Ever wish you could stop spending money you don’t have? Do you often find yourself spending money when you’re bored even though you know you can’t afford it? Cashfloat explores the reasons behind “boredom spending” and gives you several useful ideas on how to stop spending and fill your time without breaking the bank.
Is Boredom Spending Really That Bad?
Although you promise yourself it’ll be “just this once,” you might be dipping into your wallet more than you realize. It could be the odd £2 here and there that leave you short when it comes to bigger bills and expenses. Consistently giving in to spending money when you’re bored can start you on a bad cycle of overspending and debt. You might even want to borrow a payday loan to make it through the month.
If Boredom Spending Is so Bad, Why Can’t I Stop???
Thanks to the Internet we’ve gotten used to instant gratification- getting what we want when we want it. We seek constant stimulation all day, every day. When we don’t have anything fresh to keep us interested, we tire quickly and look for something new. Therefore, we’re often more willing to spend extra money when we’re bored if only to give us something to do.
We are constantly bombarded by advertisements urging us to spend our money on products and services that promise to make our lives easier and more entertaining. When we are bored, we are far more susceptible to these temptations and more agreeable to spending money beyond our budgets to keep ourselves entertained. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to fall into a cycle of bad spending habits.
The age of instant gratification means that life is running at a much faster pace. People don’t just want things – they want them now. What are the side effects of this new mentality?
Living with Constant Distraction
Tim Parks, author and essayist, talks about “the state of constant distraction we live in” and explains the effect it has on our minds. This prevents us from staying focused on the task at hand, particularly if the task requires a lot of concentration for a long time, such as reading a long book.
I don’t know about you, but this is certainly true for me. It’s a real challenge to focus on what I’m doing, and I get bored very quickly. I can barely make it through a 20-minute TV programme without feeling restless- forget about a 2-hour movie.
Spending Money Unnecessarily
While this problem affects many areas of my life, it shows up most clearly in my personal finances. To put it plainly, I spend way more money when I’m bored. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.
After sitting in front of the telly for twenty minutes, I start feeling restless, so I look around for something else to do. Most times, I find myself at the fish-and-chips place across the street, buying a medium for £2.50. And if I do that a couple of times a week, that can add up to more than £20 per month. That’s a lot!
How to Stop Spending Money When Bored
The key to stop spending boredom money is to prevent yourself from getting bored in the first place. Put up a list of activities on your fridge, and any time you start to feel bored or restless, pick one!
Here are a few ideas of free things you can do to fill your time so you can stay entertained within your budget:
4 Ways to Stop Spending Money- Get Active!
Try out some yoga. You don’t need to buy a yoga mat – for the most part, blankets will do just fine (or even carpeting, if you have it). YouTube is full of easy beginner yoga tutorials. Added bonus: yoga helps you be in tune with yourself, which may help you notice your danger signals when it comes to spending money carelessly. |
Clean the house. I know, I know…it’s not exactly exciting. But cleaning the house will keep you active and occupied- there will be no time to be bored. You won’t be spending money, and you’ll have a clean house! |
Take advantage of the free gym day/week. Many gyms offer either a free week or a free day for prospective customers. Take full advantage – believe me, they will too, with their constant follow-up sales calls. You’ll spend less money and gain more muscle! |
Be a tourist in your own city. Look up some nearby landmarks, attractions, or parks, grab a couple of friends, and don’t forget your camera! Take a walking tour of your city and see it from a completely new perspective. This is an excellent idea on how to avoid spending money on an off day. Make sure to pose for photos often! |
More Creative Ways to Stop Spending Boredom Money
Cook a nice big dinner. Have fun in the kitchen! Look up a new recipe and try it out with no shortcuts! Make something a bit fancier to upgrade a regular weeknight for your family or just for yourself. Cooking is a great way to pass the time and has a great payoff at the end. Plus, it’s a great way to stop spending money on takeaway. Expect compliments to the chef! |
Do some crafting! Dig out your dusty art supplies along with some other odds and ends, and put your artistic skills to use. Pinterest has hundreds of great D.I.Y. ideas for everything from personalised picture frames to homemade wall art to spruce up your home decor. |
Read a book! Read a novel, or a non-fiction book to broaden your worldly knowledge. You might even accumulate some great conversational topics for your next social event! |
Take up a hobby. You can choose something sporty like jogging or cycling, or something you can do from the comfort of your home. Here are some hobby ideas:
|
Beat the Boredom and Stop Spending Money
Now that you understand the pitfalls of boredom spending, you can use this guide from Cashfloat as inspiration to find new ways to keep yourself occupied and stop spending money. If you need a short-term solution to help you finish the month so you can start fresh, then a payday loan may be a good option for you.
