How To Curb Impulse Spending On Nightshift
Do you feel yourself wanting to shop online during your night shifts? Or what about the next day you have off and all you want to do is scroll Instagram and TikTok or go shop at Target?
I used to do this all the time!
Nights typically have more downtime, so you have time to overthink, scroll, and click “add to cart”.
“While I believe you do not have to sacrifice to meet your goals, there is a difference between sacrificing and sabotaging your current goals. ”
Here are some tips to STOP sabotaging your budget on nightshifts.
1. Stop following influencers who are not budget friendly
Try to stay off profiles that are primarily affiliate links or shopping hauls. These influencers, as nice as they may be, make money when you shop from their links, so they make the items as appealing as possible. If you find yourself easily influenced, try muting them for a bit and see if affects your spending!
2. Unsubscribe from email lists for your favorite stores
Do you NEED that new purse, or do you want it because they said there is a 75% off FLASH SALE? If you need a new purse, chances are that if you visit the website the sale will be available to you, but if you are shopping it because the marketers targeted your FOMO then ditch the emails!
3. Bring a book or coloring book to work
This helped me a ton! Try taking a break from emails, social media and the whole phone/tablet. Instead, try reading or coloring on your breaks. Sometimes it is nice to take a true break from all things phone related.
4. Take a walk
Go for a walk on your breaks or downtime! Yes, you do walk a lot on your shift, but there is something different about being able to walk for leisure versus work. It can also help wake you up on those nights that seem to never end!
5. Plan something fun to do on your day off!
I usually find a cute coffee shop and by myself lunch. It does not have to be extravagant, just something where you go and do something instead of finding yourself roaming the aisles at target.
6. Follow the 48 hr rule!
If you do not remember, this is a rule where you wait 48 hours after deciding you want to buy something. This way you purchase something after you have had some sleep. You can also add to never buy anything on a night shift to this rule.
The goal is not to deprive yourself of the things you want, but to be intentional about where you spend and to decrease impulse spending and potential buyers remorse.
Bonus Tip. Make a list for wants and needs
I keep a running list in my phone of things I want or need and then as I have spending money I find the best option! That way I don't feel guilty about buying something I didn’t actually want. I also find that this is the best price to get the exact item I've been looking for!
