I struggle with impulse buying and it’s starting to feel out of control. People around me keep calling it out, and it’s honestly stressing me out. I don’t know how to stop in the moment or what to do to distract myself when I get the urge to spend. It’s becoming a real problem for me, and I’m worried about where it’s heading if I don’t get a handle on it.
I could really use advice, tips, or anything that has helped others deal with this.
I have a spending problem, How do i not have a spending problem?
byu/Any-Landscape434 inFrugal
Posted by Any-Landscape434
16 Comments
first, acknowledge your triggers and make a list of things you want to spend on vs things you need. try the 24-hour rule before buying anything non-essential to see if you still want it. also, set a strict budget that you stick to each month and find hobbies or activities that keep you busy instead of shopping. it’ll take time, but you got this!
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Used to do the same. It wasn’t until I had thousands in credit card debt and finally woke up. I realized no one is coming to save me as I get older. Well, during COVID everyone was struggling so I called up each of my lenders and got .30-50 cents on the dollar to settle my debt. I got very blessed. Never been in that situation since. I guess you could say you will finally stop when you finally feel the pain financially. I realized my mistake set me back at least five years and it did.
first step is to track your spending; seeing it all laid out can be a wake-up call. then try a 24-hour rule before buying anything non-essential, it gives you time to chill and rethink. also, find some hobbies or activities that keep you busy; distract yourself from the urge to shop! good luck, you got this.
Decide how much you want to spend, bring cash, get rid of phone tap to pay and leave your debit/credit cards at home.
r/anticonsumption
set a $ amount budget and replace your habit. Instagram / Facebook have well targeted ads. Avoid where you shop and play pokemon instead.
Delete your credit card info anywhere it’s presaved. Cancel Amazon prime and any other similar site that you spend too much money on.
If you can’t exercise enough self control to avoid swiping, cancel the credit card or hide it somewhere it’s only accessible for emergencies (like traveling cross country to visit a dying relative level of emergency, not a budgeted badly emergency).
If people are commenting on the problem, use that. Ask them to help keep you accountable.
Every time you get the impulse to buy something, verbally say out loud “ew! I don’t want this!” and picture yourself hating it/it collecting dust in a corner as vividly as you can. Fills me with the ick every time I think I need something and has spared my wallet much pain. After a while, you won’t feel the temptation at all because you’ll be accustomed to turning away.
I get downvoted every time but the solution is to buy something you really really want even if it’s expensive. People impulse buy for the dopamine. Satisfy it by giving in to the temptation.
For example, if you love music, buy a 20k sound system. Your mind won’t have room to even dream of wanting to shop. You will be too busy playing with your new shiny toy that brings you all the joy. The key is that it has to be something you really want.
Impulse buying is an impulse problem more than a spending problem. Do you have difficulty with other impulse things like sex or food?
1) try to figure out if there’s a trigger point that leads to you feeling insecure, needing comfort, etc. I haven’t looked at the other comments on this post but I think the important thing is to not focus on the action itself (spending), but what’s underneath it. What does spending make you feel? What itch are you trying to scratch?
2) Once you figure out the fundamental root behind it, focus on going right to that and helping that part of yourself out. being self aware about what’s driving you will help you in knowing both what you’re actually trying to achieve here and can give you the bandwidth to figure out other ways to work with that want.
I often go through a set of questions before I buy something. Why do I want this? Does it slove a problem for me? Do I actually need it? Is it in my budget? Do I already own something similar to it? Where will it go in my house? Do I need to buy it right now, or could I get it in a week?
If your spending is so impulsive that it is a source of comments from others and the feeling is interfering with your ability to live your life, please consider gambler’s anonymous and/or looking for a therapist who can help you find an appropriate psychiatrist. Practically- no more credit cards, only shopping in stores, bringing only cash, talk to your bank about creating a lower than average withdrawal limit.
Do you track your current finances at all? Do you have any goals for your finances?
Canceling Amazon was a game changer for me.