Some people like to shop- a lot!  There is a fine line between enjoying shopping and compulsive shopping.  People who compulsively shop often spend money they don’t have and get themselves into financial trouble.  Others simply over spend occasionally, which throws their budget off but they can financially recover from it.  For those that only overspend occasionally, here are a few tips to help you curb those out of control spending urges.

First, when it comes to grocery shopping, make a list of the things you need before you hit the store.  Many people impulse buy at the grocery store because they don’t have a list or because they are hungry.  Therefore, another helpful hint for grocery shopping is to eat before you shop.  It seems obvious but shopping when you are hungry will cause you to buy many items you don’t need and usually the items are high in sugar and other carbohydrates. 

Second, be careful when shopping or bidding on items on the Internet.  It is very easy to get carried away, especially when things are bargains.  However, if you bid on too many items on the Internet, you may find yourself over extended if you win multiple auctions.  Don’t bid more than you would ever pay for an item and don’t forget to add in the shipping costs of items.  The same is true for buying items from other stores on the Internet; set a limit for the amount of money you will spend at a store and stick to it. 

Third, beware of the outlet malls.  While shopping at an outlet mall may sound like a great idea, many of the items are not priced low; in fact, many items have the same price as they do in the stores.  Buyers should educate themselves on designer labels before they go shopping at outlet malls.  It is also a good idea to read all of the labels and understand what they mean before shopping at outlet malls.  Clearance items are items that weren’t sold at the retail stores and usually they aren’t marked down more than 40 percent from retail prices.  Seconds are items that have flaws and these should be looked at closely before you purchase them.  Often sleeves in shirts are sewn incorrectly or items are knitted wrong.

Fourth, if you want to buy a new wardrobe but can’t really afford one, go shopping at your local thrift and second hand stores.  You will often find many of the items you want at a mere fraction of the price.  It isn’t unusual to spend less than $100 and come home with more than a week’s worth of clothing.  In addition, you can find many other items you need at thrift stores from furniture to house wares.  Once you shop in these stores you may never go back to retail!

Fifth, if you love those shopping networks on television but spend too much on them, block them on your television.  Re-setting your television is time consuming and the urge to spend will probably pass before you figure out how to re-program your television.

Finally, many people who spend too much with credit cards or their ATM cards have found that freezing them in a jar of water works pretty well.  By the time the jar of water has thawed out, releasing your credit card, the urge to go on a spending spree has passed. 

If you feel that you simply cannot resist the urge to go and spend your hard earned money try buying yourself something you really want that is inexpensive.  It isn’t wrong to indulge yourself occasionally and often just spending a little on yourself is enough to stop your spending spree before it takes off.

 

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