Several weeks into my brand-new budgeting commitment, and I’m excited to share my progress with you. As a neurodivergent millennial and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I know how crucial it is to build sturdy habits to ensure long-term success; keeping track of my spending was no exception. Thus, I painstakingly noted down each transaction, every slip of the credit card, every tap of Apple Pay, for the whole month of January.
True to form, I exceeded my anticipated budget by 10%- a definite ‘oops’ moment. However, before panic took over, I realized there was a silver lining. When contrasting my January spending with that of the same month last year, I’d actually reduced it by an impressive 80%! So while I didn’t exactly stay within my desired budget, I made significant steps towards financial mindfulness.
One thing I found incredibly beneficial was focusing on small, manageable changes. One area I targeted was dining – cutting back on restaurant meals and delivery services. Where I used to lean on Uber Eats for that quick pizza fix, I started opting for store-bought pizzas instead. A simple run to the grocery store provided a meal that was 67% cheaper than its delivered counterpart, a small change with a sizable difference.
But there are umpteen other ways to make a dent in your monthly budget. An innovative app I came across is Flipp, which brings all local flyers, deals, coupons, and savings to your fingertips. It’s an ingenious way to compare prices and find the best local deals without wasting time or paper. I’ve saved extensively on groceries, clothing, and even electronics. The euphoria of securing a great deal also delivers that much-needed dopamine hit, ensuring budgeting doesn’t have to mean full-blown deprivation.
This journey of budgeting is as much about financial management as it is about training executive functioning, including self-control and cognitive flexibility. Targeting specific behavioral changes, like limiting food delivery, challenged my propensity for routine, triggering my need for flexible thinking. Whilst tools like Flipp enhanced planning and decision-making skills by prompting me to plan purchases and look for deals.
Teaming executive functioning training with that feel-good dopamine rush adds a fun spin on money management. It’s not just about restricting ourselves; it’s about finding new, creative ways to get what we want in a more financially friendly manner. It’s about indulging in a store-bought pizza, savoring the thrill of securing a great deal, and the pleasure of watching our saving pool grow.
These are some of the strategies that are not only helping me be more conscious of my financial habits but are also adding a fun spin to the process. So to all my counterparts working on their financial journey, remember, it’s the little things that count. Every dollar saved, every new habit formed is a step towards a more financially sound and dopamine-driven future. Here’s to our journey together!