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End Mindless Spending
Julie Murphy • Jul 30, 2014
What is your greatest addiction? It doesn’t have to be something illegal or severe like drugs or alcohol. It could be small things that add up, like the thousands of dollars of shoes or those four trips to Starbucks a day. Now I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with these things; little indulgences are one of life’s greatest pleasures. But when these small purchases and bigger splurges add up to financial trouble, that’s when things get tricky.
So what is it about spending that makes you feel so good? Why is swiping that credit card or the feel of money exchanging hands so exciting? Start thinking of your money – from your pay checks to your investments to your discretionary spending – as a cash flow that has energy. Your energy flows where your energy goes.
As your money flows from your bank account to your investments to savings to purchases to college funds, it also reflects where you are energetically. And not just in your life as a whole, but where you are in that moment of the day. Although it may not always seem like it, your energy at any given moment has an enormous impact on your spending. How often do you find yourself bored or upset or antsy and end up online shopping for hours to pass the time until you feel better? Probably more than you think.
Always keep in mind that you have control over how you feel. You are truly the guardian of what’s happening in your heart and head. No one can make you feel anything if you don’t allow them to. So when you feel the urge to spend after a rough day at the office or a fight with your significant other, take a moment and realize that dealing with the root of the issue – your feelings – is a better course of action than numbing how you feel with shiny new items.
Action step
In order to live your best life, you need to learn to temper those feelings of needing to spend on the things that don’t matter. Constantly purchasing items because it feels good – and not because they are necessary or a once-in-a-while splurge – is a set up for financial ruin. And for you to achieve the goals you have for yourself, you need to first get a handle on the aspects of your finances that make you feel out of control.
Spend the next few weeks writing down what you’re spending on and then why you bought that item. What were you feeling with you chose to purchase it? Happy? Sad? Discouraged? Bored? Be as specific as possible. After a few days or a week, you’ll begin to notice the patterns of your spending. If you spend when you’re disappointed about something that happened at work or when you’re feeling overwhelmed with a situation in your personal life. Be as thorough and honest as possible because once you recognize your patterns, you can take steps towards rewiring your actions to better reflect the life you truly desire.
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As life moves forward, it’s easy to let distractions pull your energy in too many directions. That’s why it’s crucial to regularly revisit your intentions. Are they still aligned with where you want to go? Take time to refocus. This might mean creating new financial goals or reaffirming old ones. By re-centering your intentions, you’re not only redirecting your energy—you’re also inviting the universe to step in and help you make those goals a reality. 4. The Universe Responds to Action We’ve all been there: thinking, dreaming, planning—but not doing. This is where the fourth spiritual law comes in as a loving nudge. The universe can only respond when you take action. What steps have you taken lately toward your financial goals? Even small actions—like setting up an automatic savings plan or looking into a new investment—send powerful signals to the universe that you’re serious about manifesting abundance. And the universe will respond! The more action you take, the more opportunities seem to “magically” appear. Remember, action doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, but be consistent. Every step you take builds momentum toward your goals. Why Reapplying the Laws Matters Life is full of changes. Your financial situation, goals, and even your mindset will evolve over time. That’s why it’s essential to revisit and reapply the 4 Spiritual Laws of Money regularly. They’re not static rules but a dynamic, flexible framework that grows with you. Think of these laws like a compass for your financial journey. Whenever you feel off track, return to them. When you’re uncertain about your next move, let them guide you. The more you use them, the more they’ll become a natural part of how you think and act around money. Embrace the Journey Remember, financial growth is a journey, not a destination. There will be twists, turns, and perhaps a few bumps along the way, but with the 4 Spiritual Laws of Money, you’re never lost. 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As someone who has guided countless clients toward true wealth, I know how crucial it is to build financial stability, especially in times like these. And that’s where my approach, outlined in my first book, "The Emotion Behind Money" , comes into play. In my work, I emphasize that wealth isn’t just about numbers—it's about what's happening inside you as much as what's happening around you. The Emotion Behind Money is all about building wealth from the inside out, which means bringing your authentic self to the forefront of your financial decisions. When your money is aligned with who you truly are, you create a foundation that can withstand even the most uncertain times. Feeling anxious about the future—whether it’s due to financial, economic, or inflation-related concerns—is a common experience. But often, that anxiety signals that your money isn’t set up in alignment with your authentic self. When this alignment is off, it’s easy to feel ungrounded and uncertain. I’ve seen this time and again in my work as a financial planner, and I’m here to help you shift from anxiety to assurance by realigning your financial life with who you really are. Let’s face it: the economic landscape is challenging right now. Inflation is driving up costs on essentials like gas, food, and education. Interest rates are climbing, and while wage growth might seem positive, it can have long-term consequences for the economy. It’s easy to get caught up in these concerns, but I believe there’s a better way to approach them. The Outside vs. The Inside When we think about wealth, we often focus on external factors: the stock market, interest rates, inflation, job security, and so on. These things are important, but they’re only part of the picture. What’s going on inside you—your beliefs, values, and emotions —plays an equally crucial role in your financial stability. If you’re feeling anxious about the future, it might be a sign that your finances aren’t fully aligned with your true self . When you’re not grounded in your financial decisions, it’s easy to feel out of control and overwhelmed by external events. But when your money is set up in a way that reflects who you are and what you value, you’ll find that you can navigate uncertainty with much more confidence and peace of mind. Creating Financial Space One of the most important steps you can take to create financial stability is to build financial space. This means having enough room in your budget to handle unexpected expenses, economic downturns, or other financial challenges without feeling panicked. Start by taking a close look at your current financial situation. Are there areas where you could reduce your debt? Are there expenses you could eliminate or cut back on? By making these adjustments, you can free up cash flow that can be redirected into savings or investments, creating a buffer that will protect you in times of uncertainty. I’ve created a Cashflow Worksheet to help you get started on this journey. You can download it here . Another crucial aspect of creating financial space is to avoid taking on unnecessary debt. For example, many people take out loans from their 401K accounts, thinking it’s a quick fix. But in the long run, this can lead to more financial stress. Instead, focus on building up your savings so that you have the cash on hand to cover unexpected expenses without resorting to credit cards or loans. Empower Your Choices A big part of building financial stability is recognizing that you have a choice in how you manage your money. It’s easy to feel like a victim of the system, especially when you’re facing financial pressure. But when you realize that you have the power to make decisions that align with your values and goals, you take control of your financial future. For example, instead of feeling like you "have to" use credit cards to cover expenses, reframe it as a choice. If you truly need to use credit, do so with intention and a plan to pay it off quickly. But if it’s possible to avoid it, choose to do so. This simple shift in mindset can make a huge difference in how you feel about your financial situation. Insulate Yourself from Economic Uncertainty We can’t control what’s happening in the global economy, but we can take steps to insulate ourselves from its effects. This starts with being proactive about your finances. By setting up your money in a way that aligns with your true self, you create a foundation that can weather any storm. Whether it’s building up your savings, reducing your debt, or making thoughtful financial choices, every step you take toward financial stability helps to create a sense of security. And that security isn’t just about having more money in the bank—it’s about knowing that you’re in control of your financial future, no matter what happens in the world around you.
Clear the path to prosperity by focusing on what truly serves your highest good in terms of wealth and well-being.