Temptation bundling: make money chores fun

Some things you know you should do but keep avoiding — like checking your spending. And some things you'd happily do anytime — like your favourite show or podcast. What if you only let yourself have the fun one while doing the dull one?

That's temptation bundling. You tie a thing you love to a thing you avoid, so the love drags the avoided thing along. The chore stops feeling like a chore.

The idea in plain words

Researchers tested this with the gym: people who could only listen to a gripping audiobook while exercising worked out more. The treat became the reason to show up. The boring habit borrowed the fun thing's pull.

Money chores are perfect for this. Reviewing spending, checking your savings, planning the week — none of it is thrilling. Bolt a treat onto it and suddenly you look forward to it.

Money bundles to try

• Only listen to your favourite podcast while you do your weekly money review.
• Only get your fancy coffee at the cafe where you check your savings number on Sunday.
• Only watch your comfort show while you sort last week's spending.

The rule has to be exclusive. The treat is onlyallowed with the chore. That's what creates the pull — skip the chore and you skip the treat.

Bundle the pause, too

You can even bundle resisting. “Every time I park a buy instead of making it, I get to do one small thing I enjoy.” The reward keeps the good habit fun. (See: Logging a purchase without guilt.)

The takeaway

Don't white-knuckle the boring money habits. Glue them to something you genuinely enjoy, make the rule strict, and let the treat do the heavy lifting.