Whether you have a soft-drink addiction, are a sucker for new shoes or can’t resist the latest electronic gadget, getting a handle on your discretionary spending habits may be a worthy goal.

• Quit cold turkey – Effective for some, but it’s not for everyone. Try to avoid temptation. If you’re prone to online shopping, unsubscribe to email sales alerts.
• Reduce rather than remove – Set limits. Tell yourself that you will only spend $X per week/month/year on your craving.
• Talk to yourself – Before you give in to your bad spending habit, take 10 seconds to close your eyes, breathe deeply and remind yourself that the habit is a want, not a need.
• Go public with your goal – Tell people that you want to curb your spending habit. You will be creating a support network that can cheer you on and hold you accountable.

Learn more at Jul.HopeHealth.com.