[notable_chuckle]

Are you me (with a few differences in coping strategies)?

Stress levels certainly impact my urge to spend. Getting outside for a walk or hike is a good distraction.

I use YNAB. I probably look at the budget too much.

I force myself to sell things if it's reasonable to sell them when I want something new. I've sold many phones on Swappa and elsewhere.

I have multiple credit cards and usually pay them off more than once a month. Something about having low balances on cards and in my checking account helps me reduce impulse buying.

I have been trying to redirect the urge to buy something into putting the money into retirement accounts instead. Small purchases of things also helps me to avoid some big purchases.

I buy nice things when I want something in a category. That limits the need to buy an upgrade later.

[drakonka]

I should also try to sell things I don't need. I've never done this because it just seems like so much hassle to take photos of the stuff, post the ad, handle the shipping, answer any questions, etc. There are some resell services around here that just pick up the things you want to sell, put their own price on it, and give you a cut. I will probably get peanuts compared to selling the items myself, but maybe it's better than nothing if the stuff is going to sit there unused otherwise anyway.

Going outside for a walk or hike is a great idea. I have a forest just a few minutes' walk away and have not been going out there enough. The less I go out the harder it seems to be to drag myself out there even as I can tell it is impacting my mood (and by extension spending habits). I might try and make it a point to schedule a 30 minute forest walk every morning or lunch.