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Tech Microboundaries & Your Money

ByBeyond Finance Team

We live in a world engineered to capture our attention — and convert it into purchases.

In one of our recent client Financial Wellness sessions, our financial therapists, Dr. Erika Rasure and Nathan Astle, shared how small, intentional “tech microboundaries” can protect both your peace of mind (and your wallet!).

We’re sharing their insights and advice so you can start being more thoughtful and deliberate with your mental space and your spending.

A Little Reality Check

Dr. Rasure opened with a bit of a reality check for us:

“You’re a financial asset to companies… they spend billions of dollars every year to capture your attention because it drives spending.” 

She added that many of us are on somewhat of an autopilot when it comes to ads and notifications:

“We’ve become a little desensitized… cruising on autopilot and not really taking more conscious action in drawing boundaries around what we’re allowing into our lives.” 

Why Attention Boundaries Matter

Astle explained the cost of distraction:

“You can’t say yes to one thing without saying no to another. When we say yes to our attention being diverted… we are inherently saying no to other things that are worthy of our attention.” 

He said that this matters for money decisions:

“Be intentional: ‘What money decisions am I making based on what other people are selling me versus what I actually need or want?’” 

Tactic #1: Defuse Urgency

Marketers know that rushed decisions are impulsive ones:

“‘Act now… only 3 left!’ They want us to make quick decisions. When we slow down — even a day or two — we make different decisions.” 

Dr. Rasure connected that rush to our brains and budgets:

“Notifications create that illusion of urgency… they hijack dopamine, increase stress, reduce focus, and they’re designed to spark impulsive spending.”

Microboundaries to try:

  • Use a 24–72 hour rule (Remember, this means add to your cart, wait, then decide!).
  • Turn off non-essential push alerts from retailers.
  • Look through all your promo emails and texts once a week, instead of reacting to them in the moment.

Tactic #2: Reduce Notification Clutter

Dr. Rasure shared a personal story of marketing texts getting the better of her:

“I had something like 472 unread text messages… I was bombarded by retailer texts. When I started sending ‘STOP’ and unsubscribing, I realized I’d been spending my time on their sites, even when I wasn’t spending money.” 

What did she say the payoff was?

“Fewer interruptions mean fewer unplanned purchases — and time to think before spending.” 

Microboundaries to try:

  • Text STOP to marketing SMS you don’t want.
  • Try using tools like Unroll.Me or Gmail’s Subscriptions view to limit how many promo emails you get.
  • Silence promo senders during focus hours (Do Not Disturb / Focus modes).

Tactic #3: Audit Your Feeds (Aspiration → Comparison → Spending)

According to Dr. Rasure, the scroll shapes our desires:

“Exposure to aspirational content increases overspending… your feeds are shaping your financial desires.”

Microboundaries to try:

  • Unfollow or mute accounts that spark envy, FOMO, or “not enough” feelings.
  • Replace these with content that aligns with your values (financial tips, recipes, uplifting creators  — yes, even cute cat videos!).
  • Try setting time limits for shopping apps or move them off your home screen (this leads to less temptation, fewer “just checking” moments!).

Tactic #4: Spot the Shame Play, and Opt Out

Astle named the other big trigger besides urgency:

“Shame… the message that you will be ‘more’ if you have this product. It pulls on our emotions and leads to questioning our own value.” 

His advice for reframing this:

“Nothing you spend money on inherently makes you more or less valuable… Ask yourself: ‘Do I genuinely want or need this, or do I want to buy it because I’m being told I should?” 

Microboundaries to try:

  • When an ad hits, ask: “What is this trying to make me feel?” If the answer is “less than,” scroll on.
  • Create a wish list note. Revisit in a week — most items won’t survive a cooler head.
  • Tie purchases to values (comfort, creativity, connection) rather than your current mood.

The Compounding Effect of Slowing Down

Astle’s simple challenge to you:

“If you stretch the time between the advertisement and when you buy, you’ll save yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars over time.” 

And Dr. Rasure reminds you that your attention is yours:

“You are in control of what you are consuming… curate content that influences your decisions in a positive way.” 

Try This This Week

  1. Unsubscribe sprint (10 minutes): Text STOP to 5 promo texts and unsubscribe from 5 promo emails.
  2. Feed cleanse: Mute/unfollow 5 accounts that trigger FOMO; follow 3 that align with your values.
  3. Delay rule: Anything over $25, make sure you wait 48 hours and keep a running wish list for purchase to consider.
  4. Implement a “focus window”: Try setting a single hour daily with notifications off (yes, even “just in case” promos!).

Main Takeaway

Your attention is a financial asset — don’t give it away for free. With small tech microboundaries, you create breathing room to choose intentionally instead of impulsively, protect your peace, and spend in alignment with your values.