Insulate Your Inbox from Temptations to Spend

by Robin

Impulse purchases are often what keep many people from reaching their financial goals.   It was a problem for us for more years than we'd like to admit.  I've written before about our Pocket Money strategy for limiting our personal impulse buying (and limiting squabbles about each others purchases).  That system works incredibly well for us.


But what about when that temptation comes digitally?  How about when a click or two equals unplanned spending and by-passes the limited cash in our wallets?


Recently, I wrote about my newest strategy to combat temptation.  I've insulated my inbox from temptations to spend.  Over at The Loop I've outlined how you can use this tactic, too.


Here's an excerpt:

"In all the years we’ve been working towards our goals, I haven’t gone strolling the malls, torturing myself with new gadgets and get-ups that don’t fit with our goals. I am smart enough to avoid temptation and stay out of the malls.

So why am I bringing the mall to my inbox? Why am I letting those spending temptations into my house and at my fingertips? It was time for an inbox intervention."

Another bonus to my strategy is keeping my inbox organized and current.  Every month or so I dump out the folder and save myself from reading (and dealing with) hundreds of emails that were cluttering my account.  (If this sentence made no sense to you, head to article and it will become crystal.)


Do you have a strategy to limit impulse spending?  Please share below!