The 9 Things I Did To Stop Frivolous Spending (It Works!)
Hello reader, My name is Gregory. I am lucky to be having money come to me daily, weekly, and monthly. The money comes through my aunty, who is a medical doctor in Canada. She has been sending me money for over a decade. Now I feel ashamed to say that not until three months ago did I have anything to show for it. I was busy spending without investing. I mistakenly believed I was enjoying life while being unaware that I was financially adrift. Spending without seeing what you spent on can really hurt.
Below are things I did to stop frivolous spending
The 9 Things I Did To Stop Frivolous Spending (It Works!) (2025)
1. Have a Minimalist Mindset
From my practical observation, the best way to stop spending money on things you don’t need is to change the way you think. Yes, you heard me right! You cannot continue having big spending dreams with no income. Stop wanting to buy more things and start enjoying the ones you already have.
The term minimalism isn’t about not having anything; it’s about choosing what you want. At this point, you should focus on purchasing only the items that are truly important to you. Before making a purchase, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” Will it make my life better in the long run?
I believe spending less is easy when you start to value events, relationships, and financial freedom more than things. What’s the best part? More than ever, you’ll feel fulfilled.
Do you know what? You don’t have to give up everything you love to spend less on things you don’t need. It’s not about not having anything; it’s about being smarter about how you spend your money. You start to see real change when you take the time to figure out what makes you spend, make a budget that you can stick to, and use simple strategies like the 48-hour rule or cash. You will make a lot of money in the future because of the small changes you make today.
Also, keep in mind that growth takes time. It’s okay if you don’t become a fantastic saver overnight. There will be better months and worse months, and you may still buy things you don’t need sometimes. It’s important to keep going in the right way and keep your financial goals in mind. By identifying more effective ways to manage your spending, you can enjoy increased financial resources and reduced stress.
Being smart about how much you spend is more important than just spending less. When you focus on what makes you happy and get rid of what doesn’t, you’ll feel more in control of your money and future. And believe me, there’s nothing better than knowing that your money is making you money.
Take a deep breath, be kind to yourself, and start today by making some small changes. Tomorrow you’ll be glad you did this!
2. Look For Free or Low-Cost Alternatives
At this point in your life, you have several alternatives to consider. If you are a religious person, you can rely on your church for free stuff, and you can also rely on your regional government for free or subsidized goods. Having fun must not cost a lot of money. You can enjoy life without spending a lot of money because there are many free or cheap things you can do.
Instead of spending a lot of money on trips, join neighborhood events, take free workout classes, or do your projects. Instead of going out to fancy dinners, cook your food and watch movies at home.
It can be fun to push yourself to find happiness without spending money. You might even find new interests and hobbies that make you happier than shopping ever did.
3. Social Media Influence Can Affect You Negatively; Limit Your Exposure to It!
I understand that when you see your peers doing something, you may feel the urge to copy them. Your money can be in jeopardy on social media. When you see people or influencers showing off new outfits, fancy vacations, or stylish home decor, you might feel like you have to keep up. But keep in mind that what you see online isn’t necessarily true.
Most influencers are compensated to promote items, and a lot of them live beyond their means. Don’t compare; instead, think about what really makes you happy. If some accounts make you want to spend money, click the “unfollow” button.
Instead, follow personal finance accounts so that your feed is full of wise money tips instead of shopping temptations.
4. Have Specific Financial Goals
At some points in my life, I had to write down my monthly spending. Having defined financial goals makes it easier to resist unnecessary spending. Knowing what you’re working toward will help you stay motivated, whether it’s saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund.
Along the process, set small, doable goals. Instead of just declaring, “I want to save money,” make a specific goal, such as “I want to save $500 in three months.” You stay motivated when you see progress, no matter how modest.
Using a visual tracker, like a savings thermometer or a digital progress indicator, can make it more captivating. You’ll be more likely to stick to your strategy if you can see that you’re making progress.
5. Do Not Subscribe To Retail Emails and Ads
Stores are excellent at getting you to buy things. These “limited-time offers” and “exclusive discounts” aim to convince you to make an immediate purchase or risk missing out. What’s the easiest method to say no? Don’t see them at all.
Look through your inbox and unsubscribe from any store newsletters that make you want to shop. You can also use ad blockers or only use online shopping applications for a short time. The less you see, the less you want to buy.
If you have trouble with ads on social media, you might want to stop following brands or influencers that always push products. Instead, follow accounts that promote sensible spending and financial health.
6. Switch to Cash-Only for Discretionary Purchases
When using credit and debit cards, it is all too easy to spend money without thinking. When you swipe a card, it doesn’t feel like you’re spending real money. Switching to cash for unnecessary purchases can be a significant change.
Take out a certain amount of money each week for things like going out to eat, shopping, or having fun. When the money is out, that’s it. You can’t use your debit card. This strategy prompts you to reconsider your impulse purchases and increases your financial prudence.
It may take some getting used to at first, but many people say that using cash helps them spend a lot less. When you pay with cash, you become more aware of what you’re buying.
7. Track Every Dollar You Spend
Tracking where your money goes is one of the best methods to stop spending too much. It’s easy to not realize how much you’re spending on small things like takeout, coffee, or trips to Target unless you see the figures in front of you.
For a whole month, write down every purchase you make, no matter how minor. You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or budgeting software. It’s not about making oneself feel bad; it’s about being conscious. It’s simpler to make changes when you know how much time and money you’re wasting on things that don’t really matter.
The idea is to make sure your spending matches what really matters to you. It might be time to change your priorities if you know you’re spending $200 a month on takeout but can’t save for a vacation. You don’t have to stop spending money on everything; just change where it goes so it helps you reach your broader goals.
8. Use the 48-Hour Rule
Buying things on a whim is the main reason people waste money. You might just be browsing for a minute, but then you end up with a shopping basket full of items you didn’t even realize you needed. The 48-hour rule says that you should wait two full days before buying something that isn’t necessary.
This straightforward approach lets you think about whether or not you really want or need the thing. Most of the time, the enthusiasm wears off, and you realize you don’t really need it. You can buy it without feeling bad about it if you still think it’s a good idea after 48 hours.
You might want to keep a list of things you want on your phone to make the purchasing process easier. Write down what you want to buy instead of putting it in your cart right away. After a few days, you’ll be amazed at how many things you forget. Also, if you truly want something, you’ll have time to look for better deals or wait for a discount.
9. Create a Realistic Budget
If you spend without budgeting, it’s possible you will spend above your income, thereby running into financial troubles. People often view budgets as restrictions, but they actually provide freedom. With a sensible budget, you can pay your expenses, save for the future, and yet have money for the activities you enjoy. The most important thing is to make it real. You’ll be more inclined to quit and go back to your old habits if your budget is overly rigid.
Make a list of all the things you need to pay for, like rent, groceries, insurance, transportation, and savings. After that, set aside a fair amount of money for personal use. When you give yourself some “fun money,” you don’t feel like you’re missing out, and it’s simpler to stick to your plan.
Use a budgeting tool or a basic spreadsheet to keep track of your expenditure as it happens. Seeing how far you’ve come can be quite motivating and help you make changes as needed. Don’t feel guilty if you spend too much in one area; just change your budget and keep going.
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