If you’ve ever walked out of a store wondering how you spent so much more than you planned, you’re not alone. Learning mindful shopping money tips can transform your spending habits and help you keep more money in your bank account every single month. Mindful shopping isn’t about deprivation—it’s about making intentional choices that align with your financial goals while still enjoying the things you love. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover seven proven strategies that will help you shop smarter, save more, and feel confident about every purchase you make.
The average American household spends over $5,000 annually on impulse purchases they later regret. Imagine what you could do with even half of that money back in your pocket—whether it’s building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or saving for something truly meaningful. These mindful shopping money tips aren’t complicated financial theories; they’re practical, actionable strategies you can start using today to see real results in your budget.
Table of Contents
- What Is Mindful Shopping and Why It Matters
- Tip #1: The 24-Hour Rule for Mindful Shopping Money Tips
- Tip #2: Set Clear Budget Boundaries Before You Shop
- Tip #3: Master the Need vs. Want Analysis
- Tip #4: Calculate Cost-Per-Use for Smarter Decisions
- Tip #5: Strategic Comparison Shopping Techniques
- Tip #6: Recognize and Manage Emotional Shopping Triggers
- Tip #7: Embrace Quality Over Quantity
- Frequently Asked Questions About Mindful Shopping Money Tips
- Conclusion: Your Journey to Mindful Shopping Starts Now
What Is Mindful Shopping and Why It Matters for Your Financial Future
Mindful shopping is the practice of making conscious, intentional purchasing decisions rather than buying on autopilot or impulse. When you apply mindful shopping money tips to your daily life, you’re essentially creating a filter between your desire to buy something and the actual act of purchasing it. This filter helps you evaluate whether each purchase truly serves your needs, aligns with your values, and fits within your financial plan.
Research from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shows that consumers who practice mindful spending habits save an average of $2,400 to $3,600 annually compared to those who don’t. That’s real money that can change your financial trajectory. Whether you’re trying to master budgeting for beginners or you’re already financially savvy, these mindful shopping money tips will enhance your money management skills.
The Psychology Behind Mindful Shopping
Understanding why we make the purchases we do is fundamental to changing our shopping behavior. Retailers spend billions of dollars annually studying consumer psychology to encourage more spending. When you embrace mindful shopping money tips, you’re essentially arming yourself with awareness to counter these marketing tactics. You’ll recognize when a “limited time offer” is creating artificial urgency or when an attractive display is designed to trigger impulse buying.
The brain’s reward centers light up when we anticipate a purchase, releasing dopamine—the same neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This chemical response can create a shopping “high” that has nothing to do with whether we actually need the item. By implementing mindful shopping money tips, you create space between that initial dopamine rush and your purchasing decision, allowing your rational brain to catch up with your emotional response.
How Mindful Shopping Money Tips Impact Your Overall Financial Health
Every dollar you save through mindful shopping is a dollar you can redirect toward financial goals that matter. If you save just $200 per month by applying these mindful shopping money tips, that’s $2,400 annually. Invested in a retirement account with an average 7% return, that becomes approximately $124,000 over 20 years. The compound effect of small, consistent savings is powerful, and it all starts with making better shopping decisions today.
Mindful Shopping Money Tips #1: The 24-Hour Rule That Changes Everything
One of the most effective mindful shopping money tips is implementing the 24-hour rule for non-essential purchases. Here’s how it works: whenever you’re tempted to buy something that wasn’t on your planned shopping list, wait at least 24 hours before making the purchase. For bigger ticket items over $100, extend this to 48 or 72 hours.
This simple pause creates psychological distance between the initial desire and the purchasing decision. Studies show that approximately 60% of intended impulse purchases are never completed when people implement this waiting period. That means you could potentially eliminate more than half of your impulse spending just by adding this one mindful shopping money tip to your routine.
How to Implement the 24-Hour Rule Effectively
When you spot something you want to buy, take a photo of it or add it to an online cart, but don’t complete the purchase. Write down the item, the price, and the date in a notebook or notes app on your phone. This satisfies the psychological need to “do something” about the desire without actually spending money immediately. The next day, review your note and ask yourself if you still want the item as much as you did initially.
