Want to feel a rush that’s a lot like the one you feel when you go shopping? Go for a run. Really! Exercise reduces stress, which is probably one of the triggers that makes you want to go shopping in the first place. The stress-busting effects of exercise last long after you leave the gym too, helping you build up resilience to those retail temptations.
Granted, exercise can eat up a substantial part of your budget if you belong to a pricey gym, participate in group classes, or subscribe to an online on-demand workout program. But if you’re not already paying for one of these things, focus on what you can do to get moving for free.
This strategy isn’t about getting buff or losing weight—it’s just about replacing an unhealthy habit (reducing stress by spending) with a healthier one (reducing stress by moving around). Find an inexpensive physical activity you enjoy and schedule it into your week at regular intervals. Before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to your workouts instead of looking forward to hitting the next big sale at the mall.