3 Simple Questions And 1 Powerful Phrase That Can Save You Thousands Of Your Hard-Earned Dollars!

Most of our purchases, whether it’s a nice dinner out, a new pair of shoes, or a flat-screen TV, aren’t made because we actually need the stuff...rnWe buy the majority of stuff, simply because we want to feel better. rnYou might shop for clothes to fill the void when you’re sad, buy the latest technology to feel more connected to your peers or buy a loved one a gift that you really can’t afford so you feel more significant or “successful”…but do you really need to spend that money? rnOne thing I’ve learned is that there’s always something bigger (or nowadays smaller), better, faster, more advanced, and overall cooler than what you just bought to remind you that although you’re successful…you’re not that successful or you’d be able to have that other thing instead! rnHere are 3 simple questions and 1 powerful phrase that can help you cut unnecessary spending and save thousands of dollars: 1. First ask yourself, “What is really motivating my wanting in this moment?” rnAre you shopping because you’re trying to avoid a feeling that you don’t like? rnAre you feeling unsatisfied in some area of your life and looking for a bit of instant gratification to feel better for a while? Are you feeling uncertain about something? Are you feeling insignificant and looking for something that will make you feel more important? Are you feeling unloved and hope that your purchase will get you more attention from someone? 2. Next ask yourself, “Will I really be happier down the road if I buy this?” rnWhen you find yourself drawn to buy something that is out of your price-range, stop and allow yourself to fully appreciate and celebrate the beauty, craftsmanship, innovation and quality of whatever it is that you want. rnImagine yourself enjoying it. Let yourself relish in the feeling as if it is already a done deal. Since the feeling of “having” is much different than “wanting”, by letting yourself associate with the feeling of “having” you flood your body with biochemicals that make you feel good. rnThen, step back for a moment and switch up the game. Imagine the potential pain that the purchase would cause you. Imagine the stress of having to pay off the debt, the number of extra hours you’ll have to work and the time spent away from friends and family to make the amount of money you’ll need for the purchase. rnWill what you have to give up to get the thing you want really be worth it? 3. Finally, ask yourself, “Will buying this really help me add value to other people’s lives in some way?” rnThe only way to stay happy is to continuously contribute to other people’s happiness. If what you want to buy isn’t really going to help you serve and uplift more people, then you might want to pass on it. A powerful phrase to curb your “wanting”: rnYears ago my wife and I realized that although we were making a ton of money, our spending was out of control because we always wanted more. So, we came up with a simple phrase that changed our financial life more than any book, CD or seminar that we’ve ever come across. rnWhen we found ourselves about to spend money on something that was beyond our means at the time, one of us intervened and chided the other in a fun, sarcastic and joking tone that “Once we buy it”… “Then we’ll be happy!” rnWe’d laugh at how self-absorbed we were being and immediately give thanks for how much we already have and how blessed we really are. We’ve used this phrase over and over throughout the years to save not just thousands, but literally hundreds of thousands of dollars on stuff that we really didn’t need! Dr. John Amaral DC is a wellness consultant, Network Spinal Analysis practitioner, speaker, trainer, author and owner of The Well Being Center in Santa Cruz, CA. He has worked hands-on with thousands of people from over 50 countries, including Tony Robbins and many other leaders. Visit him at www.wellbeingcenter.org or on Twitter: www.twitter.com/johnamaral