Many people find that after 24 hours, the intense desire to purchase has significantly diminished. This is one of those mindful shopping money tips that costs nothing to implement but can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars throughout the year. For example, if you prevent just three $75 impulse purchases per month using this technique, you’ve saved $2,700 annually—money that could go toward building your emergency fund or other financial priorities.
Exceptions to the 24-Hour Rule
While this is one of the most powerful mindful shopping money tips, there are reasonable exceptions. Essential items like food, urgent household repairs, or necessary medications don’t require a waiting period. However, be honest with yourself about what truly qualifies as “essential.” That designer coffee maker isn’t essential, even if your current one stopped working—a basic $20 model will brew coffee just fine while you take 24 hours to decide if the $200 version is worth it.
Mindful Shopping Money Tips #2: Set Clear Budget Boundaries Before You Shop
Walking into a store or browsing online without a predetermined spending limit is like sailing without a compass—you’re likely to drift wherever the current takes you. Setting clear budget boundaries is among the most fundamental mindful shopping money tips you can practice. Before any shopping trip, decide exactly how much you’re willing and able to spend, and commit to that number.
Creating spending categories within your monthly budget gives you clear parameters for shopping. For instance, you might allocate $400 for groceries, $150 for clothing, $100 for entertainment, and $50 for personal care items each month. These boundaries make it much easier to practice mindful shopping money tips because you have concrete numbers guiding your decisions.
The Envelope System for Physical Purchases
One of the oldest yet most effective mindful shopping money tips is the cash envelope system. At the beginning of each month, withdraw cash for your various spending categories and place the designated amount in labeled envelopes. When you go shopping, bring only the relevant envelope. When the envelope is empty, your spending in that category is done for the month.
This physical limitation creates immediate accountability. For example, if you have $400 in your grocery envelope and you’ve already spent $320 with one week left in the month, you know you need to be extra mindful with the remaining $80. This tangible representation of your budget makes these mindful shopping money tips feel more real than abstract numbers in a bank account.
Digital Budget Tracking for Online Shopping
For online purchases, use budgeting apps or spreadsheets to track spending against your predetermined limits. Before clicking “buy,” check your budget tracker to ensure you have funds available in the appropriate category. Many people find success with apps that connect to their bank accounts and send alerts when they’re approaching category limits—a technological way to implement mindful shopping money tips in our digital shopping world.
According to NerdWallet, people who track their spending against budgets save 18-20% more money than those who don’t. If you earn $50,000 annually and spend $40,000, that’s an additional $7,200-$8,000 in savings per year simply from implementing this mindful shopping money tip consistently.
Mindful Shopping Money Tips #3: Master the Need vs. Want Analysis
Distinguishing between needs and wants is one of the most critical mindful shopping money tips for long-term financial success. A need is something essential for your survival, health, safety, or ability to earn income. A want is everything else—things that would be nice to have but aren’t necessary. The challenge is that our brains are remarkably skilled at reclassifying wants as needs when we desire something strongly enough.
Before making any purchase, ask yourself: “Do I truly need this, or do I want it?” Be brutally honest. You need shelter, but you don’t need a luxury apartment. You need transportation to work, but you don’t need a brand-new car when a reliable used one would serve the same purpose. These mindful shopping money tips help you separate marketing messages from reality.
The Three-Question Framework for Needs vs. Wants
When evaluating a potential purchase, apply this three-question framework—one of the most practical mindful shopping money tips you’ll ever use:
- Question 1: What will happen if I don’t buy this? If the answer is “nothing significant” or “I’ll be slightly disappointed,” it’s a want, not a need.
- Question 2: Do I already own something that serves this same purpose? If yes, you’re looking at a want, even if the new item would be an upgrade.
- Question 3: Will this purchase move me closer to or further from my financial goals? This connects your shopping decisions to your bigger financial picture.
Let’s apply these mindful shopping money tips to a real example. You’re considering buying a $150 stand mixer. Question 1: What happens if you don’t buy it? You’ll continue using your hand mixer or mixing by hand—slightly less convenient but completely functional. Question 2: Do you already have something serving this purpose? Yes, your hand mixer. Question 3: Will this move you toward your financial goals? If you’re trying to save $5,000 for an emergency fund, this $150 purchase moves you further away. Verdict: It’s a want, not a need.
