Once in one of the comments I mentioned this method of saving and thoughtful spending. It seemed to me quite interesting, especially because of its simplicity, so I decided to put it in a separate short post. And this life hack consists in setting the time limit between the emergence of desire and its realization. And it's all. Do you want to save money? Just wait! This is enough to stop making unnecessary purchases in most cases due to momentary desires. You don't even need to do anything on purpose, rather you need to «not to do».
The content of the article
Simple life hack
I would divide this method, or in other words a life hack, into two parts:
- Compilation of shopping lists with a time delay in implementation.
- Refuse impulse purchases in the shopping process.
We have already written about what other saving methods are used in our family in the article - How to live economically or a list of our life hacks. Let me remind you that saving is not a goal, but a side effect. The goal is freedom!
How to save money on shopping? Make a list and wait 🙂
Making lists
By themselves, lists are already pretty handy for a little savings and structuring spending. Someone makes lists of products so as not to forget to buy anything in the supermarket, someone writes lists of different Wishlists (wishlists), and so on. And in fact, already at this stage, when you expend your energy on making this or that list, you cut off the unnecessary. I also noticed that it would be nice to make a time delay, so to speak, to understand the need for a purchase. Of course, this is more applicable for equipment and clothes, and not for products..
I remember that I had a special notebook where I wrote down all my wishes, and set the delay for about 2-3 months. This time was quite enough to decide exactly whether this or that thing is needed or not. Usually 30-50% of things fell away or were replaced by others. This meant that I wanted something just like that, for the sake of possession itself, but in reality it was not necessary. I'm not sure, however, that such an option can help everyone save money, because if the task is to surround yourself with things to the maximum, then these lists can be written forever 🙂
Now I do not keep lists, but sometimes I add the planned purchase to our family budget. I don't do this often, because practically nothing is needed anymore..
Refusal from impulse purchases
In my experience, most of the unnecessary is bought directly in the store under the influence of an impulse. Ever wondered why there were large supermarkets without counters, why the goods are arranged in a certain order, and why the packaging is so colorful? Manufacturers are trying their best to catch your eye and provoke an impulse purchase. Even in the pharmacy, the medicines look like you want to buy them 🙂 So the situation, I went to the store for bread, and bought a bunch more «goodies», pretty trivial now.
I also noticed from the example of friends that many give in to the physical desires of the body. For example, if you are in the very center of Moscow and suddenly feel thirsty, you will have to buy a bottle of water for 50 rubles. But if at the same time I know that in half an hour I will be far from the center, then I can easily endure this time and buy water at an adequate price. A trifle, of course, but in fact, all the savings are always made up of little things. I remember that we were also often asked about Thailand, where we find everything so cheap and why the expenses are so low. And there was no secret, you just need to search a little or wait, that is, spend a little time.
Someone will consider such time delays a limitation, but personally it does not bother me at all, but on the contrary makes it freer. Because behind the money is work and time spent, and in my head this clear connection always pops up automatically at such moments. You can also say that time is more expensive and you can earn much more, but for me personally it is easier to save than to constantly earn money for something, I'd rather do something pleasant. In addition, it does not always make sense to follow the lead of your body and your weaknesses. Considering how often and a lot is said from all sides about what I should use, what I should wear, etc. It is very easy to get confused here and attach too much importance to purchases in your life..
P.S. Now I no longer make lists and do not control anything. Either I have everything for a long time, or now only the necessary purchases are being made. The rule «thin out all things once a year» almost lost its relevance 🙂
