(Becky Bloomwood from “Confessions of a Shopaholic” is overwhelmed!)
This may seem more like a personal finance goal, but if you don’t spend money on impulse, that means you are going to bring less clutter into your home.
Ommmmmmmm….
Not only that, you are going to save cash, which is probably going to help out other areas of your life.
Not spending on impulse is not easy.
Believe me, it is hard to tear yourself away from that oh-so-perfect-got-to-have-it-immediately pair of shoes, new laptop or candy bar.
The problem with spending on impulse is that .. it’s impulsive.
Once in a while, why not? Splurge!
But most of the time, I just felt like I had wasted money for an unnecessary item, and ended up wasting time going back trying to wheedle the store into taking the item back and refunding me cash.
Just choosing to wander the mall on your break because you are bored, is a surefire way to spend $50 without even knowing it: ….lunch at the food court, a little book to read, maybe a pair of earrings, and before you know it, that $50 you were saving for a new netbook has disappeared into thin air.
Curses!
Foiled again by that deliciously overpriced taco at Chipotle’s!!!
When you want or need something, you should have identified the need BEFORE going to the shops.
5 quick ways to help curb impulsive shopping
- Don’t go to any store at all. That gets me EVERY TIME. Or wear a blindfold.
- Make a list of what you really DO need, and spend your time shopping for that.
- Remind yourself about your goal: I want to save up $300 for a netbook.
- Don’t wander around and window shop because you’re bored or waiting for someone.
- Leave your cards at home. Only bring cash. Somehow, paying in cash is harder.
Of course, you, (like me) are going slip up once in a while. Or more than once.
But the best thing to do is to say: I “sinned”, but I will do better next time.
Just don’t make it a habit or an excuse to sin 
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