THE BROKEN WALLET

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How to de-influence your spending habits – and life!

Every day, the allure of online shopping and consumerism tempts us, especially as we scroll through social media. I’ve been there too, influenced by the constant stream of enticing products.

While it’s not inherently bad, it is crucial NOT to let these temptations dominate our lives. So with that being said, here are some straightforward steps to de-influence your life.

1. Unfollow accounts that promote excessive consumerism

One simple way to de-influence your life is to take charge of your feed and unfollow accounts that push constant consumption and materialism.

While this content can be entertaining, it’s essential to know yourself and be honest about what you can handle. There’s always a cool product out there, but finding balance is key. Reflect on your recent purchases. How many of these were directly influenced by online content?

Really think about this because you might not realize how much you’re “actually” being influenced.

2. Follow accounts that align with your values

When de-influencing your life, consider an alternative approach and follow accounts that promote minimalism, financial literacy, and decluttering.

Watch videos that shift your mindset toward appreciating what you already have. This type of content can help you discover how owning less can bring happiness.

It’s a mental refresh for your brain, helping you break free from the notion that more is better.

3. Establish daily or weekly limits for social media

Managing your time better by setting daily or weekly limits on social media can also de-influence your spending habits.

Take control of your online presence by deciding how much time you’re willing to spend on social media each day or week. This simple move can release you from endless scrolling and constant exposure to ads, allowing you to use your time for things that truly matter.

4. Unsubscribe from promotional emails to de-influence your life

Declutter your inbox by unsubscribing from emails with tempting deals. Regaining control over what shows up in your inbox not only de-influences your life, it also creates a more intentional and focused environment. By reducing constant offers, you’re less likely to make impulse purchases.

If you don’t want to unsubscribe from everything, consider creating a separate email for retail offers.

5. Practice delayed gratification

When you come across something tempting on social media, pause before immediately clicking “buy.” Save the post, walk away, and give it a day (24 hours). This is known as “delayed gratification.”

This waiting period allows you to weigh the pros and cons, and determine how you truly feel about the item. If, after 24 hours, you’ve forgotten about it, you likely didn’t want it that badly—saving yourself from an unnecessary purchase. Get into this habit and de-influencing your life will become second nature.

6. Set a strict budget for discretionary spending

To prevent overconsumption, assign and set aside a specific amount for non-essential items each month. This budget acts as a guide, teaching you self-discipline and how to cultivate a more intentional and financially responsible lifestyle.

7. Learn the difference between needs and wants

Another way to de-influence your life and avoid buying too much, is to understand the distinction between what you truly need and what you simply want.

“Needs” are essential and include housing, transportation, food, basic clothing, insurance, and utilities. “Wants,” on the other hand, aren’t essential.

Here’s a tip: Use the 24-hour rule to differentiate between needs and wants. If the desire for an item fades after 24 hours, it’s probably not a “need.” 

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