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How to get through your day WITHOUT spending money?

Winning the battle against impulse spending is a day-by-day journey, and while it might not always be easy, the results are undoubtedly worth it. So if you find yourself spending more and more money with each passing day, here are some simple tips to help you get through your day without unnecessarily spending money.

1. Keep your wallet out of arms reach in the car

This is a trick I’ve used several times, and it works like a charm. Every time you get into your car, place your purse or wallet where it’s not easily reachable. This could be in the backseat, as far away from you as possible, or maybe on your back window.

This tip is especially helpful for those who struggle with drive-thrus. When you’re out and about and spot a McDonald’s, a Starbucks, or any tempting drive-thru, placing your wallet out of easy reach prevents impulsive stops.

It’s easy to fall into a pattern of grabbing something on a whim when your wallet is just inches away. However, if it’s in a spot where you can’t reach, going through a drive-thru requires more effort. Now, you have to pull over and actually get out of your car to grab your money.

If you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like going through all of that, in most cases, you might decide it’s too inconvenient and not worth it, prompting you to keep driving.

2. Carry a water bottle with you

Another habit I’ve developed is always carrying a water bottle with me when I’m out. This simple change has a profound impact as it significantly decreases the number of times I stop to buy a drink when running errands.

In the past, this used to be a problem. I would drive past a 7-Eleven and then run in to get a Big Gulp or buy water, or I might end up with a coffee or something else. However, since I started sipping on water that I bring from home, these impromptu stops have reduced. Now, when I do buy something to drink, 99.9% of the time it’s a planned purchase.

Additionally, I’ve noticed that sipping on water while driving helps me feel full longer, leading me to buy less food outside the house.

3. Lock your debit or credit card

You might not be aware, but many banks offer a useful feature – the ability to lock your debit or credit card. Once locked, the only way to use it is to unlock it.

If you’re trying to get through the day without unnecessary spending, activating this lock feature, if available, is a smart strategy to slow yourself down. While not foolproof, I appreciate this tip for the added layer of protection it provides.

Making an unplanned purchase will require pulling out your phone, signing into your account, and physically unlocking the card. Going through these steps introduces a window of time to reconsider the purchase and evaluate its worth. In a rush, you might skip the unlocking process altogether, choosing to go about your business due to the inconvenience factor.

4. Keep a picture of your goals in your wallet

This is one of my favorite tips – a practice I haven’t engaged in recently – but found effective in the past. Sometimes, getting through the day without spending money boils down to remembering why we’re saving in the first place.

In most instances, our savings goals involve building an emergency fund, purchasing a house, planning a vacation, or paying off debt. But while we’re initially enthusiastic, we might lose momentum over weeks or months.

The concept of keeping a picture of your goals in your wallet serves as a daily visual reminder of your “why.” To make this effective, place the photo next to your debit cards, credit card, or cash. This way, you’ll confront your goals before every impulse purchase. From there, you can assess whether the purchase holds more value than the intended prize.

5. Avoid window shopping for fun

This is a behavior I abandoned years ago after gaining self-awareness and realizing I couldn’t just browse without making a purchase.

I used to leisurely stroll around Target and home decor stores just for fun. It was a favorite pastime when I felt bored or wanted to leave the house. Despite entering these stores with no intention of buying anything, I almost always left with something in my hands. As I became more self-aware of my behaviors, I had to acknowledge that I “couldn’t” just window shop.

Likewise, it’s crucial to be honest with yourself and examine your track record. How many times have you been able to go into Target and “not” buy something? How many times have you been able to browse Amazon (for fun) “without” making a purchase?

This requires sincere self-reflection, and often involves finding other ways to deal with boredom – whether it’s reading a book, decluttering, deep cleaning your house, or taking a nap.

6. Scroll past shopping haul videos

Now, these types of videos might not affect you. However, if you genuinely want to understand their influence, ask yourself a few critical questions:

• Am I feeling pressured to make impulsive purchases after watching these videos?
• Do I measure my own value based on the possessions or lifestyle depicted in these videos?
• Are my financial goals and priorities being compromised due to watching shopping hauls?
• Am I accumulating unnecessary clutter or debt because of these videos?
• Is my consumption influenced more by trends and peer pressure than personal preferences?

Your answers can help gauge their impact, and based on your responses, you can take necessary steps. The most apparent action is unfollowing creators who predominantly post these types of videos AND not engaging with the content. The more you engage, the more hauls you’ll see.