Digital Detox = Financial Freedom

Digital Detox = Financial Freedom 

6 Digital Habits That Changed My Life And Wallet 

We've heard all the financial guru’s advice: "Stop buying lattes," "Cut up your credit cards," "Live on a budget of air." 

But what if I told you the biggest wins for my finances came from tiny, almost invisible changes? 

Today, I'm sharing 6 digital micro habits that completely changed my relationship with money, and none of them involved extreme deprivation and sacrifice. 

These aren't about cutting out fun. They're about cutting out the noise that tricks you mindlessly spend money. 

Before we get into the small habits that made a huge difference, it’s your friend Eva, and welcome back to Fierce Rich Money, where we talk about real world personal finance for real people, without the guilt, shame, or financial guru nonsense. 

The Digital Declutter 

1. I stopped watching restocking and haul videos. 

• Look, I love a good aesthetic restock video as much as the next person, the clear bins, the pastel labels, the satisfaction. But wow, do they make you want to buy things you didn’t even know existed. Your life is incomplete unless your pantry looks like perfect. 
• They made me feel bad because my kitchen isn’t the perfect HGTV farmhouse kitchen. It made me want to buy more stuff I didn't need. I stopped watching them, and suddenly my urge to buy 14 matching spice jars disappeared. I’ve also stopped watching channels like HGTV. I’m tired of feeling bad.  
• 2.Inbox Detox 

• I set up a separate email just for marketing emails. 

• If you’re trying to spend less, your inbox is basically a booby trap. ‘Final Sale!’ ‘50 % off!’ ‘We miss you!’ No, Target, you don’t miss me. It’s a one sided relationship. Unsubscribing from those emails removed temptation and a fake sense of urgency. 
• My real inbox is quiet, and so is my wallet. 
• 3. Deleting shopping apps. 

• Since they’re deleted, I can't mindlessly scroll through them while sitting on the couch at night. Out of sight, out of mind. For transparency, Amazon and Fab Fit Fun stay. You got a problem with that, step off my bus Mildred. I also kept my grocery store app. Digital coupons are non-negotiable.  
• 4. Intentional Use of Food Apps. 

• I still use food apps, but intentionally for rewards. If I've already decided to go to Dunkin, I should get the points. I do notlet the promise of free fries or a drink influence my decision to go out and spend money in the first place. The decision comes first, the reward is just a bonus. 
• 5. NO to "buy now, pay later" apps like Klarna and delivery fees.  

• I've never used Klarna, and I think we need to talk about it. You can now use "Buy Now, Pay Later" with a third party delivery. You will be paying interest on pizza. Think about that. 
• I don’t use apps like Door Dash or Uber Eats. I have a car and if I can’t pick it up, I’m not having it. If I really need it delivered, I’ll call the restaurant directly. 
• 6. No Phone First Thing in the Morning. 

• This one sounds random, but it’s crucial. When you start your day scrolling, you’re immediately filling your brain with comparison and consumer culture before you’re is even fully awake.  

• When I stopped looking at my phone first thing in the morning, my mood improved, and my spending followed. I like starting my day with a clear head, not with an ad trying to sell me something. 

• I like starting my day with a clear head. 

 When trying to get out of debt, we don’t have to make these giant, painful sacrifices all the time. I'm not perfect, and I still make a lot of mistakes. But these small digital changes have added up to huge savings and, more importantly, a mindset shift. I'm no longer just reacting to a financial world that's trying to get me to spend. I'm in control.