Creating a “Wants List” for Future Reference
Just because something is a want doesn’t mean you can never buy it—that’s not what mindful shopping money tips are about. Instead, create a “wants list” where you record items you’d like to purchase eventually. Review this list monthly and prioritize items based on how much value they’ll add to your life. When you have extra money in your budget, you can mindfully choose to purchase something from this list, knowing it’s a conscious decision rather than an impulse.
This approach to mindful shopping money tips prevents the deprivation mindset that often leads to spending rebounds. You’re not telling yourself “I can never have nice things.” Instead, you’re saying “I’m choosing to wait and save for the things that matter most.” That subtle shift in perspective makes all the difference in maintaining these habits long-term.
Mindful Shopping Money Tips #4: Calculate Cost-Per-Use for Smarter Investment Decisions
One of the most sophisticated mindful shopping money tips is evaluating purchases based on cost-per-use rather than just the sticker price. This calculation helps you determine whether an item represents good value by dividing the total cost by the estimated number of times you’ll use it. This approach to mindful shopping money tips transforms how you think about value.
For example, a $200 pair of high-quality running shoes you’ll wear 200 times over two years costs $1 per use. Meanwhile, a $50 pair of trendy shoes you’ll wear only 5 times costs $10 per use. Suddenly, the more expensive option becomes the better value. These mindful shopping money tips help you see beyond the initial price tag to the true long-term cost.
How to Calculate Cost-Per-Use Effectively
To apply this mindful shopping money tip, follow these steps:
- Identify the total cost of the item, including any maintenance or additional expenses
- Estimate realistically how many times you’ll use it over its lifespan
- Divide the total cost by the number of uses
- Compare this cost-per-use to alternatives or your budget for this category
Let’s look at several examples of how mindful shopping money tips using cost-per-use analysis work in practice:
| Item | Purchase Price | Estimated Uses | Cost Per Use | Value Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (annual) | $600 | 104 visits (2x/week) | $5.77 | Good value if you actually go |
| Quality winter coat | $300 | 500 wears (5 years) | $0.60 | Excellent value |
| Specialty kitchen gadget | $80 | 6 uses | $13.33 | Poor value |
| Quality work bag | $200 | 600 uses (3 years daily) | $0.33 | Excellent value |
The Honesty Factor in Cost-Per-Use Calculations
The effectiveness of this mindful shopping money tip depends entirely on your honesty when estimating usage. It’s tempting to tell yourself you’ll use that bread maker three times a week, making it a great value at $120. But if you realistically know you’ll use it only occasionally when the novelty hasn’t worn off—maybe 15 times total—that’s an $8 cost per use for homemade bread you could buy for $3 at the store.
These mindful shopping money tips require self-awareness about your actual habits, not your aspirational ones. Look at your past behavior as the best predictor of future use. If you’ve purchased similar items before and rarely used them, factor that pattern into your current decision. This honest self-assessment is what makes mindful shopping money tips truly effective rather than just theoretical exercises.
Mindful Shopping Money Tips #5: Strategic Comparison Shopping Techniques
Comparison shopping is one of those mindful shopping money tips that has become both easier and more complex in the digital age. While you can instantly compare prices across dozens of retailers with a quick online search, the sheer number of options can lead to decision fatigue and analysis paralysis. Strategic comparison shopping means knowing when to compare, how much time to invest, and what factors to consider beyond just price.
For purchases over $50, spending 15-30 minutes on comparison shopping typically yields savings of 10-30%. If you’re buying a $200 item, that’s $20-$60 saved for half an hour of research. When you apply these mindful shopping money tips consistently across all your larger purchases, those savings accumulate significantly. If you make just ten $200+ purchases annually and save 20% through comparison shopping, that’s $400 back in your pocket.
The Rule of Thumb for Time Investment
Not every purchase warrants extensive comparison shopping—that’s one of the practical mindful shopping money tips that saves both time and mental energy. Use this general guideline:
- Under $20: Minimal comparison (5 minutes or less)—your time is worth more than the potential savings
- $20-$100: Quick comparison (10-15 minutes)—check 3-4 retailers or options
- $100-$500: Moderate research (30-60 minutes)—compare features, prices, reviews across multiple sources
- Over $500: Extensive research (several hours over days)—compare comprehensively, read detailed reviews, check warranties
These mindful shopping money tips help you allocate your research time proportionally to the potential savings. Spending two hours researching a $15 purchase makes little sense, but investing several hours researching a $1,500 laptop could save you $200-$300 or help you avoid a poor-quality product.
