How to Window Shop and Not Spend Money!

Have you ever been invited to go shopping with someone at a time when you didn't have any money? If so you might have gotten the opportunity to go 'window shopping.' Window shopping is an age old technique in which you look around in stores but don't actually buy anything. It's usually a label people use when they don't have any money. It's not always an easy thing to do however. How can a person make it through window shopping, still be sane, and not spend any money. Here are a few ideas to help you get through.

Leave your credit card and debit card at home. It's hard to spend money when you don't have it with you! The next time you are going window shopping and you know you can't afford to buy anything leave your credit card and debit card at home. Carry only enough cash to buy things like food and gas. When you have something like a credit card with you, it's so easy to get caught up in the moment and buy something you really can't afford. Don't test your ability to avoid temptation. Leave the plastic at home.

Make a plan to buy what you want. When you are window shopping you are bound to see something you want. Instead of getting discouraged about not being able buy certain things make a plan to buy them. Take a notepad and write down a list of all the things you want to buy. Go home and devise a plan to come up with the money to buy what you want. You might even find a better deal on your item if you look online and shop around. If you can't afford something don't just say I can't afford, say you can't afford it right now!

Remind yourself of all the things you already have. It's always good to remind yourself of all the things you 'do' have. When you are walking around the mall or walking around a store and you see things you want but can't afford try this technique. Think of all the things you have at home and how fortunate you already are. This will take some of the sting away from not being able to buy things you see. Window shopping will become much easier.

Buy something small to please your self. When all else fails buy yourself something small that you want. I would keep this item under or around twenty dollars. sometimes just having something to carry around the mall will make you feel good. It will keep you content while you spend the rest of your time just window shopping. Just make sure not to over do it when you make your small purchase.

Window shopping is sometimes a necessity. Try some of the techniques mentioned above to help. You can walk through a store and just look!