How to Avoid Emotional Spending & Save Money

1. Unsubscribe from tempting messages and emails

Unsubscribe from any emails or text messages that you get from your favorite stores. For me, my weakness is Macy’s.

I love Michael Kors bags, and since I’ve bought many in the past, the store knows it can rope me in with messages notifying me of deals on Michael Kors bags. They track how you’re spending so they can tempt you with messages and emails.

This is not unique to Macy’s. All retailers do this because they know it will be nearly impossible for consumers to resist.

Some of you might be concerned about finding out what is on sale when you actually want to buy something and the purchase is emotion-free. I suggest creating a separate email address. Give stores an email address that is not connected to your phone.

If you have been saving and want to buy something that is not going to put you in debt, log onto the separate email address. There you can do a quick search and find the coupon code that you need to save money. This will allow you to get those savings without leaving yourself vulnerable to temptation every day.

2. A picture is worth a thousand words

I used to get so tempted to join in on lunch delivery orders when I was at the office. I’d end up spending $30 just to have lunch at my desk. It was just so hard to resist the temptation. I knew I wanted to save money for my trip to Disney World so I printed up a picture of the Magic Kingdom and put it on my computer monitor.

Every time my coworkers came around with the menu, I’d look at the castle and that would help me refocus on my goal and enable me to resist the urge to order food. That picture must have saved me thousands of dollars.

You can use this method and put a picture to remind you of your goal on your phone or your screensaver. That way the second you feel temptation taking over you can look at that reminder.

3. Unlink your credit cards

Detach your credit cards from any apps or websites you shop from. Every extra stumbling block you can place between yourself and easy purchasing will give you a chance to reconsider. Having to pause to get your wallet and put in your information will help create the space you need to reset your mind.

4. Curate your social media feed

Start following social media accounts that inspire you and unfollow accounts that leave you feeling tempted. If you’re following accounts that make you feel like something is lacking, you will become more vulnerable to spending.

Following people who have more than you will lead you to feel like you need more stuff in your life. If you are feeling a sense lacking you are more likely to succumb to emotional spending.

One night I was looking at social media and a picture came up of Kim Kardashian on a fancy-looking yacht. Next thing I knew I was showing the picture to my husband and telling him how much I would love to have a boat like that. It made no sense. I never wanted a boat before, but suddenly, seeing it in that picture made me feel like I needed that too.

Alternatively, following accounts that inspire you can be really helpful. Find an account for whatever brings you joy. There’s an account for everything and you just have to choose to look at the content that encourages and enables you to be the best version of yourself.

5. Create habit loops

Emotional spending is a habit loop. You feel an emotion and it loops you into the habit of spending. It’s time to create some new habit loops. Find a new habit to loop that emotion with.

Giving yourself time and space is usually the most effective. Next time you feel that emotion, consider taking a bath, going for a drive, or having a cup of tea. You can choose whichever habit works for you.

Repeating this habit every time you’re challenged with your emotions will help your brain get used to naturally engaging in your new habit in response to those feelings. It will become second nature to you and make resisting the urge to spend much easier.

How to avoid emotional spending

I’m hoping this article helped provide you with some useful tools to correct emotional spending. It is a trap we all fall into. Instead of feeling powerless or ashamed, take actions to help you gain and maintain control over your spending habits.