Thinking before spending

Sometimes spending less money is all about becoming more aware of how cash leaves your wallet every day. Whether it’s going toward indulgences like restaurant dinners out or necessities like rent, sometimes it pays — literally — to become a bit more mindful about your spending habits. These ideas from U.S. News Frugal Shopper blog contributors can help you do just that.

Organize what you have.

If you don’t know the items you already own, then you can end up buying double. That’s why Kendal Perez, spokeswoman for CouponSherpa.com, suggests first tackling organization around the home. Get rid of what you no longer need so you can see what’s in your closets and cupboards.

Reward yourself.

Karen Cordaway, who writes about saving money on her website, MoneySavingEnthusiast.com, suggests giving yourself rewards once you make better money choices. That way, you positively reinforce the behavior and make it more likely that it will turn into a permanent habit. If you put more money into your savings account, for example, then take a bubble bath.

Use cash.

Cordaway also suggests carrying cash instead of credit cards because it helps make you more aware of your spending. If you tend to make large purchases with plastic, then handling cash instead can help slow down that spending roll. Withdraw a certain dollar amount from the ATM on a regular basis, and stay within that limit, she suggests.

Get a little help from your friends.

The companies and money experts that you follow on social media can help you save real money, says Jon Lal, founder and CEO of the coupons and cash back website BeFrugal.com. He suggests following stores and restaurants you frequent to stay aware of upcoming sales and plan your shopping around the best discounts.

Spend time shopping around.

Check competitors’ prices, and make a phone call to ask for a better deal, suggests Jim Wang, founder of Wallet Hacks, a personal finance blog. Getting a handle on the competitive rates for things like cable or phone service helps make you a stronger negotiator and can reduce your monthly bills.

Reflect on your values.

Being a more mindful spender also comes down to making sure your spending reflects your values, Wang says. “If you’re spending on things that aren’t bringing you happiness, then you should cut those expenses out,” he advises.

Pay attention to maintenance costs.

While it might seem like auto repair expenses are inevitable — and to some degree, they are — you can actually negotiate on many maintenance costs, says John Schmoll, founder of the finance blog Frugal Rules. Instead of turning a blind eye to those recurring expenses, he recommends paying attention to them and negotiating lower rates.

Skip TV.

By ending your TV habit, you can finally cut cable and spend that time doing something else instead, Cordaway suggests. She points out that the average American watches five hours daily. If you can’t give it up altogether, then at least consider downgrading and cutting back on premium service.

Review your spending regularly.

You have probably heard this one before, but Lal emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing where your money is going. You might have daily, weekly and monthly costs that you are not aware of or have forgotten about. Perhaps you can cancel a subscription service or two.

Get healthy, too.

Creating healthy and frugal exercise and eating habits can ultimately help you reduce health care costs, not to mention miss fewer days of work due to illness. Lauren Greutman, who writes about frugal living at her website iamthatlady.com, suggests committing to both goals of living frugally and healthy and making steady progress on both fronts throughout the year.

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12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender originally appeared on usnews.com