Warning: That 'spend less on coffee' advice almost broke my routine

I was at a budgeting seminar in Portland last October and the speaker went on about cutting out your daily latte. Everyone nodded along, but I've been getting a $2.50 drip coffee from a corner shop for ten years. That little routine keeps me on track for the rest of my spending because it's a predictable anchor. Has anyone else found that keeping a small, fixed cost actually helps you stay disciplined with the big stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

john_singh1d agoTop Commenter

Kept my gym membership for the same reason. Anchors work.

-1

wright.taylor1d ago

I canceled mine three times before I realized I needed to stay on the list just to keep the habit alive. @john_singh nailed it with the anchor idea, its like paying for a parking spot so you actually show up on time. I set a reminder on my phone for 6am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and thats my anchor to pack my bag the night before. Once that bag is by the door, the membership fee feels like a deposit on a win not a wasted expense. Does your anchor work best with a specific time or just the act of paying?