153 - If You're Spending Fast, Try a Spending Fast

In today’s episode, we’re exploring a concept that many of us may not have considered: a spending fast.

Have you ever felt like your money is moving too fast—coming in and going out before you can catch your breath? Just as a food fast helps clear your mind and spirit and refocus, a spending fast can help you reset and realign your financial habits and choices within God's greater story.

We’ll dive into the key steps to pause, reflect, and reset your spending, so you can experience a more intentional financial journey rooted in your faithful stewardship.

In this episode, John discusses: 

• How culture can shape our spending habits

• The influence of other factors on financial decisions

• The role of self-awareness in achieving financial health

• Identifying and replacing unhealthy financial behaviors 

Key Takeaways:

• A spending fast means temporarily stopping discretionary expenses to reflect on spending habits and uncover influences, similar to how a food fast opens up opportunities for spiritual focus.

• Organizing your expenses into "have-tos" (required), "need-tos" (necessary), and "want-tos" (optional) helps identify areas to address, focusing mainly on discretionary spending.

• Recognizing emotional influnecers can help prevent impulsive spending, while engaging in positive activities, such as socializing, or exercising, can encourage healthier money habits.

• The goal of a spending fast is to reflect, eset and realign your finances with the puposeful choices of wise and faithful stewardship.

“You're not doing this to impress anyone; you're doing it to recalibrate your heart, your mindset, and your money moments toward what truly matters.”  

Resources Mentioned:

• ARTICLE: When Life Moves Too Fast, Here’s the Secret to Slowing Down: https://den.mercer.edu/when-life-moves-too-fast-heres-the-secret-to-slowing-down/

• ARTICLE: 6 Tips for Fasting Safely: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tips-for-fasting-the-healthy-way

• ARTICLE: 69% of Americans Admit to Emotional Spending, Pushing 39% of Them Into Debt: https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/emotional-spending/

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Ready to dig deeper into what's really influencing you and your money?

Let's connect the beliefs that are behind your choices - the financial, spiritual, and personal ones - so that you can be the faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you.

At Money Made Faithful, we want to equip you with the truths, models, and practices so you can make better money choices so you can live more boldly, confidently, and faithfully.


God is too good and life is too special to let money hold you back.