How can I stop the temtation of using my debit card on fast food?

Question

OK I am 16 and I make real good money for my age, maybe about 1100 a month, from my job. But I am saving up for a car and I should have bought it now but since I have been lending my parents money, I currently do not have enough. Ever since I have been lending my parents money for bills I have kind of just not cared on what I spend my money on. I play sports and I have a very fast metbaliosm. I eat sooo much Mcdonalds...Whataburger...Burger King...and others,,,I spend so much money on fast food and I just cant help it... I dont even think twice when spending... I just give them my debit card and everytime

I have tried not bringing my debit card anywhere but that is just stupid because there may be times that I really do need it for something... I believe I am addicted to Mcdoanlds/fast food and I need help to stop spending...


(last week I had a fast food atleast for 1 meal a day)
so far this month I think I have spent around $70+ on fast food


all the money is adding up..plz help

Answer 1

read your question.. only you can stop your self, But since you have no self control leave the debit card at home and take checks. Fast food places don't take checks.Problem solved.

Answer 2

don't cut the card up, it's a debit card.
You are using the debit card in place of cash.
You are using the debit card, you indicate, because you have a fast metabolism.
If you are addicted to the feeling of spending money and fast food is your 'thing' that is different.

FWIW, you are not out of the average person (likely including the people that commented before I did who say it's your will power or cut up the card). 25% of ALL Americans eat fast food at least daily. When you get deeper into the statistics, you'll find that about 50% of your age group eat fast food at least 1 time per day. So, don't give yourself a beating over it. you're not obsessed, you're normal.

That said... just cause you're normal doesn't mean it's good for you or what you want to do. So, there are two immediate ways you can deal with this:

1. Go to the ATM one time per week and withdraw a specific amount of cash that you will use for your "discretionary spending". That can include snacks, fast food, buying a new CD... whatever. One time per week. Then, take your debit card and put it in a drawer at home. Leave it there until next week. The money you CHOOSE to spend is then in your pocket and you're free to do whatever you want. When its gone... YOU GET NO MORE for the week... you can't take the Debit Card back out. You spend $70+ on Fast food for the month so far (The month is about 85% done). So, you're spending, best guess around $90 / month of fast food. So, what do you want it to be for next month? $80? $60? Choose a goal. Break that goal down BY WEEK and then allocate your cash that way and then HIT THE GOAL. If you hit it three weeks straight, you'll have adjusted to that level of spending. Comfortable? No? Then for the next three weeks, low the number of hit that goal. Doing it progressively... heck, start with $85 next month, and hitting the goal means you can get it under control and to the level you want.

Second idea. Fast Metabolism. Go to your local store. Go to either the healthy food section or the snack section. BUY a bunch of snack bars... whatever you like. There are protein bars, cookies, fruit, snack bags of chips etc... whatever you want. Then stash the snacks in your car, put them in your duffle bag, your backpack, whatever. Getting hungry? Eat some snacks. You'll probably feel some regret that it's not a big juicy Big Mac and Coke and famous McDonalds french fries because they engineer their food... but if you stick with it... you'll get there.

Best I got bro. I've done this or stuff like it and it does work if you decide and then do it.

Hope this helps.

BTW, Congrats on having such great prospects at 16! $1100 per month is very respectable.

Answer 3

Looks like you need to use envelope system. Leave your debit card at home and make a trip to your bank. Withdraw the amount of cash you want to spend on food. Let's use $200 a month as an example. Put the $200 cash in an envelope and take the envelope with you wherever you go. I guarantee you'll rethink your purchases and NEVER go over your $200 budget. I use the envelope system for entertainment, groceries, and other things. It works great, I never go over my budget, and I always have money left over for savings at the end of the month.

Answer 4

keep the bulk of your money in savings, and only put like 20 bucks on your card, kind of like an allowance..then if your really want to spend more you'll have to go through the trouble of transfering cash but usually its not worth it unless your really want something, not on an impulse.

Answer 5

cutting the card in half is a SURE way to not being able to use it. Budget your other expenses and pay by check--fast food places do NOT take checks.

Answer 6

Will power. Its part of growing up. YOU are the solution and know it.