Making Plans to Succeed

Prime Day/s is/are upon on us and it got me thinking.  Events like this and Black Friday and what not tend to break the best laid plans, well not really.  In theory they do until we realize that we never made plans to succeed.  We just said, "I'm not spending anything right now" and left it at that.  

I remember once in college listening to a group of people moan about how much they had spent during Black Friday.  One lady, very proudly, proclaimed that she spent so much she wasn't sure if she could even afford top ramen for the rest of the month.  And then a bit more quietly said, she was seriously worried what she would eat.  I was a bit shook.  

So if savings or budgeting goals are on your list right now, let's use Prime Day/s as a test run.  Will you be spending anything?  

No?  Ok, but what if...  What if it's the thing you've been contemplating for so long...  What if your favorite influencer says it's a must have...  What if it's on super sale?

Here is what I have found useful in the past:

1. I'm not spending any money
1. Take a social media fast heading into and through the sales
2. Create a reminder why your savings or budgeting goals are more important
3. Think of a time that you broke your budgeting goals for that MUST HAVE that you now realize wasn't a must have at all
2. I'm spending a set amount of money
1. Have a list of what you are purchasing and the max price you are willing to pay
2. Have a countdown sheet of how much you are spending and how much is left
3. Once you've spent all your money go to step #1
3. I am buying a set amount of things
1. For instance, this might be upcoming gifts for birthdays or events 
2. Have your spending limit
3. Have your list of those things or purchases for those events
1. It might look like
1. Bob's birthday $20
2. Anne's wedding $30
4. Once you have finished your list (and finishing your list isn't a requirement) go back to #1

Have your plan in place.  Have a reason why your plan is important. Set how you will feel if you succeed.  Maybe even consider how you will feel if you don't succeed.  Negative motivation can be a powerful tool.

After the event, evaluate how you did and what you would do differently next time.  And tell us all about it.  Sharing experiences helps us all!