How do you know if you ‘feel good’ shop? Do you buy things that sit unused or only get used once? Do you tell everyone about your purchase until the newness wears off, then it’s out of sight out of mind? Do you regret your purchase because you realize you won’t use it or didn’t need it? That’s a ‘feel good’ purchase and you have to control yourself. Try the following exercise:
Think about something you have purchased in the past that you wish you hadn’t. Something that makes you think ‘I wish I had that money back’. Be especially conscious of the emotions you’re experiencing while doing this exercise. Remember those feelings! Next time you want to make an impulse purchase pull those feelings out and pause. Do you want to feel that way again? Be absolutely positive about whether you should walk it to the register. If you’re not, then you’re only cheating yourself.Some other things you can do:
Ask yourself, ‘Is this an emotional purchase or is it a necessity?’ ‘Do I need it or do I just want it?’
Don’t buy it right away. Wait a day or two; if it’s still just as important to you after a few days, maybe it is a good purchase.
Unless it’s toilet paper, DON’T buy it just because it’s on sale!
First, figure out your personal reasons for ‘feel good’ shopping. Once you have, it’s easier to stop. Sit down and really tear it apart. Don’t forget honesty is the key and there is no justifications allowed. You deserve a stress-free, enjoyable life. If you have the time to do the shopping, you have the time to diagnose the behavior behind the shopping. A few reasons my clients have told me that they shop is depression, a sense of entitlement, empowerment, loneliness, stress relief (although it only relieves the stress until they get their end of the month statements). Only after you’ve figured out the reasons, can you begin correcting the behavior.
Next, you have to commit to NOT shopping! Items necessary to everyday life only. Groceries, utilities, housing, etc. No more ‘feel good’ shopping AT ALL!Time to Purge...
Haven’t used it? Let it go! Donate it, sell it, offer it to friends, but get rid of it.Love it? Show it off! If you’re not willing to display it, you don’t love it. It’s out of there.Need it or use it? Find a home for it! If you can’t find a home for it, you’re not getting rid of enough stuff.
Work according to your energy level and schedule. Decide on how much time you can dedicate to getting organized. Maybe it’s 1 garage bag of trash and 1 box of donation a day. Whatever it is, just do it. Every bit gets you closer to your goal. If you can’t do it alone, call for help. Emotional processes go hand and hand with decluttering. If you can’t do it alone, do it with a shoulder to lean on, but always allow yourself to have any feelings that come up. It’s all part of the process. After you are done decluttering an area then it’s time to find organizing solutions. If you’ve done a good job with purging, you will probably have plenty of room for what you’re keeping without spending a lot on organizing supplies.
Other tips to help you save money
Sit down and review your finances. Figure out what your total debt is so you will have a clear and realistic picture of your situation. Also figure out how much money you bring in and how much needs to go back out every month. Do this with your significant other so you both understand what it will take to become debt free. You both need to agree not only on the goals, but also on the guidelines to reach those goals.
- Establish a budget for your monthly expenses. Utilities, mortgage, vehicles, groceries, gas, etc.
- Start paying down your bad debt: Start paying those credit cards and payday loans down, smallest to biggest or highest interest rate to lowest interest rate. The extra money you’re saving by not ‘feel good’ shopping you can send, in addition to your regular payments, every month.
- Begin establishing a 6 month savings account to get you through any unforeseen hard times, so you won’t be accruing more debt. $20 a month or $200 a month, whatever you can afford, but start NOW!
- Make sure you have disability insurance and a will. Don’t leave it for your loved ones to stress over.
Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done with every milestone you hit! Bubble bath, a good book, a few extra hours of sleep on Saturday! Whatever it is, you deserve it. Just remember, stick to things that are rewarding without spending your hard earned money. After all, that’s the whole point of all this, right?
