If one of your goals this year is to stop spending money on things you don’t need or really can’t afford, here are my tried and true tips I’ve used over the years.
Honestly, I think it’s the worst to feel stressed out by money problems—it makes everything in life feel that much more overwhelming.
Think of these ideas as steps toward good health, because let’s face it, stress is a drag.
Delete Store Apps.
The apps I have on my phone take up less than half the screen. I don’t have a single store app on my phone. I don’t think I ever have. Maybe I’m just a minimalist. A minimalist without a lot of shopping regrets.
If I want to buy something, I either buy it in person, or take the time to look it up on my laptop, giving myself some time to think about the purchase before I click the buy it now tab. My husband is the same way
Neither of us are impulse shoppers, but if we were, having a virtual store in our pocket {or purse, do people still use purses?} would be a recipe for disaster.
Stay out of the stores
Seriously, in person or online, limit the temptation and just stay away. I guarantee that if you look hard enough, you will find an amazing deal every time you walk into a store or click on a website.
Even great deals cost money, though, so if you’re looking to save, it’s best to avoid them all together.
Decide on a recreational activity other than shopping.
I know people who “go shopping” for something to do. Try coming up with something else to replace the habit with when you get the urge. For me, that activity is walking.
Maybe choose a new t.v. series to watch, pick up knitting, exercise…whatever, just do it every time you get the urge until it becomes your new go-to when you are bored.
Be honest with yourself about needs vs. wants.
I know we have all heard of this before, but how often are we honest about it? Next time something breaks and you are looking to replace it, ask yourself, “Can I live without it?” I mean, do you really need those gorgeous cowboy boots you saw online?
The answer might surprise you.
Issue yourself a 30 day challenge.
30 day challenges are all the rage right now, so you will be soooo cutting edge if you try it. Try to go 30 days spending money on NEEDS only.
Make a list of the wants that you forego—if at the end of 30 days, they still seem important, consider them.
Consider simplifying and minimizing.
I know this one kind of sounds weird, but when you simplify your life by eliminating clutter, it really highlights just how crazy our spending can sometimes get.
Force yourself to sell or donate unused items. It will give you something to do and make you really face your purchases head on.
Go cash only for a month.
Use only cash and see how well you do when you can see the finite amount dwindling.
Ask yourself if you enjoy the thrill of the hunt when it comes to shopping or actually owning and using the item.
If it is the first, you may want to evaluate what need your really fulfilling {not trying to go all therapist on you there}.
Start a spending moratorium with a group of friends.
Meet once a week to go over budgets, etc. It will help you stay accountable, plus it will give you a social event to look forward to each week.
Several years ago, Oprah showed a group of women doing this—they were each saving money for different reasons—they made it sound actually kind of fun.
If you don’t shop for you, but instead like to give gifts to others to show your love, consider coming up with new ways to show love–offer services and emotional support instead, or even better, offer your uninterrupted time.
Make a spending savings account.
Every time the urge to spend something that isn’t a “need” strikes, write it down in a little notebook instead of purchasing.
Include EVERYTHING from a coffee to a new shirt. At the end of the month, you will have a really concrete idea of how much money you are spending on unnecessary items. The number might shock you.
If a spending freeze is impossible, decide how much “extra” money you will get a month. When that money is gone, the spending for the month is done too.
Become addicted to saving instead of spending.
Spending is a habit, just like saving is a habit. Repeat the habits long enough, and they will stick. Make a conscious choice to replace old habits with better ones.
Financial freedom is a really big deal.
While money can’t buy happiness, being responsible with it certainly can. Stressing over money just isn’t worth the toll it takes on relationships, your mental, physical well-being, or your overall goals.
Those are my ideas on how to stop spending money, what are some tips that have helped YOU over the years? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Christie says
Oh that Sundance site has some beautiful items!!
Cindy R says
Love this post! My goal this year is not to waste money on things I don’t need or activities that I do out of boredom that are costly. Amazon is so easy to waste money on, a few clicks and a box of makeup, clothes, or things I didn’t even know I needed shows up on my doorstep. Or wandering through the grocery store and the sweets, treats, and ice cream ends up in the cart because I deserve them. Yup mindfulness to limit my spending. Small changes add up to big results!
