The Power of Radical Honesty in Controlling Impulse Buying
As I scrolled through an online bedding store, I found myself drawn to the more expensive options, justifying the cost with “quality comes first.” But then I stopped and asked myself, “Do I really need this?” The answer was no. I already had two sets of bed sheets in good condition. This was a classic case of lifestyle inflation.
Becoming Conscious of Our Spending Choices
I’ve been questioning my purchases for years, but I still find myself susceptible to buying things I don’t need. Recently, I listened to a podcast by The Minimalists, who advocate for living a meaningful life with less stuff and less complexity. They suggested changing three things to control impulse buying: physiology, language, and focus.
Changing Our Physiology and Language
By avoiding triggers of spending, such as going into stores, and changing our language, we can alter our focus. Instead of saying “I’m going to the store to get something,” say “I’m going out today to get further into debt.” This radical honesty helps us strip away excuses and justifications.
Practicing Radical Honesty
By replacing excuses with radical honesty, I’ve avoided unnecessary purchases worth thousands of dollars. Consider these statements:
- By opting out of pension contributions, I’m forcing my future self to make more and larger payments.
- By paying for this new outfit on credit, I’m paying more in interest and fees.
- By taking out a home loan to renovate, I’m putting myself into thousands of dollars of debt.
Reinforcing Positive Money Behavior
What if we used radical honesty to reinforce positive money behavior? By saving to pay for an item, I’m not paying interest. By contributing to my retirement today, I can retire earlier. By comparing prices, I can pay less for the same item.
Beyond Money: Applying Radical Honesty to Other Areas of Life
Thinking about radical honesty got me thinking about how I use other resources. I feel ashamed about the amount of plastic I use and the hours I’ve wasted on social media. But instead of beating myself up, I see it as an opportunity to be conscious of how my actions determine my outcomes.
The Benefits of Radical Honesty
Thanks to radical honesty, I’m more deliberate about my actions and spending choices. The next time I feel the urge to splurge, I’ll ignore the easy justification that I “deserve it” and replace it with a dose of radical honesty.
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