10 Effective Ways To Avoid Impulse Buying

1. Calculate how much work it would take to pay for the item
This is a big one, and I always get made fun of for it. My wife even anticipates it, and will
launch a preemptive mimicry of myself saying “That’s like, three and a half hours of work!”
whenever she’s looking at a new dress or something. But really, I look at the item’s
longevity and meaningfulness, and figure out if it’s worth it or not. For example, when
looking for a new PS4 game to buy, if I see a game might take 60-80 hours to complete, that
equates to less than a dollar per hour. Totally worth it over time. On the other hand, a two
hour movie would cost me around $40 (yes, I would treat my wife, I’m not that cheap), or
$20 per hour. See the difference?

2. Don’t carry all your credit cards

If you have multiple credit cards, and plan on hitting the mall, just take one for emergencies
and planned purchases. And check your limit before you go out. That way, you know how
much you can spend while still having some left over in case disaster strikes. There’s not
much worse than spending a few hours on a shopping trip, only to get a flat tire on the way
home and be out $400 instead of $200. Keeping your other credit cards home saves you
from spending way too much, and ending up getting in over your head.

3. Don’t go therapy shopping

There are so many better ways to ease stress that don’t involve spending any money.
Shopping when stressed can lead to a vicious cycle: you’re stressed, so you buy stuff, then
you’re stressed because you spent money, so you buy more stuff…and it continues. Not that
gambling while stressed is something I would ever advocate, but at least there you have a
chance of getting some money back! Just kidding. If you’re stressed out, try going for a walk
or listening to music, but avoid spending money at all costs.

4. Block shopping sites when using your computer

I shouldn’t talk, because I have ten other tabs open right now. However, I haven’t clicked on
a single one since I sat down to write this (I know, go me). But really, I remember the
college days, in which I would rather have been doing almost anything than sitting down to
write ten pages on Chaucer. The internet has made it way too easy to buy buy buy, without
thinking about the purchase first. If you need to, block all other sites while you’re trying to
get work done, and save the shopping spree for another time.

5. Don’t go shopping in groups

I know that’s pretty counter-intuitive to most “shopping trips,” but really: When I go
shopping with my wife, we almost always end up picking up something we didn’t plan for.
I’m not blaming her, either. Either one of us end up saying “Why not?” when the other one
asks “Should I…?” On the other hand, whenever I go out by myself, I make it a point to buy
only what I planned to buy. Not only to I make the plan and stick to it, but having the plan
helps me stay focused and ignore other sales going on around me. My wife on the other
hand…
6. Don’t drink and shop
Common sense people! Okay, if you’ve had a few, common sense might not be your strong
suit right now. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. But just like you should avoid texting your
ex at 2AM, you should also avoid Amazon like the plague. Even Fishhooks over here once
woke up to see a new computer monitor in his “recent purchases,” even though he doesn’t
even use his computer for gaming. Luckily I was able to cancel it, and no harm was done.
But I did learn my lesson: Amazon is not a drinking buddy.

7. Put away money you were going to spend

Easier said than done, right? Well, it will pay off in the long run. Add up all the extra “stuff”
you’ve bought over the past year, then look up prices of trips to Aruba. I definitely know
some people who spend more on the former. And even if you don’t have enough for a trip
to the Caribbean, you’ll have enough at the end of the year that you can splurge on a few
things and not feel bad about it. And you might be able to pay off some of those credit card
bills, to boot.

8. Donate to charity
Nothing will make it more clear to you that you don’t need another new pair of shoes than
seeing someone on the sidewalk who actually does. Sometimes it’s best to take the money
you were about to spend on yourself and give it to someone who truly needs it. If you were
going to spend the money anyway, at least put it towards a good cause. Just think: the new
gadget or dress you were about to pick up might improve your life a little, but buying a
week’s worth of groceries for someone in need can change their life completely.

9. Spend money on others

Like me. My address is…

Just kidding. But like I said, if you’re going to spend money anyway, spend it on a friend or
family member to give thanks. No matter what you get them, it will surely be much more
meaningful than whatever you were going to buy for yourself. I like to think that money has
no actual value (it helps to think that way when you’re broke!), but it can have meaning if
spent in a way that will make yourself and others around you happy. Share the wealth, even
if you don’t have much of it.

10. Spend on experiences, not “stuff”

I’m pretty minimalistic, and I’ve said it before that I’d rather save money than buy some
gizmo or something I won’t need in a week. But when it comes to going out with my wife, I
spare no expense. I’d rather go without money in my wallet for a week and give her a nice
night on the town than save and miss an opportunity we might not get tomorrow. Of
course, we set limits, but you can’t put a price tag on a good time. So, even though this
entire article has been about saving money, I guess I should wrap it up with: Don’t get
married. Just kidding! It was the smartest thing I ever did. Save your money, so you can
have a life with someone you love.