If you’re interested in improving your spending and saving habits or recovering from a bankruptcy filing, you’ve probably figured out how to track down budgeting tools and tips on the web. Like diet advice, advice for creating a budget abounds—but there’s slightly less information available for people in the middle, less exciting, more difficult phase of budgeting, known as “sticking with it.”

Here are some hints for keeping yourself on track once the thrill of starting a new budget wears off.

• Block your money. When it’s easy to spend money, we’re more likely to do it. If you have serious problems resisting the urge to splurge, try an extreme measure, like freezing your credit cards in ice, taping them behind heavy furniture, putting most of your money in CDs (with some emergency funds available, of course), or switching from a debit card to a checks-only account. When it’s harder and more time-consuming to spend, we’re less likely to do it with such abandon.
• Treat yourself like a child. Give yourself an allowance each week (or month) and spend it on treats so you don’t feel deprived. But don’t allow yourself more money until the following week—if you want a bigger treat than your allowance permits, start saving.
• Make some rules. Many financial gurus are fond of the “30 Day Rule,” which means you wait 30 days before buying anything you want but don’t need. One way to do this is to add an item to your basket on an online shopping site, keep a running (and dated) wish-list and make your wishes known to your loved ones around gift-giving seasons. Waiting thirty days often helps eliminate impulse buys and keeps you from spending on things you wouldn’t appreciate for the long term.
• Step down the ladder. If you’re craving a big vacation or a kickin’ new wardrobe, try getting a smaller version: a day of relaxation at the spa or a trip to a designer consignment store could satisfy your lust without breaking the bank.
• Figure out the real cost. One helpful trick that can zap impulse purchases in their tracks is to figure out what you make per hour so you can determine exactly how many hours of work buying an item would cost you.
• Try a cheaper option. It’s important to remember that just because we need (or want) something doesn’t mean we should buy it—renting, borrowing and freecycling are all options. And, for specialized tools or wardrobe items that you won’t use that often, the non-purchasing choice is often the most sensible.
• Remember your goals. Why are you on a budget in the first place? Put a physical reminder of what you want to accomplish somewhere you’ll see it often to help keep you focused and motivated.

Remember, outlining a budget is only the first step. Making daily (and sometimes hourly) decisions that keep you on track is the part that keeps you on track to meet your long-term financial goals.

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