Nine Ways to Spend Less in 2022

Everybody manages spending differently: some of us make a full-on sprint towards financial health while others take it slow and steady. However you choose to approach financial health, we have ten tips to help you get there by spending less in 2022.

For those that are ready to sprint:

1. Institute a spending freeze

Pick a time span: seven days, a month, six months—where you avoid buying anything you don’t genuinely need. This spending freeze assists you with saving money quicker. Then, at that point, give this spending penance a “why” (perhaps you need to have sufficient cash for Christmas flights home or to add to your emergency fund). Now your “why” makes it simpler to stop impulsive spending. It’s satisfactory as well: your financial finish line is in sight (make a note on your calendar). This will make your goal feel attainable.

2. Enact zero spend days

A zero spend day is precisely what it sounds like. It’s a fast for your finances. You can do this in various ways: possibly you pick each Wednesday to be a zero spend day. Or you might make it a challenge between you and your partner to see who can do more zero spend days each month. Make zero spend days a habit, and your financial health will thrive.

3. Quit the credit card

If you’re somebody who keeps continually spending what you don’t have, it may be time to give up the credit card. Begin utilizing cash to get a better feel for each dollar that leaves your hand.

If you’re not ready to give up the credit card, perhaps because you shop online, make it more difficult to spend with it. Keep it out of your wallet and maybe remove your credit card details from autofill forms. The more of a pain it is to use your credit card, the more likely you are to not spend overspend with it.

For those that want to take it slow and steady:

4. Unsubscribe from store marketing emails

The more you’re exposed to marketing emails, the more likely you are to cave in and spend. The link to unsubscribe can be found at the bottom of the email, and it can be as easy as a single click. So start unsubscribing and start saving.

5. Take a step back from your cart

One way to avoid making unnecessary impulse buys online is to step away before completing checkout. Give it a few hours or a day, and take the time to consider if it’s in the best interest of your financial health to make that purchase. This habit will help you get your spending in line by protecting you from impulse spending.

6. Give grocery pickup a try

Assuming you’re a never-ending supermarket grabber-of-things-that-look-delectable, grocery pickup may be ideal for you. Many grocery stores offer grocery pickup, and it has the added benefit of saving you time. You simply request your grocery items on the website or app, somebody from the store gathers them for you, and afterward, you get to pick them up at the store, bagged and ready. Fees for grocery pickup usually range from free to $10, but that $10 may be worth it to avoid impulse grocery buys (as well as save time!)

7. Replace an expensive habit with a less expensive one

Do you have a propensity for eating out when you don’t want to cook? Stock up on simple and more affordable meals like frozen pizza or pre-made meal kits. Do you spend too much at coffee shops? Instead, purchase the beans and a to-go cut and make your own at home. Whatever your expensive habit is, replacing it with one less expensive is an easy way to save more.

8. Keep a visual of your major goal

Do you have a major goal, such as purchasing a house or taking care of your student loans? Regularly remind yourself of it. Keep a visual representation, like a picture, where you can see it, for example, in your wallet or as your phone background. This reminder will keep the goal in your mind and make you less likely to spend on things that keep you from reaching the goal.

For anyone who wants to spend less:

9. Utilize a budget

To really spend less, you need a budget. You may think a budget is prohibitive, but it can give you financial independence. A budget isn’t about not spending; it’s about planning and spending in an intelligent way.

Regardless of the approach you take, these tips can help you spend less this year. So make 2022 a year of financial health.