13 Tricks That Can Help Control Discretionary Spending

by Andrea Norris-McKnight

Tricks To Control Discretionary Spending photo

Are sky-high prices squeezing your budget a bit too tightly, but you can’t stop spending? These tricks can help control unnecessary spending until your financial situation improves.

In an uncertain economy or when times are tough, it is essential to keep discretionary spending to a minimum — which is not easy for some of us to do.

What Is Discretionary Spending?

Any spending that is not essential (for a need) is considered discretionary. Discretionary purchases include things like streaming services, most clothing purchases, hobbies and vacations.

Think of it this way: discretionary spending is for wants. Yes, this includes the fun stuff in your budget. While there is nothing wrong with making discretionary purchases when your budget is in top shape, those discretionary purchases should be greatly reduced or eliminated when financial times get tough.

Tricks for Controlling Discretionary Spending

If you’re struggling with controlling discretionary spending right now, you may need a few tricks to help curb overspending. Not every tip you read will work for you. The key is determining which ones will.

See if any of the following tricks can help you control your discretionary spending or give you some ideas for coming up with your own tricks.

1. Stop and ask questions before you spend.

Sometimes, just taking a few minutes to ask yourself some simple questions can prevent spending. Try asking yourself the following the next time you’re feeling that urge to splurge:

How much better will this purchase make my life?
Is this item worth throwing my budget out of whack right now?
Can this purchase be postponed until the economy or my finances improve?

Come up with your own list of questions that might better help you hold on to your money rather than spend it.

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2. Delay the purchase.

Pick an interval of time you must wait before making any discretionary purchase. If after that time, say two weeks, you still really want the item, consider buying it.

Most of the time, the item loses its appeal after a few days. Wish lists are ideal for this purpose.

3. Keep a running list of discretionary purchases.

Every time you make a discretionary purchase, add it to a spending list and keep a running tally. Before making any additional discretionary purchases, peek at that grand total. Seeing it can make you think twice about adding to it with another purchase.

4. Give yourself a discretionary allowance.

Many people can’t give up discretionary spending completely, even for only a few weeks or months. If this is the case for you, build a discretionary allowance into your budget.

5. Determine how long you’ll have to work to pay for the purchase.

An effective way to limit spending for some is to figure out how many hours of work they’ll have to work to be able to pay for the “thing.” Putting a purchase in terms of work hours can often make it unappealing and not worth the time.

6. Unsubscribe from all of those retail sales newsletters.

Are you a sucker for an advertised good deal? Unsubscribe from all of those sales emails for a while. You will be less tempted to buy if you don’t know what is on sale.

7. Play “Would You Rather.”

Whenever you’re about to buy something, ask yourself, “Come tomorrow, would I rather have this item/service, or would I rather have the $12, $50, $100 still in my bank account.”

You may still treat yourself and splurge, but more often than not, you’ll hang on to your money.

8. Shop with a purpose.

When you get that shopping itch and have to scratch it, shop for deals on essentials or needs. This might include things you need or even gifts you’ll need to give to others over the next several months. You can satisfy that shopping urge and scratch a few things off your to-do list.

9. Skip those good deals (unless the deal is a need and you’ll need it soon).

A wise shopper knows that a deal is only a deal if you need the item now or soon. If you already have enough shampoo, canned tomatoes or some other item to last for several weeks, skip what you can buy later and save your money for some other necessary purchase that might come up.

10. Set a “no spend” period.

Challenge yourself to a no-spend day, week or month. Not only can a challenge help you spend less now, but it can also help you build a habit of controlling your spending.

11. Have a “spend day” once per week.

If the thought of not spending just makes you want to go out and shop, try permitting yourself to spend on a few small discretionary purchases one day per week. A little discretionary spending once per week is better than splurging whenever the urge hits you.

12. Stop shopping yourself happy without a spending limit.

Perhaps you understand the need to cheer yourself up by shopping. When this need strikes, take a set amount, maybe $10, and go to dollar stores or thrift stores. You likely will find it cheers you up as well as a big spending spree.

13. Consider ‘do I really need it.’

Sometimes, a need is not really a need. Perhaps you can find a substitute or go another week before you do.

Which Tricks Will You Use To Control Discretionary Spending?

Unless you naturally have the willpower to control your spending, using some tricks can help you keep your budget intact until the economy or your finances improve. You just might land on one or two that not only help you curb that urge to splurge right now when the budget is tight but that can help from here on out.

If you’re tired of pinching pennies:

Reviewed February 2024

About the Author

Andrea Norris-McKnight took over as the editor of The Dollar Stretcher and After 50 Finances after working under the site founder and previous editor for almost 15 years. She has also written for Money.com, GOBankingRates.com, HavenLife.com and The Sacramento Bee.