Beyond Price: Total Value Comparison
Price is important, but it’s not the only factor in these mindful shopping money tips. Consider the total value equation:
- Quality and durability: A $100 item that lasts five years beats a $60 item you’ll replace in one year
- Warranty and return policy: Better protection adds value even at slightly higher prices
- Shipping costs and timing: “Free” shipping built into higher prices isn’t actually free
- Customer service reputation: Worth paying slightly more to retailers known for excellent service
- Additional costs: Does it require special accessories, maintenance, or subscription fees?
When you factor in all these elements, applying mindful shopping money tips becomes more nuanced than simply choosing the lowest price. A $300 appliance from a reputable retailer with a 5-year warranty and easy returns might represent better value than a $250 version from an unknown seller with no warranty and a complicated return process.
Tools and Resources for Comparison Shopping
Technology makes implementing these mindful shopping money tips easier than ever. Browser extensions like Honey, Capital One Shopping, and Rakuten automatically search for coupon codes and better prices. Price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon show price history, helping you determine if the current price is actually a good deal or if you should wait.
According to research from consumer advocates, shoppers who use price comparison tools save an average of $1,200 annually on purchases they would have made anyway. That’s significant money saved simply by applying these mindful shopping money tips through readily available technology.
Mindful Shopping Money Tips #6: Recognize and Manage Emotional Shopping Triggers
Perhaps the most psychologically important mindful shopping money tips involve understanding the emotional triggers that lead to unnecessary purchases. Emotional shopping—buying things to manage feelings rather than meet genuine needs—is responsible for a significant portion of regrettable purchases. When you can identify your personal triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms, you’ll dramatically reduce impulse spending.
Research shows that common emotional triggers for shopping include stress, boredom, sadness, celebration, peer pressure, and even hunger. Each person has unique vulnerability patterns. Some people shop when stressed at work; others when feeling lonely or comparing themselves to friends on social media. These mindful shopping money tips help you develop awareness of your specific patterns so you can interrupt them.
Identifying Your Personal Shopping Triggers
For the next two weeks, keep a shopping journal—one of the most revealing mindful shopping money tips you can practice. Each time you make an unplanned purchase or feel a strong urge to buy something, record:
- What you bought or wanted to buy
- How you were feeling emotionally at that moment
- What situation or event preceded the shopping urge
- Whether you were alone or with others
- What time of day it was
After two weeks, review your journal for patterns. You might discover that you’re most vulnerable to impulse purchases when scrolling social media late at night, or after particularly stressful work meetings, or when you’re with a specific friend who encourages spending. These insights make your mindful shopping money tips much more targeted and effective.
Alternative Coping Strategies for Emotional Needs
Once you’ve identified your triggers, develop alternative responses—this is where mindful shopping money tips translate into actual behavior change. If you shop when stressed, create a list of free stress-relief activities: taking a walk, calling a friend, practicing meditation, exercising, or journaling. If you shop when bored, develop a list of engaging free activities: reading library books, learning something new online, organizing a space in your home, or pursuing a hobby.
The key to these mindful shopping money tips is having your alternative strategies identified and written down before the emotional trigger occurs. In the moment of emotional vulnerability, your decision-making is compromised, so you need a pre-made plan to follow. Many people find it helpful to post this list somewhere visible or save it as a note on their phone where it’s immediately accessible.
The 10-Minute Emotional Check-In
Here’s one of the most powerful mindful shopping money tips for emotional spending: when you feel the urge to make an unplanned purchase, set a 10-minute timer and sit with the feeling. Often, the intense urge will pass. During these 10 minutes, ask yourself:
- What emotion am I really feeling right now?
- What do I actually need? (Usually not the product you’re considering)
- Will buying this truly address what I’m feeling?
- How will I feel about this purchase tomorrow or next week?
This pause creates space between the emotional trigger and the purchasing action. According to behavioral psychology research, impulses typically peak and then diminish within 10-15 minutes. By implementing this mindful shopping money tip, you’re allowing the impulse wave to pass rather than riding it straight to the checkout.
