Can’t Save Money? Maybe You’re an Impulse Buyer. Here’s How to Stop It

Illustration by the author

Ways to save money is one of the biggest topics in the personal finance world. The problem with saving money is that it’s always between “I want” and “I need.”

If like me, you’ve been struggling with saving money for years, even though you have a decent salary, then you know how frustrating it is to see almost the same amount of money in your bank account. From month to month. It feels like you’re in perpetual financial purgatory–you have enough money to eat well, have hobbies, and travel once a year, but you still can’t say that your finances are in order.

Separating wants from needs

One of the biggest challenges in managing your budget is learning to separate wants from needs. Want-based consumption is one of the pinnacles of modern consumer culture that dictates our behavior in a world where shopping is often just another activity you do on your phone.

The accessibility of online shopping, ads on every corner, and targeted marketing campaigns turn many people into impulse buyers. You see something on display in the store or on sale on Amazon, and the next moment it’s already in your cart, and you rush to the cashier to pay for the thing before you change your mind. You don’t even question your buying decisions. You just buy…