I’m already giving up on my new year’s smart-spending resolution.
Whoa! Let’s pause and get you back on track. For whatever reason, you decided this would be the year to get your spending under control. What was the reason for you? If you find yourself struggling, here are a few things to think about.
- Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Some people have a spending addiction, just like others are addicted to alcohol. In fact, it’s estimated that about 18 million adults in the U.S. suffer from compulsive buying disorder. If you think this may apply to you, visit with your health care professional about seeing a therapist to address the core issues you are dealing with.
- Reset the goal and take smaller steps this time. We often begin with grandiose ideas of how much we will save and how we can deny ourselves every day to obtain that. For most of us, that approach isn’t realistic, so set it up in smaller steps. Perhaps for one week, you cut the expensive lattes down from six per week to three. After you master that goal, start working to tackle another.
- Focus on what you have accomplished instead of how you failed. Did you have at least one day when you didn’t spend too much? Or maybe you saw something you really wanted but didn’t cave in and buy it. Pat yourself on the back and keep looking for the moments you can celebrate, and you’ll eventually become that kind of spender!
