Hi, my name is Kim and I am an impulse buyer. Once someone in my family says they “need” something, I go to work finding it online.

I also subscribe to many sites that offer me deals for a limited time or because I am a preferred customer. Add the words rewards or cash back and it’s over.

Here are a few steps I have done to help with my problem:

1. I have unsubscribed to many site mailing lists. I know where to find them if I need them.

2. I am only allowing an item in if one leaves (or two or three…).

3. I am waiting 24 hours in all online purchases, 48 hours if it came from an email.

4. I have developed a budget for these items as well as a list of things we need like sneakers for kid #4.

Hopefully these few rules will keep me on track this year.

What are your impulse buys? How you you avoid them? Drop your tips here. I could use them.

In my attempt to “find” money in the budget, I spent about 30 minutes and I was able to save a bit of money.  Because this was so “easy”, I plan to do a deep dive later this week and really see what I can squeeze out of our spending.

Here is what I did:

I cancelled a subscription box ($44.95/month).  I loved the service and the box, but I am on  mission.  Total savings $539.40.

I also cancelled another recurring charge of almost $100 a month (I missed the fee for January).  This saves me $1100 a year.

In the coming weeks I will be evaluating Hoopla for audiobooks and see if I can cancel Audible (another $15/month) as well as heading to the Resale shop and selling some stuff online.

What are some ways you are saving money in your budget?

January is a natural reboot. Everyone everywhere is making a list of the things that have done, want to do and wish they could do. I do it too. Here is the thing that has smacked me in the face this year.

My list has been more or less the same for 20 + years.

Here are the basics more or less:

Loss 20 (30, 40) pounds and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Payoff all debt, get a budget and live within it.

Organize the house. Create an inviting space for me and my family.

Create an outlet for me: business and personal.

Make my marriage and family life a priority.

On this first weekend of the new year I am working on a plan to make sure some of these come off my list this year. In future posts, I will drill down on my plans, hold myself accountable, and make sure this is the last year some of these are on the list.

What are your goals for 2019?

Let’s hold each other accountable.

~Kim