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Not buying yourself anything can actually make you spend more. Treating yourself—when done with a plan—can help you stick to your financial goals instead of blowing money impulsively.
Start by setting clear rules: only reward yourself after reaching a specific goal, whether that’s hitting an emergency fund target, paying off debt, or another milestone. Don’t justify spontaneous purchases with “I deserve this.” Promise yourself a specific reward ahead of time so extra cash won’t turn into impulsive buys.
Choose rewards that genuinely motivate you. Small, meaningful purchases can be better incentives than big, impractical ones. For example, buying a $30 bracelet after paying down $500 of student loans can feel like a meaningful marker of progress. Avoid rewards that create new ongoing expenses—don’t use a one-time savings win to justify a new car that will add monthly costs. Instead, consider splitting the reward: put some money toward a new-car fund and use the rest for a smaller treat.
Keep rewards reasonable and infrequent. Instead of a small gift every time you save $100, save rewards for larger milestones like $500 or $1,000, or even finishing a major debt. If you regularly eat out, try skipping restaurants for a month and put those savings toward debt; then enjoy one special dinner at the end of the month.
Using planned rewards helps curb impulse spending and makes the treats you do get more satisfying.
