Author: Chris Brantner / Source: Lifehack
Are you having trouble sticking to a family budget? You aren’t alone.
Budgeting is difficult. Creating one is hard enough, but actually sticking to it is a whole other issue. Things come up. Desires and cravings happen. And the next thing you know, budgets break.
So how can you stick to a family budget? Here are 13 tips to make it easier.
1. Choose a major category each month to attack
As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” With that in mind, one approach to help you get into the habit of sticking to a budget is simply starting slow.
Spend too much on Starbucks runs, eat out too often, and have an out-of-this-world grocery bill? Choose one bad habit and attack.
By choosing one behavior to focus on, you’ll prevent yourself from being overwhelmed. You’ll also experience small victories, which help you gain positive momentum. This momentum can then carry over into your overall budget.
2. Only make major purchases in the morning
If you’re making large purchases in the evening, there’s a good chance you’re doing so after a long day and you’re probably tired.
Why does this matter? Because our judgement tends to be off when tired – our willpower is compromised.
Instead, only make major purchasing decisions in the morning when you’re energized and refreshed. Your brain will be firing on all cylinders and your resolve will be high. You’re less likely to give in and settle at this point.
3. Don’t go to the grocery store hungry
Have trouble with impulse buys at the grocery store?
If so, there’s a good chance you’re going grocery shopping while hungry.The problem here is that when you’re hungry, everything looks good. So you’re more likely to make split decisions on things that aren’t on your grocery list.
Instead, make sure you eat prior to your grocery store trip. Then take your list, along with your full stomach, and go shopping. Notice how food doesn’t look quite so good when you’re not fighting cravings.
4. Read one-star reviews for products
Is there a product you just have to have (but maybe not really)? Check out the one-star reviews.
By reading all the horrible reviews, you may be able to basically trick yourself into deciding that the product isn’t worth your time and money.
Next thing you know, you didn’t make the purchase, you saved the money, and you feel good about the decision.
5. Never buy anything you put in an online shopping cart until the next day
If you are making a purchase online, it’s typically a two-step process. First, you click “Add to Cart” and then you go in to review your cart and pay.
The problem is that there not typically much reviewing during step two. It’s generally click pay and there you go. However, this is the perfect point to stop for reflection.
Once you add to your cart, your best bet is to step away until the next day. Let the item sit there and grow cold, so to speak.
This gives you a night to “sleep on it” and decide if you really want and need to spend that money. If you wake up the next day and still find the purchase viable, then perhaps it’s time to go for it.
6. Don’t save your credit card info on any site you shop on
One of the other pitfalls of shopping online is that fact that most sites ask you to save your credit card information.
While the sites will frame it as a method of convenience, the truth is they know you’ll spend more money in the long run if your credit card information is saved.
The “convenience” takes away one last decision-making point in the purchasing process. True, it’s a pain to get out…
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