Stop the Swipe Tips for a Money Mindset Makeover If you’re still feeling the financial sting of the recent holiday shopping season or struggle to pay off your credit card throughout the year, it may be time to rethink your spending routine. Most of us are guilty of impulsive shopping from time to time, but an occasional indulgence can become a dangerous habit if we’re not careful, especially with technology making it easier than ever to overspend. Here are three ways to curb the urge to splurge. Wipe your card info clean. There’s a reason why many apps and websites enable you to save your credit card information; it makes it easier for you to spend money! If you’re looking to reduce how often you experience the rush of an instant purchase, enter your payment manually every time you go to check out. The extra time it takes to do so may be enough to help you realize whatever you wanted a moment ago isn’t as necessary as you thought.
STOP RUSHING, START WINNING
For many of us, the day starts with rushing around, checking our phones, or feeling groggy and unmotivated. But New York Times bestselling author Mel Robbins approaches mornings differently. Her routine goes beyond strict discipline or complicated rituals and, instead, ventures into taking control of her day from the moment she wakes up. Here are four of her best tips to try. Start before you’re ready. One of the biggest lessons from Robbins is that you don’t have to wait to feel motivated. She uses her “5-4-3-2-1” countdown to get herself moving as soon as she wakes up. By forcing herself into action, she avoids getting stuck in hesitation. The key idea is that action creates momentum, and momentum carries you through the day. Build early wins. Robbins also emphasizes small wins in the morning. Making your bed, tidying up, or drinking a glass of water might feel minor, but these small actions give your brain an early sense of accomplishment. Completing even a few simple tasks first thing can make the rest of the day feel more manageable. Give yourself a moment. A unique part of Robbins’ routine is acknowledging herself in the mirror. She literally gives herself a high-five, which may feel a little strange at first. The point goes beyond just the gesture. It focuses on taking a moment to recognize yourself, determine your mindset, and start the day with a sense of confidence. Take care of your body first. Before checking emails or scrolling on her phone, Robbins focuses on her body. She hydrates, does light exercises, and exposes herself to morning light. These small steps help wake up the body and mind without letting outside distractions take over. Starting the day with this buffer gives you control, rather than letting the world dictate your pace. Robbins’ routine shows that how you begin the day matters. Even adopting one or two habits from her morning routine, like moving immediately after waking or tidying your space, can change the way your day feels. By starting with small, deliberate actions, you set yourself up to approach the day with focus and clarity. OWN YOUR MORNING BEFORE THE WORLD TAKES OVER
Choose paper over plastic. In addition to detaching your credit card
information from your phone or computer, consider separating your card from yourself when you leave to go shopping. Carrying cash instead of card is a helpful way to slow spending.
For one thing, it helps you maintain a set amount to shell out, which you’re reminded of as the dollars disappear. Second, cash doesn’t carry an interest rate. When you spend $4 on that cup of coffee you can’t resist, you’ll be out $4, not $4.80 when using a card that charges an additional 20%. Delay, don’t dive. There will always be purchases, such as tickets for a concert that sell out within minutes or a future flight that becomes pricier as your departure date approaches, that will require you to reach for your credit card as soon as possible. That said, there are infinitely more things that you simply don’t need … at least not right away. When you encounter something online or in a store that you must have now despite it not being a scarce item, give it at least a day (or, even better, a week) before making your final decision.
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