My perspective can be way different than that of someone who just started budgeting and living more mindful, as going without (unnecessary spending) is a muscle that we need to train. Even people like me – earning minimum wage – can struggle with just saying no to certain purchases. It is a process and at first it feels terrible. As I’m going through our apartment, trying to declutter as much as I can in upcoming two months, I’m realizing that we don’t have an income problem, we have spending and “usefulness” problem. Over the years we’ve accumulated a lot of things in different – non crucial – categories and we’ve kept those items because we might use them one day. As you can imagine, it became a problem to the point we had no space to store them. So we bought more furniture to be able to put away those items.
I wouldn’t say it was a hoarding situation but it definitely wasn’t good for our mental health.
My main struggle was (and still is) crafting supplies and beauty products. Crafting supplies are useful, especially if you DIY a lot, but I’ve realized that I have accumulated so much that it will last me a lifetime. That is why I sorted through most of it and sold off things that I bought ages ago and they were still in their original packaging. I mean, if I haven’t used it in 3 years, why would I keep it? Because I might one day?
And when it comes to beauty products, I had a period of my life when skincare and make up was a coping mechanism. Then I stopped it all together, to the point that my current coworkers are shocked whenever I’m wearing any make up… Downside of having so many beauty products is that they are going to expire. That’s why I’m trying to sell off, donate and declutter things that I can, leaving only things that I know I can and will use up.
Recognizing Unnecessary Spending
I’ve shared with you two of my main struggle categories. For me it was easy to stop buying more of those items, simply because I saw how much I had. But unnecessary spending isn’t just accumulation per category – depending on your financial situation it can be anything outside absolute necessities, such as food, housing and bills. Everyone needs to decide for themselves what unnecessary spending means.
One rule that a lot of people recommend is 48-hour rule. The 48-hour rule: Wait two days before buying any non-essential item. If you still want it and have a clear use for it, it’s likely a worthwhile purchase; if you’ve forgotten about it, it was unnecessary.
I went one step further and entered a semi-emergency mode when it comes to my spending. Outside of necessary bills and weekly groceries, I don’t buy anything.
At this point of my life saving is the most important thing I have to do. Of course situations where we need to get something happen but they are very rare – something breaks and we need to replace that thing. But outside of that, we can go without.
So How Easy Is It to Go Without?
At first – not at all. It takes time to build new habits and being able to say no, when your emotions say yes is a habit. After a while you start to ignore flashy advertising as if it didn’t exist. If it’s not in my budget and on my priority list, it doesn’t get much attention. It is a good feeling to be able to scroll past things that felt irresistible earlier.
But taking the very first step can feel overwhelming. You can feel frustration or even anger and it is good to recognize that, as well as why you want that new thing.
For some people avoiding certain stores will be beneficial. Others may way to physically walk away from their devices, if they struggle with online shopping.
Your budget may allow for extra spending – it is important to have a budget and saving plan in the first place – but you still have to choose your priorities wisely and decide what is worth your money.
As time goes on and you look around you, you learn to cherish things that you have and worked hard for. It is a process but it is totally worth it.
Have you cut your unnecessary spending? Do you have any tips on how to do that? Share them in the comments below!
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