Mindful Shopping Money Tips #7: Embrace Quality Over Quantity for Long-Term Savings
The final principle in our mindful shopping money tips is embracing quality over quantity—buying fewer items that are well-made and durable rather than many cheap items that need frequent replacement. This approach often requires higher upfront costs but results in lower long-term expenses and less clutter. It’s the ultimate expression of mindful shopping money tips because it requires patience and long-term thinking.
Consider this example: You could buy five pairs of $15 shoes over three years (total cost: $75), each lasting about seven months before falling apart. Or you could invest $90 in one high-quality pair that lasts the full three years with proper care. The quality option costs only $15 more over three years, reduces shopping time and decision fatigue, and typically provides better comfort and support. These mindful shopping money tips shift your perspective from “How cheap is this?” to “What’s the true long-term value?”
How to Identify Quality Products Worth the Investment
Not all expensive items are high-quality, and not all budget items are poor quality—discernment is key to these mindful shopping money tips. Here’s how to evaluate quality:
- Materials: Natural, durable materials (leather, solid wood, quality metals) typically outlast synthetic alternatives
- Construction: Look for reinforced seams, quality stitching, solid connections, and attention to detail
- Brand reputation: Companies known for durability and standing behind their products
- Warranty: Longer warranties indicate manufacturer confidence in product longevity
- Reviews: Focus on long-term reviews (6+ months of use) mentioning durability
- Repairability: Can it be repaired if something breaks, or must it be completely replaced?
When applying these mindful shopping money tips, research is your best friend. Spend time reading detailed reviews, watching video demonstrations, and understanding what construction features indicate quality in your specific product category. This knowledge helps you distinguish between items that are expensive simply because of brand names and those that are expensive because they’re genuinely better made.
Categories Where Quality Matters Most
Some product categories benefit dramatically from these mindful shopping money tips focused on quality:
- Shoes you wear frequently: Quality shoes last 3-5 times longer and better support foot health
- Mattresses and pillows: You spend a third of your life sleeping; quality affects health and lasts longer
- Kitchen essentials: A quality knife, pan, or pot lasts decades instead of years
- Tools you’ll use repeatedly: Quality tools perform better and last through many projects
- Bags and luggage: High-quality versions withstand years of daily use or travel
- Basic wardrobe items: Quality basics in neutral colors serve as versatile wardrobe foundations
Conversely, some items don’t require top quality. Trendy clothing you’ll wear for one season, items you’ll use only once or twice, or products where technology is rapidly evolving might not warrant the quality investment. These nuanced mindful shopping money tips help you allocate your budget strategically.
The Capsule Approach to Mindful Shopping
One application of quality-over-quantity mindful shopping money tips is the capsule wardrobe concept—owning fewer, higher-quality clothing items that mix and match well rather than a closet full of cheap, trendy pieces you rarely wear. A capsule wardrobe of 30-40 quality pieces costs less over time than constantly buying fast fashion, reduces decision fatigue, and creates a more cohesive personal style.
If you currently spend $1,200 annually on clothing and accessories, try redirecting that budget toward fewer, higher-quality pieces. Instead of buying 40 items averaging $30 each, buy 15-20 items averaging $60-80. The total cost remains similar or even decreases, but the quality difference is dramatic. These mindful shopping money tips transform not just your finances but your entire relationship with possessions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mindful Shopping Money Tips
How do mindful shopping money tips differ from regular budgeting advice?
While budgeting focuses on planning where your money goes before you spend it, mindful shopping money tips focus on the psychological and practical aspects of making better purchasing decisions in the moment. Budgeting sets the boundaries; mindful shopping money tips give you the tools to stay within those boundaries and make value-aligned choices. They work together—budgeting creates the framework, and mindful shopping money tips provide the daily execution strategies. Both are essential for financial success.
Can I still enjoy shopping while practicing mindful shopping money tips?
Absolutely! These mindful shopping money tips aren’t about eliminating shopping enjoyment—they’re about making shopping more intentional and satisfying. Many people find that mindful shopping money tips actually increase enjoyment because purchases feel more meaningful and there’s less guilt or regret. Instead of mindlessly buying things that clutter your space and drain your wallet, you’re thoughtfully choosing items that genuinely add value to your life. The satisfaction of a well-considered purchase typically exceeds the fleeting excitement of impulse buying.
