Saving money is a goal that most people set early on in life. Everyone is told that they need to save for the future, but this is easier said than done when there are so many temptations around every corner. For some people, however, it could be more than just temptation.
Spending addiction is a real issue that many people suffer from every day. This is an issue that can not only make saving money difficult, but can also send people into debt quickly. Here are six tips for overcoming a spending addiction that can help anyone get their own financial freedom.
Save money on guilty pleasures
Everyone has those things that they spend too much money on that they are not quite proud of. Those who have a shopping addiction, however, might spend a little more than most. The best first spend towards recovering a person’s finances is to find ways to save money on these guilty pleasures. For example, using directv espn gameplan instead of going to every game in person.
Be open about the issue
Most people who have an addiction will try to hide it because they are embarrassed or ashamed. With a spending addiction, it is usually best to be open about the issue and tell people about the struggle. This can help family and friends stop enabling the issue and help a person on the road to recovery.
Know the feelings that cause shopping impulses
For many people, their spending is fueled by a certain emotion or feeling that they experience on a regular basis. It is important for people to realize what emotions or feelings make them want to spend more money. Once they understand the emotions, they can take steps to change their reactions to them and prevent the issues from happening again.
Get the help of a friend
As was mentioned before, friends and family can be a huge help for those who are trying to recover from addiction. Additionally, people who are overcoming spending habits can ask a friend to help them stay on track. The friend can hold a person’s credit cards, stop spending before it starts and help the person find more productive ways to spend their time.
Find healthier ways to occupy time
There are a lot of healthy habits that people can start to keep their mind off spending money. It is good for everyone, even those without addiction, to find some healthy activities that they enjoy doing every single day. For example, start going to a group fitness class instead of going to the mall.
Create goals for finances
Goals help anyone keep their eye on the prize. Setting goals can help anyone see the bigger picture for their money and be less tempted to spend now. Anyone can set a goal, like an expensive trip, and work to put extra spending money in that account instead. This is a great way to start healthy saving habits and spend less every day.