It’s that time of year again—twinkly lights, festive cheer, and my credit card quaking in its little digital boots. Every December, I tell myself, This year will be different! I’ll stick to a budget! And yet, come January, I’m staring down a mountain of debt, tripping over excess decorations, and wondering why my degus needed yet another luxury hideout.
This year, I’m determined to break the cycle. If you’re like me and tend to go overboard during the holidays, here’s the game plan I’m using to keep my spending (and sanity) in check.
1. Remove Card/Bank Information from Devices
The convenience of autofill is my worst enemy. This year, I’ve deleted my saved card and bank info from my phone and laptop. If I want to buy something, I’ll have to go through the effort of getting up, finding my wallet, and typing it all in manually.
That tiny bit of friction is usually enough to make me think twice—and sometimes, that’s all I need.
2. Use “Save for Later” Features
Online shopping carts are my kryptonite, but I’ve discovered the magic of the “save for later” option. If I see something I have to have, I put it in my “save for later” list and walk away. This one takes practice and doesn’t work nearly as well if you haven’t cleared your payment information.
Most of the time, by the next day, I realize I didn’t actually need (or even want) it. Bonus: it also gives me time to price check or look for a better alternative if I decide it’s worth purchasing.
3. Use Visual Cues
This tip might sound a little weird, but it works. I’ve put sticky notes on my laptop and phone that say things like:
- “Do you really need more clutter?”
- “Remember last January’s credit card bill?”
- “You’re not actually Santa.”
Every time I see one of these reminders, it jolts me out of my spending haze long enough to reconsider.
4. Cut Down Screen Time
I’ve realized that a lot of my impulse buying happens when I’m scrolling through my phone. To combat this, I’m filling that time with “busy” tasks that keep my hands occupied, like untangling necklaces, folding laundry, or reorganizing my desk.
It’s amazing how much less tempting online shopping is when you’re too busy trying to untangle a necklace knot that looks like it has its own gravitational pull.
5. Gaslight Yourself
Okay, hear me out. Sometimes you have to trick your ADHD brain into compliance. My current plan? I’m telling myself, If you make it through December without overspending, you can treat yourself to a coffee every single day in January.
Will I actually want to buy a coffee every day in January? Probably not (it involves leaving the house). But by the time I get to January, I’ll have avoided holiday overspending and saved money—and that’s the real win.
6. Regift Thoughtfully
Instead of buying more stuff, I’m going through the things I already own. That beautiful candle I never lit? The cute journal I got as a gift but never used? Perfect for regifting!
Regifting isn’t tacky if the item is in good condition and suits the recipient. Plus, it clears up space in my home while making someone else happy. Win-win!
7. Unsubscribe and Unfollow
Sales emails are dangerous. One “exclusive offer” in your inbox, and suddenly you’re justifying a purchase you didn’t even know you wanted.
I’ve unsubscribed from all retailer emails and unfollowed their accounts on social media. Out of sight, out of mind. No temptation, no problem.
8. Find Your Dopamine Fix Elsewhere
A big part of my holiday overspending is chasing that dopamine rush that comes with clicking “add to cart.” This year, I’m looking for healthier ways to get that same high, like:
- Picking up an old hobby I already have supplies for (hello, cross-stitch!).
- Watching my favorite comedy specials.
- Going for a walk and counting all the inflatable snowmen I see.
Whatever keeps me busy and happy, I’m doing it—short of starting a heist movie-level crime spree, obviously.
9. Set Limits for the Degus
Bubble and Squeak are wonderful, adorable, and absolutely spoiled. But this year, they’re getting one gift each, and that’s it. I love them, but they don’t need more toys than I do.
Sticking to these tips isn’t going to be easy—old habits die hard. But I’m determined to get through this holiday season without the post-Christmas financial regret.
If you’re also an impulsive spender, I hope some of these tips help you too. And hey, if all else fails, at least we can laugh about our glowing bank statements together.
What are your best tricks for avoiding holiday overspending? Let me know in the comments!
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