I’m pretty sure we could all use some Tips to Stop Impulse Buying.  It seems part of our way of life – shopping!  And, it doesn’t matter if you’re an old pro at money management or you’re brand new at budgeting.  Impulse spending is going to be a temptation.

Impulse buying can be the one thing that totally derails all our efforts to save money, pay off debt, and stay within our budgets.

Why does it get us?

Why do we all succumb to impulse buying?

I know there are a lot of different reasons, but just to name a few,

• Buying things gives us a thrill.
• We are intentionally marketed to in such a way that drives us to make these impulse purchases
• We find it really hard to pass up on a bargain
• FOMO – Fear of Missing Out

We all know, though, that there are consequences.  People have different triggers and will struggle in different areas.

I remember being newly married, in my first real apartment with my new husband, and I had this fairy-tale image of the life I wanted.  We didn’t have a lot of money, but we lived near a Target and a Michael’s.  I knew these stores had just what I needed to set up the perfect home.

So, I would shop.

On my days off, I would just wander through these stores.  Most things I couldn’t afford, but I would dream.  Then that bright red sticker – you know the one that tells you you’re getting a great deal – would catch my eye.

I’d tell myself, “I can afford this, it’s on clearance.”  So, I’d pick it up and take it home, and I didn’t really have a place for it, so it’d go to my spare room.

That spare room ended up with dozens of these items that I never ended up using – And, I don’t even want to add up how much it cost me.  It took me years to figure out how to avoid these purchases.

There is hope, though.

You can avoid all this impulse buying by following these guidelines below.

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How to Stop Impulse Buying

1. Keep Your Goals in Mind

This may be my Number One tip to stop impulse buying.  If you can remember “Why” you shouldn’t be spending that will give you the motivation you need most.  Are you saving for a vacation?  Picture laying on the beach in the sunshine – Is that little decoration, special coffee, or piece of jewelry more important than that trip?  Probably not.  Just remember that you’re making a trade.

Learn how to make  and keep your money goals in Cash Fueled Life, where my friend, Kim Anderson walks you through the steps of Creating Your Goals, Setting Up Your Cash Fueled Systems and Making Progress.  She’s been there and reached amazing goals herself by living a Cash Fueled Life.

2. Ask, “Do I Really Need This?”

Most of the time when I ask this question, the answer is “NO!”  So, just remember to ask it as you’re looking at that item that is tempting you.

3. Don’t Carry Debit/Credit Cards

I really struggle with this one.  It’s hard to leave those cards at home, because I’m always thinking, “What if I have an emergency?”  The truth is, in my 30 years as an adult, I don’t know if I’ve ever had an “Emergency” that I couldn’t have solved without my credit card.

So, just bite the bullet and give it a try.  Be strategic and just leave it at home for the trips that you know will be tempting.  Maybe you’re going to spend an afternoon with a friend – take just enough cash for a special drink, but not any for the mall shopping that you’ll be doing after.

4. Plan Your Meals

By planning your meals ahead of time, you will greatly reduce the frequency at which you go grocery shopping.  Try to get your shopping down to less than once per week.  It’s been proven that the more times you go shopping, the more you will spend.  And, the more time you spend in the store, the more you will spend.  If you will stop going shopping so often, you’ll be able to stop impulse buying at the grocery store.

Make some freezer meals as back-up so you won’t be tempted to eat out or run to the store when you don’t have a meal planned.  Try out my Super Simple 10-Minute Meal Planning.  You can also be willing to just eat sandwiches or cereal on the nights you don’t have a meal planned.

Use Ibotta for extra grocery savings.  Not signed up yet?  Go here and sign up for your FREE $10 Welcome Bonus.

5. Build a Splurge Into Your Budget

It’s important to have some fun splurges built into your budget.  If you are never allowed to spend some fun money, you’re likely to rebel and blow some cash just because you’re feeling deprived.  If you have a specific amount allotted to spend, you’ll be more likely to really consider how you want to spend it and make a good choice.

6. Stay Out of the Stores

Now, if you’re struggle is with online shopping, you’re not going to have to worry about physical stores.  But, you will need to stay out of the online stores.  That probably means unsubscribing from all the email lists to your favorite stores.  I know they’re always promoting great and wonderful sales, but remember, even if you get a good deal – You’re Not Saving, You’re Spending.

 7. Delay the Purchase

This is one of the smartest things I do when I feel that urge to make an impulse purchase.  Carry a small notepad with you and every time you feel that strong urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, write it down.  Do this for a whole month, then at the end of the month, give yourself permission to go back and buy whatever you want from that list.  Most likely, once the impulse has passed, you can see that you don’t really need or want it after all.  And, if you’ve made a list of 20 things, but only go back for one, you’ve made great progress.

I know it’s hard – there are things I want to buy every single day, but I always try to really evaluate each purchase.  I know with a little effort, you’ll be able to stop impulse buying right away.  It will make a huge impact on your budget and make you feel empowered, too.

Do you have some areas that you’re really struggling in?  Check out my Spending Freeze Rules to help you limit your spending for awhile.  There’s a great printable download that goes along with it as well.