Eliminate Impulse Buying

Impulse buying can wreak havoc on a household budget very quickly. Follow these tips to keep from making unplanned purchases.

Stick to the List

It's probably the oldest piece of advice when it comes to impulse buying, but it's still one of the best. Whether you are off to the grocery, the home improvement store, or the department store, know exactly what you are going to buy, write it down, and stick to the list. Don't even go down aisles unnecessarily.

Cash and Carry

Create a budget, whether for your weekly groceries, a new outfit, or a home repair, and then only carry enough cash to meet that budget. Leave the credit cards at home. Without the means to spend over your budget, you will immediate eliminate your ability to be roped in by that door buster sale.

Stay Out of the Store

Reduce trips, even to the grocery, to as few as possible. Some experts estimate that shoppers purchase 10% more than their initial intentions on each trip to a store. Others claim that number can be as high as 40%. Either way, reducing the number of trips to the store - shopping once a week, or even bi-weekly, will reduce the opportunity for impulse buying.

Carry a Calculator

Even with a product list, it is important to have a monetary budget. Carry a calculator and add up purchases as you place them in the cart. It is much easier to remove something from the cart than it is to have it removed from a bag after the cashier has rung it up. At that point, you are much more likely to pull out the credit card or extra cash than wait for a manager to come void the sale.

I have come to love shopping online, because sites automatically calculate my totals for me as I put items in my online cart. I know exactly how much I'm spending and can easily remove items prior to check out.

Buddy Up

Make your shopping trip a chance to bond with a family member or friend. Just make sure you have each other's backs. Discuss what you are shopping for and what your budget is. Make a pre-shopping pact to keep each other on financial track.

My daughters are wonderful at providing a "reality check" when shopping. They also have good eyes for seeing a scarf or belt that I can add to an outfit I already have and save me even more money.

Ask the Experts

Don't be afraid, or embarrassed, to let the sales clerk know your budget, and that it is not negotiable. Store clerks often know where the discounted items are buried in the store and are usually happy to help.

When we were putting wood floors in our home, the clerk at the home improvement store showed us where returned items were discounted. We found 75% of the stair noses we needed at 60% off the "new price".

Save the Slip

Impulse buys often lead to major cases of buyer's remorse. Most items, if in the original packaging and accompanied by a receipt, can be returned. Don't let a temporary financial set-back become a permanent one - take it back.

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