How To Avoid Impulse Buying

Updated: December 5, 2020

Through the years, I have changed from being an impulsive buyer to a frugal shopper. It took some time and a lot of personal motivation but I was finally able to conquer this bad habit.

If I was able to do it, I don’t see any reason why you can’t.

What I did was, whenever I’m faced with an urge to buy something unplanned, I’ll pause and ask myself several questions.

This simple dialogue with myself has become a powerful tool for me and I hope it will be for you too.

Before I reach for my wallet, I ask myself…

“Am I feeling angry, lonely, or depressed? Am I buying this because I want to feel good?”

“Do I really need this? What will happen if I don’t buy this?”

“Have I checked if this item is available somewhere else for a better price?”

“Don’t I have something similar already like this or can’t I just borrow this from someone?”

“Is there a cheaper alternative to this item?”

“Can I afford to buy this in cash?”

Asking these questions to yourself will help you evaluate the situation and make you realize if the purchase is really necessary.

You must answer as honestly as possible or else you’re just making a fool out of yourself (and I know you don’t want to do that.)

Lastly, here are some practical tips which you can also follow:

  • Plan your day before you leave the house and be strict with your itinerary, no side trips
  • If you’re going shopping, especially to the grocery, prepare a list of things to buy and stick to it
  • Overcome the impulse by giving yourself time before you buy the item, if after a week and the itch is still there, then go ahead and buy the item without the guilt

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34 comments

  1. […] to refuse when the life of a person is involved, but immediately giving in to the request is like buying on impulse. There could have been a cheaper alternative or the situation was not really serious in the first […]

  2. […] Know the exact screening time This is a technique I always use to save me some money when going to the cinemas. I check online or call the cinemas to know the exact screening schedule of the movie which I’m planning to watch. The reason why I do this is because it helps me avoid wasting long hours waiting for the movie to start. Since most of the movie houses in the Philippines are inside the mall, coming on time gives me no excuse to walk around and window shop. Thus, I avoid the temptation to buy something impulsively. […]

  3. […] for yourself. However, what’s important to note here is that one should spend it wisely and not impulsively. Assess first your needs and if all those “bases” are already covered with your current […]

  4. […] How many times have you bought something and later regret the purchase because you realized that you could have had the same item at a lower price or there’s another item that’s better? I assume it’s quite often, specially if you’re an impulse buyer. […]

  5. […] read more on Impulse Buying […]

  6. […] Special situations involve medical emergencies and business proposals. With the first case, I know that it’s really hard to refuse when the life of a person is involved, but immediately giving in to the request is like buying on impulse. […]

  7. […] How many times have you bought something and later regret the purchase because you realized that you could have had the same item at a lower price or there’s another item that’s better? I assume it’s quite often, especially if you’re an impulse buyer. […]

  8. […] This is usually the first thing that comes to our minds and I believe there’s actually nothing wrong with spending that extra money for yourself. However, what’s important to note here is that one should spend it wisely and not impulsively. […]

  9. We have a saying often used in the US that I will share, “STRIKE WHEN THE IRON IS HOT.” Blacksmiths have to heat steel to soften it and make it workable. While I Fully agree that frivolous impulse buying should be avoided, there is a time to STRIKE!!!! Recent example: our masticating juicer was damaged in one of the attachments, effectively rendering it useless. Obtaining parts for imported items like this here in the Philippines are nearly impossible. Masticating juicers are far more expensive that a centrifugal juicer but thy do a superior job extracting more juice and NOT excessively aerating the product. I have an agreement with my beautiful bride that we both have a “stash” of emergency cash and one of the reasons to deploy it is for a really great bargain that fills a need. My bride walked in yesterday with a brand new masticating juicer that was heavily discounted. When she used her points accumulated on the S&R card, the item was so low in price, anyone who needed this juicer would be foolish not to take the deal. The extra cash was deployed and we have a brand new juicer. If ever I get the part for my unit on the shelf, I am very sure it will get a great home with Mother In Law or other health conscious person. The moral here, this was a time to STRIKE!!! and and make an impulsive, quick decision.

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