How to Stop Impulse Shopping
Impulse shopping is a quick way to land yourself deep in debt. You usually end up spending money you don't have on items you don't necessarily need, which can lead to financial ruin. However, stopping is challenging since the behavior is innately impulsive, which means you must learn to control it at the time it occurs. There are some things you can do to train yourself to be more financially conservative without feeling as though you are deprived of the things you desire.
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Instructions
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Leave your debit and credit cards at home. You are less likely to spend impulsively if you know you only have a predetermined amount of cash on you. The One Money Design website suggests earmarking some of your cash for impulse buys, with the only rule being that you can buy whatever you want up to the amount of cash you have allotted for this purpose. This satisfies your desire to make a purchase, without throwing your budget into a tailspin.
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Recognize your reason for making the impulse purchase. According to the Moolanomy website, you may be substituting the purchase for another need, such as hunger, fatigue or loneliness. Consider how the purchase is making you feel and determine if there is another way that you can meet that need without spending money to make you feel better.
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Shop with a list and stick with it. Be very specific on the list and gauge what you think you might spend, and make sure the amount fits within the parameters of your budget. Stick with it at all costs, and do not allow yourself to purchase anything that is not on the list. It takes a bit of practice, but with time, you can learn to shop without it.
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Remind yourself of financial goals. Perhaps you are trying to purchase your first home or save for a big trip. Ask yourself how the purchase of a new sweater or pair of boots affects your ability to make that big purchase in the time frame you've set for it. If you stay focused on your financial prize, you are less likely to impulse shop.
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Visit a store for a purpose. Don't just go to look around or check out sales. Head there with a specific purchase in mind, make it, and then leave. The more you hang about, looking at other items, the more likely it is that you will overspend, purchasing more than what you originally came to buy.
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References
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