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At 5 p.m., my phone locks me out. No scrolling on Instagram or adding things to my Amazon cart. No late-night look at the Target app. Instead, I’m with my kids on the couch — keeping money in my bank account.
In February, I started an experiment: I used a Brick device to block social media and shopping apps from 5 to 9 p.m. on weekdays — the time when I’m logged off work for the day, my kids are home from school and the chaos of my home is at its peak.
Adding friction made it harder to mindlessly spend
For my experiment, my method was using a Brick, which is a small digital device that lets you block apps on your phone to set boundaries around your time and attention. The extra effort it takes to physically tap your phone on the Brick to unlock it is meant to keep you honest about your intentionality goals.
“Creating the friction is going to help just interrupt a cycle of action that you may not even recognize that you’re doing,” says Aja Evans, a financial therapist and licensed mental health counselor in the New York City area.
“What you’re trying to do is get yourself out of that immediate dopamine cycle, the excitement of purchase,” Evans says.
I didn’t go completely phone-free. I set up the Brick so I could still browse news and listen to music. I just wanted the Brick to be a digital barrier between me and easy purchases.
As the month progressed, I realized how much of my spending was tied to exposure. Limiting the time I spent on social media and shopping apps lessened the temptation to spend. I also engaged more with my hobbies, spent more focused time with my family, and found my stress levels decreasing, if only slightly.
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Three mindset shifts I didn’t expect
It didn’t take long for me to realize deprivation by device isn’t what will keep me going. It’s about smaller shifts that lead to bigger changes in habit.
Browsing in stores lost its charm
One afternoon, I had an hour alone and wandered into TJ Maxx. In the past, browsing the aisles felt like a treat. This time, it wasn’t even fun. I picked things up, looked at price tags, and mostly just saw … stuff. Nothing I needed or would meaningfully improve my life.
I walked out empty-handed and didn’t feel deprived. It started to feel like I was rewiring my brain, shifting from the quick hit of a purchase to something more lasting.
Having a hard number gave life to my savings goals
“Knowing what that money is going for is motivating,” Evans says. “It does give you that dopamine of anticipation, that excitement of like, ‘Oh, we’re seeing progress.’”
Friction is a redirection, not restriction
The third surprising realization is that this experiment didn’t feel very restrictive. Maybe because I knew I could always disable the Brick if I wanted — but I rarely did.
“You don’t necessarily need extreme hacks to control your spending, but instead, you need more guardrails,” says Naima Bush, a certified financial planner in Alexandria, Virginia.
After a few days of using the Brick, trading hours of scrolling for family time and hobbies felt like a better use of my time — and it got easier.
The Brick was just a tool that helped rewire my habits. Rather than reach for my phone, I began to build new routines and gained more control over my money and attention.
Small ways to add friction to your spending routines
Evans says the key is being aware of your spending triggers so you can create friction that is personalized for your life.
Here are some strategies for you:
Are Instagram and TikTok really benefiting you as much as you think? According to Evans, much of it is just marketing and lifestyle ads that can lead to impulsive buying. Consider doing a digital cleanse by unsubscribing from promotional emails and clearing the clutter to protect your wallet.
Before making a purchase, try adding the item to your cart and walking away. Come back later to see if you still want it. This can help you make more intentional buying decisions and avoid impulse purchases.
To prevent impulsive spending, delete your digital payment information. Having to physically get your credit card can create a barrier to impulsive purchases. Consider disabling Apple Pay or putting your credit cards in a less accessible place.
Even after the month is over, continue to limit your phone usage during peak evening hours. This habit can lead to significant savings and help offset rising costs in other areas of your life. Remember that the goal is not perfection, but rather creating enough friction to make intentional spending choices.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a more mindful approach to your spending habits and avoid unnecessary purchases. following text without using gender-specific pronouns:
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“The doctor will see their patients in their office from 9am to 5pm. They are highly skilled professionals who take great care in providing quality healthcare to their patients.”