How To Scale Back Stupid Spending In Your 20s

Figuring stuff out in your 20s is hard and personal finance in your 20s is no exception. There is so much information out there and money is a complex topic with so many different avenues. From investing to emergency funds to paycheck distribution and budeting – the list goes on and gets continually more overwhelming.

I was listening to The Mel Robbins Podcast the other day and saw an episode called “13 Things I Wish I Knew in My 20s.” As a woman in my early 20s, I couldn’t click play fast enough.

As I was listening I was nodding my head along. I was like “YES MEL! This totally describes my life.” Then she started talking about personal finances in your 20s, specifically how young adults should stop spending their money on stupid shit. I think I almost started crying I agreed with that statement so much.

Cause it’s true. 

Young adults, girlies in their 20s like me, we all spend money on stupid shit. I am 100% guilty of having purchased three different concealers within the span of the week just to see which hid my acne scars the best. I have leisurely gone to Target “just for fun” and walked out with an armful of clothes I didn’t need. I’m also guilty of eating out several times a week for no reason other than I don’t feel like cooking, I’ve felt insecure and bought five different dresses before an event… and the list goes on.

However, over the last few months, I have really tried to scale back my, as Mel describes it, “stupid shit” spending to get ahold of my personal finances in my 20s.

Here are some of the things I did to prevent unnecessary spending.

1. Stopped going to the store or mall just to go
2. Wrote things down before buying (like Mel describes in the podcast!)
3. Added things to my cart on Amazon without actually buying
4. Asked myself to come up with at least three instances or ways I would use my purchase
5. Created a budget for personal spending and stuck to it

Also, this podcast is one of my favorites and this particular episode is one I have listened to more than once. Here is the link, I highly recommend listening if you haven’t heard it!