Before buying anything, ask if you need it or merely want it. It's OK to occasionally buy something we don't need to "treat" ourselves, but most of us could look around our homes and wonder why we wasted money on things we rarely use, were a fad, or purchased impulsively..... (more)
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If you decide you don't really need something, put the money you would have spent away & deposit it in savings. Then, when you need something important or want to treat yourself to a birthday gift, the money will be there. Or put the money you saved toward your debts.
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Before I head to the check out, I've learned to ask myself re: everything I'm planning to purchase: "Do I really need this?" If not, put it back! "Do I really need this TODAY?" If I don't need it until next week, don't spend the money until I have to. Asking these questions helps me be more mindful about spending.
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It's been a gradual process to train myself to live within my means. This is one of the ways I've managed to do it.
Three things to consider when you find yourself slipping back. 1) Review the reasons you set your goals.. 2) Ask yourself, "Am I spending plenty of time with people who support my goals?" 3) Ask yourself, "Am I willing to love myself enough to achieve my goals 'this moment'?"
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There is, after all, only 'this moment;, so don't worry about the rest of the moments!
I took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class and one big change I finally made is to pay cash as much as I can. Really, it hurts when you pay cash mentally. So I really avoid spending cash and if I must, I often ask myself - do I really need this? I end up spending less and I think I've saved myself $200 so far in 10 days for not wanting to part way with my hard earned money.
