I can’t even believe our 31 Day Challenge is drawing to a close. I’m so proud of you for keeping with it! We can see the finish line from here. Don’t quit now.
Just as a reminder, each of the Financial Decluttering assignments should only take 10-15 minutes and you’ve only missed assignments to Clean Out Your Wallet, Clean Out Your Refrigerator Door, Clean Out Your Car Console, Clean Out Your Sock Drawer, Organize Your Coupons, Clean Out Kids’ Backpacks, Clean Out Your Purse or Bag, Clean Out ONE Pantry Shelf, Clean Off Your Desk. Then check out Clean Up Your Phone’s Apps, Clean Out Your Inbox, Clean Out the Junk Drawer, Declutter Your Shoes, Clean Out Your Freezer, Count Your Change, Clean Out ONE Clothes Closet, Clean Your Cleaners, and Clean Out Your Linen Closet. From there, head to Clean Out Old Bills, Clean Out Jewelry, Organize One Garage Shelf, Clean Out the Shower, Organize Medicines, Organize Your Safe or Lockbox, and Declutter Fitness Equipment. Don’t miss Declutter Your Budget and Declutter Your Debt, too.
Just a reminder, don’t forget to join the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group of 1500+ people for ideas and encouragement. You’ll love the photos of the clean wallets, clean refrigerator doors, car consoles, coupon binders, backpacks, purses, desks, shoes, inboxes, and more!
Now, on to the challenge!
Day 28: Declutter Your Feed
I love social media. But some days, I spend way too much time scrolling. It makes me question whether or not the hours online are really well spent. The influences on our lives can clutter our thoughts but can also clutter our finances, too.
Why It Matters:
Social media is a major money maker. So while we may feel like the service is “free,” in the end the companies are businesses. And those businesses survive only through advertising. Advertisers only want to advertise on those platforms to make money. They only make money when you spend money.
There are also third parties like stores and websites banking on you receiving their messages and then making purchases from them, too. You may even have friends or acquaintances who trigger spending. They always seem to be posting from your favorite restaurants or on vacations or in brands you can’t afford.
Today, we will declutter one or two social media feeds. The goal is to work through potential pitfalls and time sucks to help you have a more helpful feed online.
How to Do It:
- Log in to a social media account.
- Identify 5 retailers to “unlike” or “unfollow.” Focus on those that regularly stir cup malcontent. If you didn’t know, you can find your “Likes” on Facebook, go to your profile page and click the “More” button on the far right. Check out the photo below.
- I just spent 30 minutes doing this and easily unliked over 200 things. I’m kinda embarrassed how many brands and stores I had followed.
- Get real with yourself. If a brand or a store evokes jealousy or malcontent, nix it.
- You may also want to “hide” friends or acquaintances who cause you to envy or spend money.
- Set time limits on your phone for social media.
- When you’re finished, take a photo and post it to the challenge post in the Financial Decluttering Group. We’ll celebrate your victory. And/or post on Instagram with the #FinancialDecluttering Hashtag.
- You’ll get bonus points and virtual fist bumps for interesting discoveries in your “likes.”
How to Keep It That Way:
Guard your likes, friends. The more likes you dole out, the more influences flood your feed. Try not to like a brand or page unless you really want to regularly interact with it. And when feelings to spend or be unsatisfied surface when scrolling, take steps to immediately “unlike” or “hide” a page or person. A few minutes a day in your regular scrolling could help you tame those triggers.
A Few More Thoughts:
I can’t wait to see all we achieve together this month. I’ll continue sharing my own journey in the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group and via e-mails. Be sure you subscribe for both.
Post a photo of your feed decluttering victories and tips in the comments! I want to see what sorts of systems you use to organize.
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage is now available! Be sure to check out videos on managing money together on Facebook.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
