Now that summer is almost behind us and the cozy days of fall and winter are approaching, let’s check out 5 easy ways to control your spending for the next few months.
Pick one day each week and declare a “No Spending” day. No money transactions are allowed, including online shopping, having food delivered, grocery shopping, or drug store runs. Implementing a “No Spending” day will allow you to become more mindful of where and how you spend your money.
- On the days you are allowing yourself to spend, use cash as much as possible. Studies show that we typically overspend when paying with a credit or debit card. Using cash will also help you pay attention to where your money is going. I use this method, and trust me; it works!
- Pack lunches for work a few days a week. Figure out how much you typically spend on lunch (including drinks!) and transfer that amount into your savings each time you bring lunch to work. Instant savings! 🙂
- Unsubscribe to all of the shopping emails you receive. Once you unsubscribe, you will no longer be tempted by sales and coupons that hit your email multiple times a day.
- Give yourself a Mani/Pedi instead of going to the salon. If you’re used to going to the salon regularly, try skipping an appointment here and there and paint your nails yourself. This could cut your costs in half!
There you have it…5 easy ways to control your spending! If you have any other tips to add, feel free to add them in the comments section. 🙂
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Love the No Spending Day idea! Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Thanks, Kelly! The No Spending Day is hard to implement and stick to, but so worth it in the end. 🙂
These are wonderful tips! I could totally use all of these tips especially unsubscribing to emails! Our goal this year is to pay down debt and track spending hardcore. 🙂
Thanks for sharing with us at #MMBH!
xoxo
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and found it helpful! I’m sure you’ll do great paying off debt and tracking your spending…it will be so worth it in the end! Thanks for commenting! ~Leigh
Yes, using cash on spend days definitely works wonders. I call it my allowance…and when it’s gone it’s gone 🙂 Thanks for sharing and beautiful site!
That’s so funny! I call it my allowance also. Thanks for stopping by!!
Think of your credit card as a debit card and when you use it, deduct the amount from your balance right away.
That’s a good one! Thanks!
Unsubscribing from the shopping emails is a great tip! I wouldn’t go out of my way to go into a store to see if they have any sales going on but it is so easy to click on the link that comes directly into my inbox. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, those emails were killing me! All of a sudden I was buying things I didn’t know I needed. 🙂
I am definitely spending a lot less money now that I have unsubscribed!
Oh those shopping emails… they are the very devil o’ temptation!
Tell me about it! Now when I need to purchase something online, I just go to ShopAtHome.com for promo codes and cash back! Thanks for commenting!
Great tips, especially the no-spend day! I like packing my lunch too 🙂
Thanks! I actually have several no spend days per week and it helps to keep me on track. Thanks for stopping by!
I like the “no-spend day” idea. Plus it’s the perfect day to pack a lunch! 🙂
Having no-spend days really work. After waiting a day or so to purchase something, the desire usually goes away. Thanks for commenting!
I struggle with the cash one. My husband and I did the Dave Ramsey method for a while and loved the principles but I had a hard time remembering to take out my cash at the beginning of the month or bring my envelopes with me. Plus I have a tendency to buy Starbucks/fast food unnecessarily and using my card makes me accountable because I know my husband can see if I’ve overspent. Great reminders!!
Danielle yourclassygals.com
Yeah, it took a while to get used to using cash and I still slip up every now and then, but it definitely helps me spend less money. Thanks for stopping by!