If you want to avoid impulse buying it may feel like the odds are stacked against you. Advertisers, stores, and even your peers are masters of hypnosis. They hypnotize you into believing your long term goals don’t matter and there is nothing more you want in the world than to buy their product.
You become their puppet, disconnected from who you really are and what you really want.
Unless, you utilize the following tips …
- Limit your exposure to ads, commercials, stores, and online shopping sites.
- Ask yourself what the tradeoffs are. Would you rather have this or save for a vacation?
- Rate what you want to buy on a scale of 1-10 – we often buy things we don’t even want that much.
- Pay cash – it hurts more to hand it over.
- Give yourself a monthly cash allowance for extra spending and stick to it.
- Keep your credit card in the freezer or tape a note to it that reminds you why you want to save.
- Commit to calling a friend or spouse for items over a certain amount.
- Count to 100 while walking away.
- Imagine holding the product in one hand and cash in the other – which do you want most?
- Focus on the feeling of regret that will come later. Shopping highs only last for minutes.
- Keep receipts so that you can return items you regret buying.
- Ask yourself: Is it a want or need? Is it in alignment with your goals and values?
- Take a break of at least 24 hours before buying it.
- Distract yourself– try going for a walk in fresh air.
- Before going shopping set an intention for your trip and revisit your long term money goals.
Your Turn: What do you do to curb your spending and impulse buys? I would love to know. You can share in the comments below.
I think a lot of people find it hard to resist bargain buys – getting something at good quality for a steal.
Over the years I accumulated a lot of beautiful, finely made wardrobe separates that I never wore. I never had the right color top to go with those unusual paisley pants. I never got tiny enough to wear any piece of that sleek yoga ensemble.
So, I finally learned to ask myself this question when clothes shopping, “Can I wear it today?
I hear you. I used to buy things on sale and then never have anything to wear with them. Your question, “Can I wear it today?” could be a game changer for many of us when tempted by those good deals and impulse buys. Thanks for sharing.
In life and business my main concern is will I see a return on my investment. I don’t work for money, it works for me. If I am not going to see some kind of return, the money doesn’t leave my pocket.
Money is always a means to an end. Everything in life is a trade off. What return do you want for the investment you make?
I always need to unsubscribe from retailer emails if I’m in a money-saving period, especially if they’re known for lots of email flash sales! Works like a charm.
Coming Up Roses
I agree. They have temptation and manipulation down to a science.