But even with the best intentions, it can be easy to fall off the budget wagon when you see something on sale.

After all, who doesn’t love a good deal?

However, it’s important to remember that just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need it. In fact, giving in to temptation can do more harm than good.

Let’s say you come across a pair of shoes that you’ve had your eye on for a while, and they’re on sale for $89, down from their regular price of $150. At first glance, it seems like a great deal – you’re saving $61!

But here is what really happened, instead of saving $61, you actually ended up spending $89. This means that the money used for that purchase came from another category in your budget that had already been designated for something else.

When you make an impulse purchase, you’re essentially stealing money from your future self. That $89 you spent on those shoes could have gone towards paying off debt or building up your emergency fund. Instead, you’ve spent it on something that you may not have needed or even wanted that badly. And if you keep making these impulse purchases, you’re setting yourself up for financial failure.

Furthermore, buying something on sale that wasn’t budgeted for means that you’re cheating on your budget.

Your budget is a plan you’ve set up to ensure that you’re living within your means and making progress toward your financial goals. If you start deviating from that plan every time you see a good deal, tracking your spending and staying on top of your finances becomes difficult. It’s the gateway to bad money habits.

So, how can you resist the temptation to splurge when you see something on sale?

One way is to ask yourself if you need the item.

Do you already have something similar in your wardrobe? You more than likely do.

Will it bring you long-term value, or is it something that you’ll use once and then forget about?

If you’re anything like me, your home is probably filled with countless relics of impulsive purchases from days gone by. Fortunately, my improved financial habits have ended those types of purchases, and they’re now a thing of the past.

Another strategy is to set aside a small amount of money in your budget each month for discretionary spending, but only once you are out of Baby Step Two.

I call this the Zero-Guilt Fund.

This fund should only be used for sale items. Don’t ever use it for anything else. Ever. Be firm. By having a set amount of money to work with, you can make informed decisions about what you want to spend your money on and avoid overspending.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need it.

By sticking to your budget and resisting the urge to make impulse purchases, you’ll be able to stay on track with your financial goals and build a better future for yourself.

So the next time you see something on sale, think twice before buying and consider whether it’s worth the investment. Your future self will thank you for it.

You can do this!

I believe in you.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” (Romans 13:8 NIV)

One of the greatest things about my job is meeting new people. Whether it’s a book signing or a live event, I get to talk with people from all walks of life and from every corner of the country. There’s nothing better than hearing their stories about getting out of debt and winning with money.

But over the years, I’ve discovered something… not everyone understands what “debt” really means. For example, I met a young college guy who told me how he was going to school debt-free. I was really excited—until he started explaining what “debt-free” meant to him.

“Well, I do have a few student loans,” he confessed. “But I don’t have any debt.”

As I gently shared with him that student loans definitely are debt, I was reminded once again that people don’t always speak the same language. That’s why I want to be really clear about how I define debt: It’s owing anything to anyone for any reason.

Credit cards? Debt. Car loans? Debt. Student loans? Debt.

It’s all debt. And it’s all stuff you need to get rid of if you’re going to love your life.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote about steering clear of every kind of debt. He said the only thing we should owe someone else is love. Beyond that, we need to be debt-free—really, truly debt-free!

Honestly, debt is full of lies. It tells you that you can have whatever you want whenever you want it, but then it steals your money and your peace of mind. It promises unlimited joy, but produces nothing but stress and frustration.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can change your habits by changing the way you think about debt. You can make some temporary—though possibly painful—changes right now that will let you live and give like no one else later.

By saying no in the moment, you’ll be saying yes to an awesome future and a life you can love.