6 Helpful tips
Impulse buying can easily cause you to go over budget and spend more than you should. And it can happen anywhere! Maybe you're in the grocery store, and suddenly you just can't say "no" to some specialty cookies. Or perhaps you're browsing online, and before you know it, you've bought three pairs of colorful tongs for a barbecue party you haven't even planned.
Impulse buying can make you feel like you're out of control. Fortunately, though, there are some ways to reclaim control and curb your impulsive purchases.
Make a list when you shop.
Before you go shopping in a physical store, make a list. Pledge that you will only buy things on that list. When you enter the store with a plan, rather than simply grabbing whatever looks good, you are less likely to purchase things you don't need.
Bring just enough cash.
If you struggle with impulse buying in stores even when you have a list, you may want to consider shopping in cash. Bring just enough cash into the store to purchase the items you came for. Leave your credit cards in the car or at home.
Only visit online stores when you need something.
Do you visit your favorite vendors' websites whenever you're bored, hoping that something will pop up and spark your interest? This is a sure recipe for impulse buying! A better strategy is to only visit vendor websites, at all, when you need to buy something. And then, make sure you only let yourself buy the specific item that you logged on to buy. Don't treat online shopping as a hobby; treat it as a necessity.
Unsubscribe from email lists.
Do you get numerous emails from various shops and stores, reminding you that there's a sale going on? These emails are designed to encourage you to impulse buy! You'll save a bundle if you simply unsubscribe from their email lists. Or, change your email preferences to automatically send these emails to a hidden folder. This way, you can look at them if you want, but only when you are intentionally checking for specific deals and discounts.
Stay off social media.
Once upon a time, social media was primarily a way to stay connected with family and friends. More recently, though, it has become a way for companies to market their items and convince you to buy, buy, buy. If you stay off social media or, at least, limit your time, you'll find that you make fewer impulse purchases. Consider deleting social media apps from your smartphone, and only logging on briefly each day from your PC.
Ask friends to stop you.
Mention to your friends and family members that you are trying to put an end to impulse purchases. Ask them to question you if they see you going to buy something you don't need or have not planned for. Your friends may be struggling with impulse purchases, too, and they might ask you to do the same thing for them. You can even message each other once a week or so to ask about impulse buys and hold each other accountable. You're less likely to make an impulse purchase if you have to embarrassingly admit it to your friend.
Impulse buying is one of the fastest ways to wreck a budget. If you follow some or all of the tips above, though, you should be able to reclaim control and spend more wisely. With all the money you save, you could build up a nice emergency fund, save for a vacation, or contribute a little extra to your retirement.
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