an expensive dinner or go on a vacation with them, it is okay to decline their invites. You can also suggest alternative plans that won’t require you to spend more money like having a potluck dinner at home or running.
Resisting to Spend More is Hard, But it is Possible
It takes emotional strength and discipline to stop overspending and be better on your spending habits. You have to decide where you want your money to go and how you will spend it. Be more knowledgeable about personal finance and controlling your quick payday loans from your licensed moneylenders. Overspending happens to all of us, so do not beat yourself up. Reforming your spending habits cannot be done in a snap of a finger. It has a process. You can start by setting some goals about your finances and knowing how to budget. Eventually, you will get the hang of it and be a savvy spender.
