Before an optional purchase, name what else the same money could buy.
WhenAt an optional purchase
“This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself, Don't give too much for the whistle; and I saved my money.”
Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, Passy, 10 November 1779, “The Whistle,” reproduced in the appendix to Autobiography, Frank Woodworth Pine ed. (New York: Henry Holt, 1916). Read the source ↗
Why it works
In The Whistle he recalled the other things his money could have bought and later used the memory to resist unnecessary purchases.
Start tiny
Name one alternative use in 20 seconds.
What you’ll notice
Notice the option you were about to give up.
When it slips
This is not a ban on pleasure. Compare the alternatives, then choose.
Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, Passy, 10 November 1779, “The Whistle,” reproduced in the appendix to Autobiography, Frank Woodworth Pine ed. (New York: Henry Holt, 1916). Read the source ↗
Foundation: Small recurring actions with little setup. Choose anchors that fit your day.
