Sticking to a budget is probably one of the most challenging things to do nowadays where temptations to spend on things are splashed almost everywhere. Consumerism is at its peak. New models of stuff are coming out now and then, making people who can't resist the urge to ditch their things and get the newer ones.
My sister recently gave me a pair of Skechers shoes on Sunday evening. I can't count how many things she has already given me but she kind of filled up my shoe rack and closet in the last few years - bags, shoes, clothing, and even gadgets (mobile phone, tablet).
"It's your size," she said while handing it to me. I teased her why she kept buying things when she didn't need them. Her son mentioned that their mom loves to add things to her cart and checks them out almost without a second thought. I jokingly told her that she needed to uninstall the shopping apps from her phone, lol!
Anyway, that's how some people are and it can be difficult for them to let go of such an addiction unless they have the willpower and the discipline to do so. I was once like them before so I know. Thankfully, I got out of the bad habit. Today, I never have to worry about breaking any budget because it is easy for me to say 'NO' to buying stuff.
Truth is, there is no need for me to have any strategies at all when it comes to spending. It might be hard to believe but it has already become a natural thing for me to not purchase things impulsively, especially when I know they are not needed.
How did that happen?
Some experiences became the turning points for me. When my husband and I were coming home from overseas, we had so many things that we spent a large sum just to ship them home. In the end, we gave away some of the stuff to the security personnel of the apartment where we lived.
Also, when we moved out from the city to our first home in the countryside, I had a really hard time sorting and organizing things to the point it became so stressful. That was when I decided to clean up and start to lead a more minimalistic lifestyle.
So yes, you wouldn't see me going out from a shopping center with bags in hand. Not that I don't have money to spend but because it's a personal choice. Flash or discounted sales don't make me crazy as it does to other people.
I do think that when we have discipline, we never have to remind ourselves about what we should and shouldn't do when it comes to spending. We naturally become conscious. At least that's how I see it based on my personal experiences.
This is my response to the first question of this week's LoH prompt:
I annually work on my home budget every January and my recent walk through of a major shopping center reminds me how our financial goals can get undermined by the temptation to spend. What are your strategies and tactics to stay on track?
Photo credits to Markus Spiske. 24012024/19:35ph