How to Stop Making Impulse Purchases

Do you get a high from going to any store and buying random things on a regular basis, only to come home to complete remorse, shame and even debt? You can curb your impulses and learn to shop without overspending. If you think you have an addiction so severe, this article is NOT for you and you should consult with a licensed professional counselor to address your addiction.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• time
• self-observation
• motivation
• patience

1. Before you leave to go to the store, take a moment and observe your home. If you are not at home, think about how you feel when you walk into your home. Be sure to focus on areas of abundance, such as your pantry, your closet, your makeup drawer, or your knick-knack shelf, to name a few. Take in that image of over-saturation. Remember it.

2. As you enter the store, be aware that the store is designed to draw you and get you to shell out as much money as possible regardless of what you have at home or in the bank.
   As you get enticed by things you see, stop and ask yourself the following questions:
   1. Do I have something like this?
   If the answer is yes, you truly don't need it...even if it's better. You can manage with what you have.
   2. Do you really want to make room to house this item?
   3. Who am I trying to please or impress by bringing this item home? Will I achieve that?
   4. If I left here without this item, could I feel a sense of pride for conquering my compulsion? Would that be better than the disappointment or disgust I feel for having made yet another unneccessary purchase?
   5. Do I make the kind of living that goes in conjuction with purchases like this? For example, if you only make $30,000 a year and have a family, do you need a $1,000 bracelet when it's not even your birthday or anniversary?
   6. Am I buying this because I'm experiencing sadness, hunger, loneliness, etc.?
   Be honest with yourself here, because if that's the case, those feelings can get even worse when you disappoint yourself and your loved ones with the stress of another unneccessary purchase.
   7.How long will THIS high last me?
   True impulse buyers know what I'm talking about here. You know that the high is short lived. Don't short ciruit your brain functioning with another high followed by a crushing low.

3. If you are absolutely intent on buying something, will you considering getting rid of something you have, either by donation or selling it?
   Consider getting rid of things BEFORE buying new things. You can get a tax write-off for donations or you can get money if you choose consignment or selling things via a garage sale or online (e.g., Ebay, Craigslist, etc.)

Tips & Warnings

• Remember this: Fashion is VERY trendy. What's in today is out tomorrow. If you want an $800 handbag, can you accept that it won't be "in" next season?
• Try leaving the store without the item and see if you really remember it or think about when you are away from it.
• Ask a friend to join you in shopping and ask them to avoid enabling your purchases. They can remind you of the questions above or "lie" and tell you that all the things you have chosen are ugly or look bad on you.

[firehead4]

on 9/30/2009 I appreciate the comment and rating, fortunate!

[fortunate]

on 9/9/2009 I like your article. The question that I usually ask myself is: Do I want it or do I need it? 5*!