How I Stopped Overspending and Started Sticking to My Budget
Keep reading this post to learn:
Why getting clear on your “why” makes all the difference
How I track my spending in a way that actually works for my brain
The 24-hour rule that changed my approach to shopping
For the longest time, I felt like I could set and achieve any goal—except when it came to budgeting.
I’d start every week with the intention of following my budget, only to cave the moment I saw a cute coffee mug or a book I had to have. I wasn’t putting my family into financial trouble, but I wasn’t stewarding our money well—and that was keeping us from working toward our bigger vision.
After hitting a breaking point, I knew I needed to make changes. Fast forward to today? I’ve stuck to my budget every week except one (and that one time was for Pilates equipment, so I’m calling it a win 😂).
If you struggle with overspending, here are the 5 things that helped me stop impulse shopping and actually honor my budget.
Step 01: Get Clear on Your Why & Put It in Front of Your Face
The biggest game-changer for me? Keeping my vision front and center.
For my family, our dream is to own a summer home in the mountains. We live in Florida, and the summer heat is brutal. Our goal is to have a place to escape during the hottest months while also renting it out when we’re not there.
But because that goal felt so far away, I wasn’t staying disciplined with our budget.
So I made a small but powerful change:
📌 I printed out a picture of a cabin, laminated it, and taped it to my laptop.
Every time I went to online shop, I saw that picture. It reminded me that every $20 impulse buy was money that could go toward our mountain home.
Within two weeks, I completely shifted my spending habits. I stopped viewing my budget as something restrictive and started seeing it as a tool to help me create our dream life.
If you struggle with overspending, ask yourself:
✔️ Why do I want to stick to my budget?
✔️ What is keeping me from sticking to it?
✔️ What can I do to remove that roadblock?
And if you’re a visual person like me, put a reminder of your goal somewhere you’ll see it often!
Step 02: Track Your Budget in a Way That Works for Your Brain
Just like with productivity tools, your budgeting system needs to work with your brain.
I’ve tried budgeting apps in the past, but they overwhelmed me. I needed something simple, tangible, and easy to track.
Here’s what finally clicked for me:
✏️ I track my daily spending in my planner. Each day, I write down what I spent—even if it’s $0 (which feels so good to write!).
📈 I total up my spending at the end of the week. This helps me see patterns and stay accountable.
💸 I added a "$0 Spend Day" to my habit tracker. Checking that box has become way more satisfying than impulse shopping.
If budgeting apps work for you—amazing! But if they don’t, try writing it down on paper to make it feel more real.
Step 03: Wait 24 Hours Before Buying Anything
Tbh, impulse buying was my biggest struggle when it came to money. If I saw something cute, I’d immediately hit "add to cart."
So I implemented the 24-hour rule.
Now, whenever I see something I want, I:
✔️ Add the link to a Wish List in Notion
✔️ Wait at least 24 hours before purchasing
✔️ Reevaluate the next day—do I actually need this?
Most of the time? The excitement fades, and I move on. And when I do buy something, it feels intentional instead of impulsive.
Plus, I noticed something unexpected—our recycling bin isn’t overflowing with Amazon boxes anymore! Less clutter, less waste, and more mindful spending.
Step 04: Find a Hobby That Keeps You Busy During Your Shopping Triggers
Sooo, I realized that my biggest shopping triggers happened at night. (Shoutout to self-awareness, am I right 😅)
Adam and I would be on the couch, I’d start scrolling, and before I knew it—I’d placed an order for something random.
So I found a hobby that keeps my hands busy instead of scrolling.
📲 Enter: iPad coloring. Now, instead of online shopping, I color on my iPad while we watch a show. It keeps me engaged and helps me unwind before bed.
Another example? When I was breastfeeding Everly, I noticed I was online shopping a lot during night feeds. So I started reading on my Kindle instead.
Think about when you tend to shop impulsively and find a way to replace that habit with something more fulfilling!
Step 05: Treating Budgeting as an Experiment
One of the biggest mindset shifts I made? I stopped being so hard on myself.
Instead of saying, “I’m terrible at budgeting,” I decided to approach it as an experiment.
✔️ I tried budgeting apps—but they didn’t work for me.
✔️ I experimented with tracking my spending on paper—and that did work.
✔️ Now, I’m testing a monthly free-spend budget vs. a weekly one to see what feels best.
Giving yourself permission to experiment takes the pressure off and helps you find a system that actually supports you.
So if you’re struggling with overspending, ask yourself:
✔️ Why do I want to stick to my budget?
✔️ What is keeping me from sticking to it?
✔️ What can I do to remove that roadblock?
Try different approaches, stay open-minded, and find what works for YOU.
Final Thoughts on Budgeting
If you’re struggling with overspending, I hope these tips help you like they helped me!
I’m still learning and growing in this area, but I’ve seen real progress by:
✔️ Keeping my why in front of me
✔️ Tracking my spending on paper
✔️ Waiting 24 hours before impulse purchases
✔️ Finding a hobby that replaces mindless scrolling
✔️ Treating budgeting as an experiment
And if you want to take control of your time and finances, check out The Peacefully Productive Planner™️—it’s my go-to for staying on top of my budget & daily habits. Grab yours here!
📲 Have you tried any of these budgeting tips? If so, let me know by screenshotting this post and sharing it on your IG stories! Tag me @jessmmassey and @hustlesanely so I can see and share too!
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GRAB A 2025 WEEKLY PEACEFULLY PRODUCTIVE PLANNER® BEFORE THEY’RE GONE!
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