How to Indefinitely Spend Less and Save More

Do you hate the thought of spending less because it seems so restrictive? It doesn’t have to always feel like that. Really. The thing is, we as human beings are highly adaptable to our surroundings.

For instance, if you’ve lived in a 2,000 square foot house for five years and for some unexpected reason had to downsize to 1,000 square foot living quarters, how long until you get used to that? Not very long. Sure, at first it kind of sucks and you’ve got to figure out what to do with all of your stuff, but after a few months you get it figured out. You forget what it felt like to live in 2,000 square foot.

For me, I personally forgot how hard it was to care for toddlers (even though my kids are only five and six) until having to babysit on a regular basis for my younger brother. I’m sure you’ve had experiences similar to this as well.

You can apply the same lessons to money. If you start working on the areas where you need to spend less, and stick with it for a few months, it becomes second nature. It’s something you become accustomed to and spending differently will feel out of place.

Pick a Problem Area and Muster Up the Discipline

Your first step toward this path of spending less and saving more is picking the area you want to work on. There’s no way you’re going to be able to overhaul your entire financial life at once. Pick an area and commit to it.

Some of the best places to start with are the ones that make the biggest impact. Look at your biggest expenses or the expenses that just bother you the most.

Pick something, make a plan, and stick to the plan. After a few months you will have developed a habit and you won’t have to think twice about spending less money.

Move on to the Next Area

After you’ve successfully developed one habit choose another area to tackle. Again, do whatever feels right to you.

Have a Motivating Goal

When you’re changing your behavioral patterns you’ll be faced with many struggles early on. You need to have a goal that motivates you to stick with it. (Plus you need to have somewhere to funnel all the money you’re saving!)

Come up with a powerful goal.

Practice Gratitude

When you’re attempting to spend less money one of the best things you can do is be grateful for what you do have. Put the emphasis on what you have and not what you’re giving up.

Just remember, you ARE highly adaptable. Making change is tough at first but after a little while it just becomes second nature.