Are Impulse Purchases Wrecking Your Finances?

[@mamasquid1401]

That is so beautiful what you said about guilt and powerlessness, I teared up a little. I've been using YNAB since, oh, 2007? The last couple of months my impulse spending has gone crazy. I don't really understand why, and the irony is I've been spending money on stuff for my new Buddhist shrine, you know, the guy who talked about letting go of attachments? It's so bizarre, and I have been feeling guilty about it. Our finances took a hit this year because of my son's ongoing medical expenses and we are losing savings right now (investments are secure so not major trouble, but also not the time to buy every kind of candle like I want to) and we haven't been able to put anything in discretionary for several months so my discretionary income is almost nothing. It's like I've become a rebellious teenager about the reality of our current financial situation. Your podcast made me realize there are some categories I've always assumed are necessary because I've been using them for so long, but actually I do have choices. Do I really need to stash that much money for the holidays? So off to revisit my budget. Seriously, this was a very impactful episode, I greatly appreciate it. And that donation win is 100% #goals.

[@YNABofficial]

Much love MamaSquid! ❤️ ~Ernie

[@lolimahoney9371]

Don't go overboard with stuff. Go overboard with taking photos of your family gatherings. I sent my kids flying out the nest several years ago & what I cherish most are the photos of us together.

[@williamwarren9448]

Good comment ! Yes those family photos are in VALUABLE! Glenda

[@natashabrandstatter9724]

I have a category in my budget called Impulse Buys. Some of my favorite purchases have been completely impulsive! Now I can make them without worrying about what category they fit into and whether or not I’ll need to WAM

[@YNABofficial]

Love it! Planned spontaneity, right there! ~BenB

[@ering7733]

Eating out is my #1 impulse because I'm usually exhausted after work

[@1esk192]

I think one of the last points is so important, that YNAB allows you to focus on the bigger picture and because of that rolling with the punches gets so stress free. That's why I love the snooze feature exists. All my important categories are growing and protected (savings, yearly expenses) and with the rest I don't really jeopardize anything. So I don't need a reminder. End of last year was when I started to truly use YNAB as intended and it has made a world of a difference.

[@mscandyclash]

YNAB Win: I made a big cross country move and didn't need to go into debt for it. Started YNAB a little over a year ago, was totally overspending, in debt, and knew I wanted to make this move. Made a goal to pay off the debt AND save for the move to move debt free. Having those big goals really makes it more concrete what you are not overspending for. Now that I don't have a big goal, I have some more flexibility in my budget, but a lot of those overspending habits are built in now :)

[@brittanybouchez3490]

Really great episode and I’m glad you covered on the eating out category. I’ve been practicing more to look at my available balance in that category before making the decision to to order something. Even if it means making breakfast for dinner at home or boxed Mac and cheese, it’s still a win!

[@YNABofficial]

Honestly, breakfast for dinner is often better than soggy fries you order from DoorDash. 😂 ~BenB

[@kme06d]

For me, "fomo spending" is more about missing out on sales. Companies really lean into it by the urgent language "last chance!", "this weekend only!". The friend outings or kid activities you guys are referring to don't strike me as "fomo". Spending on experiences are usually always worth it. I don't imagine anyone will say "I really wish I never did x experience", but they will say "I wish I never bought x item." The lines can be blurred a bit by buying stuff while enjoying those experiences, but that can be curtailed.

[@growingbrainsjunkine]

Another comforting and friendly bit of encouragement.. also Hello Nerdfighter YNABer!

[@JasonAmir-qo4uo]

Managing money is different from accumulating wealth, and the lack of investment education in schools may explain why people struggle to maintain their financial gains. The examples you provided are relevant, and I personally benefited from the market crisis, as I embrace challenging times while others tend to avoid them. Well, at least my advisor does too, jokingly.

[@julesjones9493]

Plan your spontaneity 😂🎉

[@mandythemechanic9206]

Just speaking on the FOMO, when your favorite band comes to town seemingly suddenly but you didn't budget for it.

[@ksk881]

It takes my brothe six months to decide whether ir not to buy a fishing lure. I, on the other hand, can decide to buy a fishing BOAT in an hour! Im exaggerating a bit, but you get the picture.

