Things You'll Need:
- A shopping list
- Patience
- Self-Control
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Step 1
Always shop with a list. Most people overspend because they don't have a list; they get distracted as they're browsing for the items they DO need. So the best thing you can do is to make a list before you even get out of the house. This helps you to stay focused so you won't go down random aisles or sections of the store and find something you didn't originally need.
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Step 2
Comparison shop when possible. Businesses compete, that's how they stay afloat and make us spend more at their stores. It may take some extra time, but don't hesitate to compare prices with competing stores or brands. You may end up saving yourself several hundred - several thousand dollars a year because of it. All you have to do is search online for prices of products your interested in, or physically go to each store and keep a notebook filled with prices you want to compare. Look at all the benefits of each side and then go with the product/brand you feel is the best option.
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Step 3
Use the 24 hour method. Whenever something does catch your eye that isn't on your list, wait 24 hours. It may seem hard to do because, "What if the item is gone before I come back in 24 hours?" But this will stop you from impulse buying. This is because it will give you time to decide if you really need this item or if it's just appealing for the moment. If you forget about the item within 24 hours or you decide that you don't really want/need it right now, then don't buy it; however, if after 24 hours you're still thinking about the item and know that you would get your money's worth out of it, then go back and buy it.
