Mastering Your Money: Navigating Overspending in Kenya's Cost-of-Living Crisis

 As the cost of living continues to rise and economic uncertainty looms, many Kenyans are finding themselves stretched thin financially.

From impulse shopping to hidden digital subscriptions, overspending has become a silent culprit behind empty wallets and mounting debts.

But experts and everyday savers agree: with a little discipline and strategy, it’s possible to keep your spending in check and your financial goals on track.It starts small, a takeaway coffee here, an online deal there but it adds up fast. Impulse buying is the number one cause of overspending, especially with mobile money and online shopping making it so easy. The convenience of mobile cash, Buy Now Pay Later services, and even TikTok shop offers makes it tempting to spend on things we didn’t plan for.

To combat this, experts advise following the 24-hour rule: If you see something you like, wait a full day before deciding whether to buy it. You’ll be surprised how many times you change your mind.A budget isn’t just a spreadsheet, it’s your roadmap. Many financial experts recommend using the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of your income goes to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings or paying off debt.

Use a simple notebook to list all your expenses at the beginning of the mont. If you don’t write it down, you overspend by the second week.

Track expenses and stick to a plan.Living in a digital world filled with curated lifestyles can pressure people into trying to “keep up” with others. From Instagram fashion hauls to sponsored YouTube ads, the temptation to spend for show is real.

FOMO is real, especially among the youth. But learning to say ‘no’ to yourself and your peers is a powerful financial skill.

Practice delayed gratification, and reminding yourself that saving for long-term goals is more rewarding than short-term thrills.One trick that many budgeters swear by is using cash envelopes for daily or weekly expenses. Withdraw your weekly allowance in cash and put it in labeled envelopes. Once an envelope is empty, that’s it until next week.

This method forces discipline and gives a real-time view of your spending limits, something digital transactions easily blur.From streaming apps to fitness apps and premium phone storage, subscriptions can quietly drain your account.

People forget they signed up for things. You need to go through your bank and mobile statements every two months and cancel anything you’re not using.

Some bank apps even flag recurring deductions, making it easier to spot and stop unwanted charges.Avoiding overspending doesn’t mean living a joyless life. It simply means being intentional. Packing lunch instead of eating out, carpooling, buying groceries in bulk, and shopping during sales are small steps that can lead to big savings.

At the heart of it, financial freedom is about choices, not sacrifices.

It’s not about denying yourself, it’s about choosing your priorities. When you save enough to buy something you’ve really planned for, it feels way better than buying it on a whim.