I need an app that tells me off when I want to spend money

[Financialgripes]

Does such a thing exist? So when I get the urge to go on Amazon or vinted I can do something else like virtual shopping instead of actual shopping. I need the equivalent to a nicotine patch but for spending. Do I need to invent one?

No I recently learned I probably have ADHD (I have self diagnosed myself lol until I figure out how to get a formal diagnosis) which fuelled my urge to spend and shop it’s something about a dopamine hit because my brain lacks it, ADHD is very common now and an app telling you to stop won’t stop you if you’re anything like me. the fact I shop too much is better than eating too much personally. I used to have an icecream/chocolate/etc addiction. If you buy anything get a visual planner for ADHD so you can go from one task to the next as you’re supposed to

No app but a little self control. As Martin Lewis would say - is it a want or a need?

I think you need to find something else to do - not online - when you get these urges. Make yourself wait before buying anything that isn't a necessity - often you will find the urge has gone or been replaced by another short-term desire.

I laughed when I saw your heading - it would be useful wouldn't it.

The best thing is to say you won't buy it until pay day or next week or tomorrow. Give yourself at least a 24 hour cooling off period before you buy. I sometimes have something in my basket for weeks before I finally buy it. However, that might not work if the retailer sends you nagging emails saying "you forgot to check out". So probably best just to ignore item and website for your designated cooling off period.

There are things you can do yourself to not make it too easy though, don’t register any cards with online shops so you have to input card details each time ( then hide your cards) don’t use Apple Pay or PayPal or any other such payment systems it makes spending too easy. Set up a direct debit so that when your wages go your bank account money gets transferred straight to a savings account. If you go real life shopping, most places still take cash so use cash not contactless cards. Basically time travel back a few decades to when you had to use cash for everything ( I can’t see cheques making a comeback) and you could only spend what you had it did help to keep to a budget. Oh and if you buy anything keep a record of it, seeing it written down somewhere should make you think, a bit like keeping a food diary when on a diet will you really eat as much chocolate if you have to write it down ( or buy as much chocolate in your case)

There are ways of blocking the sites full stop from your phone. I’ve deleted all the apps on my phone to make it a step harder to just go on and browse.

I use Monzo and move all my bill money into another pot that it pays bills from - and I move all food and shopping money for the month onto another card. I have a standing order that pops some in savings…

then… there’s a bit left on the pot. I can spend it or add more to pots for future fun. I have pots for self care - hairdressers, future spa days etc. Pots that are to cover the cost of Christmas and birthdays… pet costs..

basically whatever pennies are left I can spend. But I make sure I don’t buy immediately. I keep stuff in the basket for at least 24 hours and I check my cupboards to see if I already have it.

I’m after a lipstick I saw in Instagram last night. It’s french. It’s £30. www.violettefr.com/en-gb/products/bisou-balm-bonbon-coquelicot?variant=44396175851709

I’m now contemplating if I have something that will do the same job. Admittedly I have thrown in a heap of stuff from the website into the basket now. But I’m seeing if I already have it and can shop the look from my existing goodies. Or if I can find a cheaper U.K. alternative. I’ll get fed up in another day and move onto the next fad.

oh dear god I need the ‘don’t spend money’ app…

I also have ADHD and wonder if this is a factor of it?

and @Financialgripes make the god dang app.

Please.

I transfer money from my current account over to a savings account immediately when I get paid. That means that if it’s not in my current account, I can’t spend it.

I try that, I just transfer it back 😬

Have you got one that isn’t an instant transfer?

I cancelled my Amazon prime subscription for 6 months and saved absolutely loads. Managed to save up for Christmas and have reactivated it for Christmas shopping. I’ll cancel again in January.

I recommend cancelling Amazon Prime to anyone who finds it a little bit of a problem. For the most part, I noticed that going into town for the things I “ACTUALLY” needed quite fun and had more choice. Also prices weren’t that much different

I have now deleted the Vinted app and will see how I go for a week or so!

I blocked my cards from being used online which helped.
Then I did an "impulse control" thing where if I managed to resist, I pit the money I would have spent into a "pot" on my app. Saved about £180 in a month!
I think i probably have adhd, so try to manage it.
Now things stay in the "cart" for at least 24 hrs. After I bought a staple gun from amazon and can't remember why 🤣

Please do invent the app!

Don't store your card details on your phone.

Keep any cash you need in the house.

Then freeze the actual card in a Tupperware full of water, so you have to wait for it to defrost before making impulse purchases.

My motto is "Life's too short for bad coffee".

Unless the frivolous spending is plunging you into debt, don't worry about it.

I’ve just discovered the joy of a Wish List

When I feel the urge to splurge I go to John Lewis for example and have a lovely time choosing things for my wish list.

But it's about more than staying out of debt.

The OPs spending could be trapping her in a job or other situation she hates, she could have no security or resilience in case of job loss or illness or she could find she can't retire because she spent money she could have put in a pension on crap that didn't enhance her life satisfaction and a spending habit has the double effect of her needing more money to live on in retirement if she carries on like this.

Snoop?

Link it to your Accounts, set up budgets and then i believe it sends you alerts if you're about to go over budget. So at least you're aware at the time that your splurge pot is empty. Might help?

Two things that work for me:

1. Put things in the basket, but leave them. When you come back next time you probably won't feel you need them. You could even disconnect your credit card from the account.

2. List things for sale. It scratches the same itch of getting a bargain, looking at listings, and achieving something. But you get money, not spend it.

I deleted all the apps and made the websites forget my logins and passwords, so buying something actually means I need to remember the logins and input my card details.

My friend frequently fills her shopping basket with stuff online and the closes the browser before checking out. It gives her the rush of adding stuff to her basket without spending anything.

I opened a stocks and shares ISA instead of using an instant access saver where you can move money instantly with one one click. Getting money out of S&S ISA is considerably harder.

Hi there, I've come across an app that allows me to save items rather than just buying them straight away. That way I can think about whether I want to buy it. It also tells me if the item drops in price. I've found this a really good way to save money and still get that shopping buzz. App is free and is called Basket.

There is a fintech app called Cleo that does this!

How about finding other ways to get that shopping buzz? Choosing things to borrow from the library. Looking for recipes to cook in books or online. Choosing stocks to buy in a portfolio (a real one or paper trading on an app). I found the portfolio really worked for me - just £5 now and again, which also had the benefit of growing into a nice emergency fund.

Otherwise, definitely draw out cash for spending.

I don’t know of any apps like that, but could you get an old fashioned note book/pad and write down something like Why am I buying this / Why do I need this? Maybe column headers and write down what the item is then your answer.

If the answer is - because X is genuinely worn out/broken beyond repair then okay. If it’s - because I want it regardless of not having enough money- the answer is No.

That kind of thing.

My bank app messages me the minute I spend - usually shows lidl

I too have ADHD, Apsergers, and there are times when I feel the need to find something to buy. Im the sort that thinks I will crochet a blanket - then go and spend £200 on yarn which I don't need because I already have thousands of pounds worth here already ( seriously its not easy being me )

What I tend to do now, when the mood is on me, which is usually when there's crap happening about me that I cant control. is fill the baskets and walk away. Then a week or more will pass, the urge bites again, I go to spend, see all this crap I never ever really wanted already sat in the basket - delete the lot

Or, it the itch is so hard, I go to temu and buy a shit load of earrings which will turn my ears green after 2 or three wears, but at less then a quid a pair, it fills the urge without killing my bank account

Hi. what's a visual organiser? I've also realised I very likely have adhd though the length of time it takes to get a diagnosis is putting me off. I think I have burnout in my 40s due to undiagnosed adhd.