Anyone else spending way too much on random little things lately?

[LauraWilliam]

I feel like I’m losing track of my spending lately – not on big things, just loads of small “treat yourself” bits that add up fast 😅
A fancy coffee here, a new hand cream I definitely didn’t need, a scented candle because it “looked calming”... and suddenly my weekly budget is gone.
It’s not even like I’m shopping for big reasons – just little things to feel better when I’m tired or stressed.
Anyone else get into this cycle? How do you rein it in without feeling deprived?

You find something to give you that lift/boost that doesn't involve spending money. Something indulgent which for me is having time to myself - a bath / book / favourite film / time in nature / early night / lie in etc.

What about opening a stocks and shares isa and putting half the money you feel like spending in there and get the joy of watching your pot grow? I know this is a boring and sensible idea, maybe not what you’re after.

I use the YNAB app. Everything is divvied up into spending categories on payday and savings are transferred out of my current account on payday. Once a spending category is empty…it’s empty until next payday.

Defer buying the thing for a week. Nine times out of ten you'll no longer want it

I do think it's all about that little buzz I get buying something. I seemed to have developed a Vinted habit. I have curbed it at the start of July - I would get rid of the app, but I do sell on there too.
I work for a charity, and the threat of job losses is more in the air than it ever was, so I'm reducing myself and my spending. I need to have a proper look at the YNAB app, and find something else to satisfy the buzz of shopping!

Yes to all of this 🙌

I went for a walk round the park the other day – no errands, no shopping bags, no to-do list in my head.
Just me, the trees, and the occasional squirrel giving me side-eye 🐿️

Came home feeling like I’d done a full reset. It’s amazing how something that simple can feel so indulgent

Yes absolutely and it’s because too many things pop up on my phone tempting me .

Absolutely feel you on that — it’s like my phone knows exactly when I’m trying to save money 😩 One little notification and suddenly I’m deep into a “just browsing” spiral... and somehow there’s a parcel on the way. Glad I’m not the only one

Oh we’re absolutely bombarded by adverts online aren’t we. Start by making a list of these small wants and tot up their cost. See how much you ‘save’ by not buying them after a week, a month, a year!

How old are you & when do you want to retire / work less?

I can tell you that I wish I'd started saving those little bits of money years ago so that I would be in a better position now or at least have more options.

Future you will thank you 😊

I’m reading the no spend year. Lots of good ideas so far on cutting out these little treats without feeling deprived. Although reading it and doing it are two different things!

Absolutely. Little treats just weren't a thing when I was growing up. We had gifts for birthday and Christmas. I now feel that special events are no longer special because I buy treats all year round. It needs to change.