Control Your Spending
We are often spending on items, we won’t use, don’t need, and may only use once.
There are emotional, psychological, and spiritual reasons behind everything that we buy. It will be
Important that we understand why we spend, why we buy, and the WHY behind our “MUST have” mentality.
There is an Acronym H.A.L.T – to help us with our “impulse buying”.
Don’t shop when we are:
Hungry – you may very well purchase lots of food items that give us temporary enjoyment but little nutritional value, price means nothing when we are hungry, so don’t go hungry.
Angry – We will often take our frustrations out on something, or someone. This steam will feel must go somewhere, often we are soothed by the enjoyment of new, shiny, pretty, and exciting trinkets and such. Don’t be fooled, it’s a temporary cover up. Seek another remedy like solving the problem.
Lonely – I often found myself at the mall because I had nothing else to do. We must focus on hobbies, reading, finding friends, reading God’s word. There are alternate “free” methods for satisfying loneliness. And yes, you can be lonely with a house full of people. Seek God’s great advice for fellowshipping with him. He will never leave you comfortless, or lonely.
Tired- When we are tired we make wrong decisions. Often we are too tired to care. When we are out shopping with our children, often we make the decisions like “ok, just get it, I’m ready to go home.” Remember an alert mind, is a sharp mind. Wait for another day to pick up whatever is needed. When we are tired, our financial guard is down.
Other Actions:
There are emotional, psychological, and spiritual reasons behind everything that we buy. It will be
Important that we understand why we spend, why we buy, and the WHY behind our “MUST have” mentality.
There is an Acronym H.A.L.T – to help us with our “impulse buying”.
Don’t shop when we are:
Hungry – you may very well purchase lots of food items that give us temporary enjoyment but little nutritional value, price means nothing when we are hungry, so don’t go hungry.
Angry – We will often take our frustrations out on something, or someone. This steam will feel must go somewhere, often we are soothed by the enjoyment of new, shiny, pretty, and exciting trinkets and such. Don’t be fooled, it’s a temporary cover up. Seek another remedy like solving the problem.
Lonely – I often found myself at the mall because I had nothing else to do. We must focus on hobbies, reading, finding friends, reading God’s word. There are alternate “free” methods for satisfying loneliness. And yes, you can be lonely with a house full of people. Seek God’s great advice for fellowshipping with him. He will never leave you comfortless, or lonely.
Tired- When we are tired we make wrong decisions. Often we are too tired to care. When we are out shopping with our children, often we make the decisions like “ok, just get it, I’m ready to go home.” Remember an alert mind, is a sharp mind. Wait for another day to pick up whatever is needed. When we are tired, our financial guard is down.
Other Actions:
- Pay yourself first; get the “extra” money out of your hands
- Focus on money saving goals – keep your retirement, vacation,car, or home buying goals in your head, and your heart.
- Stay away from commercials and advertisements – They will lure you into their buying trap
- A sale will break you – It may seem like a great bargain, but if it’s not a NEED, then you don’t NEED it. Remember, there is always a sale.
- Understand your Needs, Wants, and Desires