For real, for real, the pandemic gave me the perfect excuse to let things slide. Extra lazy days? Check. Instacart and Uber apps downloaded? Check and check. And now, almost 5 years later, these lingering pandemic habits are still hanging around and my wallet is feelingit.
When the pandemic hit, life as we knew it was turned upside down. The world slowed down, and with it, our usual routines shifted to accommodate more time at home. For many, including myself, this meant leaning on comfort and convenience—hello, Instacart deliveries and Uber takeout. These services were lifelines during uncertain times. They helped us feel a little more in control when everything else seemed chaotic.
Fast forward to now, and some of those pandemic habits have lingered. What once felt like a well-deserved break or essential help has become an almost automatic (and expensive) part of my life. If you’re nodding along because you, too, have noticed these habits sticking around, here are a few small shifts that can help you balance out the comforts of pandemic life with a more mindful approach.
1. Set Monthly Limits on Convenience Apps
Creating a budget specifically for convenience services like Instacart and Uber is one of the easiest ways to manage lingering pandemic habits. Decide on a realistic number of times you’ll use these services per month and stick to it. By setting this boundary, you’re not giving up the convenience entirely—you’re just making sure it stays within reason.
Example: If you typically use Uber three times a week, try cutting back to once or twice. Use that time to plan your errands or combine trips to make the most of each outing.
Reflective Question: What feels like a reasonable number of times to indulge in these services for you?
Related Post: For more tips on managing your finances effectively, check out Creating a Budget You Can Stick To.
2. Plan Grocery Trips to Avoid Mid-Week Orders
We’ve all been there mid-week, realizing we need a few things and reaching for the Instacart app. To break this cycle, spend 10-15 minutes each week planning your meals and making a detailed grocery list. This small habit can save you money and help you avoid those tempting, but costly, mid-week delivery fees.
Tip: Keep a running grocery list on your phone or a notepad in the kitchen to jot down items as you think of them. When grocery day comes, you’ll be prepared and less likely to forget something, preventing that mid-week “oops” moment.
Reflective Question: What small step can you take to make weekly grocery planning a habit?
3. Treat Convenience as an Occasional Luxury
Changing your mindset about convenience services is key. What if, instead of relying on them as a go-to, you reframed them as a luxury treat? When you save these services for times when you really need them—like after a long workday or when you’re feeling overwhelmed—they become something special.
Example: Reward yourself with an Instacart order after a particularly hectic week or treat yourself to an Uber ride on a night out. This way, the cost feels justified and enjoyable rather than routine.
Reflective Question: How can you shift your perspective to see these services as a luxury rather than an everyday tool?
4. Create Offline Time to Reduce Impulse App Use
It’s easy to mindlessly reach for your phone and tap into your favorite convenience apps. Creating designated “offline” times during your day can help reduce impulse spending and encourage more intentional habits. Start with a window of an hour or two, perhaps during dinner or right before bed, to unplug and focus on activities that don’t involve screens.
Tip: Use this time to do something productive or relaxing, like reading, journaling, or chatting with loved ones. It helps you disconnect from the constant lure of convenience and can improve your mental health in the process.
Reflective Question: When could you schedule “offline” time to help you unplug and avoid impulse app use?
5. Set Realistic Personal Challenges
Setting small, achievable challenges can make breaking these lingering pandemic habits feel more manageable. It might be as simple as deciding to pick up groceries in person instead of ordering delivery for a week, or committing to walk or bike for short trips rather than taking an Uber.
Example: If you’re used to ordering lunch to be delivered during the workweek, challenge yourself to make a home-cooked meal twice that week instead. Not only will it save money, but it also fosters healthier habits.
Tip: Celebrate your small wins! Each time you successfully complete one of these challenges, acknowledge it. Positive reinforcement helps solidify new habits.
Reflective Question: What’s one small challenge you can take on this week to break a lingering habit?
Final Thought
Lingering pandemic habits don’t have to take over your life—or your wallet. By making small, intentional shifts, you can enjoy the benefits of convenience without letting them run the show. It’s all about finding balance that works for you and aligns with your goals.
Key Takeaways:
- Setting monthly limits on app usage helps control spending.
- Planning grocery trips can prevent unnecessary delivery fees.
- Treating convenience as an occasional luxury makes it more rewarding.
- Offline time reduces impulse use and encourages mindfulness.
- Small challenges keep you motivated and build lasting change.
Helpful Resources:
- Mint: A budgeting tool that tracks your spending and helps set limits.
- Meal Prep Basics: Articles and ideas for prepping easy meals to avoid extra grocery trips.
- Mindful Spending Tips: Tips on creating a healthy relationship with spending for self-care.
Join the Conversation: What lingering pandemic habits are you working on? Share your story and get support from others in the Journey with Quincy Facebook group. We’re in this together, and the path to balance starts with small steps!
With excitement,
Quincy B.
