I grew up with a very practical view of money. My parents stretched what we had, and I learned early that small choices add up.

Now I live in São Paulo with my husband and our little girl, and money planning is part of our everyday rhythm.

We don’t always get it perfect. Still, I’ve noticed certain shopping patterns that keep people stuck living from paycheck to paycheck.

If you see yourself in any of these, take a breath. None of this is about shame. It’s about seeing clearly so you can choose differently next time.

1. Buying in small, frequent bursts

Do you “just pop in” to the store a few times a week? I used to do that on the morning stroller walk after dropping my husband at work.

It feels harmless, but frequent top-ups usually mean higher per-unit prices and more impulse items. The brain treats every mini trip like a new decision, which drains willpower.

What helped me was a simple weekly list. I still buy fresh produce midweek because Brazil’s markets are amazing, but the list slows me down and keeps me from grabbing extras that quietly inflate the bill.

2. Shopping without a plan when stressed

Long day, low energy, and now dinner is a question mark. That’s prime time for emotional spending. You might go for takeout, or wander the aisles because it feels soothing.

I’ve done both. The problem isn’t the treat. It’s that repeated “relief spending” becomes your default.

A tiny rule helps. Decide your go-to stress dinner in advance. Ours is eggs, rice, and a quick salad. It’s cheap, fast, and saves us from a 100 real order that doesn’t even taste special.

3. Chasing deals that aren’t deals

I love a discount. The trap is buying something only because it’s on sale. A fake “win” hides a real loss. If it wasn’t in your plan, it’s not savings, it’s spending wearing a costume.

“Give every dollar a job,” as Jesse Mecham teaches. When money already has a role, a random sale has less power. You can choose it intentionally instead of being pulled by it.

4. Paying in installments for everyday items

In Brazil, installment payments are everywhere. They can be useful for big, durable purchases.

The issue is separating a T-shirt into six payments, then a blender into ten, then shoes into four. Soon your next paycheck is already spoken for.

If you genuinely need credit for a necessity, fair. Otherwise, wait a bit and pay in full. You’ll feel the real price and avoid the clutter of micro-debts that make budgeting feel impossible.

5. Letting small subscriptions pile up

Subscriptions are sneaky. A fitness app you forgot to cancel. A beauty box that was fun once. A streaming platform for that one show. None of them look serious alone, which is exactly why they multiply.

Audit day changes everything. Once a quarter I open our bank app and scan for recurring charges. Anything that doesn’t make life clearly better gets cut. Money loves clarity and so does your calendar.

6. Avoiding price comparisons out of habit

Brand loyalty can be cozy. I used to buy the same household cleaner for years because my mom did.

Then one day I compared. The store brand cleaned the same for half the price. Those savings compound across a cart.

Pick three categories to test this month. Try one cheaper option in each. If quality holds, lock in the switch. If not, you’ve confirmed your preference with data, not habit. Either way you win.

7. Ignoring irregular expenses

Birthdays, school photos, flight home to see your parents, the water filter replacement, car registration. None of this is a surprise, yet we treat them like emergencies. Then a late fee hits and the next paycheck is already tight.

I keep a list on my phone called “non-monthly.” I add the item, the month, and the amount. Each paycheck we set aside a little in a separate savings pocket for what’s coming. When the expense arrives, it’s boring. Boring is beautiful.

8. Buying “cheap” that turns expensive

There’s a difference between affordable and flimsy. I’ve learned this the hard way with pans, shoes, and a baby stroller that rattled after a few months. Replacing low-quality items costs more over time.

Think in cost per use. If I’ll wear elegant flats three times a week for a year, a higher price can still be the smarter buy. If I’ll wear a neon dress once, it should be priced accordingly or left on the rack.

As James Clear puts it, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

Your system can be cost per use.

9. Treating the cart like a wish list

Wish-listing inside the cart is dangerous. You tell yourself you’re only “considering” while you scroll. Then one tap and it’s at your door.

Online stores are designed for speed. That’s their job. Your job is slowing the decision.

I use a 48-hour rule for non-essentials. If I still want it after two sleeps and it fits this month’s plan, I buy. If not, I save the money and the closet space.

Most things fade with time. The right ones don’t.

10. Not measuring what matters

When you don’t track, everything feels confusing and out of control. Scarcity also narrows attention. “Scarcity captures the mind,” write Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir, which makes it harder to step back and see patterns.

You don’t need a fancy setup. Start with three high-impact categories that move the needle for you. Food at home, food out, and transport are common ones.

Track just those for one month. You’ll notice two useful things. Where the money actually goes and what changes would feel realistic, not extreme.

A quick reset that works

Here’s a starter plan you can try this month.

Choose a main shop day and a short top-up day.
List three “tired meals” you can cook fast. Stock them.
Pick one category to price test each week.
Make a non-monthly list and move a small amount toward it every paycheck.
Audit subscriptions once a season.
Track your top three spending categories for four weeks.
That’s it. Simple actions that build momentum. Progress loves clarity.

Small changes compound. When you stop leaking money in a few places, you give yourself breathing room. With breathing room, you can plan. With a plan, you can move beyond the paycheck-to-paycheck loop.

I’m cheering for your next smart choice, not perfection.