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Thread: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

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    Default Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I am the worst if I have cash its burning a hole in my wallet practically humming "spend me". I wind up impulse buying things I don't need
    and there goes good money that could of been spent on bills.
    Does anyone have any tips that you use to stop yourself from
    impulse buying and impulse shopping for unecessary items?
    I hate having the shopoholics disease!

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    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Don't go out?

    Says a girl who just bought two bottles of expensive wine just because it was Jewish.


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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Haha lol, good wine is a different story, what is life without delicious vino!
    I was thinking I should become a stripper again just to support my
    raging shopping addiction...haha j/k.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    See... I set aside money for bills and dont' spend that and the REST goes to shopping. So I kinda fail still.. but bills get paid!


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    Featured Member cottoncandy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I have a list on my fridge where I write down all the non-essentials and their price that I buy. Then after a month or so I add up how much I spent. I still buy some non-essentials but this way you get an idea of how much you are spending on them.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    yup ... making a list in advance forces you to think about exactly what you do need, how much you need, and by implication what you DON'T need. And as CottonCandy points out, if you then decide to buy something that you don't need, you recognize that you are buying a 'luxury' and also recognize how much you are spending on that 'luxury'.

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    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Fill the void with something else.

    Serious shoppers are filling a void. Its typically depression or boredom.

    Ive been working on this problem too... its a lot easier to stop shopping when I have everything on Quicken in front of me in black and white.

    You spent $1300 on "misc" items in April. Yea, just stuff... and I know its hard for dancers and goes against most rules but having cash on you is so bad for breaking shopping habits. You need to SEE where your money is going. Quicken shows a graph of where my money went. It made me sad. I could have put that money to such better use. Im bad at keeping lists so I use my debit card. I was in shock last month so this month Im laying low.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I ask about return policies. If they do full refunds, I'll buy. If not, I won't or I'll stop myself and think -- will I actually wear/use this?

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    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    ^^ yea but youre still shopping... thats not going to break the habit. Everywhere I shop I can return to but it doesnt mean Ill actually return it. I'll think. "I really shouldnt have gotten that... etc" then Ill say "well, it was only $50, Ill make it back at work"

    Its breaking that habit that needs to be done and return policies have nothing to do with it...

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I had that problem too...turns out I have ADHD and being a impulsive shopper was one of the problems. I went on medicine and I'm better now about it. I'll try to put all my money in the bank so it's not there in front of me and every month, I let myself go to the mall and shop so I don't freak out again and start to impulse shop. Going just once a month really helps me. Sometimes I'll go without any money at all and just look. Then I get home and really think about the stuff I saw and go back a few days later and get what I really wanted.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Don't carry cash.

    I found it helps for me to write down what I want right then. I get what I need and go home. If by the end of the week, I still want the item, I'll go back and get it. Usually, though, I find that once I get home and start doing housework, etc...I've forgotten completely about it.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I agree and disagree with "don't carry cash."

    Here's what I do:

    When I get done working, I look at how much I make and compare it to my bills and upcoming expenses. For example, if I make $200, I'll deposit $100, put $50 in my lockbox, and keep $50 in my purse. That $50 is ALL the spending money I have for gas, groceries, and other miscellaneous stuff. My lockbox stays at home and contains my debit card, and I ONLY use my debit card for bills.

    Don't carry more cash than you're prepared to spend, BUT don't carry a debit/credit card, either.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Instead of buying things right away have them put on hold. That way you have a chance to get out of the store and think about whether you really want/need the item. A lot of the time things seem much more appealing in the store since they're in a nice display or there's this great deal, but then when you get home/a few days later you realize it's not so great.

    Budgeting definitely helps too though! Have a set amount of cash in your purse per week/month for "luxury" items like impulse buys, and THAT'S IT. Everything else stays in the account and isn't touched (no credit/debit cards for the impulse buys)

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I also have this problem and a few times it has gotten me into financial problems. I have ADD and I'm not in any meds and it is hard. I know its just instant gratification that I want too because sometimes I feel like buying things online but I usually rethink them because of the time it will take to arrive.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I recommend for every impulse purchase you are tempted to make, tell yourself that when you get home, you have to throw something related away (or donate to charity). For example, you see a shirt you want, so if you buy it, you have to get rid of a shirt you have at home. Same for shoes, perfume, jewelry, and other things you probably don't need.
    The idea behind this (even if you don't follow through) is that it makes you think about what you already have, what you don't need to replace, and perhaps how much money you've spent on things that you are now willing to toss!
    "I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade.
    And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka and have a party."
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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Quote Originally Posted by Morgan_TX View Post
    I agree and disagree with "don't carry cash."

    Here's what I do:

    When I get done working, I look at how much I make and compare it to my bills and upcoming expenses. For example, if I make $200, I'll deposit $100, put $50 in my lockbox, and keep $50 in my purse. That $50 is ALL the spending money I have for gas, groceries, and other miscellaneous stuff. My lockbox stays at home and contains my debit card, and I ONLY use my debit card for bills.

    Don't carry more cash than you're prepared to spend, BUT don't carry a debit/credit card, either.
    I work a little differently and I guess it depends on how you track your debit card spending. Each time I make a purchase with a debit card, I have to write the transaction down in the check register. I am much more likely to not impulse spend when I do that.

    With cash, it's liquid and so I don't see the ramifications as much. Easy come easy go type of thing for me.

