It is a fundamental human tendency to be impulsive, especially during moments of "lows" or periods of continuous seeking. This drive often leads us to engage in risk-taking behavior, including unnecessary or unplanned expenditure.
Fortunately, we can counter this impulsivity using two powerful cognitive strategies:
"Spending money on yummy food is like exchanging wealth for a reward. The human brain, like that of other mammals, craves and creates reward signals. However, as I splurge my hard-earned money inadvertently, my overall reward potential gets lesser and lesser. In order to keep as many fulfilling rewards as possible, I need to address this unnecessary expenditure."
The goal is to reframe how we view rewards. Humans naturally pursue goals for the inherent reward, but the best type of reward enriches us; it doesn't deplete our resources. We must analyze and compare instant gratification against delayed gratification to determine where our actions truly lead.