Hello's So I need some quick advice on how I am spending

Think about whether or not the thing you want to buy is something you need.

Evaluate whether or not the thing you want to buy is something you'll want in the long-run, or just an easy answer for a quick fix.

Often times we buy things to feel as though our efforts in life are being rewarded.

Remember:

You are not your possessions.

You are your actions.

Only carry cash, like $40 and don't buy shit you don't need.
If you really want to dive into it write down all of your expenses in a log and guilt trip yourself as the numbers unfold.

>>16953256
This.

Only spend cash. Then you can watch the dosh slip right through your fingers.

Delay all purchases by some arbitrary amount of time. You can scale it according to cost, e.g. less than $10 means you have to wait 1 day, $10-20 means you wait a week, $20-50 means you wait two weeks, over $50 means you have to wait a month, etc.

It's not like the world is gonna run out of random shit. Stuff will still be there once the time passes. Your desire, however, might not.

>>16953235

sit down and estimate how much money you need at the end of each month for Rent, utilities, etc.

calculate how much of that comes out of each paycheck. as soon as you get that paycheck, take that specific cash and hide it away in the 'rent box' or what have you.

then think about how much you WANT to spend on food. calculate what your general meals consist of, and do that shopping in one trip (with the exception of quickly perishable foods of course).

for example, how many of your meals involve chicken? at the smart and final here in los angeles, you can get a 40 pound box of skinless and boneless chicken thighs for 31 dollars. that is enough to eat a pound of chicken every day this month, and into the next month.

but assuming you dont want to eat chicken every single day, just go and look at all the deals they have. dont just look at the stuff in the front, ask what their bigger bulk options are.

calculate about how much meat you eat at dinner, then how many of those meals you want to be chicken, pork, beef, or fish. then go to the store and buy those meats in bulk. there, you now have two months worth of your main dinner course, and likely only spent 75 bucks.

if you eat cereal in the morning, calculate how long one box can last you. if its bagels, that. calculate, pre plan, spend that money (or set it aside for things that can go bad like milk, bread, veggies, fruits, etc.)

the money you have leftover you decide what to do with. how much goes into savings? how much are you allowing yourself to spend on the stuff you want? etc?

Anything I buy I have to use the next day, aside from food. If I realize I don't want to wear those clothes or play that game the next day, I don't buy them. That cuts out impulse buys that I think I'll use in the future but actually end up wasting.

>>16953246
This. I almost never buy stuff anymore and am almost having a hard time knowing what to spend my money on. The only stuff I buy are things that I know I'll be using and/or enjoying.

Having kids helps as well since you have virtually no spare time outside of work...