3 Tips to STOP Overspending and Self-Sabotaging Your Money

Because in 2025 we are not buying sh*t we don't need!!

Author

Michela Allocca
March 11, 2025

In partnership with

☘️ Happy Daylight Savings!!! WE MADE IT!!! It’s insane how the extra hour changes your life especially coming out of a dark winter. Even though it literally snowed in Chicago this weekend…. it’s giving spring. I’ll take what I can get!

🚨 My new FI/RE template is coming out so soon, and if you want to calculate your FI/RE numbers, you need to know your current numbers first. Check out the Basic Budgeting Template and prep your money for some future planning!!

💸 Interested in lifestyle content? Come join me over on my personal instagram, @michela_alloccaa !! I’d love to have ya ❤️ 

MONEY
3 Tactical Tips to STOP Overspending and Self-Sabotaging Your Finances

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by social media culture encouraging you to shop 🙋🏼‍♀️ Because SAME!!

At the end of 2024, when I looked at my shopping spend for the year, I was embarrassed. Not because I felt like I shopped too much - but because the number was really high and I don’t feel like I had anything to show for it.

WHAT did I spend that money on? I couldn’t tell you. And even though relative to my income it was OK, it still counts as overspending.

The typical definition of overspending is spending more than you have and incurring debt.

But it can also be:

  • Spending money at the expense of your financial goals

  • Spending money against your own good

So if you feel like you’ve been spending more money than you really WANT to be, you are likely overspending even if you’re not in the negative.

Today, I am going to share 3 tactical tips to implement right away to stop overspending!! If you enjoy this newsletter and want to hear more, check out this podcast episode and this youtube video!

1️⃣  Identify Your Spending Triggers

All spending decisions are emotional at their core and are usually a result of one of 3 triggers:

  • Emotional escapism: using shopping to avoid feeling an emotion

  • Aspirational shopping: thinking that a purchase will make your life look like what you see online

  • Habit: unintentionally training yourself to buy when you see something you like

To address this, you need to start paying attention to how you feel and the circumstances when you find yourself shopping or browsing online. I recommend you start a Note in the Notes App on your phone and write down how you’re feeling and what is happening in your life the next time you shop!

Which trigger do you identify with the most?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

2️⃣ Consider a Dopamine Fast

A dopamine fast is a period of time where you stop shopping all together. The goal is to break down and re-wire your neurological pathways to stop associating shopping with satisfaction.

This would also be considered a No Buy - which historically I am against - however in extreme cases where you really need to break a habit and for a defined period of time, it’s OK.

I did one in January (for clothes only) and found it really helpful in breaking the urge and desire to buy things for no true reason.

To do a dopamine fast, here’s what you need to do:

  • Define your time period: 2 weeks to a month should be fine!

  • Create a progress tracking system

  • Set a reward (non-shopping related) for the end!

3️⃣ Create Friction in the Buying Process

Buying stuff has become way too easy, and we have lost our ability to be rational and have a compelling reason to actually buy something.

To slow the buying process down, you have to create FRICTION!! Here are a few ideas:

  • Delete your credit card info from your computer and phone

  • Unsubscribe from shopping emails

  • Unfollow influencers who only post shopping content

  • Follow the 48 hour rule

  • Create an impulse list

And most importantly - track your expenses!! Tracking your expenses is essential for holding yourself accountable. If you have a shopping habit you want to nip in the bud - tracking your expenses will do it. It’s uncomfortable but extremely eye-opening!

You can track your expenses using The Personal Finance Dashboard or the Basic Budgeting Template!

Tackle Your Credit Card Debt With 0% Interest Until Nearly 2027 AND Earn 5% Cash Back

Some credit cards can help you get out of debt faster with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. Transfer your balance, pay it down interest-free, and save money. FinanceBuzz reviewed top cards and found the best options—one even offers 0% APR into 2027 + 5% cash back!

WEEKLY RECOMMENDATION
Overcoming Overspending

Paige joined me on my podcast a few weeks back and she spit some amazing tips related to spending, self-sabotage, and the psychology of shopping. She is coming out with a book next year, but in the meantime, I highly recommend giving this episode a listen!!

RESOURCES
What’s Happening This Week at Break Your Budget

  • This week on Don’t Depend on Daddy: I am sharing my Dopamine Menu!! This is such a fun concept and a great way to think about adding some smaller joys into your life as we head into a new season.

  • My Weekly Money Routine: You know I recommend a weekly money routine - but specifically what do I do? This video breaks it down step by step, in detail, and I share my numbers too!

LOOKING FOR MORE?
Check out ALL of my Money & Career Resources!

xoxo,

Michela