How long does it take to see results from implementing mindful shopping money tips?
Most people notice immediate changes in their spending awareness as soon as they start applying mindful shopping money tips, even if actual spending reductions take a bit longer. Within the first month, you’ll likely prevent several impulse purchases and become more conscious of your shopping triggers. Measurable financial results—seeing your savings account grow or credit card balance decrease—typically become apparent within 2-3 months of consistently practicing these mindful shopping money tips. The longer you maintain these habits, the more dramatic and sustainable the results become.
What if my partner or family members don’t follow mindful shopping money tips?
Start by implementing mindful shopping money tips in your own purchasing decisions, even if you share finances. Lead by example and share your positive results—”I saved $150 this month by waiting 24 hours before buying things I thought I wanted!” Often, when people see real benefits, they become interested in trying these strategies themselves. For shared purchases, propose using these mindful shopping money tips together as an experiment for one month to see if they help. Avoid being judgmental about others’ spending; instead, focus on how these practices improve your own financial life and relationship with money.
Are mindful shopping money tips effective for online shopping specifically?
Yes, and they’re especially important for online shopping! Digital shopping environments are designed to encourage impulse purchases through one-click buying, saved payment information, and targeted advertising. Apply these mindful shopping money tips to online shopping by removing saved payment methods (adding friction to the purchase process), using browser extensions that block shopping sites during vulnerable times, leaving items in your cart for 24-48 hours before purchasing, and setting specific times for online shopping rather than browsing whenever you’re bored. The 24-hour rule and emotional trigger awareness are particularly effective mindful shopping money tips for the online environment.
How do mindful shopping money tips apply to grocery shopping?
Grocery shopping benefits enormously from mindful shopping money tips! Always shop with a list based on planned meals, never shop when hungry (hunger significantly increases impulse purchases), stick to your predetermined grocery budget, use the 24-hour rule for specialty items not on your list, and question whether you really need convenience foods or can make alternatives yourself. Calculate cost-per-serving rather than just package price, and buy quality for items you consume frequently while accepting store brands for others. These mindful shopping money tips can reduce grocery spending by 20-30% while often improving nutrition because you’re buying intentionally rather than impulsively.
Conclusion: Your Journey to Mindful Shopping Starts Now
Implementing these seven mindful shopping money tips will transform your relationship with spending, saving you thousands of dollars annually while reducing stress and increasing satisfaction with your purchases. Remember, mindful shopping money tips aren’t about deprivation—they’re about intention. You’re not restricting yourself; you’re directing your money toward what truly matters to you rather than letting marketing and impulse control your finances.
Start small by choosing just one or two of these mindful shopping money tips to focus on this week. Maybe you’ll implement the 24-hour rule or begin tracking your emotional shopping triggers. As these practices become habits, gradually incorporate more of these mindful shopping money tips into your routine. Within a few months, you’ll notice not just more money in your accounts but also less clutter in your home and greater peace of mind about your financial decisions.
The beauty of mindful shopping money tips is that they create a positive feedback loop. As you see your savings grow and your stress decrease, you’ll feel motivated to continue these practices. Each prevented impulse purchase reinforces your confidence in making financial decisions. Every quality item you invest in that serves you well for years validates your choice to prioritize value over price.
Your financial future is built on daily decisions—what you buy, what you skip, how thoughtfully you spend. These mindful shopping money tips give you the tools to make those daily decisions align with your long-term goals. Whether you’re working toward becoming debt-free, building your first emergency fund, saving for a home, or simply wanting to stress less about money, these strategies will help you get there.
Take action today. Choose one mindful shopping money tip from this guide and implement it with your very next purchase decision. Write down your financial goals where you’ll see them daily. Track your spending for two weeks to identify patterns. Join our community at Digital MSN where we share more practical strategies for beginners building better financial habits. Remember, every expert at mindful shopping money tips started exactly where you are now—at the beginning, taking that first intentional step toward smarter spending.
The money you save through these mindful shopping money tips isn’t just numbers in an account—it’s freedom, security, and the ability to build the life you want. Start your mindful shopping journey today, and six months from now, you’ll look back amazed at how much your financial situation has improved through these simple but powerful practices.