Hela Pesa Survival Guide: How to stop wasteful spending

Wasteful spending can be a major drain on your finances, leaving you with less money to save or spend on things that truly matter. It’s easy to rationalize unnecessary purchases, telling ourselves that we deserve to treat ourselves or that we need a certain item to be happy. However, this kind of thinking can quickly lead to financial trouble.

To stop wasteful spending, it’s important to first become aware of your spending habits and identify areas where you tend to overspend. This may require tracking your expenses for a month or two to get a better sense of where your money is going. Once you have a better understanding of your spending patterns, you can start to make changes and develop healthier habits.

Why you are overspending

There are several reasons why you tend to spend more than you need.  They include:

• The influence of advertising and marketing: Companies spend billions of dollars each year on advertising and marketing to persuade people to buy their products, even if they do not necessarily need them. This constant exposure to advertisements can lead people to believe that they need certain products and can convince them to make unnecessary purchases.

• A desire for instant gratification: People often have a desire for instant gratification and may be willing to spend money to satisfy their immediate needs and desires. This can lead to overspending on things like food, clothing, and entertainment.

• Peer pressure: People may also be influenced by their peers and social circles to spend more than they need. For example, people may feel pressure to keep up with the latest trends or to maintain a certain lifestyle, which can lead to excessive spending.

• Difficulty managing money: People may have difficulty managing their money and may not have a clear understanding of their financial situation. This can lead to overspending, as people may not be aware of how much they are spending or may not have a plan in place to manage their finances effectively.

• Impulse buying:  Some people may have difficulty controlling their impulses, which can lead them to make impulsive purchases without thinking about the long-term consequences. This can be particularly true for people who have underlying conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can affect impulse control. Many people tend to make impulsive buying decisions without thinking through the consequences of their actions. This can lead to overspending on things that are not necessary or useful.

• Lack of budgeting and planning: People who do not have a budget or a financial plan in place are more likely to overspend, as they do not have clear guidelines for how to manage their money. This can lead to excessive spending on things that are not necessary or that do not align with their long-term financial goals.

• Emotional regulation: For some people, spending money can be a way to regulate their emotions. For example, if someone is feeling down, they may engage in retail therapy, buying things that make them feel happy or distracted. However, this can be a short-term solution that only leads to wasteful spending.

• The pleasure or reward response: Spending money can trigger the release of chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, which can produce a feeling of pleasure or reward. This can make spending money feel enjoyable and can lead people to engage in wasteful spending to seek out this pleasurable sensation.

The things that might be wasting your money

Several expenses commonly waste money that you might not even be aware of. Some of these expenses include:

1. Late fees: Late fees can be a significant source of wasted money, especially for people who frequently miss payment deadlines. To avoid late fees, make sure to pay your bills on time and set reminders to help you stay on top of your payments.
2. Interest on credit card balances: Credit card interest can add up quickly and can be a significant source of wasted money. To avoid paying interest on your credit card balances, make sure to pay off your balances in full each month and avoid carrying a balance from one month to the next.
3. ATM fees: ATM fees can add up quickly, especially if you use ATMs that are not part of your bank’s network. To avoid ATM fees, make sure to use ATMs that are part of your bank’s network or that do not charge fees.
4. Subscription services that you don’t use: Many people have subscription services that they do not use, such as gym memberships, streaming services, or subscription boxes. To avoid wasting money on these services, make sure to cancel any subscriptions that you do not use regularly.
5. Unnecessary purchases: People often make unnecessary purchases, such as buying things they do not need or buying things they can get for free elsewhere. To avoid wasting money on unnecessary purchases, make sure to think carefully before making any buying decisions and to consider whether you really need something before you buy it.

Why wasteful spending might be bad for your financial health

The long-term impacts of wasteful spending can be significant, both financially and in other areas of life. Some of the potential impacts of wasteful spending may include:

• Financial strain: Wasting money on unnecessary expenses can put a strain on a person’s budget, leaving them with less money to cover their essential expenses or save for the future. This can lead to financial insecurity and a lack of stability.
• Debt: If a person engages in excessive or reckless spending, they may end up accumulating a significant amount of debt, which can be difficult to repay and can have negative consequences for their credit score and overall financial health.
• Stress and anxiety: Wasting money can be a source of stress and anxiety, particularly if it leads to financial difficulties or creates tension in a person’s relationships. This can harm a person’s mental health and well-being.
• Lost opportunities: Wasting money on non-essential expenses can mean that a person has less money available to invest in things that could improve their quality of life, such as education, travel, or personal development. This can limit their opportunities and hinder their ability to achieve their goals.

How to stop wasteful spending on its track

1. Create a budget: The first step to avoiding overspending is to create a budget that outlines your income and expenses. This will help you to understand how much money you have available and where you can cut back.
2. Set financial goals: Having clear financial goals will help you to focus on what is most important to you and to avoid overspending on things that do not align with your priorities.
3. Stick to your budget: Once you have created a budget, it is important to stick to it as closely as possible. This means avoiding unnecessary purchases and making sure that you do not spend more than you have allocated for each expense category.
4. Track your spending: Regularly tracking your spending will help you to stay on top of your finances and to identify any areas where you may be overspending. You can use a financial app or software to help you track your expenses and make sure that you are staying on budget.
5. Avoid impulse buying: Impulse buying is a common cause of overspending, so it is important to avoid making impulsive purchasing decisions. Take the time to think about whether you really need something before you buy it, and consider whether you can find a better deal or save money in other ways.
6. Use cash instead of credit cards: Using cash instead of credit cards can help you to avoid overspending as it is easier to see how much money you are spending in real-time. Plus, when you use cash, you are less likely to make impulsive purchases as you are physically handing over money.

You must understand, however, that what I’ve written here is worth exactly less than nothing if you do not put your back into it. You must not only be willing to accept that you might be overspending but also take the necessary steps to consciously avoid overspending.