Virginia says
A very good subject with lots of useful tips! I always try to remember that everything (and I mean Everything) that you bring into your space, whether purchased yourself or given to you, will now require more of your time (displaying, cleaning, storing, donating, selling, throwing away, repairing, etc). That’s the nature of having “Things”. And when just keeping up with normal life responsibilities consumes most of our time, why add unnecessary responsibility? And, of course, there’s passing on that burden to our loved ones once we’re gone. Live simply and everyone benefits.
Karin says
I write down every single expense in a notebook. At the end of the month I put it into categories and add everything up. It’s a good way to really understand where your money goes and see if there are areas you want to change. Been doing it for decades. It gives me a lot of peace of mind.
Now I’m going to go decide if I NEED those awesome cowboy boots!
Lindsey says
When I want to buy something, I figure out how many hours of my life I spent earning the money to pay for that item. It makes $100 cowboy boots seem less enticing. Also, as our last chore of the day, we record every penny we spent that day. (If it is a tax item, we put it in an envelope for that month. 12 envelopes of already saved receipts makes tax time a lot less time consuming.) At the bottom of the screen is the total we spent that day, the past week and the past month. It reinforces mindful buying.
Sue S. says
I’m always saying that to small person in the house! “I have to work ___hours to pay for that”.. I like your idea of “mindful buying” and I will try applying that phrase (PS just bought 3 new shirts at LLBean – on sale of course) this year.
sandy says
Since I just found out I am going to be a first time Grandma-all spending limitations are out the window. I will however-honor the no spending on myself!
Virginia says
How exciting — Congratulations!
Cecile says
Get the new parents to set up an Amazon wishlist (they get a discount if people buy from it) and ONLY buy what’s on it! I’m a new Grammie and was given a list, my daughter is a minimalist and hates clutter so this worked perfectly and kept me from going overboard!
Dianne Labadie says
Good article Mavis. I don’t have any store apps on my phone, other than grocery stores to get their digital coupons. I have one good thing going for me. Going is the last activity I would ever do. I hate it. Although, I love poking around junk stores and Home Depo. I usually just browse and may buy something needed for the house). I do have a hobby that does cost money. I’m on my 3rd year of a freeze. I don’t need to purchase anything else for this hobby, even though the temptation is there. I just focus on the fact that saving cost will help get me that next airline ticket to see my only grandchild. It’s easier if you set a goal for yourself.
HollyG says
We’re eating out of the pantry, freezer and canning cupboards this month (except milk and produce) to make sure we’re not wasting the food we buy on special deals. We’re also checking the bank and credit card accounts daily to track spending and update our budget for 2025.
We did make a splurge this morning. We bought a used toaster when our youngest moved out (we gave him our toaster oven) – hated it and have been looking for something else. This morning we found a Breville Smart Oven on FBM and Hubby went out to pick it up. The gal was so sweet and had scrubbed it so clean it looked almost new. So we have a $15 smart/toaster oven that make beautiful bagels! – – and we paid cash from the ‘sold on FBM’ jar we keep.
Annette says
It’s all about wants vs needs. Any Dave Ramsey followers out there? IYKYK.
Tiffany Nash says
Wonderful post! I would like to add that you might want to consider cancelling magazine subscriptions. I have noticed a disturbing trend in the last few years where the articles in them are written only to promote or sell something. Most ‘ladies’ magazines are just big ads urging you to update your everything with the latest everything. Stop trying to keep up with the trends and you will save money!
Cecile says
We have flyer apps but here in Canada we don’t get coupons like those in the US. We use it to determine which grocery store to shop at each week. 5 items from our list on sale at one given store gets us in their door! I save by searching the second hand stores for items i need prior to any other store. There is way too many ‘things’ getting tossed before their time so why not save them? I have an 8 chair dining table set I paid $34 CAN for and invested $100 in paint stripper and varnish! I had the time and got the satisfaction of telling people, I did that!