Does the season of snowflakes and sleigh bells find you forking over the green stuff or giving your credit cards a workout? Believe it or not, the way you pay influences how much you spend — and how you feel when you’re spending.

Paying with cash is an obvious way to stay out of debt or avoid taking on more. But researchers say handing over cash also causes pain receptors in the brain to light up. Paying with credit cards has a more numbing effect because the loss isn’t immediate; it doesn’t hurt… right away.

With auto deposits and online banking, handling cash is a lot less common. If you’re motivated to stay within your budget — and start the New Year without more bills to pay — get in touch with your dough, literally. This approach will make you think twice — or maybe 3 times — before parting with it.