[@unruellie]

That’s me and my husband😂 it’s a balance right??? 🥴

[@reginamecco2915]

Be INTENTIONAL and CONSCIOUS. When I stay present (and this is in process for me right now) as I shop I really enjoy the experience. I think enjoyment is important and for me leads to gratitude (to God) for everything in my life.❤

[@davecomstock4023]

Hey Ernie, what model printer is it that you got? Sounds like a good one, please share a link if you don't mind! Thanks!

[@YNABofficial]

The ET-3760! ~Ernie

[@elizabethgadsby9641]

Before YNAB, I would take the money left in my budget after bills and savings and mostly spend that impulsively. After YNAB, I identify categories which I ever have impulsive spending in and have a target balance to maintain. This leaves me to spend impulsively with the only limitation being the category balance or how much I'm willing to move from another category. Somehow, I rarely empty those categories. Possibly because I like seeing how much is available and thus am tempted to buy impulsively less often now.

[@elizabeth1234..]

Every year my friends and I have 'The Talk' which is to discuss how much we want to spend on birthdays and Christmas Then we budget accordingly and if there is any issues later on we let the other party know so they can decide if they want to decrease the budget to match accordingly. We also never go over but can go under. But my favorite bit is that we share a Google sheets with a wish list of things we wouldn't mind gifted to us within that budget. Otherwise we budget $100 for Christmas and birthdays each every month.

[@KitsuneMiko383]

The Epson EcoTank printers are the best! Also, I have issues with impulse control because of ADHD, so when I have _any_ excuse I end up spending a *TON* on stupid little purchases that I regret later. But my impulses are mostly food, so I can't return it. _Anything you return to the grocery store is likely to end up in the return to manufacturer trash bin, called shrink!_ It's a huge waste. But on the other hand, I don't have any holiday spending. Just a ton of debt I'm hoping to knock out soon.

[@terpinator24]

Uggghh! This area has always been my downfall: I either five-and-dime us to death or an appliance or vehicle needs help when I'm not ready! I appreciate how YNAB is set up so I can roll with the punches in a natural way. It really does help me to feel like my budget is something I can work on and develop over time...kinda the way I care for my home. My home needs frequent bits of cleaning and organizing each day, but occasionally needs repaired, reorganized or remodeled to better fit our family's needs. My budget now does that for me. ❤🎉❤

[@Tiredmum]

It's an ecotank printer. I have a home ed category funded for one but waiting for old printer to poop out first

[@alexisdumire5634]

FOMO: If I don't buy this thing right now, I'll miss out on this epic deal!! Or, If I don't do this now, I won't have an opportunity again (or again for a long time) - for instance, a membership program that's only open enrollment once a year for a limited time.

[@richbarrett]

I love how you guys talk about giving to your church as a priority in your family finances. If you are a follower of Jesus, this is one way to show it!

[@dianna.l.s.71]

Opposite in Aus - go to shopping centres for air con and cold drinks 😂

[@magyodorferarnell]

Hi my ynab nerd buddies. Im new to budgeting and ynab is my brain candy - I admittedly am an addict 😂

[@magyodorferarnell]

Hi nerds extraordinaire, would you please do a KZbin on the inspector and how to use it? The does and don’ts and and how you too use it for your own YNAB budgets You two are hilarious, real and such brainiacs

[@magyodorferarnell]

Hi YNAB Nerd Buddies. Could someone please do a KZbin on the sidebar? I think you guys call it the professor, and explain all the functions? In particular the assigned reset and the available reset buttons. Thanks a bunch🎉

[@YNABofficial]

Thanks for the topic suggestion! Right now we do have this article that explains all those Auto-Assign options in the Inspector support.ynab.com/en_us/auto-assign-a-guide-r1gBNbBJo ~Ernie

[@williamwarren9448]

So confession time … plumber had to come out for a repair ( ouch ) and he had posted on our neighborhood blog about how our tankless water heater needs to be flushed annually ( I have not done this is 5 years ) so I say “ yeah why NOT “ then he says “ WHAT? You don’t have a water softener ????? You NEED a water softener !!!! Ummmmmmm. Impulse ? 2350 later ???? I paid cash ? So does it count ? Glenda

[@James_Lloyd]

this would be a true expense in my opinion. you may categorise it as emergency but not impulse, but really this should come out of a general house repair/maintainence budget

[@williamwarren9448]

Toner ink ? Isn’t that what Amazon was invented for ? Glenda

[@octarinecx]

This episode called me out lol

[@ctkellydevi]

Oh no, just in time for black friday sales! 🫣

[@YNABofficial]

Haha, the timing might have been intentional. 😉 ~BenB