    Definitely see where you weak spending points are and then find a way to strengthen them.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Quote Originally Posted by BabyGirlKylie View Post
    I recommend for every impulse purchase you are tempted to make, tell yourself that when you get home, you have to throw something related away (or donate to charity). For example, you see a shirt you want, so if you buy it, you have to get rid of a shirt you have at home. Same for shoes, perfume, jewelry, and other things you probably don't need.
    The idea behind this (even if you don't follow through) is that it makes you think about what you already have, what you don't need to replace, and perhaps how much money you've spent on things that you are now willing to toss!
    I just have to second this it's a really really good idea!

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Quote Originally Posted by BabyGirlKylie View Post
    I recommend for every impulse purchase you are tempted to make, tell yourself that when you get home, you have to throw something related away (or donate to charity). For example, you see a shirt you want, so if you buy it, you have to get rid of a shirt you have at home. Same for shoes, perfume, jewelry, and other things you probably don't need.
    The idea behind this (even if you don't follow through) is that it makes you think about what you already have, what you don't need to replace, and perhaps how much money you've spent on things that you are now willing to toss!
    This is a pretty good idea... The funny thing though is that this is another thing that I'm trying to work on. I'm one of those people that likes to keep EVERYTHING(i.e.flyers, receipts, clothes) I have pants that I have not wore in like 10 years just as keep-sakes.I've started to clear my closet but everytime I throw something out it makes me kind of sad. Weird, I know.Sry to threadjack.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    ^^
    One AMAZING way to realize how much stuff you have... go through your closet and remove a bunch of clothes that you don't wear much. Like... every 3rd or 4th item, at the very least. Be disciplined about it. Keep only the things you wear a lot.

    Don't throw them out. Just put them in a bag or a box. Even the things that still have a price tag on them that you never wore. Write a date like 6 months in the future.

    Seriously, you won't even remember what's in there. 6 months from now, go sell that stuff or give it away! It really works and then with more closet space you can really see the clothes you actually use.

    For the impulse buys... yeah, I am an advocate of just carrying enough cash for what you're doing that day. Enough for lunch and a coffee or something. Just go window shopping. If you REALLY ,REALLY want something, put it on hold and go get it in a few days. If you've forgotten about it/don't get around to buying it, you don't need it.

    Good luck!

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Quote Originally Posted by VenusGoddess View Post
    I work a little differently and I guess it depends on how you track your debit card spending. Each time I make a purchase with a debit card, I have to write the transaction down in the check register. I am much more likely to not impulse spend when I do that.

    With cash, it's liquid and so I don't see the ramifications as much. Easy come easy go type of thing for me.

    Definitely see where you weak spending points are and then find a way to strengthen them.
    I love using my checkbook. when I first really started taking personal finance seriously I would record everything, including my cash transactions, into my checkbook. Then I would enter the info into Moneydance (like Quicken, but it doesn't suck!). Now I've gotten my spending under control enough that I can just save my receipts and enter it every day.

    Just writing it out at the register really helps you to cut back on mindless transactions.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Hmmm...maybe I'm overthinking it, but all I have to do is remind myself how $500 more in my international-fund 401K will be more useful to me when I'm old and the Ponzi scheme that is Social Security has utterly imploded than having $500 in clothes now.

    But like I said, perhaps I overthink these things.
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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    ^^ yea but youre still shopping... thats not going to break the habit. Everywhere I shop I can return to but it doesnt mean Ill actually return it. I'll think. "I really shouldnt have gotten that... etc" then Ill say "well, it was only $50, Ill make it back at work"

    Its breaking that habit that needs to be done and return policies have nothing to do with it...

    Works for me!!

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I try to pay my bills off as soon as I have the money. I go get money orders right away, so I cant spend it on other things. I try to even pay in advance if I can.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    I've been spending way too much in the last few years, most annoyingly I must just waste it because I've done a budget and theoretically I should have savings and not just be scratching from week to week. I have set a rather complicated system but seemed to be working before the money went bleh at the club (although I now have savings which will get me through the crummy weeks).
    So of course the first thing is to work out how much money you need for what. I actually designate my money as I make it at work. I know I need to set aside $xx a week for bills/tax so when I make that amount I consider it as a compulsory costs- like housefees.. I set it aside immediately, it doesn't even hit my purse so in my mind that bills money doesn't even exist.
    And then with the money I do allow myself to spend I divide it up into money for food/fuel, a splurge allowance, and whats left over. I put it into envelopes and stick it in a pocket in my handbag so if I exceed my splurge allowance and want to spend my food money or the extra on crap It is a big deal to stand there at the checkout and dig through my bag, and open an envelope with DO NOT SPEND on it.
    I'm hoping to get disciplined enough that the envelope with the surplus cash can go into the safe too with the bills money and my CREDIT CARD (very important to keep that one at home) but I haven't quite got that good yet.
    So yeah, I don't even acknowledge some of the money I make and keep it locked away from spending. If you make sure you don't have the money on you can't spend it so easily.

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    Default Re: Tips to Ward off Impulse Buys?

    Quote Originally Posted by Casual Observer View Post
    Hmmm...maybe I'm overthinking it, but all I have to do is remind myself how $500 more in my international-fund 401K will be more useful to me when I'm old and the Ponzi scheme that is Social Security has utterly imploded than having $500 in clothes now.

    But like I said, perhaps I overthink these things.

    See when I'm shopping I don't think like this. I always think that I don't know what's going to happen in the future, I could be in the job of my dreams filthy rich or even die before I even reach that age, who knows, why not enjoy it now.

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