Could it really be possible to talk yourself out of debt? Can getting out of debt really be that easy?
Actually, no, I don’t believe it is.
Getting out of debt is not as easy as talking to yourself using the right words. You have to take action as well.
Even the bible says “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty”- Proverbs 14:23
The Right Self Talk Helps
But using the right kind of self talk can get you into the right mindset to change habits and get out of debt for good.
When you are in the habit of using loans, credit cards, and other consumer debt to finance your life, it’s way too easy to use self-sabotage talk such as these common phrases (I’ve been known to use a few of these in the past):
- Everyone else has one
- It’s on sale!
- I deserve it
- There’s only one left, It will be gone if I don’t buy it now
- You’ve had a tough day, buying this will make it better
But when you actively counteract these scripts that are so easy to believe, then you can start seriously changing your mindset about your debt and how you spend money on a daily basis.
Change Your Old Scripts to New Ones
You can change all those old counterproductive scripts to new ones by catching yourself in the act when using self talk that leads to spending too much, then fight back using new scripts that cause you to change your old habits into new ones that are healthier and wiser.
Here are some old scripts, along with their replacements:
Old Script: “It’s been a hard day, this will make it better!”
New Script: “There’s a much better way to wipe away a bad day”
Buying something you like CAN make you feel better, but only for a very short amount of time. It works just like a mood altering drug, it makes you feel better temporarily, but when you come down off that high, you need to come back for more.
Develop healthier ways to deal with a bad day, such as prayer, exercise, yoga, or even reading a good book.
Old Script: “Go ahead, you deserve it!”
New Script: “You work hard for your money, can you pay for this with cash without feeling guilty?”
There’s definitely nothing wrong with rewarding yourself every once in a while, but if it adds to a huge mountain of debt that’s already stressing you out, all you’re doing is just adding more stress to your life.
Old Script: “It’s on sale!”
New Script: “Is this something I need? Did I come here to buy this?”
Many purchases happen because the store entices you with a sale price. Never mind that you actually went to the store to buy something else.
And when you pay for it with a credit card, you’ll likely end up paying more than the regular price once you figure in interest and fees on that credit card balance you’ve been carrying. You might be paying for that item for months or years to come.
Plan your spending using a budget, and only buy what was on your list before you came to the store.
Old Script: “Everyone else has it”
New Script: “I can have one too, but I’ll save up for it first”
As human beings, we’re geared to fit in. It’s just the way our brains work. But when you spend more than you have to buy the brand new Lexus or your 3rd Iphone in 2 years means you eventually end up losing financially.
Trying to fit in at the expense of your finances never bodes well for your future.
Old Script: “There’s only one left, I have to buy it now or it’ll be gone”
New Script: “I’ll be able to find another one when I have the cash to pay for it”
It’s way too easy to talk yourself into a scarcity mentality.
But here’s the deal, if you can find one of something, you can find more if you look in the right place (Amazon, Ebay, etc.).
Never talk yourself into buying things on credit because you think you’ll never find another one.
Learn to develop an abundance mentality and understand that you’ll always be able to find what you need, when you need it.
Revolutionize Your Financial Life!
Learning how to develop newer, better scripts for self-talk will revolutionize your financial life! When you can effectively counteract those counterproductive thoughts that keep you from succeeding financially, you’ll finally be able to change your mindset and your money habits forever.
Question: Do you have any self talk habits that keep you from succeeding? Leave a comment and tell me about it
“Learn to develop an abundance mentality . . .” I like that bit of advice! Strange that it takes a paradigm shift to adopt such a mentality when we are so fortunate – but it does. Conscious spending is so crucial, and the more aware we are of the scripts that subconsciously play in our heads, the more power we have to change those scripts.
I know, it’s amazing that we live in the most prosperous country in history, but it’s still easy to have a poverty mentality instead of one of abundance. You gotta be able to get into your own head and spirit and change some things around before you can change things on the outside.
It is so easy to make these mistakes you mention in your post. What a great idea to re-write the script and help you avoid future debt.
I simply say, “you don’t need it.” I do that with certain food items too. 🙂 I have had way too many moments of buyer’s remorse in the past because it satisfied a temporary need.
It’s amazing how many things you don’t “need” if you just convince yourself that you don’t really need it. All we really need is food, shelter, and the bare essentials of survival. Everything else is extra.